Spirit of Toronto 2020 Warehouse Experience: Last Call for Aberfeldy and Wiser’s!

Given the many challenges that 2020 continues to throw at us, it’s even more fitting to give thanks for life’s small pleasures, and in our case it’s the ability to remain connected to whisky fans and share the liquid bounty that has been specially imported for the Spirit of Toronto 2020 Warehouse Experience.

Our exclusive series of online tastings hosted by whisky makers launches in less than two weeks, and while our Daftmill and Aberlour sessions are now fully booked (with only a few spots left for Highland Park), this week is the last call to reserve your virtual passage to the Aberfeldy Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, and the Hiram Walker Distillery closer to home in Windsor on the shores of the Detroit River.

Hiram Walker Warehouse Tasting with Master Distiller Don Livermore

It seems only fitting that we are launching this series with none other than Canada’s foremost whisky maker, Don Livermore of the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor. Those who have yet to taste and chat whisky with ‘Dr. Don’ are in for a special treat as he previews his latest limited edition, JP Wiser’s 22 Year Old Finished in Port Wood and bottled at 59.7% abv.

From here we’ll segue to some of the experimental casks that the good Doc has selected for this session, including JP Wiser’s Red Letter at 15 years of age, and two variants of Canada’s favourite rye, Lot 40 ‘Peated Quarter Cask’ and Lot 40 ‘Black Sea Cask’ — yes, so many questions!

All will be revealed come Friday October 23, along with the caveat that these experimental casks may or may not ever see the light of day. (PS: Spoiler alert! We don’t know what we’ll do if the sample of JP Wiser’s Red Letter 15 Year Old that we’ve tasted doesn’t eventually make it to store shelves…)

Aberfeldy Warehouse Tasting with Master Blender Stephanie Macleod

Having now previewed most of what will be poured throughout this very special series, we’re especially excited to have Master Blender Stephanie Macleod lead us through a vertical tasting of the Aberfeldy Distillery which includes two gorgeous single casks at full proof.

As the heart and soul of Dewar’s Blended Scotch Whisky, Aberfeldy is a distillery held in high regard by Scottish blenders, sought after for its elegant, silky demeanour. This virtual warehouse tasting has Stephanie starting off with the classic, honeyed Aberfeldy 12 Year Old followed by a 16 Year Old finished in Madeira casks, a whisky that we guarantee lovers of wine finshed malts will find hard to put down. For fans of sherried malts the Aberfeldy 20 Year Old single cask that Stephanie has sent is a dream come true, finished for 4 years in an ex-sherry cask and rich with all the raisin and Christmas pudding one could ask for. And for her finale Stephanie will be closing off with an elder statesman from the distillery, a single cask of Aberfeldy 33 Year Old that is a testament to the famous quote by the late Tommy Dewar: “We have a great regard for old age when it is bottled.”

All-Access Virtual Pass and our Joker’s Wild

As a reminder, all sessions come with a beautiful wooden gift box which has been specially designed for this series, and includes two Spirit of Toronto 2020 Glencairn whisky glasses alongside four sample bottles, a tasting mat and a pipette. A link to join the virtual sessions will be sent by email ahead of the scheduled day and time. Participants will also be able to view all other sessions in the series at no extra charge.

Unable to participate in the live stream of your choice at the scheduled time? Not a problem as all tastings will be archived for 45 days after airing.

Shipping is to Canadian addresses only, but there is also the option of an All-Access Virtual Pass that allows you to participate in these sessions with a dram from your own sideboard.

We are also keen to maintain the spirit of discovery that Spirit of Toronto is all about, and with this in mind we have the option of our Joker’s Wild — a random class based upon availability for those who love a good surprise, and a healthy discount. Your selected class will be revealed upon delivery of your tasting kit.

Slainte!

Click for the complete Spirit of Toronto Warehouse Experience schedule