Friday, January 21st, 2011 – Evening
The Grand Morrison Bowmore Tasting
Morrison Bowmore Ambassador Jamie Mackenzie will lead the attendees through a variety of single malts from the smokey Islay Bowmore, through the weightier Highland Glen Garioch to the lighter lowland profile of Auchentoshan.
The Grand Bruichladdich Distillery Tasting
The Festival is very pleased to have Andrew Gray of Bruichladdich distillery on Islay return to the Festival to lead this Grand Tasting. Andrew will lead the lucky attendees through the latest bottlings from this progressive Hebridean distiller who never, ever allow the grass to grow under their feet.
The Grand Harlen Wheatley Buffalo Trace Dinner
Harlen Wheatley, master distiller of Buffalo Trace distillery will present the excellent whiskies of Buffalo Trace in conjunction with the wonderful food of the Mark restaurant and both will be further complemented by the impeccable service for which the Mark Restaurant is renowned.
The Grand Compass Box Whisky Company Tasting & Blending Course
The Victoria Whisky Festival is very pleased to welcome John Glaser, of the Compass Box Whisky Company, back to Victoria in support of the 2010 Festival. John will lead the lucky attendees through a “blending” course’ which will teach them about the Compass Box approach to making craft blends and allow people to blend their own whisky. Blending and tasting! This event should prove to be very popular and educational.
The 2011 Victoria Whisky Festival Opportunity Cost; The cost of an alternative Masterclass that must be forgone in order to pursue another Masterclass.
The 2011 Masterclass schedule offers diversity with whiskies from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, India, England and The United States of America. It has been a Festival tradition to schedule another masterclass every time we discovered yet another available room in the Hotel Grand Pacific; however with the 2011 Festival we have reached our maximum. The 2011 schedule features whiskies from around the world, a selection of single malts and blends, independent bottlers and distillers presenting their own whiskies, the 2011 Victoria Whisky Festival offers a unique range of quality whiskies for the attendee. A vast improvement on school!
11:15 – 12:15
The Isle of Arran Distillery Masterclass with Andrew Hogan
A just in time arrival of the Isle of Arran to the 2011 Victoria Whisky Festival line up! Please join Andrew Hogan of the Isle of Arran distillery that was established in 1991. Work started on the distillery in late 1994 and distilling commenced in 1995. Isle of Arran Distillery has gone from strength to strength consistently rolling out very well made single malts. As always the Arran masterclass is not one to miss.
The Morrison-Bowmore Masterclass with Jamie Mackenzie
Please join Jamie MacKenzie, the Ambassador for the famed Scottish based Morrison-Bowmore Distillers as he leads you through the single malts from the Lowland distillery of Auchentoshan, that triple distils their whisky and the newly launched Glen Garioch (pronounced ‘Geery’) and the famed Islay distillery Bowmore.
The Glenrothes Distillery Masterclass with Ross Hendry
Ross Hendry, Ambassador for The Glenrothes distillery is visiting the Festival for the first time (so please be nice!) and will present the vintage line up from the Speyside distillery. The Glenrothes believes that it is maturity, not age, that matters in whisky making and thus they bottle by vintage. Ross is the man to explain their philosophy to you, dram by dram.
The Better with Age? Masterclass with Andrew Ferguson
Andrew Ferguson, ‘the scotch guy’ will guide attendees through a selection of Scottish single malts while examining the question “Does older always make for a better whisky?” What are the pros and cons of bottling whiskies at young and old ages? What is gained and lost with time? Whiskies from 3 to 41 years of age will answer the question…
The A. Dewar Rattray Masterclass with Tim Morrison
Mr. Tim Morrison of A. Dewar Rattray Independent Bottlers will lead attendees through the company’s excellent line of single cask bottlings. The Dewar Rattray line will feature a variety of ages from active and silent distilleries, examining single cask bottlings first hand. If you missed the A. Dewar Rattray masterclass in 2010 then now is your chance to catch up!
