This will be a master class for women to either start or further their whisky journey as part of a Grand Tasting of at least 6 unique single malts with most having a connection to women in their production.

Chocolate is a perfect pairing for whisky and we are partnering with Fathom Restaurant to ensure a very special evening. If you enjoy your whisky experience to be paired with not only chocolate but also a growth in knowledge, in a fun social atmosphere, then this is the class for you.

This class will be led by Viola Van de Ruyt, VWF director, and along with her husband has run and presented tastings for the Sidney Companions of the Quaich for over 10 years.

Experience Gisbelle's innovative whisky aged in Oriental Diao Castle Mongolian Oak casks, combining traditional whisky-making craftsmanship with modern, innovative distillation techniques for a unique, rich flavor profile.

The Victoria Whisky Festival is very proud to co-host the annual Canadian Whisky Awards ceremonies at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Join hosts, Davin de Kergommeaux and Heather Leary, for the industry event of the year, as they reveal the most outstanding Canadian whiskies of 2024 and present medals and awards to their producers. Tickets will be available online starting November 4, 2024 at: https://canadianwhiskyawards.com

Step into the enchanting world of the Unicorn of Scotland - Fettercairn Highland Single Malt Distillery in this exclusive multi-course whisky paired dinner. Just as the unicorn is a symbol of rarity and majesty in Scottish lore, Fettercairn stands out as a unique gem in the whisky world, renowned for its singular approach to distillation.

Founded in 1824 and nestled in the foothills of Scotland's Cairngorms, Fettercairn is a distillery that truly embodies the essence of innovation. Renowned for its unique cooling ring which creates a light and tropical flavour profile, Fettercairn's whiskies are a testament to the artistry of distillation. Each expression captures the purity of the natural elements surrounding the distillery, from the crisp mountain water to the lush barley fields.

Tickets to this spectacular dinner and tasting are available at: https://www.fathomvictoria.com/fettercairn-whisky-dinner

“The Making of a Masterpiece with The Dalmore”

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore Distillery stands as a beacon of excellence and tradition in the world of whisky. Established in 1839, The Dalmore is renowned for its unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and its distinctive approach to whisky-making. It all begins with 4 sets of idiosyncratic stills that create a unique new make spirit that ages exquisitely in oak for extended periods. The Dalmore is proud to use hand-selected casks from some of the World’s best wineries and bodegas. Each sip of our Single Malt is a journey through layers of flavour from deep, luscious fruits to hints of spice and chocolate, all culminating in a velvety, lingering finish.

Join us as we dive deep into what makes The Dalmore Single Malt so unique, and taste through an assortment of whisky expressions including limited releases such as Luminary and Vintages.

Join Ray Daniel in this Grand Tasting focused on our Bourbon history and innovations. Ray will lead you through a sampling of some classic recipes and contrast those with some unique innovations. There is room for everyone in the world of Bourbon.

Amrut Distillery - A Celebration of Indian Whisky Excellence

Welcome to an exclusive Grand Tasting of Amrut Distillery’s finest whiskies, where the traditions of Indian whisky-making meet global acclaim. With roots deep in the heart of India, Amrut has built a reputation for crafting bold, innovative whiskies that push the boundaries of flavor, technique, and maturation in unique climates. This tasting will be hosted by Amrut’s Neelesh Saran, who will guide you through a curated selection of their most celebrated expressions, from the flagship expressions of Fusion, Single Malt, Single Malt Cask Strength and Peated to limited edition whiskies such as Triparva, Kurinji, Strath’s Exclusive Bottling and Master Distiller’s Reserve.

Celebrating 200 Years of Glencadam Whiskies**

Join us for a special Grand Tasting in celebration of Glencadam’s 200-year anniversary, hosted by Brand Ambassador Cody Reynolds. Discover the distillery’s rich heritage, established in 1825, and its commitment to traditional craftsmanship that has produced award-winning Single Malts for two centuries. Guided by Cody Reynolds, you'll explore the unique character and history behind Glencadam’s finest whiskies, experiencing their depth of flavour and timeless quality. This is a rare opportunity to celebrate two centuries of excellence in whisky-making with an expert in the field. Each sip reflects the distillery’s dedication to preserving time-honored methods, delivering a whisky that is both authentic and exquisite.

Confessions of a Whisky Salesman

The Strath's Adam Bradshaw has worked in the whisky industry for close to two decades and in that time he's sold thousands of different whisky expressions. While every whisky is special and unique in its own way - some are a little more meaningful to Adam. Join him as he shares some of his favourite bottles, explains why they are so exceptional, and tries not to expose too many industry secrets along the way.

