NYC - Nightfall at the Distillery: Whiskey + Bizarre Babes - 10.20.15

Curtain call for all producers and performers: (from left to right) Dakota Kim of Bombshell Bakers; Wae Messed; Dangrrr Doll; Anne Wei President of Whisky Wisemen NYC Chapter; and Clara Coquette.

We kick-off of our first post with a bang: on Tuesday October 20, 2015, WWNYC -- along with Bombshell Bakers -- successfully produced a mesmerizing Whiskey and Burlesque pre-Halloween benefit party, “Nightfall at the Distillery: Whiskey + Bizarre Babes,” hosted by New York Distilling Company (NYDC), an esteemed craft distillery in NYC.  Like with all WWNYC events, 10% of proceeds are donated to our charity-partner, Transfernation, who redistributes high-volume leftovers to hungry New Yorkers.

Indeed we host Whisky Wisemen’s flagship #thirdThursday #socialwhisky events every month, but we decided to throw something special to celebrate Halloween, because not only it is one of our favorite holidays, but also we wanted to curate an event that really highlights the teeming diversity and vibrancy that is the crux of the City That Never Sleeps. With help from our dear friends in the performance, nightlife, and spirits world, we decided to go for it.

Ghastly ghouls, beautiful bombshells, horrific hipsters, and everyone in between came out on the oddly warm school night for our benefit party, which was taking place literally in the NY Distilling Co.’s production floor. That’s right!  We all -- and this includes the burlesque performers, who are some of NYC’s finest -- were boogying to groovy music and sipping on some fine libations among racks of barrels filled with booze, a giant copper still, and the whiff of freshly-made fine spirits lingering in the air.  And special shout out to Bill Potter, head distiller of NYDC, for creating the perfect lighting ambience!

We were graced by the go-go dancing of Wae Messed and Dangrrr Doll, the latter an internationally recognized cos-player and burlesque performer, and heavily hypnotized by three tantalizing -- but creepy -- burlesque shows throughout the night:

  • Dangrrr Doll’s intensely bizarre bunny act

  • Wae Messed’s vicious vampire routine

  • Clara Coquette’s spooky skeleton performance

In between the debauchery, we also had a guided distillery tour and tasting of the NYDC’s domestically made spirits by Founder, Mr. Allen Katz, himself.  Stiff cocktails and the like were carefully crafted by bartenders Max and Steven of The Shanty, NY Distilling Co.’s in-house bar.  And in the midst of all the shin-dig and flim-flam, ALBOE (ART)’s Ashley-Simone McKenzie painted her interpretation of the night’s action in the background.

Allen Katz, founder of NY Distilling Co. giving a distillery tour and tasting of his in-house made spirits.

Everyone had a blast and we couldn’t have been more thrilled!  This was WWNYC first elaborate performanced-based production and we are so grateful for all the love we’ve received from our friends and partners. We will definitely be generating more amusing, eclectic, and -- of course -- educational, events in the future, so stay tune!  

Our other purpose for the Whiskey+Burlesque event, and others in the future like it, is not just to have an amazing time and party until our toes hurt, but also to inform and remind all that we need to #dogood and #bebetter by giving back to our community, whether it be donating a small amount to a local charity to volunteering.  We are also proud to say that this hard work is effective: there were direct donations and a spike in interest in WWNYC AND support our charity-partner just through our benefit party alone.  So again, thank you ALL for the support.

Whether you’re a whisk(e)y sage, novice, or just plain curious and want to learn more about whisk(e)y while having a good time, meeting good people, and contributing to a good cause, we at WWNYC welcome all...as long as you’re 21 and over!  If you are in NYC, like and follow us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/WhiskyWisemenNYC) for the best way to get the latest updates and news. 

Slainte,

- Annie, NYC Chapter President

 

 

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TOP 3 Favourite whisky quotes

Is there such a thing as a best quote?

Likely not, but below are 3 that personify the sprit we all love and adore...

