Whisky is a journey best shared with others.
The Canadian Whisky Smith
The first time I went drinking with my Dad, it changed my life.
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Thirty-something years old and we'd met up for a family vacation to Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
I wanted to go visit a distillery. Not sure why I felt it was so important, I just did.
It's probably because I've always enjoyed a bit of Jack Daniel's and usually had a bottle at home for sipping. Lynchburg was too far to go visit, but there were a couple of moonshine distilleries in Gatlinburg.
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It took some convincing, but finally my Dad agreed to go with me.
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We did the private tour and tasting at Sugarland Shine, hosted by O. Dammit. Turns out my dad was fascinated by the distilling process even more than I was (he made notes!). Then we did the tasting.
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About halfway through, my Dad says, "You know, you could do something like this. I think you'd be good at it."
I tried to brush it off, but I couldn't stop thinking about it.
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In 2017, I attended the Whisky Ambassador Program in Calgary.
I started exploring whisky and spirits with a passion, seeking out opportunities to learn more, taste more, and hear more stories.
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In 2018, I started hosting in-store tastings for Wild Life Distillery. Less than two years after that distillery day with my Dad, and I was starting to dip my feet in the industry.
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Shortly after, I traveled to Austin, Texas, and completed my level 1 Whisky Sommelier through the Wizard Academy's Whisky Marketing School. Six months later, I returned to the Whisky Vault and completed level 2. (Level 3 is scheduled for April 2019!)
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The journey has been interesting so far. Constantly winding and changing, but always a wild ride.
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The more I explore, the more I find there are truly no strangers in whisky, just friends you haven't met yet. These friends become your Tribe, and a Tribe is the Family you choose.
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There can never be too many Smiths.
My Spirits of Adventure
In 2016, I visited my first distillery: Sugarland Shine in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It set fire to my passion for spirits and distilling.
Sugarland Shine
Eau Claire DIstillery in Turner Valley, Alberta. The first craft distillery in the province and producer of Alberta's first Single Malt.
Located a short drive from Calgary, the Eau Claire Distillery is a great destination for a day-trip.
A great line-up! Eau Claire is always trying out new products.
Spirited chocolates
Located a short drive from Calgary, the Eau Claire Distillery is a great destination for a day-trip.
Eau Claire Distillery
Take a walk on the WLD side. Located in Canmore, Alberta, my first distillery job was with Wild Life Distillery. One of the best views for summer cocktails.
Gorgeous view of the Three Sisters in Canmore
Gorgeous view of the Three Sisters in Canmore
Wild Life Distillery
In the heart of Banff, Alberta, Park Distillery is providing interesting insight into the local craft distilling market & process.
Park Distilery
You only turn 40 once, so best to do it up right! I'd heard good things about One18 Empire & was not disappointed.
Old Fashioned Central! It's one of the things One 18 Empire is known for. Choose your smoke, sugar, bitters, and Bourbon for your own signature take on the most classic of cocktails.
Your custom Smoked Old Fashioned starts table-side. They bring over a barrel with a custom head, which they use to smoke the glass.
Apparently my friends are devious, underhanded people who know me extremely well. Somehow they managed to conspire to buy me this bottle of Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye while I was in the store. I was shocked and amazed to open it up for my birthday. It has made an excellent addition to my collection.
Old Fashioned Central! It's one of the things One 18 Empire is known for. Choose your smoke, sugar, bitters, and Bourbon for your own signature take on the most classic of cocktails.
One 18 Empire
Stay tuned...more adventures currently in progress!
There's a whole world of whisky & spirits out there...I just have to find them!
There's a whole world of whisky & spirits out there...I just have to find them!