July 12th
A MASTER BLENDER'S DINNER!
This Academy had the very special opportunity to meet one of the most passionate and creative master blenders in the world of whisky. A literal expert in whiskey-making and aging with a Bachelor's in microbiology, as well as an MS and Ph.D in Brewing and Distilling from Edinburgh's Heriot Watt University.
Dr. Don Livermore presents his exceptionally exclusive whisky tasting master class to the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers in Barrie.
Dr. Don brought with him a selection of his finest creations, including a very special J.P. Wiser 42-year-old.
J.P. Wiser's "Ready to Serve" Cocktail Mix Started us off!
Followed by the following creations by Dr. Don Livermore!
· J.P. Wiser’s 10 YO
· J.P. Wiser’s 18 YO
· Pike Creek 10 YO
· Lot 40 Dark Oak
· Lot 40 Cherry Cask, (soon to be released)
· J.P. Wiser’s 42 YO
Menu
1st Course
This will be a food station set up in the room at 6:15 pm and served with a complementary whisky cocktail
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Cajun pulled chicken tacos with Alabama white BBQ sauce, crispy and pickled red onions, and micro sprouts served with avocado, corn, and tomato salad
2nd Course
Grilled gravlax (salmon) with wild leek mousse, grilled vegetables, and beluga lentils
Main Course
12oz. Grilled veal chop served over roasted jalapeno and goats cheese polenta with chefs seasonal vegetables
Dessert
Peanut butter fudge tart with maple whipped cream
June 7th
Hunter Laing Independent Bottler
The Laing family have been in the Scotch Whisky business for more than three generations. This company has acquired not only a great deal of experience but, just as importantly, vast stocks of some of the most sought after whiskies in Scotland.
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This Academy welcomed Lee Hanson, representing Hunter Laing, who shared their proud history and showcased four unique premium Single Cask Whiskies, plus one special surprize bottle from Hunter Laing's product line! This event took place in the intimate setting of the SpeakCheasy.
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In addition to experiencing drams from the Old Malt Single Cask whisky collection, attendees were provided with an opportunity to purchase a bottle from this flight of limited and very rare expressions, at a special club price!
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Our Special Guest Speaker!
Lee Hanson
Lee Hanson has been in the wine and spirits business for over 27 years. Starting in restaurants at too young an age, sparked a life long passion for fine wines. This lead to a number of sommelier positions in Calgary and the Caribbean as well as cellar hand opportunities at 3 California wineries.
A smoldering interest in Scotch whisky was stoked when Lee had a hand in relaunching the Bruichladdich distillery of Islay. The bold and honest approach of these whiskies and the exposure to single cask-single malts would become the cornerstone of Lee's working life.
In 2013 Lee founded Barrel Hunter Import and Brokerage, working with family-owned distilleries and wineries.
A new partnership was formed with Select Wines in 2019, as the Spirit Ambassador. Lee now has the honour of sharing the Hunter Laing whiskies as well as Tesseron Cognac and more, all across Canada.
An Absolutely Epic Line-up!
A pair of 14 year old single cask whiskies!
A surprise bottling from Hunter Laing's core range!
Single cask whisky from 15 &16 year old barrels!
Distilled at TAMDHU distillery, aged 14 years, Speyside Region.
One of 60 Bottles Charged from a Sherry Cask.
$144.20
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Distilled at JURA Distillery aged 14 years, Island Region.
One of 60 bottles charged from a Refill Hogshead
$132.20
Single cask whisky from 15 &16 year old barrels!
A surprise bottling from Hunter Laing's core range!
Single cask whisky from 15 &16 year old barrels!
Distilled at CRAIGELLACHIE distillery aged 15 years, Speyside Region.
One of 60 Bottles Charged from a Sherry Butt.
$161.20
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Distilled at BENRINNES Distillery aged 16 years, Speyside Region.
One of 60 bottles charged from a Sherry Cask
$161.20
A surprise bottling from Hunter Laing's core range!
A surprise bottling from Hunter Laing's core range!
A surprise bottling from Hunter Laing's core range!
A fifth Dram!
Hunter Laing is a trusted Independent bottler by whisky enthusiasts all around the world, as the brand which bottles some of the most noteworthy expressions.
A very special bottling from Hunter Laing's SCARABUS was added to this epic line up!
JUNE 7TH
The fun started at 6:15 pm with a
complimentary welcome cocktail - "Whisky + Processo".
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THE SPEAKCHEASY
123 Dunlop St E. Barrie
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BBQ Whisky Beef Slider topped with caramelized onions, served with your welcome cocktail!
Cup of Potato Leek Soup topped with Handeck cheese
Charcuterie Board which includes 4 cheeses to pair with each dram
In house chocolate dessert, paired with mystery dram!
