Low wines are essentially an intermediate product in the distillation process, emerging after the first distillation run. Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Low wines is distillate collected from a wash still. So, we charge up a wash still with wash. We run the still and collect all the distillate as low wines. This run takes the liquid from about 8% or 9% alcohol up to about 22% or 25% alcohol.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Buffalo Trace Distillery Takes Over London Phone Booth for Special Surprise

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we celebrate those who live life perfectly untamed – those who blaze their own trace, those willing to go their own way, those unafraid of the unknown. That’s why we’re challenging visitors in Covent Garden to do the unexpected this coming weekend – answer the call! Those who do just may find themselves embarking on one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery

New research commissioned by Buffalo Trace Distillery revealed that a quarter of Brits rarely do anything spontaneously. Additionally, 40% confirmed they wouldn’t pick up an unexpected call from an unknown number, and 26% prefer to communicate via social media instead of over the phone. That said, one in five revealed that answering an unplanned call had led to something surprisingly good. This call will lead to something good 😊

Just what exactly is on the other side of that call? A guaranteed tasting of some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s *rarest and most coveted* bourbon for two people at Buffalo Trace Distillery London (before it opens to the public!). The impressive tasting lineup, available only for this special activation, will feature:

1. 1. OFC
   2. George T Stagg
   3. Weller 12 Year Old
   4. Pappy Van Winkle 23 
   5. Eagle Rare 25

• Terms and Conditions:
  • Participants must be 18+ in age. Tastings must be redeemed immediately following the call. *Participants will have 30 minutes to meet at Buffalo Trace Distillery London for their tasting
• Location
  • Covent Garden in the East Piazza, near Russell Street
• Research

• All research quoted taken from research commissioned by Buffalo Trace Distillery with 72Point, surveying 2,000 UK respondents in April 2024. 

Saltire Rare Malt to launch at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Falkland, Fife / Archiestown, Speyside – Thursday 2 April 2024

Independent bottler Saltire Rare Malt Ltd will present its first 3 releases celebrating the 25^th edition of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The company was originally founded by Keith Rennie and Nigel Heywood, two Scottish friends from Falkland in Fife.

Keith Rennie comments: “We wanted to honour the pedigree of Scotland’s liquid pride and started to quietly buy casks of maturing whisky over the past decade. Now, 530 years after the official birth of Scotch in 1494, coincidentally at Falkland Palace, we thought it was the right time to release the first bottlings of Saltire Rare Malt. In the Whisky Couple, we have found the perfect team to curate our stock.”

The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa, are honoured to have been appointed curators of the entire stock, consisting of over 250 casks, and growing. Each bottle will carry a small statement about their involvement. “We’ve never before connected our name so clearly to a specific whisky company, but really felt this is the time and the opportunity to do so. The stock is of excellent quality and from a wide variety of distilleries’ adds Hans.

David McCallum has been appointed UK & Europe Brand Ambassador, and he will focus on introducing the brand to consumers and the trade. David comments “I am excited to join the project to bring a new independent bottler to the market, with Saltire Rare Malt single cask bottlings released only when ready, at a minimum of 48.8% abv or higher and at 14 years old or older.”

Saltire Rare Malt will be initially available in the UK and The Netherlands with other countries planned to follow soon after, such as Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Japan, New Zealand and the USA amongst others.

The Saltire Rare Malt Aultmore 14 years old and Tamnavulin 15 years old bottlings will be presented during four sessions at the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 pm, as part of “A History of Scotch”. Limited places are still available and can be booked HERE 

The Saltire Rare Malt Glen Moray 17 years old bottling will be presented at the Glen Moray Distillery on Saturday evening at the Star Wars Event Return of the Jedi, limited tickets available HERE 

During the Spirit of Speyside Festival, bottlings of all three Saltire Rare Malt single cask whiskies will be available to purchase at Hotel 1881 in Archiestown and The Dowans Hotel in Aberlour.

To find out more about Saltire Rare Malt, visit https://www.saltireraremalt.com/

About the Saltire Rare Malt Collection 2024 Releases:

Release No.1 – Saltire Rare Malt Glen Moray 17 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 4^th May 2007

Bottled: 4^th May 2024

Cask: #800471

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 2^nd Fill American Oak

Bottles in Batch: 310

RSP: £105

On the Nose and Palate:

A bit of a surprise on the nose and palate but very tasty with a gentle goodbye.

This whisky has a pale gold colour in the glass. The nose starts with aromas of stewed apples, tinned pears and pineapple chunks. A sturdy background of malty notes supports this fruit salad, which is laced with aniseed and crystalized ginger.