Whisky 101 Masterclass with Davin de Kergommeaux
The Festival is very pleased to have Davin de Kergommeaux conduct a masterclass that is designed to explain the basics of whisky to the attendees. This will assist in their journey through the Festival’s masterclass line up. Davin, who is a founding member of the highly respected Malt Maniacs (one of only 3 in Canada and there are only 33 world wide), who live and breath whisky. Davin has scored more than 2600 different whiskies from around the world and is also a judge in the Malt Maniacs Annual Awards where over 200 whiskies are rated and scored blind. Davin also judges the World Whisky Awards in London.
The Tullibardine Distillery Masterclass #1 with James Robertson
James Robertson of Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford, Perthshire, Scotland will look at how a young single malt is matured in an oak cask and how secondary maturation in a wine cask can compliment, enhance and change the end product. This will include a look at cask samples of a wine finish at various times of its maturation process, including the original single malt and the original wine.
The Glenfarclas Distillery Masterclass #1 with George Grant
Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. They produce a wide range of expressions from the 10 Years Old to much older expressions. George Grant is the 6th generation of the family and the Ambassador for the Glenfarclas, George will lead the very Victoria Whisky Festival Glenfarclas masterclasses in 2011. (The Glenfarclas Distillery Masterclasses 1 & 2 are identical in format)
How to Assess Whisky Masterclass with Mike Nicolson
Have you ever wondered what’s in the glass? How does a distiller examine a sample and come to a conclusion? Has the conversation between spirit and cask been successful? Retired Master Distiller Mike Nicolson will take you through the steps in this important aspect of whisky.
1:00 – 2:00
The Bruichladdich Distillery Masterclass with Andrew Gray
Andrew Gray, Co Proprietor of Bruichladdich Distillery will present some of Bruichladdich’s innovative single malts from this famed and maverick Islay distillery. The distillery , loved by consumers , the trade, and discerning experts but generally disliked within the scotch whisky industry , showcases and discusses what’s cutting edge at Bruichladdich and invites attendees to wake up to flavour , innovation and provenance . Not to be missed!!
The Inver House Distillers Masterclass with Iain Baxter
The Inver House masterclass will be hosted by Iain Baxter who is the director of Malt Whiskies for Inver House Distillers and he is also a member of the World Whisky Awards judging panel and a Keeper of the Quaich. Iain will lead attendees through the award winning whiskies if Inver House distillers who own An Cnoc, Balblair, Old Pulteney, Speyburn and Balmenach distilleries.
The Compass Box Whisky Company with John Glaser
This masterclass hosted by John Glaser of Compass Box Whisky Company will show case a selection of his whiskies, both from their core range, some limited releases while discussing their first ten years of business, providing a slice of history of the last decade of the Scotch whisky business.
The Tullibardine Distillery Masterclass #2 with James Robertson
James Robertson of Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford, Perthshire, Scotland will look at how a young single malt is matured in an oak cask and how secondary maturation in a wine cask can compliment, enhance and change the end product. This will include a look at cask samples of a wine finish at various times of its maturation process, including the original single malt and the original wine.
The Classic Malts of Scotland Masterclass with Mike Nicolson
The Classic Malts – A Speyside Tour. The famed Classic Malts have opened many peoples’ eyes to the joys of whisky and ably demonstrated the differences between the Scottish regions. However, we’ll explore deeper into Scotland’s’ famed Speyside region, a region distinct for its abundance of quality and character-filled malts. Join 36 year veteran of scotch whisky distillation, Michael Nicolson as he takes you through a fantastic journey of some of Speyside’s famous malts and a few hidden gems!
The 2011 Whisky Bible Winners Masterclass with Jim Murray
Join Jim Murray, author of the 2011 Whisky Bible (in which over 4,500 whiskies are rated) as he guides the attendees through a selection of the award winning whiskies from the 2011 Whisky Bible. This masterclass will be an eye opener for the attendees and will feature some of the best whiskies that Jim came across in 2010.
