Sustainability is quite a buzzword these days. It’s becoming one of those words that is used so frequently that its true meaning or intention is being lost. In the face of very obvious climate change, jumping on the sustainability train in the spirits world seems to be on trend. As long as these spirit brands...
It’s Holiday Hosting season! Admittedly, I’m a planner. I’m an organiser. I’m a Virgo. I love hosting people in our home anytime of the year. I love planning the food, drink, decor, all of it. But… I know that hosting others in your space can be stressful for a lot of people. We worry about...
WHAT IS THE BLACKBIRD? Have you ever had a Blackbird? Do you know what goes into a Blackbird? Do you know who created The Blackbird and where? Our Josh decided a while ago to do some digging about this ubiquitous Toronto Industry handshake. Over the course of 5 installments in this audio documentary he...
Deanston Distillery is one that has always done things a little different than the rest. The founder, Brodie Hepburn was a visionary. He saw potential in an old cotton mill on the River Teith and the town of Deanston as a great place to make whisky. The River Teith has so much power that they...
What is Tequila? – Must be made from Agave tequilana (commonly known as Blue Agave) – Those agave plants must be grown in the state of Jalisco, or certain municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. – 51% of the finished product must come from this agave – Blanco or Plata Tequila may only be...
What is Rum? Rum, Rhum or Ron is a big spirit category that follows variety of specifications based on where it is being distilled/bottled/sold. Please keep in mind that the below points are broad, very very broad. (Rum nerds don’t come at us!) – Rum is a distillate made from sugar cane molasses, sugar cane...
What is Irish Whiskey? Irish Whiskey is a grain spirit distilled and aged on the island of Ireland Must be aged 3 years in wood (usually oak) vessels that are less than 700 litres in size Must be distilled to less than 94.8% abv Only water and caramel colouring can be added to the matured...
What is Vodka? A neutral distilled liquor that is clear, colourless and has no definite taste or aroma Can be made using a mash of anything from grains to potatoes Must be distilled to 95% ABV (US) and 96% (EU) Alcohol content of vodka ranges from 37.5 to 55 percent Vodka is typically charcoal filtered....
What is Rye Whisky? To be called Rye Whisky in Canada: The spirit has to be distilled and aged in Canada. The Whisky must be matured in wooden barrels no larger than 700L Rye must be aged in wood casks for a minimum of 3 years. Must be bottled at no less than 40% ABV...
What is Mezcal? It is a spirit drink that comes from any cooked and distilled agave. Mezcal is made by harvesting agaves, cooking them often in a pit in the ground, fermenting them in a vat and then distilling before bottling. Following the Denomination of Origin, Mezcal must be made in one of 9 Mexican...
