Whisky, Ottolenghi, Verdi and VILP

Some gems from a recent Montreal tasting

I can't be accused of inundating the blog-sphere with posts lately, but here goes with some upcoming whisky events, and other stuff that's been keeping me happily occupied.

Selections from a recent private party

Whisky Events 

Friday April 24th. The Arnprior Optimist Club will be hosting their 5th annual whisky tasting.This year, we'll be enjoying five lovely Single Malt Scotches, fabulous home cooked food, great fun, a bit of whisky education and more than a few anecdotes. 7pm, $65. Contact Dan or Chris for tickets.

Setting up for a tasting at Divino Wine Studio

Thursday May 28th. Divino Wine Studio, Preston Street. 18th premium whisky tasting and wonderful accompanying dinner.

Coincides with Feis Ile - Islay's annual whisky festival. We can't be there, but you can bet that there will be an Islay whisky somewhere in my lineup. Contact Divinos for tickets.

Selections from our January tasting at Divinos

Friday June 12th. Army Officers Mess annual whisky tasting, lots of food, always a good time. If you're a member, you know how to get tickets.
Last September I spent a fun filled week at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. I highly recommend it for Bourbon fans. You can read about my exploits in the print Spring Edition of Taste and Travel, available at Chapters, Indigo, airport lounges and other places where people ponder travel and sustenance.

This previous post recommends some yummy, locally available Bourbon, and gives a few highlights of the Festival.
Saturday May 2nd. Spirit of Toronto.
If you find yourself in Scotland in May, you'll be in the vicinity of two of the world's best whisky festivals - Feis Ile - Islay's whisky and music festival, 22nd to 30th May and
Spirit of Speyside, April 30th to May 4th.
(There are numerous stories on this blog about Islay Distilleries and Feis Ile 2014).

Yotam Ottolenghi

Despite the fact that the online spell checker tried to change his name to Toyota Lengthily, this is my new all time favourite chef. Author of Plenty, Plenty More, Jerusalem and others, this man is a genius.

If you're a fan, or you decide to try out some of his vibrantly colourful, tasty recipes, you might wonder where to buy some of the wild and wonderful ingredients. In Ottawa, look no further than the Mid East Food Centre on Belfast Road, a gem of a store filled with all the quince paste, pomegranate molasses and black sesame seeds you can eat - and much, much more, I hasten to add.

  Some more of my Ottolenghi successes from Plenty More............

Verdi (how did he get into the picture)?

Occasionally, when I'm not spouting forth about wine or whisky, I sing. On Monday, 27th April, It will be my privilege to sing Verdi's Requiem at the National Arts Centre, along with 150 other choristers of the Ottawa Choral Society, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of the amazing Jordan de Souza. Verdi's Requiem is magnificent! Do come and listen. It will stir and soothe your soul!

Very Important Little People

My granddaughters of course!What better excuse for not blogging!

Cheers! Slainte! Happy Spring!