The Glenfarclas Distillery Masterclass #2 with George Grant
Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. They produce a wide range of expressions from the 10 Years Old to much older expressions. George Grant is the 6th generation of the family and the Ambassador for the Glenfarclas, George will lead the very Victoria Whisky Festival Glenfarclas masterclasses in 2011. (The Glenfarclas Distillery Masterclasses 1 & 2 are identical in format)
The Islay Whisky & Chocolate Masterclass with Marcus von Albrecht #1
Come and taste the award winning whiskies from the Vintage Malt Whisky Company including two single cask Islay bottlings (a youngster and a more aged example), the Ileach Cask and Finlaggan Cask Strength all paired with some excellent chocolates selected by Marcus Von Albrecht – Marcus will undoubtedly include an extra sample as well. (The Islay Whisky & Chocolate Masterclasses 1 & 2 are identical in format)
2:05 to 3:05
The WhiskyCast Live Broadcast with Mark Gillespie
Want to contribute to the debate over whisky ratings? Join us in the Saturna Room for a live broadcast of WhiskyCast, featuring a panel of tasters nosing blind samples and rating them on the spot. The whiskies could be from anywhere in the world, but no one will know what they are until after the judges rule!
2:40 to 3:40
The Glenmorangie & Ardbeg Masterclass
A new to the Festival masterclass that takes an in depth look at the famed single malts of the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg distilleries. What are the differences between the different single malts from these two distilleries? What effect does peat smoke have on Ardbeg and rigorous cask selection have on Glenmorangie? These and many other questions will be answered. The legendary Jim Murray will be leading this class.
The Macallan Distillery Masterclass with J. Wheelock
Take a virtual journey to the lush landscapes of Scotland’s Speyside district and embrace the most precious whisky in the world – The Macallan. J. Wheelock, Brand Ambassador for The Macallan, will be your guide as you explore the inner workings of this world-class malt from conception in Scotland to the partnerships that have been forged in Kentucky’s Bourbon industry and the heart of Spanish sherry making in Jerez. Explore a range of whiskies with a history as rich as the liquid that is inside.
The Amrut Distillery #1 with Ashok Chokalingam of Amrut Distillery
Ashok Chokalingam will lead the lucky participants through the excellent whiskies of Amrut Distillery of Bangalore, India. Amrut single malt is made from Indian barley which is mashed and distilled in small batches and matured in oak barrels in a unique tropical environment at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level at. Jim Murray and many others rate the Amrut single malts very highly; discover Amrut single malt for yourself!
The English Whisky Company Masterclass with Jonathan Bray
Jonathan Bray of the English Whisky Co. will give a review of the first 3 years of building and owning a Single Malt Whisky distillery from scratch. Attendees will have a chance to taste the whisky in it’s various ages from new make spirit – through to whisky whilst learning about the trials and tribulations of being the first whisky distillery in England for over 100 years and also learning how whisky is made.
Johnnie Walker Masterclass with Mike Nicolson
The Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Masterclass. – From a small grocery store in the town of Kilmarnock, Scotland came a 15 year old boy with a gift of blending tea. John Walker’s passion spread to blending whiskies for the townsfolk of Kilmarnock and he soon became known for his expert whisky blending skills in all of West Scotland. Since then, the Johnnie Walker name is celebrated globally for quality and consistency while the iconic square bottle with the slanted label is seen on shelves everywhere. Join a 36 year veteran of distilling, Michael Nicolson as he takes you through the Johnnie Walker Labels, including Red, Black, Green, Gold and Blue as he combines his experiences with Johnnie Walker and explains the nuisances that make each Johnnie Walker label so unique and special.
The Springbank Distillery Masterclass with Andrew Ferguson
The Festival is very pleased to see the return of Andrew Ferguson ‘the scotch guy’ representing Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, to the Victoria Whisky Festival. Attendees will have the opportunity to examine the unique Campbeltown style evident in Springbank whiskies and the effects of aging on the Springbank single malts will be a key component of the masterclass.
