Yours to Discover : Whisky Live Toronto (Part 2)

... The After Party

Well, we were not invited to the after parties, but we had brought some products and we kept on drinking. This time, it was not about tasting, but enjoying whisky. A lot. We finally got more details about Ben's chick. He forgot to ask for her room number… That's all I have to say about it.

Toronto Distillery Co.  

It's a long drive from Quebec City to Toronto, but visiting micro distilleries was also part of our mission tour. Friday night when we first met Jesse from the Toronto DistilleryCo., we didn’t know what to expect but we tasted 2 very interesting products: Organic Wheat Spirit and Organic Red Fife. Jesse was super nice and we learned just enough to be more curious. Again, because the Whisky Fest was not as big as the years before, we had time to discover new players in the industry. Growing should I say, like Jesse and Charles. They invited us to visit their spot the next day. Groupies we became. I can’t believe how diverse whisky is and how more open minded I am about it too. These encounters just help me understand more about the process - from chosing the right cereal to the packaging. Fascinating. If we hadn’t stop at their booth, I would have missed a nice opportunity to broaden my perspective.

Toronto Distillery Co. are just getting started. 18 months running. So, obviously the 2 products they have are not aged and are very “moonshining”.  Even though I am not a big fan, my palate is getting used to it and I enjoy it more and more. I just like the energy and the passion they put into their business. Its fun and Minou should have been there. Charles gave us a tour - well, it’s a big empty room right now, but I can easily imagine in a few months, casks lined up…Vision my friends, vision! The tour was in French, A+ for the effort. He told us how they got started and what they are trying to do right now and what they want to do later (and it was not a secret). I like also the fact they use grain from an organic farm in Ontario. Its all about being local. Two young lawyers ready to rock the craft whisky world. I left with a bottle and an autograph (we never know) ! Hopefully they will visit us soon in Quebec. Bon succès les amis !

Toronto Distillery Co, 100% Organic Ontario Red Fife, batch #1, 50%: The smell is bran flakes and sweet, like a fruit cake, too cooked. It’s soft on the palate. As I taste it, I’m getting closer to lemon - zesty. Lemon herbal Tea. There is also some lavender. Soft touch of floral notes and again cereal. It’s crispy towards the finale. The ABV come at the right moment just before the aftertaste I would say. Cannot deny the organic, “terroir” taste of it. Very good. 86

I drink to Boston

This week, I want to write about #boston and the terrible events at the Boston Marathon. It got me thinking about this city and how much I love going there.  I'm a big fan of Boston. I go there twice a year. It's like going to the cottage. Plus, I'm a runner. So, the whole story has a special meaning to me. But, today it's not about weeping. It's about supporting the people of Boston. It's about telling them that I will visit again and again. I'm not surprised about Bostonian's reaction. It’s good to see them strong and looking ahead. I'll drink to that ...with a Whiskey!

As you know by now, Minou is a big fan of American whiskey, especially rare out-of-the-ordinary type of whiskey. Last time I went, I brought back a bottle of white whisky from the Bully Boy Distillers. I love their logo, super slick. I'll visit next time for sure.  They also have vodka and rum. The white whiskey I brought back is in fact Moonshine. For those who don't know what a Moonshine is, here is a crash course. Moonshine is the illegal "spirit" people produced during prohibition. Moonshine because they usually manufactured it at night, by the moonlight (how romantic). Also because its crystal clear. It has not been aged. Today, distilleries sell high quality moonshine, like Will and Dave Willis of the Bully Boy Distillers. Though, I have to say, not all moonshines are good. In fact, some taste like crap and are really disgusting, but it’s just me. Unfortunately, I don't have the tasting notes for the Bully Boy's White Whiskey and honestly, I don't know if I will ever have a mini from Minou. He might just drink it all in two days. 

There is another interesting micro-distillery in Massachusetts: The Triple Eight Distillery. The marketing girl in me would like to say how ugly the website is, but the whiskey is way better. Praised by many. Well, for the one who actually did taste it because like Minou says, it’s the St-Graal. Everything about this whiskey is intriguing. First, hard to find. Second, its made on a tiny island call Nantucket on the other side of Cape Cod Bay and the water they use seems to be “special”. They make rum and vodka as well. Always, in small batches. Our search for the Notch Whiskey is still going on. A rare single malt, aged five years. Again, no tasting notes, but like Bon Jovi once said: we Keep the Faith. 

Sláinte Boston !