November Whisky Tastings

Hope everyone in the Ottawa area is enjoying the splendid Fall - warm days and cool nights, blue skies, vibrant trees, morning mists, and perhaps a wee dram to help the evening chills.

Here's what I opened for a post Thanksgiving turkey dinner digestif.

Unmistakably Lagavulin, this 15 year old Single Cask whisky, bottled specifically for the 2012 Islay Jazz Festival, was big and fiery on the cask strength palate, then beautifully soft and elegant with a couple of drops of water. Top notch Single Malt Islay Scotch Whisky - 5 quaichs from me.

Last week, a capacity crowd enjoyed a great Fall whisky tasting at Divino Wine Studio.  As always, the food pairings concocted by Cristian Lepore and his team were outstanding. Here's one of the brilliant whiskies, we poured.

Oban 15 year old Distillers Edition

On to November, and three more public tastings..........

On Sunday November 3rd at 2:30pm, The Scottish Society of Ottawa is holding a Whisky Masterclass at the Blackburn Arms Pub, 2586 Innes Road. Pete Bradford, a cooper from Prince Edward County, makes oak casks for the whisky and wine trades. He will talk about the impact of oak on whisky, the differences in toasting, charring and much more. Three one ounce pours of excellent single malts from different casks will be served along with appetizers. $40 per person. Call the Blackburn Arms Pub at 613.830.4829 to register.

On Thursday, November 7th, at The Crown and Kilt Pub in Renfrew, I'll be leading a whisky tasting, with food pairings, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Renfrew Highland Pipes and Drums. We'll be pouring four great whiskies, including this one.

Tickets, $75, can be obtained from Rocky Mountain House or can be reserved by calling 1 866 372 2210 or 613 432 5801.

On Thursday, November 21st from 6pm to 9pm, I'll be at Arc The.Hotel presenting some fine Single Malt Scotch Whiskies for Lung Cancer Canada's Inaugural Ottawa Fundraiser. A fabulous evening will feature savoury bites by four of Ottawa's top chefs, live Jazz music and much more. Check out the link for more information and to buy tickets.

Hope to see you at a tasting or two. And please drop us a line if you want to explore a wine or whisky event of your own.

Slainte! Cheers!