Spirit of Toronto May 11th, 2013

[Nabil]

Alright folks...WHO'S IN?!

I have it on good authority, the guest list is going to be awesome!

[portwood]

You didn't say if YOU were in

[Automatic]

In.

This will be my first whisk(e)y event.

[CK_]

Most likely in, however I'll be leaving at a reasonable hour because of Mother's day the next day. When will we know more about these guest?...

[cpstecroix]

In...

[Nabil]

Most likely in, however I'll be leaving at a reasonable hour because of Mother's day the next day. When will we know more about these guest?...

I really can't say, but the website should be updated soon! TRUST ME!

I'm limoing back home that night, can stay over for the same reason...I can't pull another shenanigan like last year on Mother's Day!

[CK_]

I'm limoing back home that night, can stay over for the same reason...I can't pull another shenanigan like last year on Mother's Day!

I'm usually a sucker for a bad idea, but I knew going to the E&C last year would have resulted in a lot of unhappy faces the next day and that's why I skipped that part of the night. Hopefully I'll make the right choice again this year...

[cpstecroix]

Guys! Your moms will understand and your wives are your wives, not your mom...it's your child's duty to represent that day. says the guy with no kids and a mother in BC...lol.

[Yello to Mello]

Not this time, I have Myrtle Beach booked until the 12th. It would have been a good weekend and would also had left at a reasonable time to run the Sporting Life 10K the next morning.

I can update this thread if anything changes. If someone wants any "W" logo lapel pins perhaps someone can pick them up or I can mail a few out.

[portwood]

I have it on good authority, the guest list is going to be awesome!

You were RIGHT.
The appearance of a certain vlogger will be cool.

Only problem for me will be scoring tickets as they go on sale on a Tuesday morning @10am - the one day of the week when I have a meeting!

[Zunak]

Alright folks...WHO'S IN?!

I have it on good authority, the guest list is going to be awesome!

I see that Charles Maclean will be there offering a masterclass. His book Malt Whisky is, hands down, by far the best book I have ever read on Whisky. This book made a huge impression on me early on in my Scotch drinking / collecting journey and was largely responsible for my interest.

[portwood]

Masterclass list is out (with price increases over last year - esp for the 5:30 session):
http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca/masterclasses.html

Interesting stuff there but I will be diverting my whisky event budget this year to Companions of the Quaich dinners. I can attend ~4 dinners for the same price - with the added bonus that unique expressions not otherwise available @LCBO can be purchased occasionally.

To all those attending .... have a great time!

[Frodo]

Given that scotch whisky prices have been going up, and there are a few bottlings still at the old prices, I have to make a choice between buying 3-4 bottles or going to SOT. I can go to SOT next year - however the way whisky prices are going, I may never see another bottle of scotch at the LCBO that I think is fairly priced.

The dinner with Chip Tate and the Masterclass with Harlan Wheatly had me debating for 24hrs though...

[Zunak]

Given that scotch whisky prices have been going up, and there are a few bottlings still at the old prices, I have to make a choice between buying 3-4 bottles or going to SOT. I can go to SOT next year - however the way whisky prices are going, I may never see another bottle of scotch at the LCBO that I think is fairly priced.

The dinner with Chip Tate and the Masterclass with Harlan Wheatly had me debating for 24hrs though...

This has always been my take on this event. This year was the only one that really attracted me because of Charles MacLean, but attending his MC would put me out of pocket about $215 before I even leave my home. Not going. Quite frankly the only plus for me in attending would be meeting up with some of the guys from here that I haven't met yet.

[portwood]

This has always been my take on this event. This year was the only one that really attracted me because of Charles MacLean, but attending his MC would put me out of pocket about $215 before I even leave my home. Not going. Quite frankly the only plus for me in attending would be meeting up with some of the guys from here that I haven't met yet.

Actual cost would be ~$200 (135 show ticket + 35 early entry ticket + 20 Charlie surcharge + RTH surcharges). Note that the ticket prices already include HST.

Tasting a bunch of Islay expressions upfront, as attractive as it appears given that some oldies will probably be poured, also means your palette will be shot as far as tasting anything else the rest of the evening.

ps. the 48hr trip to Buffalo is looking like a better and better idea ...

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Will Canadian customs give you credit if a few hours in Buffalo feels like a week?

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Customs agent: How long have you been over?

portwood: Three hours.

Agent: I'm going to have to charge you duty.

portwood: But we were in Buffalo!

Agent: Ah, why didn't you say so? Go ahead.

[portwood]

Customs agent: How long have you been over?

portwood: Three hours.

Agent: I'm going to have to charge you duty.

portwood: But we were in Buffalo!

Agent: Ah, why didn't you say so? Go ahead.

All joking aside, the idea is to get a few guys to go over the border* buy a bottle or 3 each and do a "tasting" at the hotel, eat some grub, shoot the breeze, etc. - its not for Buffalo's tourism value.
On the way back home, pick up some stuff not available here and bring it over duty free. End result is similar camaraderie achieved at SofT but have some whisky to drink later.

* it doesn't have to be Buffalo, it could be somewhere else in NY or PA, or ...

[Frodo]

Someone on here found THH from the BTAC in Buffalo at reasonable prices. Who was that?

[Mr Tattie Heid]

* it doesn't have to be Buffalo, it could be somewhere else in NY or PA, or ...

It could be Detroit. You know, we put those places near the border so you won't be tempted to stay.

[TimWhalen]

Picked up my tickets for the event. Only able to get 1 ticket for Charles Maclean's class so I passed on it. With it being $55 made it a lot easier to pass on. Hope people had luck getting the classes of their choice.

[portwood]

Ralfy Mitchel in town for SofT and has been spotted at Forty Creek.
Are we going to see a gushing vlog singing the praises for John Hall & FC?
https://twitter.com/rmculver/status/332898268856070144

[portwood]

Reports?
Anyone?

[cpstecroix]

I had a great time...I was in three masterclasses, which left almost no time to hit the floor, honestly. I think I'd skip one next year, in order to have more booth time, however, if pressed, I'm not sure which masterclass I'd give up. Charlie McLean was great; a real story teller and forthright with honest opinions. The G&M tasting with Michael was great, as always...though, I've heard most of his stories a few times by now . The tasting with Johanna at the end of the night was great...

The after party at E&C was a lot of fun, Ralfy came and sat down and we chatted for a good while before he wandered on to make the rounds of the tables.

Highlight drams
G&M mortlach 21
Lagavulin 21
Bowmore 12 from the 60's
Ardbeg 17 (a highlight to try, wasn't my fav though)
OMC Port Ellen (meh)
1970 Strathisla (the nose on this one!)
1954 Glenlivet
Amrut Greedy Angels
Girvan 48 year old grain (awesome)
1982 Kuriazawa from the cocktail series (omg)

[portwood]

G&M mortlach 21

I'm curious about this one. Have you tried the G&M 15yo currently at LCBO? If so, how do they compare?

I have the same comment re masterclasses and the rest of the show floor based on 2011-12: doing 3 classes leaves no time to make the rounds to the booths. However, from experience, the stuff available at booths is pretty much the same as what's available in store and often the people staffing them aren't always the most knowledgeable. The exciting whiskies and guests are to be had in the classes.

So, my suggestion to show organizer (she's heard this many times before) is to extend the show to the whole afternoon-evening and/or add a day. That would leave time to attend classes, check out the booths, have more time with the samples, and chat with other people.