On the palate, what follows is a succulent burst with more fruit (ripe cherries) and shaved hazelnut.

The finish is slightly astringent and pleasantly reminiscent of bitter lemon soda. Adding water is not recommended since it slightly flattens the delicate experience of this fine malt.

Release No.2 – Saltire Rare Malt Aultmore 14 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 25^th March 2010

Bottled: 26^th March 2024

Cask: #21250

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 2^nd Fill Oloroso Ex-Agitator

Bottles in Batch: 380

RSP: £79

On the Nose and Palate:

A nice aperitif, elegant and accessible. This would be a lovely accompaniment to a summer fruit salad.

This whisky is pale gold in the glass. On the nose is an immediate hint of buttered banana bread surrounded by floral aromas of broom, honeysuckle and pansy, carried on a malty platform.

That malty character carries on in the palate with added notes of walnut and unsweetened citrus lemonade. A quiet finale, medium long and very pleasant. This dram really benefits from a dash of water to release a fresh floral note appearing next to more banana aromas.

Release No.3 – Saltire Rare Malt Tamnavulin 15 years old

Region: Speyside

Distilled: 2^nd April 2009

Bottled: 3^rd April 2024

Cask: #1975

ABV: 48.8% abv

Notes: 1^st Fill Ex-Rhum Agricole

Bottles in Batch: 296

RSP: £95

On the Nose and Palate:

A very agreeable aperitif that may serve as a companion with asparagus with a butter cream sauce and a dusting of celery salt.

This pale gold whisky is slightly mineral in the nose at first, then followed by toasted banana bread. Then the aromas remind one of walking on a green wet lawn while tasting fresh sour cherries. Later a clear vegetal note of cooked asparagus sprinkled with lemon juice arrives, over a background of wet sawdust.

On the palate it is really fruity and vegetal, with the emphasis on the latter. After a while longer, angelica appears during a pleasant, slightly bitter finish that does not linger. Add a few drops of water and notice an increased creaminess in the mouthfeel.

About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:

Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky & Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family and with their guidance and advice we are proud to be launching our inaugural release in May 2024.

Glen Scotia unveils ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024’ limited-edition release

Glen Scotia has unveiled its 2024 Festival Edition release – a limited-edition bottling to celebrate the Campbeltown Malts Festival (21^st and 22^nd of May 2024), the annual event which celebrates the region’s incredible whisky past and present.

Glen Scotia’s yearly festival bottlings are known for being intriguing, bold expressions, and the 2024 global release is no exception.  The nine-year-old unpeated single malt was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before being finished in the finest Fino sherry casks for six months.

The result is a charmingly unconventional dram which brings vibrant flavours of citrus and white orchard fruit along with hints of oak spice. Natural in colour, its mouthfeel is satisfyingly dry before it finishes with a subtle but distinctive maritime note.

Following on from the success of Glen Scotia’s first-ever on-pack virtual experience with last year’s Festival Edition, the 2024 edition will again offer fans the chance to go behind the scenes of the distillery.

By scanning the on-pack QR code, viewers will be transported to the ‘Sound of Glen Scotia’.

Created by whisky expert and musician, Neil Ridley, music producer, Dean Horner, and Scottish singer-songwriter, Jenny Sturgeon, Sound of Glen Scotia will allow audiences to create their very own music track by putting together soundbites captured at the distillery with the musical track ‘Copper Heart’, which was created by the trio for last year’s Malts Festival.

From banging casks as drumbeats and mash tuns churning to soundbites of the distillery team’s discussions during production, the soundbites allow audiences to enjoy a completely immersive tasting experience as they sip this year’s Festival Release.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (56.2% ABV) and retails for £65.

Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia master distiller and distillery manager, said: 

“This 2024 Festival Release bottles the unique and exciting atmosphere of the Malts Festival – a delicious dram which is quintessentially Glen Scotia, with our distinct salty maritime note and salinity, as well as being bold and punchy, appealing to those looking for something a little more unconventional. 

“With tickets for our events selling out in record time this year, it is an increasing priority for us to share the spirit and character of our remote whisky home with our fans around the world who cannot make the festival. The on-pack virtual experience does just that, and our discerning aficionados can transport themselves inside the walls of the distillery in what is a wonderful experience for any whisky fan.” 

 Every year, Glen Scotia welcomes whisky enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy the charm of the ‘Wee Toon’ and sample the finest drams from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region at the Campbeltown Malts Festival.

This year, the team will partner with experts from the industry, including Dave Broom, Becky Paskin and Millie Milliken, for a host of ticketed and free events that celebrate the rich heritage of the town and Glen Scotia.

