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!

Tune In To Our New Education Series

Introducing the first episode of our 8-part Education Series, ‘Marrying In Wood‘. Isabella Wemyss considers this aspect of our blending process pivotal, setting us apart from our competitors.
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Marrying whisky in wood enables a profound interaction with the oak, enriching its character. This meticulous process imbues the final product with enhanced depth and complexity, highlighting oak-derived flavours and aromas.⁠
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As one of the select few Independent Bottlers who also own and produce Single Malt at Kingsbarns, we benefit from numerous synergies in skillsets. Isabella’s proficiency in cask selection, blending techniques, flavour profiling, and quality assessment is seamlessly applied across both our distillery and bottling operations.⁠
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Watch the full length video below:

A Quarter Passed

Discover A Quarter Passed, an expression that honours patience and the passing of time in whisky making. This blend has been meticulously crafted and married in wood for six years, a rarity in the world of whisky maturation. Bottled at a generous cask strength of 53.6% ABV, this 25-year-old blended malt is a luxuriously sweet vanilla-rich dram, with hints of soft coconut, toffee, and lingering spice.

A Quarter Passed | Limited Release | 70cl

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A Coffey still, also known as a column still or continuous still, is a type of distillation apparatus patented by Aeneas Coffey in the 19th century. Unlike traditional pot stills, which operate in batches, Coffey stills enable continuous distillation, allowing for a more efficient and consistent production process.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye, 45%

https://youtu.be/5akw3dJo8qc

It’s taken me a while to jump back into the world of rye, but I’ve taken the challenge on with gusto! For some reason, I have neglected this rather wonderful side of whisky, but Redwood Empire has been at the forefront of my new adventure, and I couldn’t have wished for a better kickstart to the style.

Situated in Sonoma County, California, the distillery’s moderate climate and rather lush surroundings allow for a gentle maturation in virgin oak. The Emerald Giant Rye, with its 95% rye mash bill, has catapulted me back into a world of whisky that can be very complex and often misunderstood. Most folks assume that rye is just one dimensional and a little spicy. You couldn’t be more wrong about the style as a whole. This long travelled bottle of whisky is lathered with gentle minty notes, tropical citrus, classic cocktail orange oil garnish, and an ever so faint smell of chocolate and soft baking spices.

A rather well-rounded and affordable expression of rye whisky that shall be sitting on my shelves for as long as it is available in the UK. Congratulations to Redwood Empire for a rather stunning example of their craft, I look forward to trying more of their stuff in the future. Cheers!

Timorous Beastie Highland Malt launches second addition to its ‘Cheese Cellar Collection’ with the release of a Madeira Finish Limited Edition.

Douglas Laing & Co. today releases the second bottling under its Timorous Beastie ‘Cheese Cellar’ Collection. This collection sees the award-winning Highland Malt enjoy a selection of cask finishes, chosen specifically for unique characteristics, in search of discovering the ultimate flavour profile to accompany Artisan cheeses.

Meticulously finished in Madeira casks sourced from sunnier climates, this latest edition offers “an unparalleled depth of flavour and complexity to the already formidable spirit.” Tasting notes are said to bring:

“Nose: Ripe orchard fruits, honeyed sweetness, toasted almonds, and a subtle floral bouquet.

Palate: Toffee, caramelized apples and juicy plums with a gentle spiciness and silky mouthfeel.

Finish: A symphony of sweet vanilla, orange marmalade, and a gratifying warmth.”

The perfect cheese pairing for this new release is said to be “Gruyère due to the complementary flavours, contrasting textures and balanced intensity. The whisky’s notes of dried fruits and caramel balances perfectly with the nutty sweetness of the cheese, allowing each element to shine without overpowering the other.”

Displayed in the same tall black bottle as the first release, this new edition includes the signature mouse character in green colourways alongside premium gold foil finishing and a forest green wax dip seal. It also comes with a premium foiled neck tag providing more information around the flavour profile as well as the ‘Cheese Cellar’ collection.

Bottled at 48% ABV and without colouring or chill-filtration, this bottling stays true to the Douglas Laing family philosophy to provide Scotch Whisky “as natural as it gets.”

