Check your calendars—only 2 more sleeps to go until this year’s Spirit of Toronto, and tickets are almost sold out so see you on Saturday or see you in 2017!

This year’s show will be boasting an incredible selection of both whisky and fine spirits – we’re excited for guests to discover Wm Grant & Sons Rare Cask Reserves with the Storas 21 Year Old; a taste of Brooklyn in Toronto courtesy of the Van Brunt Stillhouse; and lesser known Scottish distilleries such as Aultmore, Benromach, Macduff, Royal Brackla, Tomatin, Old Pulteney and Ben Nevis.

Those of you who have yet to visit Scotland will come close courtesy of The Balvenie, who will be bringing their floor maltings to this year’s show, and Glenfiddich, who will be offering guests a virtual tour. And Instagrammers will not want to miss a chance to get up close and personal with one of only three bottles of Bowmore 50 Year Old in Canada.

Attending the Kentucky Derby Social with Matt Jones? You’re one of the lucky ones that will be going home with a commemorative silver julep cup — #whiskyswag!

Introducing Distilled…

This year’s Spirit of Toronto marks the launch of ‘Distilled’, a magazine dedicated to exploring the craft and culture of fine spirits. Copies will be available to all guests at the end of the night and we are excited to have on hand some of inaugural contributors including Wayne Curtis, Douglas Ford and Angus MacRaild.

Please do stop by the Distilled pavilion for a first peak at the pages of our new publication, as well as a taste of some of the spirits featured in our premiere issue. Rhum agricole, armagnac, cognac, distillato di birra, shochu and a selection from Scotland’s most underrated distillery, and one of its newest — a new world of taste awaits and we look forward to sharing some of our finds with our esteemed guests at this year’s show.

Some last minute reminders…

A few things to note, particularly if you’re joining us for the first time:

• The weather will be nice and the terrace will be open so please feel free to take your samples outside by the pool, keeping in mind that it is now entirely smoke-free.

• Seating in the 7pm and 8:30pm masterclasses are only reserved until 5 minutes before the start of class, so please do not be late! Any empty seats will be assigned to patrons on a stand-by basis, so please check with the usher in the South Lobby if you don’t have a reservation and are interested in attending a class.
• Blender’s Malt Whisky Glasses: these will be for sale at the show, $10 apiece or a box of 6 glasses for $50 (cash sales only)

Please don’t lose your glass! It’s yours to keep and replacements must be purchased (see above).