"There is no bad whisky. There are only some whisky's that aren't as good as others."  - Raymond Chandler, Novelist and Screen Writer

"Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whisky, and a dog to eat the rare steak" - Johnny Carson, Late Night Host

"A good gulp of hot whiskey at bedtime—it’s not very scientific, but it helps." - Alexander Fleming, Scottish Inventor, Penicillin

Slainte,

- Kevin Shaw, Co-Founder

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WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN CLUB WISE? AS TOLD BY A CURRENT MEMBER

Growing up, I repeatedly heard: "focus on quality, not quantity." With Club Wise, there is an exception to this rule.  There is a greater power in numbers within this collective. You join a community that is filled with quality: professionals of all ages, entrepreneurs, artists and the likes come together to shape a greater purpose. One of collaboration, one of endless support and one of growth. And of course, the common thread of our appreciation of the siren more commonly known as whiskey.

Within the last year, my professional and personal network has expanded to the highest of qualities. I've met individuals that wouldn't normally cross my path in my day to day ventures. I've gained knowledge on how to grow and nurture my business. I've learned that asking for help and asking for support is not necessarily a strike against your character but an asset to find such vulnerability. 

I've come across a varying of strengths attending events where I know not a single person. Though my attendance has been sporadic throughout the year, I've never once felt out of place and in fact felt more myself. Finding a place in which you are accepted and welcomed, where you are educated and connected to a greater cause than your own - all the while finding who you are in the process is a beautiful process. Club Wise - it's board and it's members -have opened up so many incredibly opportunities of discovery. 

  • Discovery of self. 
  • Discovery of taste. 
  • Discovery of community.
  • For that, I'm forever grateful. Now, can someone grab me a drink? Make it a Wiseman!
  • Cheers,

- Club Wise Member 

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CLUB WISE YVR FALL FORMAL EVENTS @ CAVALIER - VANCOUVER, 10.21/22.15

For anyone who are not aware, here in our hometown of Vancouver, new for 2015, we have created an exclusive membership group called Club Wise.  We have recruited 20 males and 20 females who were admitted into the Club's inaugural year because of their passion to #dogood and #bebetter. The premise is that we host four events annually that are only for the members.  Each event incorporates a different whisky tasting, coupled with a guest speaker from our local community which takes place in a unique and exciting setting.  

On October 21st and 22nd we hosted the Women's and Men's Formal Events for our third event of the year and it may have been the best one yet! We kicked off the night with specialty Gin & Tonic cocktails crafted by the Bruichladdich Ambassador using their new Gin, The Botantist.  Afterwards we sampled The Classic Laddie, Port Charlotte Scottish Barley and Octomore 6.1. See the pictures below for a sneak peek inside the events or visit our Facebook page here for more pictures!

We'd like to extend special thanks to our partners for their generous contributions to make our third Club Wise YVR event for 2015 that much better:

Guest Speakers: Wayne Deans, Chairman & CEO of Deans Knight Capital Management, AND Tasi Gottschlag, CFO of Voxter Communications

We are now accepting Club Wise YVR Membership applications for 2016 but spaces are limited to keep our group tight and exclusive. Please visit the Club Wise page of our website to find out how to apply.  Club Wise is currently only available in our hometown of Vancouver but we plan to extend this model to our other Chapter cities in the months to come so stay tuned!!

Slainte

- Jordan Scott, Co-Founder

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GUY'S NIGHT OUT @ HUDSON'S BAY- VANCOUVER, 10.15.25

Last month we had the pleasure to partner up with Hudson's Bay, a retail force that is carving new roads in Men's Fashion in Canada.  They decided to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for the men of Vancouver to come out shopping one evening for a pre-sale on all of the hottest items for Men's Fall Fashion and called it GUY'S NIGHT OUT. Naturally, they reached out to us to turn things up a notch and serve all of the guests delicious craft cocktails while they roamed the 6th Floor for some new threads. There was a professional photographer taking portraits of the attendees and a DJ combination with a Saxophone player for our entertainment too!