The Wemyss Vintage Malt Whisky Company Masterclass with Paul Watkin
Wemyss. It’s easier to say than to read – you pronounce it “weems”. As well as being the name of an imposing castle, and an historic family, it is now a very special range of hand crafted malt whiskies. The Company chooses and bottles a small number of very fine casks and Paul Watkin will guide you through the out come of the selection process.
The Islay Whisky & Chocolate Masterclass with Marcus von Albrecht #2
Come and taste the award winning whiskies from the Vintage Malt Whisky Company including two single cask Islay bottlings (a youngster and a more aged example), the Ileach Cask and Finlaggan Cask Strength all paired with some excellent chocolates selected by Marcus Von Albrecht – Marcus will undoubtedly include an extra sample as well. (The Islay Whisky & Chocolate Masterclasses 1 & 2 are identical in format)
4:20 to 5:20
The 40 Creek Canadian Whisky Masterclass with John Hall
The Festival is extremely pleased to host John Hal of 40 Creek Canadian Whisky for his very first visit to Victoria for the Festival. An innovative whisky maker John has produced an amazing line of award winning Canadian whiskies. This masterclass will prove to be a revelation for the attendees.
Highland Park Distillery Masterclass with J. Wheelock
In a day and age when “hand-crafted” is as rare a word as any, this Orcadian Single Malt is a stand-alone with collectors and consumers alike. Join J. Wheelock, Brand Ambassador for Highland Park as you step back in time to speak to the illicit beginnings of Highland Park and what evolution it has experienced as a response to an ever-demanding global market. Paul Pacult has proclaimed Highland Park 18 to be “The Best Spirit in the World”, twice. We think you will agree.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery Masterclass with Harlen Wheatley
Please join Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley for a tour of the award winning Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Buffalo Trace Distillery provides for the complete production of bourbon whiskeys and all the bourbon produced by the distillery is aged in century-old warehouses. Harlen will take the attendees through the process and the whiskies.
The Amrut Distillery #2 with Ashok Chokalingam of Amrut Distillery
The irrepressible Ashok Chokalingam will lead the lucky participants through the excellent whiskies of Amrut Distillery of Bangalore, India. Amrut single malt is made from Indian barley which is mashed and distilled in small batches and matured in oak barrels in a unique tropical environment at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level at. Jim Murray and many others rate the Amrut single malts very highly; discover Amrut single malt for yourself!
The Bulleit Bourbon Masterclass with Tom Bulleit
Bulleit Bourbon with Tom Bulleit – In the 1830s, as a tavern keeper in Louisville, Kentucky, Augustus Bulleit set himself on a mission: to create a bourbon unique in flavor. Just as bourbon lovers today may sample many brands before finding their favourite, Augustus decided to experiment too – by creating bourbons of many different types and tastes. After countless small-batch trials, he came upon a bourbon with the character he had been seeking. While transporting barrels of his bourbon from Kentucky to New Orleans, Augustus Bulleit vanished. What happened to him is still unknown, and his creation could have passed into history as well. But after more than a century, in 1987, his great-great -grandson Tom Bulleit stepped in. A lawyer by profession, Tom’s lifelong dream had been to revive the family’s bourbon legacy, started more than 150 years ago. Join Tom as he surprises and intrigues while telling the story only in the way Tom can about the one and only whiskey bearing his name.
The Penderyn Distillery Masterclass with Gillian Macdonald
Penderyn Distillery is the only distillery in Wales and one of the smallest distilleries in the world. They produce just one cask per day of the finest malted barley spirit, which, when matured, is recognised worldwide as one of the finest malt whiskies. Penderyn Single Malt is so rare that it has to be on strict allocation to markets outside Wales. From the moment when the cooper goes into sustainable American white oak forests to hand select trees from which the barrels are made through to the bottling line at the distillery where every bottle off the bottling line is hand polished the commitment to quality is uncompromising. Please Join the Penderyn Distiller, Gillian MacDonald, as she guides attendees through the award winning single malts from this famous distillery.
