Canada Distils

a new book from

After what seems an eternity of planning, traveling from coast to coast, and writing, Blair Phillips and I are overjoyed that our forthcoming book, called Canada Distils, will be published on the Appetite by Random House imprint of Penguin Random House Canada. Thank you to everyone who has helped and hosted us in our travels so far. We’re not done yet, so don’t be surprised if we call or drop by looking for information.

The book profiles of all of Canada’s operating distilleries, large and small, along with little-known details for visitors and armchair visitors alike. There is so much more between the pages, but you’ll just have to be patient to find out what.

Shortlist announced

International Wine and Spirits Competition

Spirits Communicator of the Year 2018 

From IWSC media release:

“Four stars of the spirits industry have been chosen to go forward to the shortlist of the IWSC’s prestigious Spirit Communicator of the Year award.

“Amanda Victoria, Davin de Kergommeaux, Tom Sandham, and Eric Zandona were selected as the four finalists by a panel of judges which included Louisa Humm, head of brand communications at Pernod Ricard, drinks journalist Douglas Blyde, editor of just-drinks.com Olly Wehring, spirits consultant Veronika Karlova, IWSC general manager Adam Lechmere, and last year’s winner and editor/co-founder of Gin Foundry Olivier Ward.

“The Spirit Communicator of the Year award, sponsored by Chivas Brothers, recognises an individual or organisation whose communication skills have made an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness in spirits.

“The winner will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 14 November 2018 at the Guildhall in London.”

https://iwsc.net/news/iwsc/shortlist-announced-for-spirit-communicator-of-the-year-2018

The Strath / Shelter Point exclusives

Two new Shelter Point whiskies, both exclusive to The Strath liquor store in Victoria are well worth hunting down. Shelter Point is really coming into its own and The Strath has picked two of its honeyest honey barrels to release as single-cask whiskies. A Classic Single Malt distilled in 2011 and an Avant-Garde Barley from 2013 are both bottled at 57.3%.

Look for typical lush malty notes in the Classic, underscored by baking spices, citrus fruit and fresh bread. Avant-Garde Barley matured in a Vancouver Island blackberry wine barrel, bursts with jammy fruit, toasted grain and citrus hints.

Yukon’s Two Brewers

Meanwhile, in Whitehorse, Two Brewers continue to impress with their latest whiskies including Release 10, their first cask-strength whisky to date. Bottled at 58%, its grassy notes, sweet tobacco and cereals bask in a gentle bed of Werther’s caramel.

A Pedro Ximinez finish adds sweetness and ripe fruity tones to Release 9, which is bottled at 46%.

Canadian Rockies 17 Year Old

All the excitement about the recently released Canadian Rockies 21 may have overshadowed another real gem of a whisky. Sourced from Highwood Distillers in Alberta, Canadian Rockies 17 year old is one more example of the glories of slow maturation. Canadian Rockies 17, bottled at 50% abv, delivers all the spiciness, luscious corn and crisp clean woody notes we’ve come to expect in well-aged corn whisky.

Banff Whisky Experience

On September 28 & 29, the inaugural Banff Whisky Experience will offer 15 master classes for curious drammers who want to experience new whiskies. My two classes alone include whiskies very few people will have tasted before.

This is shaping up to be one of Canada’s premiere whisky events, and you certainly can’t complain about the location. The complete schedule is now available at https://www.banffwhiskyexperience.com.

Click “Buy Tickets” or go to: www.showpass.com/bwe/.

Space is limited, so book soon!

Canadian Whisky Awards 2019

Mark your calendars. The 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards have not yet been announced officially, but if you are planning to attend the gala presentation, reserve Thursday, January 17 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria.  See you there. Invitations for producers to enter their whiskies in the awards will be forthcoming.

Blue Mountain Whisky Tasting 

On November 10, 2018, Grand Central Lodge at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario, will treat whisky lovers to a grand tasting along with food, cocktails and a cigar pairing. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.ca or thedampub.ca.

Canadian Whisky, the book 

Everything you ever wanted to know about Canadian whisky, but didn’t know where to look. Now in the second printing of its second edition. Available at bookstores across Canada and the US, and from online sellers.