“For over 125 years Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt whisky of exceptional quality. Explore deep into Gordon & MacPhail’s vaults with us as we experience the fruits of this vision with whiskies from all corners of Scotland.”

Join Nikka Whisky’s Global Spokesperson and Educator, Emiko Kaji, on a captivating journey through nine decades of whisky-making excellence. This exclusive masterclass commemorates Nikka's 90^th Anniversary, delving into the rich history and pioneering spirit of this iconic Japanese distilling company.

From its humble beginnings in 1934 to its current global renown, discover the story of Nikka Whisky and its founder, Masataka Taketsuru. Explore the art and science behind Nikka's distinct flavour profiles, influenced by both Scottish tradition and Japanese innovation.

This immersive tasting experience will feature a curated selection of Nikka whiskies, potentially including rare distillery samples or expressions from the acclaimed Discovery Series. These exceptional drams will showcase the breadth and depth of Nikka's whisky-making expertise, highlighting the unique characteristics of different distilleries and production techniques.

Over the past two decades, several Vancouver Island distilleries have produced a myriad of award-winning whiskies. Come and join senior representatives from Shelter Point, Stillhead and Macaloney’s Island distilleries and sample some of these world class whiskies.

Join Keepers of the Quaich Andrew Ferguson and Lawrence Graham, as they inform you of the culture and history of this prestigious whisky society that celebrates the Scotch Whisky Industry. This dinner will feature a curated selection of exceptional Scotch whiskies paired with a superb menu prepared by the chefs of the Fathom Restaurant. You won’t want to miss this rare event.

What does Virginia, the birthplace of American spirits, taste like? Founded in 2008, Reservoir focuses production on single grain expressions of Wheat, Bourbon and Rye Whiskey with all ingredients from Virginia. Join Founder David Cuttino for a tasting of their core bottlings and 2 special pours.

“Behind Warehouse 24”

Examine the ongoing legacy of The Balvenie, by sampling through its history with Brand Ambassador, Jamie Johnson. From DoubleWood 12 to present day releases; we explore the journey of Malt Masters past and Present.

Situated in the North Sea and on the same latitude as the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Orkney is a remote, formidable landscape home to just two distilleries. Founded in 1724, Highland Park is the oldest on the Island and is one of the most highly awarded Single Malts in the world - named ‘Best Spirit in the World’ three times and collected countless Gold and Double Gold medals at international competitions. But what makes it so unique to standout above so many others? Join the masterclass to find out.”

Join us for an exclusive masterclass with Cody Reynolds, Brand Ambassador, showcasing the finest whiskies from Tomintoul Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Journey to the heart of the Cairngorms and discover the smooth, balanced character of Tomintoul, crafted with pure Ballantruan spring water, fresh mountain air, and their distinctive tall stills—offering a true taste of Speyside's renowned whisky heritage.

Yellowstone Bourbon: More than 150 Years in the Making

Discover one of America’s oldest Bourbon Brands and the rich history behind Yellowstone Bourbon and why it shares the name of America’s first National Park. Greg Mefford, Managing Director - International Business Unit., will take you through a special line-up of Yellowstone Bourbon expressions, crafted by our 7^th Generation Master Distiller, Stephen Beam, at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky.

Amrut - The Pioneer of Indian Single Malt Whisky

Welcome to an exclusive masterclass dedicated to Amrut Distillery, the pioneering force behind India’s rise in the global whisky scene. Founded in Bangalore, Amrut has become synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship, and bold flavors, putting Indian whisky on the map with its award-winning single malts. In this masterclass, we’ll delve into the history, process, and artistry behind Amrut’s world-class whiskies, including the signature Fusion and Single Malt whiskies as well as a couple of limited editions. Hosted by Amrut’s very own Neelesh Saran.

In the world of wines & spirits, France belongs in the top echelon of production of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines and of Cognac in spirits. While Cognac is the most renowned spirit produced by France, whisky production is slowly making a name for itself in the world of whisky. It really all began in Brittany with Distillerie Warenghem beginning production of whisky in 1987 and releasing the first French single malt in 1998 under the Armorik label. Centuries ago, Brittany was known as “lower Britain”, with this region still adhering to Celtic customs and traditions today. In this class, we will discover how the coastal climate, which is similar to Ireland and Scotland, plays an important role in the aging process of the whiskies. We will taste French know-how in whisky making, discover the taste profile imparted by the use of French barley and the influence of local Breton oak that gives Armorik whiskies their “French” character. We will discover how the use of different oak casks creates compelling profiles to whiskies that are very much in “Scotch” style with a French twist.

