Today I was at The Permenant for a premium spirit tasting featuring the portfolio of both Univins and Dandurand.
Guests were warmly greeted into the hall with its iconic stainglass skylight. Once checked in, we were given a glass to sample with and the option of a paper spit cup, should we need it. I am not a fan of the act of spitting, and hate wasting alcohol, so thought to be more strategic with my sampling.
The space was set with booths forming a horseshoe. Over 50 different familar and new spirits to try. Each table themed either with ready to drink options, vodka & gin, tequila, flavoured liqueurs, Canadian whiskies, Kentucky bourbons, rums & brandy, and cream liqueurs. You were able to try their entire line and chat with vendors. Sadly most of them were sales reps, and as such were unable to answer questions on product inspiration and/or flavour profile.
Having tried many of the bottles, I sought out that which I have yet to try. The following is a list of such spirits I found notable.
Elit is Stoli’s premium line of vodka at $20 more per wholesale bottle. It was a smoother sipping vodka that has won vodka of the year 18 years in a row.
I am already familiar with KAH tequila, but their anejo is newer to their collection. Striking with its white sugar skull on a glossy black bottle, the agave was as punchy with peaches on the palate.
There was but one mezcal from Se Busca that was as bold and woodsy as a whiskey.
I enjoyed Dr. McGillicuddy’s Root Beer Racinette, which was sweet like candy, as is. This would have been nice cut with soda water and offered as an adult root beer at any backyard barbecue.
Caribou Crossing was a strikingly packaged Canadian whisky. Wax sealed in their trademark blue, the cap topped with a caribou figurine for a handsome bar display. I instantly got plenty of caramel on the nose.
Spice box has a delicious chocolate flavoured whisky that was easy to get creative with. There was no hiding the richness of cocoa from the honeyed sugars of the whiskey.
I was interested in Morris, as my first encounter with an Australian distilled whiskey. It was fairly fruit forward with apricot on the nose, and a lot less body than I imagined.
1792 was named after the year that Kentucky became a state. A dry country influencing the small batch whisky with an equally dry mash bill. There was a decent amount of rye spice with notes of cherry.
Amador Whiskey Co. was interestingly double barrelled, which is not common for Kentucky. It is shipped to Napa to finish, giving it a light cakey corn sweetness.
For those who like the cinnamon flavour of Fireball, you are going to like their new ready to drink canned cocktail. This is essentially a spicy cider that reminded me of an apple cobbler. I can see them doing other dessert-like cocktails in this fashion, anything that utilizes cinnamon for its warmth is possible.
The room was just as excited for the Dissarono ready to drink canned cocktail. This was a sour with a sweeter finish from a foamer and a boldness from tart marinchino cherries.
The Barcelo Imperial looks like a luxury brand of Dominican rum with its all black matte vessel. A bottle so hard to find that this is the only one in BC. A lengthly drive out to the interior was required to secure it. It is aged 10 years in oak barrel for a high degree of toast.
I liked the brandy cremes, saved all the dessert liqueurs for last. I thought myself clever by mixing Sheepdog’s peanutbutter whiskey with Baja Rosa’s strawberry creme for a play on peanutbutter and jelly.
These were all straight sips, so for those who wanted a break in between, they could duck to the back and order a bespoke cocktail from The Permenant’s bar and lounge.
Three different cocktails featuring one of the three largest sponsors of this evening: Disaronno, Fireball, and/or Sortilège. I went with my preference of a stiffer drink and cherries and sought out the “Ward Eight” with Sortilège Rye Whisky, Orange & Lemon Juice, Grenadine, and a Brandied Cherries. It was a little sour for my tastes, but tropical once a splash of pineapple juice was mixed in.
In short, this was a great way to try before you buy, discovering new products that have yet to hit your local bar or liquor store.
The Permanent Library Limited
330 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3K2
thepermanent.ca
