Winnipeg Whisky Fest a spirit-ual opportunity

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/02/2019 (2397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I’ve been known to take a nip of whisky every now and then.

My folks were both Scotch drinkers — my mom still has the occasional one — and when my dad was alive, he was always trying to get me to try Scotch. Back then, though, I was a dedicated rum and cola drinker, which he couldn’t understand because he couldn’t stand rum. And if there’s one regret I have (I guess there are many), it’s that I discovered the pleasures of a wee dram of Scotch not long after he died. I know he’d really have enjoyed sharing his favourite beverage with his not-so-little girl.

But such are the vagaries of life, and while I’m not a regular whisky or whiskey or Scotch drinker, I enjoy a taste of them every now and then. And I’m about to get my fill at the upcoming Winnipeg Whisky Festival, which takes place March 1 and 2 at The Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel to benefit the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

This event is the seventh annual, and it’s the first time organizers have broadened the popular event from one night to two, thus allowing more people to participate. The Whisky Festival is much the same format as a wine festival — you get quarter-ounce pours of whatever you choose. And believe me, there’ll be plenty to choose from.

More than 160 products will be featured, including Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, Tennessee, Welsh, Indian, Japanese, and Canadian whiskies, along with some cognac and other spirits (gin, tequila and vermouth).

Since we don’t yet have any event like this in Brandon, and I know there are lots of Scotch enthusiasts in Westman, I thought it was worth devoting this space to the event. It’s a big-ticket item, but to be able to taste all those beverages — well, OK, not all — that’s a dangerous notion with which to proceed. But if you’re into Irish whisk(e)y, for example (and I’m not even going to attempt to define the differences between whisky, whiskey, etc.), you could choose to sample those on offer side by side in order to choose a favourite, or favourites. If you’re a Scotch drinker, the same thing applies. It’s so nice to have the opportunity to sample one next to the other without having to spend a fortune on a bottle only to discover it’s not exactly what you were hoping for.

Anyway, as I mentioned, the tickets aren’t cheap — $300 (plus taxes and fees) for a VIP ticket, which allows you an extra hour of tasting and some product seminars that are being presented on a first-come, first-served basis, and $200 (plus taxes and fees) for a regular admission.

But in case you think that’s outrageous, you can totally make a night of the Whisky Festival, because there are a ton of sumptuous foods on hand for you to munch on or make supper of as you taste. And this is a great idea, given the potency of the products being poured. The all-evening gourmet buffet features hors d’oeuvres, a cheese corner, a seafood and raw bar with sushi made right before your eyes, a chef’s carvery featuring pork loin and brisket, an Asian noodle box chef action station, petit perogie poutine station, a build-your-own taco station, and a variety of delectable desserts, as well as coffee and tea.

I have no idea how I’m going to spend my evening, other than taking in as many seminars as I can, and trying to figure out if I actually have a preference between the above-listed types of whiskies. That’s a daunting task, but I’ll give it my best shot.

Check out the website at winnipegwhiskyfestival.com for all the details. I hope to see you there!