If you are a fan of good single malt whiskies, then you should head out to the vibrant Canadian city of Toronto in May for the annual Spirit of Toronto which Toronto's annual whisky gala. .The Spirit of Toronto is a grand tasting event which is an annual celebration of this heady brew. This 2008 event will be held at the glass domed Roy Thomson Hall located on Toronto's Simcoe Street, which is the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Tickets to this event are priced at CD$105 per head if purchased in advance and will cost CD$135 if purchased at the door. Your ticket include all samples, a program, a Blender's Malt Whisky Glass from the Glencairn Crystal Studio in Scotland and admission to the Spirit of Toronto's nine master classes that will be held through out the evening. In order to prevent the long lines which plagued the master classes at previous festivals you can now reserve your place at each master class that you choose to attend for an additional charge of $5 per class. This additional charge will guarantee you a seat at the chosen master class. Apart from the tastings your ticket will also entitle you to sample the gourmet delights which are to be prepared for the event by Toronto's famous event catering firm Daniel et Daniel. Live jazz, an outdoor cigar bar and whisky cocktails will further enhance your enjoyment of this experience.

 

Tickets for this annual whisky gala can be purchased available in person at the Roy Thomson Hall or they can be also purchased on the phone at (416) 872-4255 or on the website of the Roy Thomson Hall. Though both web and phone orders have an additional surcharge in the form of a handling charge.

 

Highlights of the Spirit of Toronto  Festival

 

Spirits Canada Whisky Cocktail Bar

 

The Spirits Canada Whisky Cocktail Bar has proved to be an immensely popular attraction at previous festivals and it is back for the 2008 event. The bar is hosted by the Martini Club and attendees can learn to mix cocktails like a pro while imbibing cocktails created with Canadian whiskies like the Mint Divine, the Royal Manhattan and the True Gritini.

 

Delectable food pairings

 

Apart from gourmet catering provided my Daniel et Daniel the Spirit of Toronto will also feature intriguing food pairings in the form of whisky and cheese which is being presented by the British Consul General and whisky and chocolate which will be presented by the Toronto's premier chocolate tasting company - A Taste for Chocolate.

 

Outdoor Cigar Bar

 

The outdoor terrace of the Roy Thomson Hall will be converted to a Cigar bar for those single malt enthusiasts who enjoy a cigar with their whiskies. The Cigar Bar will also feature Live Jazz by festival regulars, the Mark Eisenman Trio.

 

Master Classes

 

The event will also include the highly anticipated nine master classes which are tutored tastings of rare and fine whiskies many of which are not available in Canada.

 

Highland Park: Earth, Wind and Fire

 

This master class will feature the Canadian launch of Highland Park 40 year old which is the oldest standard bottling to be released from the northern most distilleries located in

Scotland. At this master class you will also have the chance to sample other elixirs like Highland Park 18 year old, 25 year old and 30 year old.

 

Regis "WhiskyMad' Lemaitre's Springbank :The Bootleg Tasting

 

This master class will be presented by Edinburgh based whiskey consultant Regis 'Whisky Mad' Lemaitre and it will feature Sprinbank whiskies which are not currently available in Canada.

 

Stephen Beaumont hosts Best in Class Bourbons

 

Malt Advocate columnist Stephen Beaumont hosts this master class which includes tastings of premier American bourbons like Wild Turkey American Spirit and the 2007 edition of George T.Stagg.

 

Craig Johntsone hosts 'The Macallan:The Story of Wood"

 

Craig Johnstone, the brand ambassador of Macallan which is regarded the world's most precious whiskey describes the influence of wood maturation on Whiskey. Macallan aficionados will have a chance to sample and compare products from the Macallan stable like the Macallan Fine Oak 21 year old and the Fine Oak 30 year Old. 

 

For the complete list and description of the various master classes to be held at the event do visit the website of the festival

 
Images of Toronto and single malts originally posted on http://www.flickr.com by RTH by 416 Style, Cliph,edublogger and Mary Loosemoore