Glen Scotia’s 2024 Campbeltown Malts Festival release is available to purchase via specialist suppliers and the Glen Scotia website, visit HERE

For further information on this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival, visit: www.glenscotia.com/

Tasting notes:

Nose: Fresh floral

Palette: Lemon citrus, white orchard fruits and oak spice.

Finish: Long, satisfyingly dry with a subtle maritime quality and salinity

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.  Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.

THERE WERE THREE OF THEM M’LORD.

Here we go again, another great tour with my friend Ingvar Ronde. This is not work, this is a pleasure that happens for me every year.  In April 2024, we hit a region where we had not extensively toured before;  Lochlea, Jackton, Auchentoshan, Loch Lomond, Glengoyne, Fettercairn, Inchdairnie, Daftmill, Falkirk, Tullibardine, Edradour and Deanston. To be honest, we also had many tastings, book signings, extra visits, food and drink – there were three of us; Ingvar, Marcus and myself. We did enlarge the group for a night at my house for a tasting, something completely different – Irish whiskies.

Monday 15           Ingvar landing at 12.35 pick up at airport – Lochlea and Jackton, staying overnight Glasgow. Both distillery tours were brand new for me, both good, lots of potential at both, some exciting news later on. Both distilleries using Scottish grown barley in the fields of their own estates. The hotel shall remain nameless, a let down to be sure. I am now banned apparently. We do seem to get into trouble easily!

Tuesday 16            Full Scottish breakfast then Auchentoshan. Susan was an excellent guide and a mine of information. Loch Lomond Gary Mills could not have done any more for us, many, many drams and the cooperage was a highlight, thanks guys. Glengoyne Robbie Hughes same again, great guy, good humour and good drams. Overnight in Perth, me at home, a wee tasting may have occurred!

Wednesday 17     Leaving 08.15 for Fettercairn Kieran, Stewart and Kelly were great! The water ring was unique, cooling the potstill.  Hi Paul, Thanks for your kind email, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Fettercairn. Have a nice weekend when it comes and feel free to pop in for a visit anytime you are passing the door. Kind regards, Kelly – Brand Home Manager – Fettercairn Distillery.  Inchdairnie good visit here hidden in the town, what a good design, a modern distillery.  Down to meet Frances at Daftmill, spent a while here down on the farm, including dram time (I lived on my grand dad’s farm in Co Kilkenny 2 – 9 year old, so like going to farms).  Back to Perth, we did a good tasting at Malts & Spirits shop, then pizzas at Brewdog. Overnight in Perth.

Thursday 18          Leaving after breakfast we arrived at Falkirk Oh my God, did we have fun here! A quick tour, then to the boardroom and George Stewart, what a character, story after story, did we laugh? Bet your life we did. And drams, loved it. Our tour there was a blend of a naughty boy and teachers pet! Tullibardine – Mike Elliott did a long Q&A then a distillery tour, I did happen to pick up a bottle while there and another next week. We had a group dinner in Perth, excellent, then a tasting at mine, Liz, Marcus, Shona, Ingvar and myself, mostly Irish drams, although a few Scots snuck in. Overnight in Perth.

Friday 19               Away by 08.20 Edradour – Andre Haberecht, that was good, as it has been closed to the public for some time. Drive to Deanston, Murray Kerr, and then Edinburgh to drop Ingvar off.

Overall another excellent tour with my pal Ingvar, I get to see so much because of him, amazing. Thanks again Ingvar and Marcus, good craic and fun on tour, myself and Ingvar like to take the Michael out of eachother, by now he understands my humour and sarcasm. There was a distillery that was not a good visit, but that will remain under the radar. I was going to say Scots are very friendly, but not everyone we met were Scots. So let’s say everyone we met at distilleries were happy smiling, friendly folks. Mind, there was one person who was on the sideline, had a face like a wet weekend. Ingvar enjoyed Perth. I enjoyed the whole tour, as usual. I am lucky as I get to see distilleries closed to the public, because of Ingvar. He is back in November.

PAUL MCLEAN

With friends and contacts all over the whisky industry, you cannot find better than MCLEAN WHISKY TOURS

www.whiskytours.scot

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY OPENS DOORS TO FIRST BRAND HOME OUTSIDE OF THE USA – BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY LONDON 

World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery brings authentic American whiskey tasting and retail experience to the heart of Covent Garden in London.

London (April 29, 2024) – Buffalo Trace Distillery – producer of some of the most sought-after whiskeys in the world including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Sazerac Rye, W.L. Weller, and Pappy Van Winkle – will open doors and begin welcoming visitors at Buffalo Trace Distillery London on May 6^th, 2024. Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden at 32-33 Long Acre, the new Buffalo Trace Distillery London invites worldwide spirits enthusiasts to experience a first-of-its-kind American whiskey experience at the Distillery’s first official home outside of Kentucky, USA.

