Spirit of Toronto 2018

No one?

@Nozinan, I'm going, see you there.

I think I'm sufficiently recovered from last night to attempt to convey my impressions of the Spirit of Toronto, 14th annual. This was my fifth consecutive appearance.

I would describe the floor offerings as the most meagre of all 5 I have attended. there were many fewer tables than in the past and most of those had essentially entry level stuff, most of which was available at the LCBO.

The Wiser's masterclass was excellent, if a little rushed, and it was nice to be able to chat with Don Livermore on the floor of SOT. I was able to take enough notes to write up a review, and thanks to @paddockjudge I was able to secure about 1/4 oz to go which I can use to compare to last year's, so I'll hold off posting that until A> My liver recovers, and B> I'm not on call, which I am tonight. I had poured off about 1/4 oz into a tiny vial before tasting, and once again @paddockjudge came through and was able to procure a second pour for me later on, so that I could top up that 1/2 oz vial. So another review will be forthcoming.

The Highland masterclass might have been a waste of time if there had been anything on the floor I would have been better suited to tasting. The 25 YO Old Pulteny was the best of the 5, and I was able to take enough notes to review the 12 YO which exhibited a nose that I have never experienced before.

So three reviews to come from yesterday, not a bad haul.

It was great to meet up with @paddockjudge and @Cricklewood before and after...exchanging samples and trying some masterful blends created by @paddockjudge, and some excellent spirits courtesy @cricklewood.

Next year? Not sure, maybe skip the main event and have the pre-party move directly to the after party...

I'll take advantage of the train ride home to throw my impressions in as well.

It's my first time attending SOT, I have to say I had little in the way of expectations. I attended the Northern Border masterclass and was not disappointed other than the fact that an hour is not long enough for the kind of in depth history and information Don Livermore can provide.

Much as already been said about him but until you meet him you truly realize that he will be a tough act to follow for whomever succeeds him. He is passionate, curious, geeky, smart and funny in that nice guy Canadian way.

The new crop of Wiser's whiskys are a cut above last year's, the underdogs from 2017, Pike Creek and G&W have stepped it up and are making strides to make them as worthy of the attention as Lot 40.

I attended the Dutch whisky class with Patrick Van Zuidam and he was charismatic and detailed in his explanations. The spirits his family distillery produce are of very high quality.

As for the main floor as @Nozinan mentioned, there's not much happening there, everything was standard shelf filler. The world whisky booth had the best table even though it was composed of basic expressions. It also had the whisky Cognoscenti manning it (Joanne "whisky lassie" and her husband, Angus McRaild "whiskysponge" and Igor of Heads & Tails spirit Co.)

A nice show but unless the floor selection is different I'm not sure I would attend every year. It be better to invest in a Connosr summit or group visit to Hiram Walker (hint hint)

@cricklewood I went last year and this year. Offerings were better and more varied last year. I was, quite frankly, disappointed. The event was advertised as whiskies of the world, but that table had a limited offering. When I read that there are to be Japanese whiskies I’m hoping for more than a single expression. They had a bottle of kavalan as well, but they didn’t replace it when it was done, which, in my mind, is ridiculous given the entry fee. Instead of interesting bourbons and ryes they had cheaper spirits like gin and grappa on offer. They had far fewer bourbons and rye expressions this year. I’m willing to pay an increased ticket price for access to a greater selection of premium spirits. That’s not what happened. I won’t return next year. The price increase plus the lesser selection is enough to make me search elsewhere. I’m considering the whisky show in Cornwall in March as an alternative. Anyone go this year? Any other whisky show suggestions out there?

@nooch,

I didn't know you were attending, would have gladly said hi and shared a dram afterwards if you were inclined.

Yeah the world whisky booth had the better selection but that didn't mean much overall as you described. These shows need to have something to keep whisky amateurs interested in coming back the following year. In Québec we have similar issues, the SAQ sponsored show is a snoozedfest. At least there you buy tickets to pay for pours, if you find nothing of interest you're not out for much cash.

I have heard good things about the Cornwall show and will probably try and attend next year. It seems that going further out is the answer but that means Victoria or NB.

Did you attend any masterclasses?

@cricklewood I didn’t attend any master classes. I was there with my cousin and uncles, who like a dram but aren’t jntetested in paying $170 + extra for master classes so I passed. Seems a few guys were there from here. I should’ve reached out!

I hear you, for the occasional whisky drinker the price of admission is already pretty high.

On a positive note. I had a lot of good rye whiskys, between the new Wiser's crop, Millstone's 100 Rye and a pretty chewy Mastersons I was very happy.

@nooch, wish we had connected at the show,....maybe next year in?...

@cricklewood I have been looking at that Milestone 100 for many years but was not able to buy it. I will gladly hear your impressions about it.

I never heard of the Cornwall show but would like to hear more.

@paddockjudge You are quite quiet. I am guessing you are holding up... I, for myself, value your opinion and like your in your face style. Please express yourself.

In 2014 there was an Islay bar and I heard a Port Ellen was poured. There was a bourbon table with Stagg, Pappy, Booker's anniversary, and I don't even remember what else.

There were Octomores, Ardbegs, Amruts. There was great stuff available to all who came.

This year was really pathetic, compared to the first year. It's been a slow decline.

When I asked the organizers they said that they stand by the product and if I don't like it I don't have to go...

@Nozinan When an organizer is acting like a sales rep, you know is not a passionate fan anymore but just another business man. That is not only sad, that is infuriating. At the same time, it’s hard to believe how good was that first edition.

@Robert99 It shouldn't be hard to believe. I wouldn't lie. 2014 was the best year so far for me.

@Nozinan I am not calling you a liar, it’ just difficult to imagine that those who were able to offer your such a selection are now answering you the way they were. It is as if Dr Don Livermore would give a masterclass only on the Spiced series... hard to imagine.

@Robert99 It's sad, I agree. I wonder if the organizers can't attract the vendors the way they used to, or if the LLBO is giving them a harder time. Either way, prices going up, quality going down.

@Nozinan

Either way, prices going up, quality going down.

Kind of mirrors the way the whisky industry is trending, doesn’t it?

@OdysseusUnbound - Was about to post something similar! It's why sites like these are so valuable

Co-incidentally, I've just been watching a Bruicladdich Masterclass from 2017 Feis Ile (I'll add the link for any interested parties). Now here's a 'modern' distillery doing everything right and having quality products that match the marketing and hype - would have liked to have attended that tasting . . .

www.youtube.com/watch