We want to extend a special thanks to our Official Whisky Partner, Glenmorangie, for providing the sweet nectar and mixing ingredients, to ensure that everyone had a glass of the good stuff in their hands while they shopped around. Also, thanks to Echelon Management for supplying the wonderful women who staffed the bars and crafted all of the cocktails for the evening!

Check out some of the images from the event below or on our

Slainte,

- Jordan Scott, Co-Founder

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BC Liquor Stores 2015 Premium Spirit Release - Vancouver, 11.07.15

As you all know, Christmas comes once a year, but for a select few, November 7th is the real holiday showstopper.. This yearly happening is considered the ultimate must-do for lovers of top shelf spirits and extremely old and rare whiskies from around the world. 

This year’s feature was a $36,000 bottle of Glenfiddich 50-year-old single malt (limited to one bottle - and was the first to be purchased). The ultra-rare Highland Scotch has been called the “crowning glory” in the Glenfiddich collection and comes in an exquisite hand-blown bottle, individually numbered in wax. Additionally, says BC Liquor Stores, the roster for the 2015 release includes the Glenglassaugh 51 year old – 1963 vintage, and Port Ellen 35 year old, as well as “extremely limited and sought-after bourbons from Kentucky, as well as whiskies from Ireland, Wales and Canada.”

Aside from the Glenfiddich 50, the real reason whisky enthusiasts waited for days in the rain - was for the very rare Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve collection.. This years "celebrity" enthusiast goes by the name of Greg (who wouldn’t provide his last name because he was skipping work to be at the event - and we don't blame him!) arrived on Tuesday, November 3rd to ensure his first seat in line was spoken for. He drives up from Seattle and has been doing this trek for the past 3 years.. Needless to say, I was very curious about who he was and the stories he had to share. Having only spent 10 minutes talking to Greg, I learned very quickly that his experiences and the impressions he left with many other enthusiast were just as rare as the whiskies around us. His personality and generosity were so grand - he brought people to tears when they had to say farewell until next year. 

Among some of the others in line were the likes of Tony Hii and Bruce Langereis (Owners of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) who were hoping to land some fine whiskies to add to the menu at the hotel’s Prohibition bar. Let's just say that $36,000 bottle of Glenfiddich and the entire Van Winkle Family Reserve will have a nice place to sit along side their already impressive top shelf collection. 

Rest assured, it’s not only booze with massive price tags that were part of the 2015 release lineup. Spirit lovers were also able to find stuff in the $50 to $200 range as well. So, if you want to do some early holiday shopping - we definitely recommend stopping by while select supplies are still available. 

- Nick Harborne, Creative Director

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Shebeen named Runner Up for Best Whiskey Bar in the World Outside Ireland

We are so proud of our Vancouver whisky bar partner, Shebeen, for their Gold runner up result in the most recent Irish Whiskey Awards ceremony on October 15th, 2015 for the Top Irish Whisky Bar outside of Ireland.  Congratulations to the owner, Sean Heather, and to all of the staff which make it such an amazing place to sit back and enjoy all of the finest spirits!

Pictured is bartender extraordinaire Randy Gaudreau aka @whiskeydrummer crafting a few Wiseman cocktails behind the bar at Shebeen, a whisky list which he has been the mastermind behind and expertly curated for the past several years!

Pictured is bartender extraordinaire Randy Gaudreau aka @whiskeydrummer crafting a few Wiseman cocktails behind the bar at Shebeen, a whisky list which he has been the mastermind behind and expertly curated for the past several years!

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BCIT Magazine Feature - Wise Whisky VIDEO

BCIT or the British Columbia Institute of Technology, came out to one of our #thirdThursday events before the summer of 2015 and they captured the event on video along with a couple brief interviews with our board members on what it is all about. Check the video out here!

Thanks to John Kidney and the BCIT Magazine team for this feature!!

The Whiskey Wisemen Society held their monthly whiskey social event at Shebeen bar in Gastown. The event deals with more than just drinking and socializing.

