I knew Canada was going to be light in regard to whisky, but even my estimation is proving to be a bit excessive.
We started this week in Nova Scotia, having committed ourselves to the Glenora Distilleries before being told that an interview and tour would be logistically impossible. This was my fault more than anything, and it still gave me some time to read and write whilst abroad.
Yesterday, we went to the Old Goderham & Worts location here in Toronto, under the impression that it would provide us with a fair amount of Canada’s history regarding whisky. Instead, it only offered frustration, as the company that runs the place is more interested in creating pre-packaged hipness, with a selection of empty art galleries, restaurants, and unfinished lofts. The promised tour mentioned on the web site never materialized. Instead we were greeted with a closed Segway office and no visitor’s centre to be seen.
Instead, we found solace in the Soma Chocolate maker found on site, where which the above picture was taken. In the picture, from left to right, was a balsamic, mayan (spice), whisky, and a pure Venezuelan chocolate. It calmed the nerves of frustration that had been building ever since landing in Canada on Friday.
Afterwards, we did have a great lunch with Catherine and Matthew at Swan in west Toronto (in a section of town not named West Toronto, but my limited tourist capabilities are failing me at the moment).
Today, we’re off to Forty Creek, tomorrow, Canadian Club. My hope is that these will provide more insight to Canadian Whisky that what I’ve run into so far.
