Spirit of Toronto 2012

[Smithford]

I love the Spirit of Toronto. Alas, for the second year in a row, I won't be attending.

I missed it last year because I was out of town for work. This year I'm traveling for pleasure - going to Scotland for a few days.

I work freelance, and I can't always plan vacations ahead of time. So when I see a few days' down time coming up, I try to get away. My down time this spring happens to coincide with the Spirit of Toronto weekend.

Since I'll be in Glasgow, I'll have no shortage of whiskies to sample, so don't feel too sorry for me.

And to make up for this, I've booked tickets for the Harlen Wheatley Vintages night in June. Hope to see a few of you there.

[Card Player]

I love the Spirit of Toronto. Alas, for the second year in a row, I won't be attending.

I missed it last year because I was out of town for work. This year I'm traveling for pleasure - going to Scotland for a few days.

I work freelance, and I can't always plan vacations ahead of time. So when I see a few days' down time coming up, I try to get away. My down time this spring happens to coincide with the Spirit of Toronto weekend.

Since I'll be in Glasgow, I'll have no shortage of whiskies to sample, so don't feel too sorry for me.

And to make up for this, I've booked tickets for the Harlen Wheatley Vintages night in June. Hope to see a few of you there.

Do you know more info than what was in the link? Food? Which products will be sampled from the list? Which can be bought there? Can a bottle be bought?

[portwood]

Which can be bought there? Can a bottle be bought?

None, and No.
Contrary to most festivals in Europe you are not even allowed to bottle the samples to take home. All samples must be consumed on site.

The food last year was great! It consisted of various types of bread/cheese/cold cuts, and hot foods served by chefs. (memory fails but there may have also been fruits and other items). Having said that, I would recommend eating a hearty meal before the show and nibble on the food available between tastings.


An aside ... responsible drinking (a moto of the LCBO) would suggest that taking samples home and consuming them over an extended period of time would be "responsible". Alas, our archaic rules force you to "sample" a fairly large quantity of whisky over a relatively short period of time - thus being more intoxicated than would be the case at home! So much for "responsible".

[Smithford]

I might be wrong, but I think Card Player's questions were about the Buffalo Trace event (not the SOT).

If so, I posted what I know in the LCBO Bourbons thread. Just so we don't have information on one thing in two different threads.

If I'm wrong, then carry on. (And yes, the food at Spirit of Toronto is buffet stye, but still delicious and plentiful. And no, you can't buy anything there.)

[portwood]

I might be wrong, but I think Card Player's questions were about the Buffalo Trace event (not the SOT).

Sorry Card Player, being in the SOT thread, I assumed that's what you were asking about. However, after re-reading your post I think Smithford is right.

In that case, yes, bottles can be ordered. Never having attended such an event, my guess is that you can't walk out of the venue with the bottles. Most likely, you order, and pick up/pay at a local store.

[davindek]

With all the WWW folks coming, SoT promises to be better than ever. I am looking forward to meeting everyone after at the Elephant and Castle (I'll be wearing my pin.) If someone is making reservations we'll probably need a bit more room than last time, and yes, more wait staff.

[Yello to Mello]

Good thinking Davin...I can swing by E&C this week (unless someone already called). I backtracked through this thread and it looks like 12-15 of us. I never realized this big of a crew was coming this time.

Nabil
Frodo
davin
Lawrence
bebdo
Y2M
Tim Whalen
portwood
Kyle
Dishonest Butler
Zunak
pudge?
CK_?
dbk?

Ill have my 'W' pin on through the night and I will bring a good handful with me.

[Yello to Mello]

Oh yeah, I forgot to account for the non-MLLers that are accompanying throughout the event since were not all going solo...lol...we could be a group of 20 or more...ill hold off for a few days.

[TimWhalen]

Really can't wait for this event. The girlfriend and another buddy are coming out and we can't wait to see what this is all about. I hope to meet a few of you and discuss our findings in person and on here.

[Nabil]

Just in case the forum goes dark again...I've set up the WWW Maple Leaf Lounge on Facebook. That way we can coordinate.

Again, I will be at the Elephant and Castle ca 4:15 pm for a light snack and a beer before hand. Look for suit and tie and a WWW pin on my lapel.

[Zunak]

Good thinking Davin...I can swing by E&C this week (unless someone already called). I backtracked through this thread and it looks like 12-15 of us. I never realized this big of a crew was coming this time.