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WINNER! Quest for the Best Whisk(e)y Bar in Vancouver 2015 - The Cascade Room

Back in March, we teamed up with Tangoo, a mobile application platform that helps guide your social outings, and held a contest to determine where the absolute best place is in Vancouver to enjoy a glass of liquid gold! We curated a short-list of 20 of the best spots in the city and submitted them to Tangoo, where they then added a custom, "Whisky" vote button for people to pick that as their spot.

After a month long period where Tangoo users had the chance to upvote their favourite whisky places using their app, we were able to crown our champion, the Quest for the Best Whisk(e)y bar in Vancouver ended at .... The Cascade Room!

Located on Main St in the heart of Vancouver, The Cascade Room is a cozy bar with a great selection of whisky and delicious cocktails that are always changing to suit the season.  Definitely Wisemen approved and definitely a must visit for anyone looking for a great spot to saddle up for a few glasses of the good stuff.

In 2nd place was our local watering hole, Shebeen Whisk(e)y House is Gastown and in 3rd place came The Blackbird Public House, located downtown Vancouver.

We then held a special "Voters Appreciation Party" at the champion's abode after the victory and we presented The Cascade Room with their Tangoo and Whisky Wisemen approved Certificate to Bar Manager Rob Scope, along with Founder of Tangoo, Paul Davidescu and the two Founders of the Whisky Wisemen Society, Jordan Scott and Kevin Shaw.

HERE is a short video of the award presentation and HERE is a link to the Tangoo blog post where there is a transcribed interview with Rob Scope about his selection of whisky at The Cascade Room and what some of his favourites are.

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and we are already looking forward to next year! Special thanks to Tangoo and The Cascade Room!


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Sunday’s Grocery x Akashi 5.5 Year Single Cask Whisky

Since opening in 2014, Sunday’s Grocery has placed a significant focus on its collection of Japanese Whiskies and its ability to source and import rare and esteemed bottles from distilleries across Japan. On October 21st, 2015 (TODAY), Sunday’s will be adding to its diverse collection with the launch of its own single malt, produced at #AkashiDistillery.

Also known as White Oak Distillery, Akashi is considered to be the oldest Japanese Whisky distillery as it was the first in Japan to acquire a distillation license in 1919. Although its Whisky production is small, the relationship that Elliot Faber, Beverage Director at Sunday’s Grocery, developed with the Akashi brewers allowed for the creation of this exclusive single malt that is uniquely aged for 5.5 years in a single sherry cask. This Whisky shows notes of apple cider and cocoa nib on the nose. As you taste, the same aromas from the nose lay a foundation and the Whisky develops smoky on the palate with notes of hickory sticks and sultana raisins. On the finish, there is a suggestion of tannin and inflections of ginger candy and black liquorice.

With only 100 bottles produced, this Whisky will only be available while quantities last, each bottle will come with a limited edition, gold “Sunday’s Are Better Than Others” signature t-shirt.

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Power To Play Vancouver - September 24, 2015

The first blast of the megaphone smashed through the sound of the heavy Vancouver rain to announce the first of over 30 teams heading into the home stretch of the Power to Play Vancouver 2015 adventure race through Stanley Park. As the first team rolled in and passed the smell of a few freshly made Wiseman cocktails the next race was on towards the finish line and into the bar line to warm up with a little 'water of life' courtesy of the Whisky Wisemen Society. 

We were on site with Glenmorangie Orgininal Whisky and all the fixings for a perfectly made Wiseman cocktail to ensure that the after party festivities were as fun as the event itself which you can check out here. It was an honour to be involved and a blast connecting with everyone at the event. 

The race is in its 3rd year an continues to grow on itself. Power to Be, our 2015 charity partner in Vancouver, raised over $240,000 from this year’s event and as a result will be able to support over 1000 youths and families in BC this year to strengthen their connection with nature and find inspiration through the discovery of their own limitless ability. 

 If you or your company are interested in participating next year, which we highly encourage, check out the video review here or reach out to Power to Be directly to set up a team. 

 Hope to see you there in 2016 to break their fundraising record again!