March 21st 2024
Bruichladdich Distillery
Liberty North and Chef Mark once again served up an incredibly delicious and fulfilling banquet to show case the three types of whisky from the Progressive Distillery of the Isle of Islay.
Welcome Station
BBQ Short rib croquette served over horseradish, topped with whiskey BBQ sauce and crispy onion straws.
Complimented with a welcome cocktail served with “The Botanist” gin
Appetizer (Plated)
Little gem salad with candied bacon, roasted grapes, spiced walnuts, julienne of jicama, herbed crostini finished with a white grape emulsion.
Main Entrée
Mushroom, gorgonzola stuffed chicken supreme wrapped in prosciutto finished with white wine cream sauce served over vegetable risotto and chefs’ vegetables
Dessert
Black and white mini mousse cakes with raspberry whisky coulis
As is tradition, proceeds from this event and donations from members of this whisky club, amounted to $1,050, which have been donated to the Food Bank!
Reed Pettit
Reed Pettit, National Portfolio Ambassador for Remy Cointreau at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, was our guide to discover the Progressive Hebridean Distillery of Islay.
With this wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for educating and sharing drams, Reed enlighten us on the heritage and traditions of this Victorian distillery, resurrected in 2001, producing award winning premium brands, on the shores of
Loch Indaal, Scotland
JANUARY 26TH 2024
ROBBIE BURNS DINNER
Liberty North and Chef Mark served up a spectacular menu, for this Celebration of Scotland’s favourite son!
A Welcome Cocktail called the "Highland Fling", started the evening off, served with a Pastrami Style Smoked Salmon Slider with dill sour cream and pickled red onions.
Scottish Folk songs set a festive mood, performed by local artists Sean Patrick & Jessica Martin.
A Piper will led a procession into the banquet hall, followed by Robbie Burns’ ode to the Haggis.
The three-course plated meal commenced with Smoked Bacon and Clam Chowder.
Followed by a delicious Grilled Top Sirloin Steak coated in Whisky Peppercorn Sauce served along side Tatties and Neeps and accompanied by Traditional Haggis!.
Finishing off this dazzling dinner was a Double Chocolate Fudge Tart with Whisky Marinated Berries.
To top off this Caledonian celebration, $1,200 was raised in proceeds and donations, for the Food Bank!
THE GLENS
According to The Whisky Exchange, there are 35 Single Malt Whisky distilleries named after a Glen. Glen is Gaelic for “Narrow Valley”.
Three of those Glens arrived at the Academy of Single Malt Whisky Explorers in time to celebrate Scotland’s favourite son, on January 26th, 2024!
GLENGLASSAUGH, GLENDRONACH AND GLENROTHES joined together in a TRIPLE-barreled
“Whisky Tasting Experience”,
set in the pristine ambiance of Liberty North Banquet Hall.
This “Gala Celebration”, included all the pageantry and charm of a Scottish festival!
THE FIVE DRAMS FEATURED...
GLENGLASSAUGH - Rare Single Cask
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
A Rare Single Cask Release of only 296 bottles. Peated and matured in an American Oak wine hogshead cask, hand selected by Master Blender Rachel Barrie. 58.7 abv
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
A rich whisky matured entirely in first-fill sherry casks. It is part of The Soleo Collection: a range of five whiskies from Glenrothes, ranging from 10 to 25 years old, paying homage to the grapes from which sherries, such as Pedro Ximénez, are made. 48.8 abv
The GLENDRONACH Port Wood
The GLENROTHES - Whisky Makers Cut
The GLENDRONACH Port Wood
Created by the talented Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at GlenDronach, the Port Wood is wonderful.
It has been matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, before being finished in Port pipes imported from the legendary Douro Valley in Portugal.. 46 % abv
GLENGLASSAUGH EVOLUTION
But wait!! ...there was more!
The GLENDRONACH Port Wood
Part of Glenglassaugh's return, which despite changes of ownership looks set to be a triumphant one if Evolution is anything to go by. This Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in Tennessee whiskey barrels that used to contain George Dickel. 50.0 % abv
The GLENROTHES 12 YEAR OLD
But wait!! ...there was more!
But wait!! ...there was more!
A fine, 12-year-old, Speyside whisky that's aged entirely in ex-sherry casks. Expect aromas of vanilla, banana and spice with complex sherry and floral notes, leading to sweet, rounded palate with dark fruit and ginger spice flavours on a long gently smooth finish. 40.0 % abv
But wait!! ...there was more!
But wait!! ...there was more!
But wait!! ...there was more!
Our Malt Mates at Whisky Drop are donating these three bottles to our GlenGlassaugh tasting...
One is New Make, the other two are 6 months in barrel...
These were bottled by Stuart Nickerson's group just after they purchased the distillery and re-started production... Around 2010