Join Stephen Wilson, Crown Royal’s Director of Whisky Engagement, for a Behind the Blend experience where you’ll have the rare opportunity to break down Crown Royal Deluxe and taste the individual whiskies that make up this iconic blend. Stephen will open the doors to the Gimli Distillery and discuss the history, production process, and art of blending this award-winning liquid.”

Holyrood Distillery - canny geniuses or numpties?

"While this masterclass is unlikely to reach a conclusion on this question, we can still share some of Holyrood’s recent whisky releases, including single casks and upcoming bottlings. Rob Carpenter, co-founder of Holyrood, will discuss the distillery’s curious production approach and update on recent goings on.".

Flavor Camp Taste Challenge: Exploring Regional Scotch Styles

Join us at this interactive tasting challenge where you'll test your blind tasting skills with a variety of regional Scotches. From triple distilled drams, to lightly peated malts, to Scottish rye whisky, we will be exploring a variety of styles produced by Isle of Raasay, 1770 Distillery, and Arbikie Distillery. Brought to you in collaboration with Reece Sims and TS Global, this class is suitable for any level of whisky knowledge, and is sure to be a flavor-focused experience.

In the past several years, Dr. Don Livermore has done a lot of work to raise the bar for Canadian Whisky through incredible innovation. Join this 2019 Canadian Whisky Blender of the Year as he digs into his archives and pulls out some of his favourite, and most rare, whiskies of the past few years. Be prepared to enjoy some of the best that J.P. Wiser’s, Lot No. 40, Pike Creek and Gooderham & Worts have to offer.

Join Tish Harcus for a tasting through time as she revels in the storied background of Canadian Club. With a history that dates back over 160 years, it's no wonder CC has become a true icon.

“When it comes to whisky and the joy it brings, Compass Box keeps our minds open to new possibilities. They tap into new production processes, new combinations of flavours, new ways of sharing and enjoying great whisky. There is so much to discover in the world of whisky, and Compass Box is ready to take us there.”

“Benromach is a window into another time - a traditional family-owned Speyside distillery intent on making single malt the right way with true character. They keep things simple: single malt made by hand matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character.”

The Ardbeg Committee Meeting

Ardbeg invite you to a super serious meeting of the Ardbeg Committee! Loyal Ardbeggians have fallen in love with the full-on phenolic power of their Ardbeg whiskies, but also the stories of the distillery including the dark days and the miraculous re-birth of the brand. Bry Simpson will lead us through some of their weird and wonderful Ardbeg expressions, with some limited editions among the mix.

Bowmore has stood on the shores of Lochindaal since 1779, the original Islay. Home to one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses, the No. 1 Vaults. It’s in this legendary warehouse that Bowmore single malts have been meticulously matured and transformed for over 240 years. Join James Neil as he leads a tasting explaining the "Art of Time", the traditions, skills and expertise passed down through generations of whisky makers and what that means for this exceptionally balanced Islay Malt.

The Art and Diversity of Scottish Whisky

Whether you’re a whisky novice or whisky enthusiast, join us in exploring the diverse and captivating world of Scottish whisky through sampling different styles and innovative releases from Islay Mist, WaterProof and InchDairnie Distillery.

Still Life helps us understand the science behind the unique new make spirit at The Dalmore, that gives us both the light citrus notes and malty, chocolatey notes that we can find in every drop of our whisky. This interactive experience will transport you to the Highland Distillery’s Still House for a sensory experience that will tickle your tastebuds with samples of our New Make Spirits, a 3D visual of our idiosyncratic stills, and the sounds that make the distillery unique. The Dalmore’s Still Life is designed specifically for Whisky Enthusiasts who wish to learn more about the behind scenes. All the magic begins with our stills. Alongside our new make spirits, some limited edition The Dalmore whiskies will serve as the perfect finale for this much anticipated Master Class.

The Golden Age of Canadian Whisky is now! Join Canadian Whisky Awards head judge, Davin de Kergommeaux as he leads us through the best of the very best - the winners of the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards. The New York Times said Davin’s influence on the renaissance of Canadian whisky cannot be overestimated. From large distilleries and small, find out from the source what all the excitement is about.

The Western Canadian Advocacy and Education team of Calin Manuel and Aoife McEniff will take you on a tour through the Brown-Forman American whiskey portfolio, visiting old friends and taking a look at what makes the diverse expressions of brand families of Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Jack Daniels so unique and iconic.

Hunter Laing & Co. Ltd. is a family company with an unrivalled pedigree in Scotland

The Laing’s have spent over fifty years in the industry – first as blenders, then as bottlers of some of the finest single cask Scotch whiskies in the market. Now a new chapter has begun with the launch of Ardnahoe, the newest distillery on Islay, a bold step to further a whisky legacy now in its 3rd generation. Join Lee Hanson as he takes you on a journey exploring what Hunter Laing has to offer.