Of the opening, Jake Wenz, CEO and President at Buffalo Trace Distillery, said: “Opening Buffalo Trace Distillery London is a momentous occasion for our Distillery and we are thrilled to bring our experience to the United Kingdom. At Buffalo Trace Distillery London, we’ll offer a space for spirits novices and lovers to learn more about a whiskey type they are perhaps less familiar with – bourbon. Our aim is to inspire visitors to broaden their palates, and perhaps their cocktails, and we’re hopeful after learning about bourbon and tasting it, they will add it to their drink list.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery London features an immersive, sensorial experience that brings a taste of Kentucky to the nation’s capital. Guests will embark on a narrative journey highlighting the history of America’s oldest continuously operating distillery, culminating in an exclusive tasting experience at one of two inspiring bars. Tickets can be pre-booked now via BuffaloTraceDistillery.co.uk for either of the two tasting experiences:

1. Taste of the Trace – a guided tasting of three outstanding expressions from Buffalo Trace Distillery’s core product lineup: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye, Bourbon Cream and the option of a Buffalo and Ginger Ale cocktail sample.
2. Tradition & Change: Crafting the Most Awarded American Whiskey – a more intimate experience featuring a selection of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s premium expression lineup, including White Dog Mash #1, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and a small pour of a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned. Tastings will range in price depending on selection, up to £34.99.

Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, added: “In the heart of Bourbon Country, USA, Buffalo Trace Distillery has been dedicated to the craft of making the finest American Whiskey for over 200 years. Our deep commitment to the timeless craft of aging and distilling, alongside a keen focus on experimentation and innovation, has enabled Buffalo Trace Distillery to become the World’s Most Award-winning Distillery, earning the loyalty of fans around the globe. Our London location brings the same genuine and authentic experience fans love about our flagship home in Kentucky to a new generation of spirits enthusiasts, allowing them to discover all that Buffalo Trace Distillery’s award-winning brands have to offer.”

The location of Buffalo Trace Distillery London (32-33 Long Acre) has been completely renovated to create a guest-first experience aimed at attracting Londoners and visitors alike. The 2,000-square-foot space pays homage to Buffalo Trace’s legendary bourbon craftsmanship with special finishes and custom materials that evoke the essence of the Distillery in Kentucky. In the retail store, fans will be able to purchase whiskey bottles and unique merchandise – in fact, some of the merchandise can only be found at Buffalo Trace Distillery London! Rarer whiskey offerings from Buffalo Trace will also be offered during special surprise times throughout the initial opening months.

Reservations are recommended to secure a tasting appointment at Buffalo Trace Distillery London -prebooking can be arranged now via BuffaloTraceDistillery.co.uk. Guests will also have the option of ‘walking in’ and inquiring about availability in-person and appointments will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Hours of operation are as follows:

• Monday – Saturday: 11:00am-9pm EST
• Sunday: Noon-6pm EST

For more information about Buffalo Trace Distillery London visit BuffaloTraceDistillery.co.uk and to stay current on happenings and updates follow along on Instagram @buffalotracedistillery_uk.

ABOUT BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Its George T. Stagg was named Best Bourbon Whiskey at the 2023 International Whiskey Competition (USA) and its W.L. Weller 12 YO received double gold at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

The Launch of the 6th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards

The much-anticipated 6th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards has officially been launched, heralding another year of celebrating Scotland’s most iconic export- Scotch whisky. As the national awards programme dedicated to Scotch whisky, the Scottish Whisky Awards aims to recognise and reward the individuals, groups and products that contribute significantly to the enduring global success of this quintessentially Scottish spirit.

Read More

KEY DATES

Download Our Entry Guide

Raise your glasses high as our Speyside festival rare release bottlings have landed! From the rich aromas of aged malts to the smooth finishes of sherry cask maturation, prepare for an extraordinary journey through Speyside’s finest whiskies.

So, get ready to add to your collection and bring a taste of the festival fun straight to your doorstep.

BROWSE ALL

THE WRITING BUREAU

In celebration of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2024

SMALL BATCH BLENDED MALT

Age: 30 years
Cask: Second Fill Bourbon Barrels

BUY NOW

Join us on a journey through Speyside’s rich whisky heritage with our SMWS Dinner & Whisky Tasting event at The Craigellachie Hotel on April 30th, from 18:00 to 22:30 BST. Immerse yourself in an evening of exploration as we showcase exclusive Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases, including bottles from our Black Label and Vaults Collection bottlings. Led by our renowned Brand Ambassador, Olaf Meier, this guided tasting will unveil the unique character and captivating flavours of Speyside’s finest sherry cask-matured whiskies.  Tickets are available now, so secure your spot for an unforgettable experience!

