Spirit of Toronto 2008

[Elagabalus]

Who is planning on attending this year's Spirit of Toronto? Any maybes?

[Lawrence]

I am.

[Lawrence]

I am.

[Wendy]

I am also attending. As I await for the Spirit of Toronto website to be updated, Johanna, (event brainchild and organizer) has posted some info in her newsletter, Single Minded at http://spiritoftoronto.cmail5.com/e/320614/hlj16g4/.

I believe tickets can be purchased starting from March 30th at Roy Thomson Hall.

Wendy

[Peter Alcamo]

Just bought my ticket with two master-classes at $125 (each master-class is $6.50 - what a bargoon!).

[Lawrence]

I just arrived in Toronto from Victoria (via a 5.5 hour direct flight), we're booked into the hotel about two blocks from the SofT venue and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night! If you have the chance please say hello tomorrow night, I think I'll be wearing a badge.

The in room Laphroaig tasting starts in 30 minutes!

[Peter Alcamo]

I just arrived in Toronto from Victoria (via a 5.5 hour direct flight), we're booked into the hotel about two blocks from the SofT venue and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night! If you have the chance please say hello tomorrow night, I think I'll be wearing a badge.

The in room Laphroaig tasting starts in 30 minutes!

I'll look for you Lawrence. A group of my friends will be at the Keg for a pre-Spirit steak.

[Peter Alcamo]

Had a good time at the show with the hi-light being able to sample the 40 yr old Highland Park.

The only disappointment was at the Macallan masterclass where I encouraged several of my newbie friends to attend to sample both the 18 and 25 yr old sherried malts (as stated in the program) for the first time, only to be short changed with the 17yo fine oak replacing the 25yo sherried. To add further insult, at the end of the tasting I was staring down a half bottle of the 18yo sherried and asked for a refill where the moderator Craig Johnstone replied to get it on the show floor - what was the big deal -let a fan be happy. Went to the show floor and naturally they were out of the 18yo.

[Elagabalus]

What an assh&*^! He should be fired. What a terrible ambassador.

[Lawrence]

What an assh&*^! He should be fired. What a terrible ambassador.

How typical of you to over react. I know Craig and I am quite sure in guessing that it was merely an over sight while working under pressure. Further they often recieve instructions from the organizers and from his bosses that we don't know about.

He is an excellent Ambassador and very passionate about whisky.

[Elagabalus]

Bollocks!

[Peter Alcamo]

Craig is a young guy (looks like he's 20 but I know he's not) and will likely loosen-up as he does more shows. He will be a great ambassador as he is quite knowledgeable. The point I was trying to make is that the show is for the consumer, the fan, so let the fan be happy - walk away with a smile.

Yes I was bugged that he didn't pour me a dram, but I'm still a fan of this whisky. I hope he will be there on the 24th and he pours me a birthday dram.

Peter

[Peter Alcamo]

Last night at Whisky Live I caught up with Craig Johnstone near the end of the show (we were without tickets) at the Macallan booth and jokingly discussed what had happened to me at the Spirit of Toronto (please read the previous posts).

Well, what can I say, Craig was a gentleman and an incredibly great ambassador. Not on the table but hidden in its own box inside the booth, he pulls out the 18 year old sherried Macallan and gave my buddy and I, a generous dram to end the night. That is ambassadorship at its finest. Thank You Craig for making this event one of the most memorable for me.

[mogilny8]

Speaking of Spirit of Toronto, I am beginning to wonder if we've seen the last of it. To this date, the website has yet to be updated since the tasting show this past May. (what a great show too !) I've tried to email Johanna, but to no avail.
Personally, if there is no show in T.O this spring, I'll make the short trip to Chicago for Whiskyfest.

Cheers !

[Lawrence]

SoT 2009 is in the planning stage, Johanna has been in Europe and is now strating to plan 2009.

Lawrence