2026 Masterclasses
Looking to enhance your evening with a deeper dive into the world of whisky and fine spirits?
Whether you consider yourself a novice or a seasoned connoisseur, our Masterclass Series provides insight into craft, process and history, courtesy of 50-minute tutored tastings that take place on the lower level of Roy Thomson Hall.
Under the expert guidance of our esteemed presenters, guests can look forward to gaining insights into production, maturation and blending, all while sampling an array of exceptional whiskies, many of which have been specially imported for this occasion.
NEW FOR 2026: Signature Access
Patrons attending our 5:00 PM sessions will automatically receive a Signature Access wristband, providing Early Admission to the main showcase at 6:00 PM, and access to the intimate setting of our Executive Suite.
Hosted by our very own whisky sommelier, the inimitable Régis Lemaitre, our Executive Suite offers a tranquil space away from the madding crowd, with lounge seating and its own cocktail bar, ideal for quiet conversation, or to savour a selection from our private cache.
5:00pm | Signature Access
‘The Wonderful World of Elixir Distillers’ with Oliver Chilton — $129
Between opening the Portintruan Distillery on Islay, reviving Tormore as a single malt whisky, and the day-to-day madness of overseeing the gargantuan inventory of whisky and rum at Elixir Distillers, it’s a wonder that Head Blender Oliver Chilton has found the time to join us at this year’s Spirit of Toronto!
But somehow he has, and for that we are grateful, as we look forward to showcasing some of the stellar whiskies that Oliver has crafted these past few years:
White Peak 7 Year Old — The Whisky Trail Collection
Clynelish 14 Year Old — The Macbeth Collection
Tormore 16 Year Old — official bottling soon to be released
Elements of Islay ‘Campfire’ — Feis Ile 2025 Edition
Ledaig 2006 20yo from refill sherry — Single Malts of Scotland
Port Askaig 45 Year Old Islay Single Malt Whisky — mic drop!
5:00pm | Signature Access
‘Celebrating 20 Years of Kilchoman’ with James Wills — $89
It’s a special pleasure to be finally welcoming James Wills, Director of Sales, as he offers us a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-launched Kilchoman Family Casks — four whiskies bottled from casks that were cherry-picked during the Wills’ family annual review of maturing stock, to be tasted alongside Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured, the distillery’s 2026 limited edition.
This is your opportunity to be among the first to taste Kilchoman’s oldest whisky to date, Family Casks 20 Year Old from ex-bourbon barrels, the crescendo of a series that illustrates the influence of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks as the distillery enters its third decade of production.
The remaining whiskies include a 14 Year Old Rockside Barley distilled from barley grown and malted on-site, alongside an 11 Year Old from first-fill sherry butts, and an 18 Year Old from first-fill bourbon barrels, both heavily peated at 50ppm, distilled using barley sourced from Islay’s Port Ellen Maltings, and a contrasting style that reflects Kilchoman’s traditional peat profile at 20ppm.
5:00pm | Signature Access
‘The Best of Ian Macleod Distillers’ with Gordon Dallas — $89
There are brand ambassadors, and then there is an ‘Experiential Whisky Ambassador’ – this would be Gordon Dallas, coming to the world of whisky from a long career in comedy and media! By combining these passions, Gordon looks forward to entertaining guests at Spirit of Toronto by pairing ‘craic’ – think laughter and stories – with some of the highly acclaimed whiskies from Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s most respected producers.
Experience the regal Highland elegance of Glengoyne at 10, 18 and 21 years of age, and the all-sherried, Speyside finesse of Tamdhu at 12 and 18 years of age, before taking in the sublime beauty of the Rosebank 30 Year Old, Ian Macleod’s resurrection of a fabled Lowland gem, and the crown jewel in the portfolio of this proudly independent, family firm.
5:00pm | Signature Access
‘Glen Scotia Distillery’ with David Lind — $89
Often billed as Campbeltown’s ‘other distillery’, Glen Scotia has been steadily working its way into the hearts and glasses of whisky lovers worldwide, and we at Spirit of Toronto are also smitten by the distinctive character of its fulsome, coastal malts.
As a self-professed “whisky enthusiast, first and foremost,” Regional Sales Manager David Lind looks forward to winning over still more acolytes, by exploring the core range with Glen Scotia Double Cask and 12 Year Old, followed by the much-loved Victoriana at cask strength. Guests will also try the 2026 Campbeltown Malts Festival bottling, a medium-peated Glen Scotia 7 Year Old finished in first-fill Ruby Port casks.
For David’s finale, he’s excited to be pouring the Glen Scotia 25 Year Old, named ‘Best Whisky in the World’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, in recognition of just how far this distillery has come over the past decade.
5:00pm | Signature Access
‘Nikka Deconstructed’ with Naohiko Kumagai — $89
Japanese whisky? Deconstructed into its component parts? Yes, arigato!
Join Nikka Whisky’s Regional Manager, Naohiko Kumagai, in this tasting that commemorates the 40th Anniversary of ‘Nikka From the Barrel’.
Explore the blender’s art, and learn about the intricacies of marrying malt and grain from a variety of wood types, while sampling the iconic ‘Nikka From the Barrel’ alongside ‘Nikka From the Barrel ~ Extra Marriage’, a limited, anniversary edition.
In between these two whiskies, 'Kuma will walk guests through 4 components used to create this beloved Japanese whisky — ‘Grain Pieces of the Barrel’, ‘Malt Pieces of the Barrel’, ‘Before Marriage’ and ‘After Marriage’ — four non-chillfiltered, cask strength samples created for this masterclass, illustrating the ‘marriage’ and charm behind this cult whisky.
7:45pm
‘Against the Grain: Dunrobin Distilleries’ with Adrian Spitzer — $25
Are you ready for the future of Canadian whisky?
Join co-founder Adrian Spitzer for an in-depth look at how Dunrobin Distilleries has embraced accelerated maturation through the Stockhausen Method, courtesy of their Swiss collaboration with Seven Seals. The result is an array of award-winning blends and single malts that redefine age in whisky.
But the proof is on the palate, and Adrian looks forward to challenging your taste buds with a blind tasting that pits tradition against the hybrid techniques heralding a new era of Canadian whisky!
7:45pm
‘Loch Lomond Distillery’ with David Lind — $25
For those looking to geek out on production and process, this deep dive into Loch Lomond Distillery with David Lind, Regional Sales Manager and Keeper of the Quaich, is not to be missed.
A self-described “whisky enthusiast, first and foremost,” David looks forward to linking the production process to the flavours in your glass, starting with the distillery’s core range — Loch Lomond Original, 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old — before diving into the minutiae of Loch Lomond’s unique Straight Neck Still, as illustrated by two signature selections: this year’s limited edition Open Course Collection 2026, a Loch Lomond 19 Year Old finished in Tawny Port Pipes, and the rich and weighty Loch Lomond 25 Year Old — a mouthwatering finale to an exceptional tasting of Scotland’s most underrated distillery!
NB: Please note that masterclass listings, including featured whiskies and presenters, are accurate at time of publication, but are subject to change without notice due to product availability, scheduling, or other unforeseen circumstances.
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