The 2016 Whisky Tasting School 

The Victoria Highland Games Association is once again pleased to present “The Whisky Tasting School” on May 21st, 22nd, & 23rd 2016 at the 153rd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park. All sessions will feature single malt whiskies presented by ambassadors representing a variety of Scotch & American whiskies. The registration fee is $35 (Monday noon session $45) and includes a one-day field entry (value $15).  Whisky School guests are also able to purchase an engraved Victoria Highland Games Glencairn whisky nosing glass for $15 (one per guest per class).

Guests must be aged 19 years or older to attend!

Each session has limited seating; in previous years all sessions have sold out prior to the Games so don’t be late in registering!  Download the registration form here.

Details of the 8 sessions are as follows:

Saturday May 21^st 12-1:00 PM The Glenlivet “The single malt that started it all” with Keith Trusler

Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is the original single malt Scotch whisky that sets the standard for style and quality. It is renowned for its smooth and fruity flavour profile. Today, The Glenlivet is the world’s No.1 single malt Scotch whisky. The Glenlivet, since founding in 1824, has operated almost continuously since and is the only distillery with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.This Tasting led by Ambassador Keith Trusler will showcase the heritage of “the single malt that started it all.

 Saturday May 21^st 1:45-2:45 PM– Glenfarclas with Gavin Cameron

Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. They produce a wide range of expressions and Gavin will entertain and delight with the Glenfarclas.

Saturday May 21^st 3:30-4:30 PM Bourbon 101 with Matt Jones

Bourbon 101 – All Bourbon is Whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon! “Americas Native Spirit” was born out of the Frontier over 2 centuries ago, learn what makes it unique from all other North American Whiskies from the charring of the new oak barrels to the grains used to the folks that craft it!

Sunday May 22^nd 12-1:00 PM Aberlour Distillery with Keith Trusler

Aberlour single malts are made from expertly crafted new spirit, usually double cask matured for at least 12 years in the finest hand-picked Oloroso Sherry butts and first fill Bourbon casks. When judged ready for bottling, the subtly different flavours of the whisky from each type of cask are orchestrated into a distinguished range of rich, rewardingly complex single malts. For people who know whisky, the result is an unusually engrossing, many-layered experience; let Ambassador Keith Trusler show you Aberlour first hand.

Sunday May 22^nd 1:45-2:45 PM Vintage Malt Whisky Company Scotch Whisky & Xoxolat Chocolate with Rick Sousa and Hodie Rondeau

In this very special tasting, guests will have the opportunity to indulge in two of life’s greatest pleasures: Scotch and chocolate! This guided tasting will pair rare single cask, single malt whiskies with handcrafted single origin, & flavoured chocolates. Each chocolate will bring out the unique profiles of its paired Scotch.

Sunday May 22^nd 3:30-4:30 PM Legends of Bourbon with Matt Jones

The Legend of Bourbon – Beam Suntory Whisk(e)y Ambassador Matt Jones took enthusiasts on a journey of an American Treasure. The journey explored contemporary Bourbon with Jim Beam’s reinvention of the industry, the Maker’s Mark reinterpretation of the status quo, and Booker Noe’s resurrection of classic styles, that together helped raise a failing industry to greatness. Honouring tradition, embracing change, always moving forward…

Monday May 23^rd 12:00-1:30 pm Whisky & Local Food Pairing with Bill Jones

Join Deerholme Farm owner, Cookbook Author and Celebrity Chef, Bill Jones as he guides you through a sensory journey pairing single malt whiskies with delectable local food choices. Starting with house smoked sockeye salmon with fireweed honey, Bill will lead you through a variety of local food choices paired with outstanding whiskies. For more information on Bill, visit http://www.deerholme.com/ Sign up early for this one as it will sell out fast with only 35 seats available. Cost: $45.00

Monday May 23rd 2:45PM – 3:45 PM The Scotch Malt Whisky Society   & Xoxolat Chocolate with Lawrence Graham & Hodie Rondeau.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the largest private whisky club in the world and it is thriving in British Columbia, come see what the excitement is about! Society whiskies are by their very nature unique, extremely limited and quite deliciously varied.