Whisky weather is here, and we couldn’t be more excited as Spirit of Toronto gets set to launch Whisky Social, Toronto’s newest whisky festival. Drumroll please…

It’s surreal how quickly all of this is coming together, but here’s a mock-up of the tasting glasses that are currently in production as I type. And to think that just a month ago Whisky Social was a glint in our eyes, but that’s serendipity for you.

(New glass, new whisky festival: scroll to bottom for the punchline if you’re pressed for time)

We’d been toying with the idea of a sibling for years, but it wasn’t until last month that we came across the perfect venue, a beautifully renovated heritage building along Lakeshore East in Mississauga.

When we visited the space in August it was love at first sight: the exposed brick, the garage doors, the outdoor courtyard – food trucks! – the bank of large windows, the natural light that floods the space from all angles, including a 50ft skylight. (We just don’t architecture like we used to, do we?)

And location, location, location! Right on Lakeshore East, just 3 stops from Union Station. In short, it’s the perfect blank canvas to paint the kind of relaxed, low-key daytime whisky festival we’ve always enjoyed when traveling to distant lands. “No drama, just drams,” says Patrick (my BFF and oyster Jedi), in a reference to the many gears involved in bringing Spirit of Toronto to life every May.

By contrast Whisky Social will be focused on the sips and the craic, as my Celtic mates say, hence our tagline: “A Gathering of Kindred Spirits”.

No masterclasses, no cocktails, no ice, no dress code, no babysitter, no FOMO. (So many no’s, such bad marketing!) Below is the clever elevator pitch that I’ve crafted for the occasion:

POV: If Spirit of Toronto is the filet mignon of whisky experiences then Whisky Social is a smash burger… laidback and informal, but equally satisfying.

(Spoiler alert: smash burgers and whisky are a match made in heaven!)

From our many conversations these past few weeks, brands and distillers ‘get it’, and look forward to pouring their wares in a grassroots setting where like-minded whisky stans can gather to revisit old favourites and discover their next go-to bottle.

Brands are still being confirmed, but so far I’m excited that Whisky Social will be featuring a handsome selection of whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, India and, of course, Canada – including the fantastic range of single malt whisky being made in the Yukon by our friends at Two Brewers, as well as a 28-year-old Canadian whisky finished in Tokaji casks (more to come!)

And if we’re lucky, we may even be hosting a final bow from one of Canada’s longest serving master blenders – fingers crossed.

TLDR: Here’s The Punchline

• What?Whisky Social
• When?Saturday November 1st from 1pm to 5pm
• Where?SAIB on Lakeshore East, 12-minute walk from Long Branch Station (3 GO stops from Union)
• Why?Because you’re in the mood for a relaxed, comiccon-inspired afternoon of tasting and talking whisky with kindred spirits: no FOMO, no babysitters, no dress code, just come as you are and make it back home in time for dinner
• How?By purchasing a ticket when they go on sale Thursday September 25 at 10am through our website

Tickets Go On Sale Next Week

Tickets for Whisky Social are $139 and include all whisky samples, the tasting glass pictured above, and a $10 voucher that can be redeemed at one of the food trucks in our outdoor courtyard – smash burger anyone??

Full details and a ticketing page are in progress at:

https://www.whiskysocial.ca

The website is currently a work in progress, but if you’re subscribed to this list you’ll receive automatic notification once the ticketing page is live, as well as occasional pitches to get you through the door.

So maybe see you Saturday November 1st?

Sláinte,
Johanna

Johanna Ngoh
Founder, Spirit of Toronto (and now Whisky Social!)

PS: Did someone ask about tasting kits? Rest assured that good things come to those who wait: good things from Campbeltown, good things from Islay, good things from the Highlands, good things from the Lowlands, good things from Fife…

In short, stay tuned for more details as we unveil the Spirit of Toronto 2025 Fall Collection featuring the 8 whiskies on our personal wish list this season, accompanied by online tastings with the people behind these drams.