Whisky and Words is the largest annual fundraiser for the Vancouver Writers Fest. This is a tasting event that offers unlimited pours of whiskies from around the world and locally, alongside a few artisanal craft spirits. Included are small bites and the ability to partake in a silent auction for amazing prizes.
This is all to benefit the Vancouver Writers Fest. Described as “connecting people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue through year-round programming that ignites a passion for words and the world around us.” (As per their website).
Held at Granville Island’s Performance Works event space that was kept moody with cool toned lights. Guests were invited to engage with and visit each table that wrapped around the perimeter of the space. Doing so at their leisure, either bouncing around or going through their whole collection before moving on. There were water stations and rinse and pour out buckets, however many were not exercising that option this Friday night. If you saw anything you liked you could pick it up at their pop-up liquor shop, on a first come first served bases.
The following brands were pouring, and if you had a VIP ticket this included speciality pours only for the earlier hour entry. As a registered charity tax receipts were issued for 75% of the ticket value.
Liberty Distillery, Alimentaria Mexicana, Shelter Point, Central City Brewers & Distillers, Odd Society Spirits, Craftwork Spirits, TS Global, Tomintoul, Magnum Scotch Malt Whisky Cream Liqueur, Walsh Whiskey, Ardbeg & Glenmorangie, Fettercairn Highland Single Malt Distillery, Roots and Wings Distillery.
The following are notes of what I tried from each distillery, focusing on their VIP pours, baring that their oldest or newest bottle available.
The Glenmorangie booth was striking, setting the bar high right at the door. Their trademark orange on an alcove that served as a backdrop, alongside a display giraffe. Here the VIP pours was their 18 year old with caramel baked ribbons and the Signet with coffee and chocolate notes.
Ardbeg had a 17 year old, which was considerably smooth for the bold peated whisky that they are known for.
The Fettercairn 18 year old was aged in ex-bourbon and American white oak casks for majority of its life, then Scotch oak for its last year. I got a nutty quality with the richness of peanutbutter.
Magnum whisky cream liquor is the only cream liquor in this catagory made with single malt scotch whisky. The best part is that their flaks are reusable and come with cute tartan hats. This was a delicious sweet dessert-like beverage, similar to Bailey’s with no caffeine, but lactose heavy.
Los Danzantes was the only mezcal in the whisky tasting, brought in to draw on its similarities with whisky as an aged mezcal, which is not common. Aged for 9 months in French and American oak, in addition to maturing the agave for 3 years. I found it had a bitter start and a candy-like finish.
Writer’s Tears felt like the whisky mascot for the Writers Fest. Its brand is an ode to famous writers who are said to shed a tear when they finish their book and/or their bottles of whisky. Their newest vintage is one aged in double oak, bourbon, and cognac. The result, a honeyed liquid with a roasted quality.
Roots and Wings are local to Abbotsford. I have visited their distillery a few time so am familar with their line of sweet and savoury flavoured vodkas. They have since branched out to whisky. Here, I tried their newest: the BOCA, which is aged with crabapple for a sweeter bouquet. The tartness of a dry apple does show through.
Liberty Distillery is right on Granville Island. Many of their bottles have won awards, and they brought the hardware to prove it.
Trust single cask was distilled to celebrate their 11th year anniversary. 100% organic BC barley aged 8 years in ex-bordeaux barrels. I got baked fruit and cinnamon on the nose. The tannins of the would be bold red comes through in sweet dried dates.
Tomintoul is a 65 years old Scottish distillery from the village of the same name. It is the only distillery located in a National Park. Majority of the population works at the distillery and if not for them they would be unemployed. Therefore they keep their production by hand.
Their cigar malt was exclusive for the vip hour. A products from the mind of the master blender, who is a fan of cigars and wanted a whisky to pair with it. You get the parallel smokiness of cigar and whisky in a glass. This is from some of their oldest Peated whisky being added in and left to mature in Sherry cask.
Douglas Liang’s remarkable regional
Malts is known for their bolder than life peated branding, which speaks well to the all consuming and punchy flavours of their whisky.
There were two VIP pours here, Big Peat was aged in Sherry casks that takes over your mouth as a true Islay blend.
On its own and by comparison, the Jura 15 is more muted, just as its label suggested. A single malt matured in American oak and bourbon barrels. It was clean on the nose, with the warmth of buttered peach.
The Hearach has no age statement, but has undergone the minimum 6 years in 100% sherry cask.
Masahiro 12 year old is made in Okinawa using an all barely blended malt. An old world style whisky matured 11 years in American oak hogsheads, followed by 12 months in Sherry.
Vancouver based Odd Society’s VIP pour is their Burnsbog Canadian smoked malt whisky. At 50% ABV they are heavier on the grain.
And Shelterpoint offered VIPs a taste of what’s it like to be part of their whisky club, sampling their cask strength that was sweeter with spice.
As you mingled and tasted, guests were also able to park take in the event’s blind date with a book program and/or have a poem typed out in your choice of topic.
Overall, as a first timer, this was a great way to celebrate a great cause.