 Slainte

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Ballantine's invents glass for sipping whisky in space

The Space Glass, made for whiskey company Ballantine’s, was designed with whiskey in mind. It is not actually made of glass, but rather it is 3D-printed with medical grade plastic into a tumbler shape. The key technology is inside the glass, where small channels in the side move liquid from the convex stainless steel base coated in rose gold, which the liquid sticks to, around to a mouthpiece. This is made of gold, as it is non-reactive, and is where the astronaut drinks from.

“We are using inertia and the notion that the whisky will stay at rest while the bottle and the glass is moved around the resting liquid,” said Parr in a statement on Medium.

To deal with the microgravity conditions of spaceflight, the Space Glass has a magnet at its base, allowing it to attach to whiskey bottles customized with their own magnets and a thin “straw” to deliver whiskey into the glass. Once inside, in microgravity, the whiskey wouldn't bounce around in a blob, but stick at the bottom and deliver liquid into the channels.

The Space Glass recently underwent tests at the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany, which can simulate microgravity conditions for a short period of time by dropping items. Of course, while it’s a bit of a publicity stunt, the design could be useful in the future of spaceflight. It allows astronauts to drink from an actual glass, rather than relying on bags of liquid at the moment.

“Not only is the glass innovative – solving fundamental scientific questions of how liquid moves in zero gravity – but it is also beautifully designed, with the ritual of the whisky drinking experience at its heart,” said Peter Moore, brand director of Ballantine’s, in thestatement.

You can watch a video showing how the Space Glass was tested below:

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Ardbeg Day 2015 - Vancouver

Ardbeg Day (March 30th 2015) marks the 200th anniversary. That’s no mean feat. For 200 years, Islay craftsmen have used skills handed down through generations to distil it's beloved whisky. A whisky that today is worshipped around the world, yet is still made by hand, in a handful of buildings perched on Islay’s rocky coast.

Being as this year’s Ardbeg Day is extra special given the distillery’s anniversary, an extra big deal is being made about the Perpetuum release. Ardbeg has said of this whisky so far that it is its “past, present and future” bottled. What this means is a touch cryptic, but what’s also been said is this expression, created by Ardbeg’s Dr. Bill Lumsden, “has taken inspiration from the differing styles of whisky his predecessors have created over the last 200 years.”

Now what’s interesting about this release, is that it's already out on the market, provided you happen to be able visit the distillery in Scotland to grab a bottle. As of the 30th, It is now being sold across Europe and other parts of the world. As for Canada.. We will have to wait until the fall to get our hands on a bottle. 

Here are some of the highlights of this years Ardbeg Day in Vancouver.

Photos By: Jonathan Evans

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A New Islay Scotch Whisky Arrives in America!

A special release whisky from a two hundred year old distillery, the Ardbeg Perpetuum, is due to hit the American market on May 30. 

Ardbeg, the peatiest, most powerful of Islay’s many macho, kick-your-ass, take-no-prisoners peat monsters, the ultimate my-malts-peatier-than-your-malt malt, is set to release a special edition to celebrate its 200th anniversary.

Islay in 1815 must have been dreary place – lots of wind, lots of rain, lots of sheep and not much else. No wonder the inhabitants developed a line of robust, to put it mildly, whiskies to help them get through the long, dark winters.

All this led me to expect Perpetuum to be Ardbeg on steroids, but I have just tasted a pre-release sample, and am really pleased to report it’s not the latest entrant in the World’s Peatiest Malt Competition, but an altogether more subtle dram.

Rather than being the peat bomb I expected, it’s sweeter, lighter and more floral than the standard Ardbeg. It still had its progenitor’s tar and charcoal and spice and peat, but here they’re balanced by sweeter elements like vanilla, caramel and milk chocolate.

- Nick Harborne

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A night with J.P. Wiser's, Lot 40 & Pike Creek Canadian Whisky

Canada, eh? We’ll be the first to admit we know too little about the whisky of our home and native land, but it’s clear that Canadian whisky is riding the same surge of love that is hitting bourbon and American rye these days. We’re seeing more premium releases, and they’re exporting more and more around the world. 