Commenting on the new release, Scott Morrison, Timorous Beastie Brand Manager said:

“We’re thrilled to unveil the latest gem in our Cheese Cellar Collection. Showcasing our iconic Highland Blended Malt finished in exquisite Madeira casks, this unique bottling embodies the perfect harmony of tradition and innovation, offering connoisseurs a sensory journey like no other.”

The new release is strictly limited to just 4,000 bottles globally. Timorous Beastie ‘Madeira Edition’ is expected to retail at £60.00 / €70.00.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards are a testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular, and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

NEARLY £50K RAISED IN FIRST AUCTION RECOGNISING

WOMEN IN WHISKY 

The Demeter Collection – created to recognise the work of women in the whisky sector – has raised nearly £50,000 at auction for the OurWhisky Foundation.

The inaugural Demeter Collection hosted by the leading global whisky auction platform Whisky Auctioneer, achieved a final hammer price of £43,614 from 19 specially curated lots. Alongside waiving their auction seller fees, Whisky Auctioneer’s buyer’s commission was donated to the OurWhisky Foundation, bringing the total to £49,065.75.

Winning bids came from the UK, USA, Ireland, Latvia and Belgium. The prestigious top bid was claimed by a rare 44-year-old Dalmore, created to honour Margaret Nicol’s remarkable five decades of dedication to the whisky industry as a blend controller at Whyte & Mackay. This exclusive bottle achieved a hammer price of £12,500, marking a fitting tribute to Nicol’s illustrious career.

Funds raised will be donated to the OurWhisky Foundation to help further its work providing initiatives and projects that support women working in whisky. Ongoing projects include its widely acclaimed mentorship programme, which by the end of this year will have directly supported 200 women in their careers; a new, enhanced series of trade and consumer networking and tasting events; and the development of its online magazine, The Cut, into a valuable educational resource. Applications for the next mentorship intake have opened this week.

Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer, said:

“It has been a privilege for us to support the OurWhisky Foundation in providing not just a platform for this ground-breaking sale, but also to promote the contributions of women to the industry as a whole. From the distilleries and independent bottlers who generously donated to the bidders from across the world, it is incredible to see whisky lovers come together to make a real difference.”

The OurWhisky Foundation is the world’s first non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, recognising and empowering professional women in whisky across the globe, while advocating for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Previous OurWhisky mentorship programme graduates

Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, added:

“We’re blown away by the fantastic amount raised from the inaugural Demeter Collection. The OurWhisky Foundation provides much-needed support and guidance for women in whisky as well as the wider industry, but we are in desperate need of funding if we’re to continue providing our services. Thanks to Whisky Auctioneer, all our lot donors and the hundreds of bidders coming together over a shared love of a dram, the fantastic amount raised will help us continue making whisky an inclusive space for everyone.”

Among noteworthy outcomes was the hammer price of £9,700 for a unique 20-year-old Ardbeg, crafted as a tribute to the 20-year legacy of master blender Gillian MacDonald. In addition, the first bottle drawn from the inaugural cask at Derbyshire’s White Peak Distillery, Wire Works’ Love, Sweat & Tears fetched an impressive £3,350 and the Loch Lomond Sonata Collection, a creative trio of whiskies curated to explore peat, sold for  £2,200.

Atonia’s Legacy, the inaugural blend in a series of whiskies to celebrate the Demeter Collection, reached a hammer price of £1,650. Blended by Sarah Burgess of The Lakes Distillery, it marks a strong start to this innovative, groundbreaking series.

Full lot listing:

• Aberfeldy 40 Year Old
• Ardbeg Twenty
• Arbikie Farm Experience + Hand-filled Rye Whisky
• Atonia’s Legacy: The Sarah Burgess Edition
• Cooper King Cask No. 1: Inaugural Release
• Cotswolds Distillery One of One
• CRN57
• House of Hazelwood:  The Long View
• JJ Corry x Tipperary: The Founders Bottles #1
• Laphroaig 25 Year Old: The Bessie Williamson Story
• Loch Lomond Sonata Collection
• Nc’nean Aon 17-302
• SMWS Christmas on the Beach
• Strathearn Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• The Borders Distillery IWD Quarter Cask
• The Dalmore 44 Years Old
• The GlenDronach 30 Year Old Single Cask
• Wire Works Love, Sweat & Tears

For more information on the lots, see here.  

