Ryan is the winner of the 2024 Deanston Cut From a Different Tartan initiative! Together with his story submission and cocktail creation, he took home the grand prize of $5000. The inspiration behind “The Terra Fizz” was to use ingredients around me at home and my bar to create a cocktail that focuses on sustainability....
My cocktail begins with my very first foraged ingredient, the blueberry! As a child we used to vacation in Sudbury in the summer, and I have fond memories of picking wild blueberries. I also wanted to use an ingredient that showcases the passage of time, so my fortified shrub is made from a blend of...
Inspired by the Deanston waterwheel and the idyllic nature of a picnic in the countryside by the water. This cocktail also pays homage to the queer cultural landmarks by the water. Places where we could run off to and escape; for a swim, a dance, a picnic or a romance. Embedded in this cocktail is...
The inspiration for my cocktail was the River Teith; the powerful river which fuels Deanston’s distillery. The river is symbolic of Deanston’s ambition and community, as well as a symbol for the need to progress and move forward in our industry. Naming my cocktail “Just like a River” represents my dedication to bettering my community...
The story and inspiration behind my cocktail is based on the caring quilt. Quilts that are handmade and passed down through generations for everyone to add their own story and part of themselves through a piece of cloth. Even when submitting my video I felt this rang true to not only the title of the...
In my opinion every drink should have a story or some type of connection with or to its creator. This being my first contest I really wanted to make sure this drink embodied my experiences, my love of mixology and me as a person. I really wanted to make sure Deanston was the star of...
For a talented mixologist, nothing is more satisfying than looking at an image of one of the cocktails he’s tied up. It’s called the pleasure of getting the work done. That’s the moment of truth. Either you did your job with passion or you were just there for the paid hours. This is a great...
During the pandemic, I tested positive for Covid-19. I stayed at home for a long time and I was constantly treated with many warm drinks, one of which was made from honey and dried roses with some herbs such as cinnamon, star anise and a little apple juice. After returning to work, I decided to...
For my cocktail, I was inspired by the terroir in the Niagara Region where Forty Creek is distilled. The White Peppercorn Infused Maple Syrup and fresh fig pair perfectly with the flavour profile of the spirit while the peach preserve speaks to the stone fruit this region of Ontario is known for producing. 2oz (60ml)...
What is Canadian Whisky? To be called Canadian Whisky, the distilled spirit must be: Made with cereal grain The cereal mash production must take place in Canada The distillation must take place in Canada; Canadian producers can distil any way they choose The aging process must take place in Canada for a minimum of 3...
