November 3rd, 2022
"ARDBEG!" - The Untamed Spirit
An in-person event took place in the charming setting of The SpeakCheasy! 123 Dunlop St East, Downtown Barrie.
Our whisky journey continued on a rather smoky trail, as we explored Ardbeg!
An absolutely fabulous evening sharing the Untamed Spirit of Islay with a capacity crowd at the SpeakCheasy!
This tasting experience was shared with an engaging group of Whisky enthusiasts from the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers and hosted by the passionate and informative Canadian Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg.
Thank you so much Bry Simpson for coming up from Toronto to share drams and stories with us! Also a big thank you to Jessi & Bekki for accommodating us all in your unique and intimate SpeakCheasy and serving delicious world-renowned Cheese and assorted meats, paired with five Untamed Whiskies of Ardbeg!! Definitely a Dram Good Time!!
Traditionally, the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers donates part of the proceeds from each event to the Food Bank. In addition, guests in attendance also came forward to donated funds. Together, $525 was tallied and will be provided to the Barrie Food Bank!
Everyone's Whisky Journey should be full of special occasions! Be sure to subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive notification of our next incredible whisky tasting event!
Sláinte Mhaith.
October 13th, 2022
"A GRAND OCCASION"
Oh what a night!
“Glenfiddich” whisky, chocolate from “Belfry Chocolates” and a bountiful meal from “Liberty North”, hosted by Glenfiddich’s Canadian National Brand Ambassador Jamie Johnson, with very special guest, John MacPherson.
The Pacific Room at Liberty Banquet Hall was packed with whisky enthusiasts eager to experience the Grand flavour of two luxurious expressions, one small batch 18-year-old and the newly launched Orchard Experiment # 5!
The Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers, was the first in Ontario to to experience the Glenfiddich Orchard, launched in our province this past week!
A big thank you to Jamie for an informative and entertaining presentation, filled with stories of the Glenfiddich Distillery and highlighted contributions from 5 generations of William Grant and Son’s Ltd.
We also applauded John MacPherson, Scotch Specialist – PMA Canada, for providing the storied background behind the building of the Lowland Girvan distillery and presenting the 12-year-old Grants Triple Wood to one of six lucky winners of the night.
Traditionally, the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers donates part of the proceeds from each event to the Food Bank. In addition, guests in attendance also came forward to donated funds. Together, $725 was tallied and will be provided to the Barrie Food Bank!
We are also grateful to Belfry Chocolates (122 Victoria St W. in Alliston), for creating our chocolate glass toppers, designed with the Glenfiddich deer head logo.
Finally, a big thank you to Chef Mark, Lori and all the wonderful staff at Liberty North Banquet Hall, for providing a fabulous meal and wonderful service. Their facility is truly the perfect location for any gathering.
Chef Mark, from Liberty North carefully selected a delicious pairing of four courses, served with each of the four expressions from The Glenfiddich Distillery.
- Chipotle bison slider with smoked gouda and cherry tomato salsa served with house cooked kettle chips
- Pancetta and corn chowder
- Chicken supreme A la King served with cumin spiced potato wedges and chefs’ vegetable of the day
- Individual chocolate brownie cake with baileys creme anglaise and French vanilla whip cream.
Everyone's Whisky Journey should be full of special occasions! Be sure to subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive notification of our next incredible whisky tasting event!
Sláinte Mhaith.
March 18th, 2022
St Paddy's Dinner & Drams
St Paddy’s Dinner & Drams was another successful tasting experience for this whisky club. The first anniversary of the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers is April 1st and last nights Dinner & Irish Drams was the perfect time to celebrate.
The contributions to the success of this occasion, came in so many directions! Starting with a delicious four course meal! Chef Mark creatively incorporated an Irish thyme into each course that received so many compliments and left everyone so gratified. Also, the kind and courteous staff at Liberty North Banquet Hall, were gracious and accommodating to our every need.
This was a “Double Barreled” Masterclass presented by two of Canada’s esteemed whisky Ambassadors!
Beth Havers and John MacPherson provided us whisky enthusiasts with stories, history and tasting notes, that complemented an informative and delightful tasting experience!
A number of us took home prizes of everything from Chocolates, T-Shirts, Aunt Beth Whisky Bakes cookies, whisky tasting packages and of course …bottles of whisky! Thank you to Belfry Chocolates (in Alliston), John MacPherson and Beth Havers, for your contributions to the prize table and most importantly to the success of this event!
Finally, with this being a St Patrick’s dinner and whisky tasting, we did learn about Patrick’s past and accomplishment of inspiring a new culture on the emerald island. One that fosters peace, hope and kindness.
Kindness is also part of the paradigm of this whisky club. As we travel on our whisky journey, to discover world renown whisky and enjoy sharing drams with our malt mates, we keep in mind those who are less fortunate than ourselves, having struggled and continue to cope with the hardship brought on by the pandemic. That is why all proceeds of this event were donated to the Food Bank.
In addition to this, the attendees of last evening’s whisky tasting, stepped forward with individual donations for the Food Bank amounting to $530!
That is a whole lot of St Paddy kindness right there!
Sláinte Mhaith.