Nabil
Frodo
davin
Lawrence
bebdo
Y2M
Tim Whalen
portwood
Kyle
Dishonest Butler
Zunak
pudge?
CK_?
dbk?

Ill have my 'W' pin on through the night and I will bring a good handful with me.

You can put a ? beside me also. I haven't made up my mind quite yet

[Yello to Mello]

Got the reservation at EC!

Got it for 16-20...the area in EC is entrance and to the right. I told them its SoT weekend and they are excited

[Zunak]

Got the reservation at EC!

Got it for 16-20...the area in EC is entrance and to the right. I told them its SoT weekend and they are excited

For the sake of a head count for the EC, YTM, I will not be attending. I was seriously going to go this year, more for the entertainment value and meeting up with the MLLers pre show than anything else, but alas I have to work . Have fun everyone .
In lieu of this I'm going to drown my sorrows by spending what it would have cost me to attend on whisky. Two Talisker box sets will equal the ticket price alone and then there would be another $200-$250 after the EC and hotel sooooo. I'm going shopping instead .

[Yello to Mello]

That's too bad, Zunak...

For everyone else, if you're coming to EC after let me know as well as who's coming with you. Therefore I can call ahead if we have more or less than my estimate and make it easier on EC.

[Nabil]

That's too bad, Zunak...

For everyone else, if you're coming to EC after let me know as well as who's coming with you. Therefore I can call ahead if we have more or less than my estimate and make it easier on EC.

I'll have two more guests with me.

[Nabil]

Got the reservation at EC!

Got it for 16-20...the area in EC is entrance and to the right. I told them its SoT weekend and they are excited

For the sake of a head count for the EC, YTM, I will not be attending. I was seriously going to go this year, more for the entertainment value and meeting up with the MLLers pre show than anything else, but alas I have to work . Have fun everyone .
In lieu of this I'm going to drown my sorrows by spending what it would have cost me to attend on whisky. Two Talisker box sets will equal the ticket price alone and then there would be another $200-$250 after the EC and hotel sooooo. I'm going shopping instead .

You're starting to do your accounting like a woman now...You might actually be MAKING money!

[Lawrence]

I'm unable to attend this year...very sad.

[Nabil]

I'm unable to attend this year...very sad.

You will be sorely missed Lawrence!!

Next year promises the prospect of coming out to Vancouver...we'll see.

[CK_]

I'll see you folks on Saturday... finally got around to buying my ticket today.

[Yello to Mello]

Time for an updated list:

Nabil +2
Frodo
davin
bebdo
Y2M
Tim Whalen +2
portwood
CK_
Kyle?
Dishonest Butler?
pudge?
dbk?

with the definites, probables, and possible other +s' the estimate still seems good so far

[TimWhalen]

Just on the GO train and the girlfriend is asleep so I figured I would kick off the accounts of the night. Overall I was very impressed with the night, much better event than WhiskyLive.

Drams that I experienced tonight were McKinley's (shackleton's), Old Pulteney 21, Ardbeg 10 year old, Glengoyne 21 year, Glenfarclas 25 year old, and Springbank 18 year old (I had a lot of this).

Much better than whsikylive which runs on a ticket system which not only pinches the wallet but it causes you to think about the pros and cons of having a particular dram. Also not having to fumble for your wallet/tickets was great. Certainly felt like a much classier experience. Something I noticed was the absence of Diageo. Anyone know of a reason for this?

Almost every dram (except for Ardbeg and Glengoyne) were really exciting for me. It's a shame we feel that time crunch and want to try more and more rather than really savour. But oh well.

Low moment was at the coffee area where someone (not sure if it was a staff member or guest) who snagged my friend's glass. Oh well that's the way it goes.

I was on the lookout for the Glenfarclas 40 but never discovered it? Was anyone fortunate to try it or any other hard to find bottles? I was in awe of the Glenfarclas 25 year old and Springbank 18 year so that was good enough for me.

It's a shame I didn't meet up with any members but hopefully every had a great time and I hope to read about the highlights on here. Until next year?

[Yello to Mello]

Good WWW show up this year! Tim, seeing your wrote this on the Go train when most of us were all at Elephant & Castle I guess you had to go. Next time look for the 'W' lapel pins bebdo found me right away from looking for those.