Last Thursday (May 7th) The Wisemen were treated with a special Canadian Whisky tasting by the one and only Dave Mitton. Dave is the Global Ambassador for J.P. Wiser's, Lot 40 & Pike Creek Canadian Whisky. 

To start the night off, Dave introduced us to the much anticipated Lot 40 Rye Whisky. Right away, the nose suggests aromas of spiced vanilla, toffee, orange zest and smoke; on the palate it is warm with nuances of sweet cereal, butterscotch sundae, apple pie and nutmeg with a long and lingering finish. For American rye drinkers, it will have you questioning what a great rye should really taste like. It may not have the power of Thomas Handy, nor the age of the Sazerac 18, nor the warm embrace of the Van Winkle Family Reserve, but – to us – it’s every bit as intriguing and impressive as any of those great rye whisky's.

Up next was the fittingly named Wiser’s Legacy. This one definitely stands as a testament to the quality of early Canadian whisky, and to the pioneer distiller whose influence was fundamental in establishing the Canadian whisky style. And that style? Well to begin with, much of the whisky in Legacy is distilled in a traditional copper pot still from a mash rich in rye-grain. The white-oak barrels used to mature Legacy are toasted, not charred, creating a most amazing range of typical ‘rye’ spices. Legacy is the clear leader of the Wiser’s range, and despite the fact that it is a relatively recent release it has already begun to garner awards and accolades. It’s sweet, rich and very spicy with overt rye notes. Cinnamon and cloves, dark fruits, hot peppermint and citric zest. A spectacular whisky and a must-have for any collection. 

Leaving on a ‘Rye’ note, we proceeded to try a the 10-year-old Canadian, Pike Creek. Double distilled in small column copper stills, this hand-crafted whisky is then aged in white oak bourbon barrels and finished in vintage port. On the nose are aromas of caramel, clove, prune and spice; the palate is full bodied and warm, with flavours of spiced caramel, dried fruit and cereal grain. 

Our fourth tasting was a well-aged whisky that boasts pleasing aromas of oak, fresh cider and spice. As a blended Canadian whisky, Wiser’s 18 is a premium product that yields its best flavours when sipped neat. On the nose, you’ll take in an abundance of oak, florals and hints of fresh pine. The palate is plentiful and shares hints of baked apples, spice and rich caramel. 

Finally, our last whisky of the evening derives from the style of whisky crafted in 1857 by John Philip Wiser - Wiser’s Red Letter. Double distilled in continuous column stills, there’s little to no rye in the final blend of grains. It is then aged a minimum of 10 years in American bourbon barrels and finished for 150 days in virgin oak casks. This exclusive whisky has a higher strength of 45% alcohol and is non-chill filtered, creating a very rewarding, full-flavoured and authentic tasting experience. 

- Nick Harborne

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Official Donation to our 2014 Charity Partner, Project True

Here at the Whisky Wisemen Society, we’re all about doing good in our community. This can be as simple as participating in our #ChivalryChallenge by performing a good deed for a stranger to getting a group of friends together and volunteering at a soup kitchen. However, to us, it also means giving back financially as well. Through our fundraising efforts of hosting monthly  #ThirdThursday events and through the proceeds of sales of the Wiseman cocktail, we are able to raise much needed funds for local community groups. Our community partner for 2014 is a organization called Project True. Project True is a not-for profit organization in Vancouver that was created out of the lack of accessible resources for people living with serious body image disorders and/or disordered eating. 

During our January 2015 #ThirdThursday event, we presented Angela, the founder of Project True, with a donation of $3,000. This donation, coupled with our donation early last year of $1,000, has funded  #TrueRecovery grants for two candidates to receive treatment with eating disorder specialist Dr. Laird Birmingham. All of this good is thanks to our community who come out to support us every month.. Every #ThirdThursday event you attend and every Wiseman cocktail you order gives back to the community. Drinking for a cause, now that's something to get on board with!  Check out the video below for a recap of the cheque presentation!