About The Demeter Collection:

The OurWhisky Foundation is delighted to introduce the Demeter Collection, the world’s first auction of whiskies celebrating female achievement, held in partnership with Whisky Auctioneer.

Named after the Greek goddess of grain, the Demeter Collection will highlight unique and exquisite whiskies crafted and inspired by some of the industry’s most talented women, maintaining a particular focus on the compelling stories of those involved in their creation.

The inaugural auction will be hosted 29 March- 8 April 2024, coinciding with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, as well as the OurWhisky Foundation’s second anniversary. The carefully curated Collection will be held every two years with all proceeds donated to the OurWhisky Foundation.

Demeter (Duh-mee-tuh) was the Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture, presiding over crops, grains and the fertility of the earth. Known as the ‘good goddess’, she gifted humankind with the knowledge to grow and harvest their own crops. Such was her deep connection to the planet that she is often likened to Gaia, while some claim her name translates to ‘Mother Earth’.

According to legend, her daughter Persephone was abducted and held hostage in the underworld by Demeter’s brother, Hades. Racked with grief, Demeter plunged the world into a deep famine as she searched far and wide for her lost daughter. Ultimately Hades allowed Persephone to return to the surface for just eight months a year. It was only during this time that Demeter allowed crops to grow once more, thereby creating the seasons, a continuous evolution of time that symbolises the eternal cycle of life and passing of knowledge from generation to generation.

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Perth, Scotland, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community. The business currently sees over 150,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe.

The central Scotland headquarter’s success paved the way for international expansion with secondary offices now located in central London and the Netherlands.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the secondary market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and demographic, wherever in the world they are based. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits online, and are unmatched in volume, variety of bottles offered and prices achieved. Alongside an unrivalled selection of rare Scotch whisky and Irish Whiskey, Whisky Auctioneer has also established the business as the market-leading specialist in presenting world whiskies for sale; from rare American whiskey and bourbon to iconic Japanese whiskies.

In February 2021, the online auction house made history during the iconic sale of The Perfect Collection, when a bottle of The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old sold for a hammer price of £1 million. This was the first time a single bottle of whisky has sold at an online-only auction for one million pounds.

About The OurWhisky Foundation:

The OurWhisky Foundation is the world’s first non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, recognising and empowering professional women in whisky across the globe, while advocating for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Founded in 2022 by drinks journalist Becky Paskin, the UK-based organisation works with the global drinks industry to provide diversity and inclusion consultancy, as well as surveys, reports, events and initiatives that inspire change.

Its ground-breaking mentorship programme, which pairs mentees with some of the biggest names in whisky while providing free workshops and networking opportunities, has so far guided 175 women and non-binary individuals toward reaching their goals, with many securing new jobs and promotions as a result.

In 2023 the Foundation introduced the Modern Face of Whisky stock image library, an evolving, free-to-use collection of professional photography enabling the media and wider industry to more accurately represent the diversity of today’s whisky drinker beyond the masculine stereotype. Within its first eight months, the library received 10 million views and 100,000 downloads with the images featured across global print and digital media.

In the same year, the Foundation surveyed over 600 women for its Do You Even Like Whisky? report – the world’s first survey of women in whisky, which revealed the extent of sexism and unconscious bias prevalent in the industry. The report has since led to policy changes within many whisky organisations. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit:  www.whiskyauctioneer.com

Instagram: whiskyauctioneer

Facebook: WhiskyAuctioneer

X:  Whisky_auction

Wildmoor is a new range of high-aged prestige whiskies from William Grant & Sons, inspired by the Scottish wilderness. Wildmoor combines malt and grain whiskies drawn from the Grant family’s ancient reserves – a collection of the rarest old stocks from Scotland’s finest distilleries, some of which have been lost forever. Crafted under the watchful eye of Master Blender Brian Kinsman, these exceptional whiskies encapsulate the elemental majesty of the Scottish wilds.

DARK MOORLAND

AGED 23 YEARS

70cl | 42% ABV

A decadent blend of Highland and Speyside malts combined with Lowland grain Whisky. Matured in a combination of American and European Oak, and finished in Oloroso sherry casks for a rich flavour that evokes the wind-swept moorlands of Scotland. An epic landscape of rich oak, deep vanilla and mellow sherry spice.

