SPIRIT OF TORONTO 2016

Wow, sounds really expensive! Is everything free when inside or do you need to buy drink tickets as well?

@Alexsweden

There is no further payment after admission (the master classes are extra - expensive ones if you want to start before the main event and $15 for those that occur during the time of the event.

There are booths set up where you can try whichever expressions are available. There are 2 identical buffets, and last year there was a sushi stand next to the Japanese whisky bar.

The problem is that, especially last year, most of the stuff was entry level mundane stuff (Maker's Mark, Glenlivet Founder's, Chivas 12, etc...). Last year they raised the prices and the stuff on offer was very reduced. This year the price has jumped again, I think by 10-15%.

I don't think it's worth going from a value for money point of view if you look at the whiskies only. I can taste a similar number of expressions when getting together with friends, and the quality of each expression would be better on average.

There are other, intangible benefits, such as the quality of the masterclasses, meeting specific individuals you might not otherwise see (three years ago, when I couldn't go, Ralfy was there - at the time that would have been a benefit to me...).

My apologies. Apparently tax is included in the exorbitant price.

In Sweden you're charged about 25€ at the door and then you by coupons. Good thing about that setup is that distilleries and IBs bring alot of whisky including rare stuff.

I'd probably not pay $165 to sample entry-level whisky.

I'm going to pass on this, based on the price tag. $330.00 for two people to go where that money could go to buying more scotch for personal consumption...

@maverickdrinker

Perhaps many people agree with you. It looks like 2 1/2 days after the tickets went on sale there are still spots available in half the masterclasses... Usually these sell out in the first hour.

Is it the economic downturn? Or the decrease in quality? or the increase in price?