I attended the Toronto Whisky Festival this past weekend. I'd never been to anything like this before. I guess if I had to sum it up, it would be...Wow! Roy Thompson Hall is a great building with professional staff. The tables were setup around the outside circle/lobby which worked very well, allowing people to move around, and not get too crowded. The food was very good, and the music classy. The reps were interesting to talk to.
A number of 'Master Class' tasting sessions were offered. I attended the Glen Livet class with Jim Cryle, and it was good. He didn't say anything startling to me, but his experience gave his words authority. I rediscovered The Glen Livet, which I had been passing by for the last few years, and the 18 year was also offered; Very nice. There were other classes I wanted to take in, but time flies when you're having fun, and I missed them.
There were so many whiskies I hadn't tried yet, and to have the opportunity was great. Ardbeg 10 has a convert now, and the Highland Park 25 showed me again why I love all their whiskies. I was impressed with the Forty Creek offerings, and under $25 Cdn they are in my price range. The Ledaig was excellent, and one I will look for again, and I enjoyed the Cragganmore D.E. I still haven't found a bourbon that I like, although the Rip Van Winkle was alright, but the various offerings at the Jack Daniels table didn't impress. The Gibsons 18 was also not my thing; OK, but not really for me (my friends loved it). I got to try Johnnie Walker Green and Gold, which were OK, but not at the price the LCBO wants for them. Arran was such a lovely whiskey. I had been prejudiced against it for being so young, but boy was I wrong. I didn't try the many of independent bottlers offerings, but I really don't think I could have drank any more. I did taste the Benromach from Gordon and MacPhail. I was feeling quite fine by the end, and was slightly miserable the next day. I suppose I could have tasted more and spit it out, but that just seems wrong somehow.
A great time, and I hope there is another next year.
Doug.