£184.95

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RUGGED COAST

AGED 30 YEARS

70cl | 42% ABV

Inspired by Scotland’s rugged western coastline; sea air, crashing waves and notes of peat. This elegant Whisky is matured in American oak with an Oloroso sherry cask finish. Experience waves of bonfire smoke, sea salt, vanilla sweetness and sherry spice. Smoke meets rich stone fruit for a lingering finish.

£549.95

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BLACK MOUNTAIN

AGED 40 YEARS

70cl | 46% ABV

Drawing inspiration from the imposing dark mountains of Northern Scotland. An extraordinarily intense blend of rare grain and Highland malts enhanced by the addition of Ghosted Distillery stock. This luxurious, rich, and elegant Whisky is finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask. A towering peak of flavour, where vanilla and caramel notes meet an indulgent sherry richness.

£959.95

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Cult-Favorite, Exclusive Single Malts from Gordon & MacPhail

With unparalleled complexity from the first nose all the way through the finish, the 2009 Bunnahabhain belongs on the short list of any serious Scotch afinicionado, no matter what your stylistic preferences are. Next up, from the treasured Tobermory distillery on the far-flung Isle of Mull, the 2005 Ledaig has everything that a proper Ledaig should, from powerful peat to off-the-charts complexity to perfectly integrated barrel character from the refill sherry butt. Finally, Clynelish’s star has taken off like a rocket in recent years, and we were thrilled to source this second-fill sherry hoggie for what is, in all regards, a steal for the juice in the bottle. Given the rarity of fever-pitch cult following this distillery, any sharp connoisseur who gets their hands on this will count themselves lucky down the road.

2009 Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #18600103 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 View

2005 Ledaig 17 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #18600201 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $160.00 View

2007 Clynelish 16 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #311259 Single Refill Sherry Hogshead Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $180.00 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

DOUBLE PRODUCT RELEASE

WHISKY SPONGE ED.91 GLEN GARIOCH

Here at Decadent Drinks we are big fans of Glen Garioch and have bottled a number of quite varied casks from this distillery throughout our short history. This latest one is a 1st fill hogshead of 2003 Glen Garioch, matured for 21 years and bottled at natural cask strength. It has everything we love about classic, highland style makes like Glen Garioch: abundant waxy texture, luscious fruitiness and fulness of body. This one is a terrific and extremely satisfying dram that should be perfect for anyone seeking a rich and hearty modern highland single malt with plenty of personality and distillery character.

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DOUBLE PRODUCT RELEASE

ISLAY SPONGE PART V BOWMORE 2004

We probably won’t be able to do an Islay Sponge bottling from every Islay distillery, but we are going to do our best! We’re certainly very proud of this latest find: a single refill hogshead of 2004 Bowmore that is an unashamed tropical fruit bomb, bottled at 20 years old and natural cask strength. Stunning fruitiness, layers of soft, wispy peat smoke and a huge coastal freshness. Everything we love about this incredible distillate and a perfect entry for the latest Islay Sponge bottling.

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Decadent Drinks Ltd DECADENT DRINKS LTD, WEST BUILDING RUTHVENFIELD GROVE, INVERALMOND

INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PERTH, Highlands PH1 3FN United Kingdom

Ready for a flavour adventure? Say hello to Cask No. 68.121: Sunseeker – a whisky bursting with excitement thanks to its short fermentation! But what’s all the fuss about fermentation lengths?

Let’s break it down: fermentation, the magical process where yeast works its alchemy on the wort created during mashing, is key to converting sugar into alcohol, generating carbon dioxide and heat in the process. Up to 80 per cent of the character of new-make spirit can come from fermentation, making it a crucial step in whisky production. As the old saying goes: ‘You can’t make good whisky without a good wash’, highlighting the importance of what happens during mashing and fermentation in creating quality spirits. And that’s just the beginning of our flavour journey!

In Montilla-Moriles, we dried grapes in the sun, producing a rich, fruity taste akin to sweet wine from a damp cellar, before crafting sun-baked bread, sipping prune wine from a leather wineskin, and aging our whisky in bourbon casks for 11 years before transferring it to PX barriques. Our 68.121 embodies this vivacious spirit, packing a punch of zesty goodness that’ll make your taste buds dance.

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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