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on our new charity partner for 2015!

- Markus

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SFU Alumni Presentation Recap

Two weeks ago, Sean Burke and I presented to a room full of eager undergraduates and young professionals alike on the topic "From Startup to Finish: Achieving Entrepreneurial Goals". The SFU Alumni Association did a great job curating a vibrant crowd, refreshments, and a great panel of presenters with Jill Earthy as the Moderator.

As the community of Wisemen and Wisewomen grow and do their best to #dogood and #bebetter, we were asked question about how the Whisky Wisemen has reached the level it is at and what are some of the habits Sean and I hold near and dear, allowing us to burn the midnight oil working to make the world a little bit better.

It was a refreshing experience that allowed us to touch on my fear of being a 'been brother' (coulda been, woulda been, shoulda been) and Sean's greatest strength, which is also his greatest weakness, stubbornness. 

You can view the whole interview at the link below.

Thanks again to the SFU Alumni Association and everyone who came to hear what the Whisky Wisemen are all about - there will be more to come!

Kevin

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Glen Garioch 12 Year Old

History:  Glen Garioch is one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland and its most easterly. Glen Garioch (pronounced Geery in the ancient Doric dialect still spoken in those parts) has been making its mighty malt in the quaint and historic market town of Oldmeldrum, near Aberdeen in North East Scotland ever since 1797.  Shielded from the world's prying eyes, deep in the fertile 'Granary of Aberdeenshire', and only ever produced in small, precious batches, Glen Garioch is a rare fine indeed, but warmly appreciated but those who like a hearty Highland malt, non chill filtered as nature intended. This 12 year old was released in 2010 and is matured in both American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks which give it loads of character as each stage of the marriage adds distinct characteristics to the final single malt.

Tasting Notes:  This Highland single malt is easy drinking and approachable, most suitably meant for sipping neat by a warm fire or at the end of a dock as the sun goes down.  Appearing the colour of a sharp honey tone, on the nose you first sense is a heathery floral note which is balanced nicely with the richness of pears and the sweetness of malted barley with a hint of oak.  On the palete you can taste a creme brulee-esque sweetness with other fruity flavours leading to a long, smooth and creamy finish.  This scotch really packs a punch and is fully fragrant for all of your senses.

Price: $57.99  

Wisemen Word: This was our first foray to the bottom of a Glen Garioch bottle and it did not disappoint and it definitely won't be our last. Bottled at a fiesty 48% ABV this whisky is a real charmer so try not to shy away from it too quickly as it may take some warming up to at first.  We found that adding a little drop of water can really open it up a bit more and provide some real depth to the complexity of flavours present in this exquisite bottle.  It always seems to end smooth and creamy which is a nice result for a whisky which such strong characteristics. Please enjoy responsibly. Slainte!

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We've Been Getting Some Great Press Lately!

Check out our feature articles in the below publications that have gone out in support this year! We appreciate all of the love and encouragement our community and others have shown us as we continue to #dogood and #bebetter! 

 

TheManual.com - Feel Good Friday

ScoutMagazine.ca - Shebeen To Host the Whisky Wisemen Society

VanCityBuzz.com - Whisky Wisemen Present Third Thursday

Notable.ca - Canada's Newest and Most Important Business Trend: Social Philanthropy

DrinkDistiller.com - Donations and Drams

Gastown.org - Bettering the Community Through Whisky

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Third Thursday XXVII - March 19 2015

Last months #thirdthursday was our 27th #socialwhisky event and we were joined by TWO special guests! Co-founder Paul Davidescu and his team at TANGOO, your pocket concierge, joined us to discuss their unique App that curates the perfect outing for you and your friends along with a chance to WIN a $100 Gift Card to one of Vancouver's best restaurants! https://tangoo.ca/app AND, Founder Jamie MacDonald of Co-Pilot Studios, makers of custom eye glasses crafted from old whisky barrels, http://www.copilotstudios.ca/

Thanks to everyone who came out and spread the Wisemen word.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next #SocialWhisky.

Photos by The Glass Eye

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