Published in Whisky Magazine Issue 60 on 10/11/2006.
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Toronto calling
Friday 13th October proved lucky for the Master Distillers and exhibitors who poured in to Via Allegro Restaurant in the heart of Toronto. Via Allegro, awarded the Whisky Magazine ‘Great Whisky of the World’ accolade, became
home to the official launch of the first Whisky Live Toronto. With more than 650 whiskies , no finer whisky shrine could have been chosen to open the show. With a magnificent eight course meal, hosted by owner Phil
Sabatino and presented by Joesph Cassidy, Whisky Live Toronto got off to the very best of starts.
Heritage Court in Exhibition Place was transformed in to a whisky lovers paradise on Saturday 14 October.
Whisky Live came to Toronto for its first visit and presented an international array of whiskies to more than 750 visitors.
Any country that can have 70 degree Fahrenheit temperatures on one day, and then 56cm of snowfall the next, is clearly one of great excitement and diversity, and with visitors from across Canada the show truly reflected this variety. While the show attracted both enthusiasts and those with a love of a great evening out, Whisky Live Toronto also attracted local luminaries – most notably the mayor, Mayor Miller.
Canada has been home to whisky distillation for more than 200 hundred years, and is truly a historic, dynamic, and growing international whisky market. Whisky Live Toronto brought all the very best whiskies from around the world under one roof, from both small and large companies, Canadian, Irish, Welsh, American and of course Scottish.
The show set out to appeal to both the enthusiast and the novice, with expert advice on hand and the opportunity to learn about the whisky basics. An amazing array of Masterclasses was on offer, with many of the whisky legends presenting their whiskies.
Whisky Live Toronto was always intended to offer more than just great whisky – an experience of all the great things associated with whisky.
There was great food with an amazing array of satay, a carving station, the Asian star station and fine chesses. And wonderful entertainment from the Whisky Live stage; Scottish dancing (from well trained young ladies, followed by their less disciplined fathers), dulcimer music and the LCBO cocktail competition.
This very visual cocktail experience involved three individuals taking on the LCBO’s queen of cocktails, Laura Panter, in a 15 minute race to produce a unique cocktail, name it and list the ingredients.
Deep amidst the whisky tasting booths was the peaceful Dewar’s experience, a haven of relaxation for visitors to unwind and learn about the blending process.
Beyond Dewar’s was the Whisky Lounge, the LCBO experience playing great music, serving wonderful cocktails produced by leading Torontonian mixologists and offering a range of whiskies for sale.
Whisky Live Toronto came to a close at 9 pm, and as one visitor said as they left the show when asked whether they had enjoyed the evening; “enjoyed the evening – I have entered a whisky heaven and don’t ever want to leave”.
Sadly they had to, but Whisky Live Toronto returns on Saturday 20th October 2007, not really that long to wait.
Ultimate Whisky Bar Chef Competition results
Winner
Jeff Sansone
From
Canoe Restaurant & Bar
Drink Name
Fred & Ginger
Ingredients
1 oz. Canadian Club Canadian Whisky
1/2 oz. Sour Puss Apple Liqueur
1/8 oz. Vanilla Liqueur
1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1/4 oz Apricot Nectar
Pinch freshly grated ginger
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add
1 oz. Canadian Club Canadian Whisky,
1/2 oz. Sour Puss Apple liqueur,
1/8 oz. Vanilla liqueur,
1/2 oz. fresh Lemon juice,
1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice,
1/4 oz Apricot nectar and a pinch freshly grated ginger.
Shake sharply and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a ginger, apple, blueberry skewer.
By Rob Allanson
Section : Whisky Live
Page number : 42
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