Single and ready to mingle
It all began with Single Minded, A Single Malt Whisky Journal, a wee labour of love that chronicled our fascination with single malt whisky. This was the print newsletter we launched in 2002, inspired by a ‘wine-letter’ called Billy’s Best Bottles, and within these pages we sought to share our passion with kindred spirits, a siren call for those who, “enjoy single malt whisky intelligently, responsibly and in moderation”.
Twenty-two years on, it’s now a passion we get to share in person as we invite distillers, whiskymakers, bottlers, ambassadors, producers, distributors and agents to come to Toronto and open their best bottles for you beautiful people, all against a backdrop of great food and live jazz in one of Canada’s most impressive landmarks, Roy Thomson Hall:
While it’s grown (and grown) since its inception in 2004, single malt whisky is still the beating heart of Spirit of Toronto, as you’ll find out when you behold ‘Spirit of Toronto Warehouse 20’, an ode to our love of single malts in celebration of our twentieth anniversary, assuming you have your tickets, right?
In the meantime, keep reading to preview some of the swinging singles ready to meet you on Saturday May 4!
Signature Single Malts
Think single malt whisky and it’s Scotland that immediately comes to mind, and rightfully so; we have the Scots to thank for popularizing single malts, and we’re excited to welcome The Glenlivet as they mark 200 years as Speyside’s first legal distillery, as well as Aberfeldy, another one of Scotland’s best known and best-loved distilleries (not to mention a personal favourite).
On the other end of the spectrum, we also invite you to explore some of Scotland’s smaller, independent distilleries such as Ardnamurchan, The GlenAllachie, and Kilchoman, Islay’s smallest distillery making some truly exceptional whisky. Not to mention perennial favourite Benromach (who will be pouring a Benromach 39 Year Old as one of this year’s Signature Selections – how baller is that??)
But why limit yourself to just Scotland? Irish single malt whiskey offers some of the best value for money at the moment, and with two stunning Signature Selections being poured – Bushmills 25 Year Old and Dunville’s 21 Year Old finished in Palo Cortado Sherry – single malt fans would be remiss not to better acquaint themselves with the mouthwatering array of Irish whiskey to be tasted at this year’s show.
Going still further afield, those who have yet to discover the riches of world whisky are in for a treat! Do make time to savour single malt whisky from the Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan, the Pōkeno Distillery in New Zealand (courtesy of our friends pouring Kavalan), Seven Seals in Switzerland, or Stauning in Denmark, one of the world’s most impressive new distilleries malting all of their own grain.
Not to mention Rampur Asāva, a very impressive single malt whisky from India that’s making waves, being finished in ex-casks of Indian Cabernet Sauvignon – yes, you read that right! (Pro tip: I’m particularly intrigued by another whisky they’ll be pouring at Spirit of Toronto called Royal Ranthambore, a blend of Speyside single malts and Indian grain whisky that’s garnering high praise.)
There’s also a deep dive into Japanese whisky waiting for you in the Nikka Lounge, where they’ll be showcasing their whiskies – single malts included – alongside cocktails and Japanese street snacks. (You do have your ticket, right?)
We haven’t even gotten to what’s being poured from right at home, such as John Sleeman & Sons Sherry Finished Single Malt from the Spring Mill Distillery in Guelph, and Headland’s Hearth Single Malt from Kinsip House of Fine Spirits in Prince Edward County.
And then there’s those mad geniuses at Last Straw Distillery – geek alert! Not content to make a single malt whisky and a rye whisky, they’ve now released a 5-year-old rice whisky, distilled using long-grain brown rice and aged in a recharred ex-wine barrel – facts! If it’s anything like the Japanese rice whisky we poured for guests in 2018 then this will be another sleeper hit, and I look forward to your reactions.
Too long, didn’t read
For the whisky snobs among you, yes – we have an enviable selection of single malt whisky waiting to be sampled at this year’s show, including some truly sublime single malt Signature Selections, available on a first come, first served basis.
But first you’ll need a ticket, so please connect with Roy Thomson Hall’s Box Office to purchase yours.
See you on May 4!