LEARN MORE

Can’t make it to Speyside in person? No problem! Join us for a virtual hangout on THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH, AT 9PM BST, where we’ll dive into a world of flavour from the comfort of your own home. Don’t forget to set a reminder and mark your calendars!

Expect engaging chats on festival adventures, exclusive insights into what the SMWS has in store for you, special guests and even a fun-filled quiz to test your whisky knowledge.

Tune in live on the SMWS UK Facebook page or our YouTube channel.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

The Nikka Lounge, Warehouse 20, Bagpipes…

Bagpipes, cucumber dust, takoyaki — with so many moving parts to this year’s show, details are changing daily and it’s become a challenge to keep up, despite being the organizer. We somehow continue to welcome new brands, even as I type, and I have requested so many changes to the menus – all five of them – that I’m fairly certain the caterer is ghosting me on purpose.

But the show must go on! Especially being our 20th anniversary, and I’m humbled by the outpouring of support from our brand partners who are bringing their best to make this our most memorable event to date.

With less than three weeks to go, tickets are two-thirds sold and there are a few spots open if you’re looking to join a masterclass.

Still not sure if you’ll be coming out to play on May 4? We can promise you bagpipes as you enter the Hall, along with a few other treats once you’re inside – keep reading after the signature for some teasers.

See you on May 4!

Johanna Ngoh
Founder and Executive Producer

Given the hectic pace of organizing this year’s show, it makes even more sense that I reluctantly turned down an invitation to join Nikka Whisky as they kick off their 90th anniversary celebrations at the Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido this week.

But every cloud has a silver lining: we’re honoured that Spirit of Toronto has been chosen as the first stop of Nikka’s world tour to mark such an important milestone, and right now my focus is on welcoming Nikka’s delegation as our VIP room is transformed into a slice of Japan.

We’ve dubbed this space The Nikka Lounge, and we invite guests to join us for a deep dive into Japan’s rich drinking culture by exploring Nikka’s whisky portfolio alongside a few of the limited editions they’ll be pouring for this special occasion.

Highballs and cocktail culture are an integral part of Japan’s whisky scene, so even more exciting is a guest shift by rising star Keisuke Yamamoto. Keisuke is the founder of Bees Knees in Kyoto, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the past three years and counting, and Nikka’s special guest for the evening.

With fond memories of our time spent in Japan’s many bars, we can’t wait for you lovelies to take in the vibes as Keisuke brings his Japanese Speakeasy to Spirit of Toronto, complete with a very bespoke list of ingredients that I seriously hope make it past airport customs.

To complete the mood, we’ve arranged a menu of Japanese street snacks and I won’t lie, it’s been a pleasure reliving past memories while sampling wafu katsu and the best takoyaki I’ve ever had – facts!

Spirit of Toronto ‘Warehouse 20’

You know those bottles you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Yep, us too. And our special occasion has now arrived…

And because we’re giddy at the thought of turning twenty, we felt the need to indulge ourselves by taking it a step further, and designing the appropriate setting to do justice to these amber gems.

Charles, being a guy, saw this as the perfect excuse to fire up his power tools and get to work. The result is a stageset of our very own dunnage warehouse that we’re calling ‘Warehouse 20’: our ode to the magic of the cask, and the years of patience it takes for something special to come about.

We’ve recruited our longtime friend Regis Lemaitre as our warehouse manager, who will be there alongside our trusty wingmen, Art, Graham and Franck, to act as your personal whisky sommelier and guide you beauties to the beauties we’ll be opening on May 4.

Cue the Bagpipes!

Yes, there will be bagpipes. With Scotland and Scotch whisky as our first love, we’ve always wanted to hear bagpipes at Spirit of Toronto, and this is the year it’s going to happen, because it’s my party and all that.

For those of you not loving the idea, rest assured that it will be outside, as you beautiful people file into the Hall for what’s set to be a magical evening.

And maybe just once more, when a certain bottle is ready to be opened? I’ve been told I’m bad at keeping secrets so I better stop here. Done!

Tickets to Spirit of Toronto can be purchased as follows —

• Web at roythomsonhall.com
• By telephone at 416-872-4255
• In person at 60 Simcoe Street but note that Roy Thomson Hall’s Box Office is only open three hours before any given performance, so call ahead to make sure staff is on hand to assist.

See you on May 4!