The standout for me was the Mastersons. There was just this unique spiciness that made it special. This is one of the whiskies I thought Davin was going to have in his Export Only masterclass but an exibit was even better. This is slated to be released in the fall and my only worry is the price. Seeing the US prices, I just hope its not priced something stupid like $100+.

The next interesting tasting was the Forty Creek Confederation second release Lot B (lot 1867-B). Much sweeter, almost like candy as Nabil said. I forgot to as Mr. Hall if it was released or how many were bottled....anyone? Some day I want to try it with the first release.

As I never had Wiser's 18 since the price increases and had plenty of Legacy over the last while, I decided to do the comparison. IMO Legacy is superior without getting into prices.

Although this time I was appreciating more Canadian whiskies than scotches I couldnt resist the Cutty Sark 25 since I have an unopened bottle. Very good blend, very good punch of wood. Most of the other single malts exhibited I already tried many times. I think the Laphroaig 18 was a surprise that they had it for tasting there.

This is all I will write for now, I can write about the whiskies Davin brought for his MC and MLLers meeting later.

[Zunak]

Good WWW show up this year! Tim, seeing your wrote this on the Go train when most of us were all at Elephant & Castle I guess you had to go. Next time look for the 'W' lapel pins bebdo found me right away from looking for those.

The standout for me was the Mastersons. There was just this unique spiciness that made it special. This is one of the whiskies I thought Davin was going to have in his Export Only masterclass but an exibit was even better. This is slated to be released in the fall and my only worry is the price. Seeing the US prices, I just hope its not priced something stupid like $100+.

The next interesting tasting was the Forty Creek Confederation second release Lot B (lot 1867-B). Much sweeter, almost like candy as Nabil said. I forgot to as Mr. Hall if it was released or how many were bottled....anyone? Some day I want to try it with the first release.

As I never had Wiser's 18 since the price increases and had plenty of Legacy over the last while, I decided to do the comparison. IMO Legacy is superior without getting into prices.

Although this time I was appreciating more Canadian whiskies than scotches I couldnt resist the Cutty Sark 25 since I have an unopened bottle. Very good blend, very good punch of wood. Most of the other single malts exhibited I already tried many times. I think the Laphroaig 18 was a surprise that they had it for tasting there.

This is all I will write for now, I can write about the whiskies Davin brought for his MC and MLLers meeting later.

Wow glad to hear you had a good time YTM I hope everyone from the MLL did. As it turned out I didn't have to work at the last minute and seriously thought about driving up just to say hi to the guys at the E&C. Did you have a good turnout?

[Zunak]

Just on the GO train and the girlfriend is asleep so I figured I would kick off the accounts of the night. Overall I was very impressed with the night, much better event than WhiskyLive.

Drams that I experienced tonight were McKinley's (shackleton's), Old Pulteney 21, Ardbeg 10 year old, Glengoyne 21 year, Glenfarclas 25 year old, and Springbank 18 year old (I had a lot of this).

Much better than whsikylive which runs on a ticket system which not only pinches the wallet but it causes you to think about the pros and cons of having a particular dram. Also not having to fumble for your wallet/tickets was great. Certainly felt like a much classier experience. Something I noticed was the absence of Diageo. Anyone know of a reason for this?

Almost every dram (except for Ardbeg and Glengoyne) were really exciting for me. It's a shame we feel that time crunch and want to try more and more rather than really savour. But oh well.

Low moment was at the coffee area where someone (not sure if it was a staff member or guest) who snagged my friend's glass. Oh well that's the way it goes.

I was on the lookout for the Glenfarclas 40 but never discovered it? Was anyone fortunate to try it or any other hard to find bottles? I was in awe of the Glenfarclas 25 year old and Springbank 18 year so that was good enough for me.

It's a shame I didn't meet up with any members but hopefully every had a great time and I hope to read about the highlights on here. Until next year?

Any further insights on the Springbank 18 Tim? I have one unopened and was wondering how you felt about it. Obviously you enjoyed it It's incredibly pricey here and quite frankly I have not thought about buying a second due to that factor. Guess that would have been a good reason for me to go to SofT. Which Ardbeg was it that you were not that excited about and if you don't mind me asking... why?

[Yello to Mello]

Yes, good turnout. MLLers present include frodo, davin, nabil, bebdo, portwood, wendy, myself, along with friends and family so it was umpteen of us altogether. CK_ was mia after the event....lol. Dominic the author of 1001 whiskys...was also there.