The Cooley Distillery Masterclass with John Cashman
The Festival is very pleased to offer a masterclass dedicated to the whiskies of Ireland featuring Cooley Distillers, the only independent Irish whiskey distillery in Ireland. Irish whiskey is gaining stature around the world; the whiskies in this class will be no exception and Cooley Distillers are pleased to present their Award winning range of single malts (Tyrconnell and Connemara).
The Private Canadian Whisky Tasting with Davin de Kergommeaux
A private tasting of Canadian whisky for Victoria Whisky Festival Guests. Taste several Canadian whiskies that will change your mind about Canadian whisky: From the 12,000 gallon copper post still at Hiram Walker distillery the new Wiser’s Legacy; From the legendary demolished Waterloo distillery 1960’s Crown Royal; From the Canadian Whisky Guild – the best rye whisky ever made Lot 40; Distilled in Canada, bottled in Vermont WhistlePig 100% straight rye whisky.
Dine & Check into the Festival Prior to the Consumer Tasting! Avoid the Line Ups!
Not fans of line ups and discover that you’re hungry at dinner time? We have the answer for you in the form of a time saving option for Victoria Whisky Festival guests in 2011! Check in with the Festival first (Where you’ll have your hand stamped, be handed your engraved Glencairn nosing & tasting glass. You can also check your coats and book your safe ride home at the same time). Then make your way to the Pacific Restaurant just off the lobby of the Hotel Grand Pacific for a sumptuous dinner.
At the start of the Consumer Tasting at 7PM (6pm for VIP Consumer Tasting Ticket Holders) simply enter the Festival avoiding any line ups!
To speed up the dining process the Chefs at the Hotel Grand Pacific will have prepared a sumptuous buffet to ensure that you are finished dinner in plenty of time to start the Festival at 7pm (6pm for VIP Consumer Tasting Ticket Holders). Please click here to see the menu.
Simply phone the Pacific Restaurant at (250) 380-4478 to reserve your table (Please ask for Restaurant Managers Jeremy Pott and Carmen Parry). Reservations start at 5PM. Please make sure you arrive promptly at your specific reservation time!
Dinner Price $39 not including HST & gratuity (Table d’hôte Menu)
Limited Seating – Pacific Restaurant
Saturday January 22nd, 2011 – EveningThe VIP Tasting – 6:00pm to 7:00pm
The VIP Tasting is open to special guests of the 2011 Victoria Whisky Festival and VIP Ticket holders. It will be held in the Vancouver & Pender Island Ballrooms prior to the Consumer Tasting and will feature the full line of whiskies as with the Consumer Tasting. VIP Ticket holders will be able to explore the range of whiskies being presented for a full hour prior to the Consumer Tasting (Ticket price includes VIP Tasting & Consumer Tasting).
The Consumer Tasting – 7:00pm to 10:00pm
The heart of the Festival is the Consumer Tasting being held in the Hotel Grand Pacific’s Pender Island and Vancouver Island Ballrooms featuring a myriad of distilleries and whiskies including Canadian whisky, Scottish single malts and blended whiskies, Irish whiskey and a variety of whisky & whiskey styles from the United States of America.
Attendees have their choice of over 100 whiskies for their enjoyment. Each attendee is provided with an engraved Glencairn whisky nosing & tasting glass, a Festival program, a Malt Advocate whisky magazine and assorted product information.
The Hotel Grand Pacific will be providing the best Hors d’Oeuvres from their award winning kitchen and Chefs using local ingredients including the very popular & elusive haggis tarts created especially for the Victoria Whisky Festival! Here you will be able to satisfy your whisky curiosity by sampling your choice of over 100 whiskies, the largest selection available for such an event in British Columbia.
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 – EveningThe Bruichladdich Distillery Dinner
The Hotel Grand Pacific’s Executive Chef Rick Choy will pair exceptional local ingredients with the single malts being presented by Andrew Gray of Bruichladdich Distillery. This exceptional evening, in the highly acclaimed The Mark restaurant, will feature single malts from this progressive Hebridean distiller.
Please see Program & Tickets Page for full details on times, ticket prices, ticket availability and event rooms.
