Summary: Victoria Whisky Fest & Canadian Whisky Awards<br> <br> <br> THE SHOW <br> <br> “Friendship is like Whisky – the older the better”<br> Yes, my friends its our annual trek to Victoria’s inner harbour for the 18th annual Victoria Whisky Festival and the Canadian Whisky Awards.<br> It was founder of the awards Davin de Kergomeaux who whispered in my ear wondering why I wasn’t attending or tasting or writing about his Whisky Awards. On second thought I think the voice in my ear was me saying<br> “how could you possibly miss this?” just after I had missed the events about 6-7 years ago.<br> I knew almost nothing about Whisky but my thinking was the same as wine – 17 years ago – every interview is going to be a master class. Pay attention and you could learn all about wine and pass it on to the listeners.<br> <br> I’m pleased to welcome to Tasting Room Radio –<br> <br> Davin de Kergommeaux – founder of the Canadian Whisky Awards.<br> The Canadian Whisky Awards, held annually with the Victoria Whisky Festival, is the first and only competition dedicated solely to Canadian Whisky.<br> The Awards have become the first stop for whisky producers, distributors, retailers and fans looking for the very best Canadian whiskies.<br> Davin is the world’s leading authority on Canadian Whisky. He also has three books available on Canadian Whisky with a fourth coming in March!<br> Davin assembled 10 judges and sent them nearly 200 competing whiskies to blind taste. Davin announces the winner in his interview. We talk to the winners next week.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.canadianwhiskyawards.com">www.canadianwhiskyawards.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.canadianwhisky.org">www.canadianwhisky.org</a><br> <br> <br> Dr. Graeme Macaloney PEng, PhD. – Macaloney’s Island Distillery (Saanich)<br> <br> Proud owner of 5 world whisky awards including Worlds best Potstill – Kildara. They are a non-chilled, filtered, no colour added distillery.<br> In our 8-10 minute interview I think I asked 3 perhaps 4 questions – Dr Graeme handled the rest.<br> It was like a masterclass. A charming man in a Cameron Kilt.<br> He won Gold for his 54ppm Peat Project.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.macaloneydistillers.com">www.macaloneydistillers.com</a><br> <br> <br> Tish Harcus – Manager Canadian Club Whisky since 1988. Canadian Club itself since 1858.<br> <a href="http://www.canadianclub.com">www.canadianclub.com</a><br> James Neil – Bowmore Distillery. The oldest distillery in Islay. On the shores of Lochindaal since 1779. Also home to one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses – The No 1 Vault.<br> James poured Bowmore 22 Aston Martin<br> <br> <a href="http://www.bowmore.com">www.bowmore.com</a><br> <br> They took part in the Great Whisky Debate with <br> Micah Dew from Maker’s Mark.<br> Words flew, one liners were exchanged and they still remain long time friends. Micah was busy with a masterclass but we thank Tish and James for coming by.<br> <a href="http://www.makersmark.com">www.makersmark.com</a><br> <br> Chris Read –Shelter Point Distillery. Campbell River.<br> <br> Distinctly Vancouver Island. Uniquely Shelter Point.<br> By the time Chris sat down we knew Shelter Point had won 2 Bronze medals for their Oak Cask Single Malt (smoke, spices, honey, leather and a wiff of ocean)<br> <br> and their flagship Evans Family Reserve.<br> (vanilla, tannins, dark chocolate, coconut, citrus, berries, cloves.)<br> Chris explained the unique influences in their island location. It was like poetry.<br> <a href="http://www.shelterpoint.ca">www.shelterpoint.ca</a><br> <br> <br> NEXT WEEK –<br> Rob Carpenter. Holyrood(Edinburgh)<br> Calum Rae – Holyrood Distillery Manager<br> Bob Baxter – Two Brewers Whitehorse.<br> Irma Joeveer and Michelle Debus – <br>