Masahiro Mastery: A Journey Through Awamori-Inspired Whisky

Dive into the world of Masahiro Distillery with this exclusive vertical tasting masterclass, hosted by Reece Sims and TS Global. You’ll explore a selection of whiskies that highlight the artistry and tradition of this unique distillery. Featuring Pure Malt, Blended, and a variety of Kujira rice whiskies, this tasting will showcase the diverse flavour profiles crafted from local ingredients and time-honoured techniques from Okinawa.

Established in 1948, Douglas Laing is a proudly independent, family-owned Scotch Whisky business in its third generation. Over 70 years of heritage have helped the company to refine its processes, and deliver whisky that is consistently exceptional.

Join Dougal Barr as he provides you with an education in blending and Blended Malts with the Remarkable Regional Malts Series and deep-dives into the wonderful world of independently bottled Single Cask expressions. You can expect a passionate, easy-going discussion around the wonderful history of Scotch whisky, the science behind it and the delights it can offer up to the newcomer and seasoned whisky drinking veteran alike.

Oh, for peat’s sake!

"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has pulled out the smoke for this one. Join Rob & Kelly Carpenter as they present six SMWS bottlings, each focused on peat and reek. See if we can outsmoke other VWF masterclasses in the vicinity! Warning: if you don’t like peated whiskies, this is definitely not your masterclass."

Turbo Time:

“Meikle Toir means “the great pursuit.” While Billy Walker has achieved about as much as one can achieve in the whisky business, his newest venture of heavily peated spirit at GlenAllachie distillery has opened a new chapter, and may be his best work to date. As it turns out, Billy’s hand is as deft with peat as it is with sherry. The full range of these new releases, as well as a few other rare peated treats from GlenAllachie.”

Created in the northern plains of India, where extreme temperatures and high angel's share have a huge influence, Indri Indian Single Malt has been winning hearts of single malt lovers the world over. Join Madhu Kanna, Head of International Sales, as he de-constructs the core Triple Cask Expression - "Trini" where the 3 individual components of Trini will be tasted, along with some cask strength expressions.

Step into the World of The Isle of Harris Distillery

Join us at this exclusive masterclass to learn about “The Harris Way” – the history and founding vision of the Harris Distillery, known locally as the Social Distillery. Discover how it was created not just to produce exceptional spirits but also to support the island's community and preserve its heritage. In this immersive experience, you will get to taste and learn about the popular Hearach whiskies, including rare cask strength whiskies not usually available in BC. This masterclass will be hosted and taught by Peter Kwasniewski, who is flying in from the Isle of Harris in Scotland to share his firsthand knowledge of Harris and all that it has to offer.

“The Glenfiddich Effect”

Sip your way through the history and legacy of The Grant Family. Brand Ambassador Jamie Johnson, will guide you through a flight of The World’s Most Awarded single malt, and weave a tale of how one of Scotland’s most famous family made an everlasting impact on Scotch Whisky.

Due to being placed in receivership, the Waterford Distillery has cancelled its masterclass at the Victoria Whisky Festival. In its place we now present:

There were some incredible whiskies presented by “Whisky Folk” in 2024. Join the club’s founder Adam Bradshaw as he shares some of his favourite bottles, and discover more about the social side of the local whisky community here in Victoria.

Join Maker’s Mark Diplomat, Micah Dew, as he leads a tasting beginning with how Maker’s Mark bourbon stood out from the crowd substituting distiller’s rye for soft red winter wheat, to the impact of changing proof and finishing with the exploration into the science of wood.

The three Scotch distilleries of Brown-Forman - GlenDronach, Benriach and Glenglassaugh will be the focus of this Masterclass. The tastings will include expressions aged in port, rum, sherry and virgin oak casks and feature our whisky voted #1 by Whiskey Advocate magazine!

Join National Brand Education Specialist & former Canadian Whisky Brand Ambassador Colin MacDougall for trip back in time and taste through the iconic Gooderham & Worts and Pike Creek rare range whiskies including 49 Wellington, Little Trinity, Eleven Souls, PC 22yr Pedro Ximenez and more. Learn the incredible story behind these gems while sipping the rare and seldom found together whiskies side by side.

Join Forty Creek Master Blender Bill Ashburn in his first ever Victoria Whisky Festival Masterclass with Chris Thompson, Forty Creek's National Brand Ambassador.

Over two decades ago, Forty Creek ushered in a new era of premium whiskies from Canada. With an unwavering focus on innovation and quality, Forty Creek has released a long line of award-winning expressions that have dazzled judges and consumers alike. Your hosts, Master Blender Bill Ashburn and Forty Creek Brand Ambassador Chris Thompson, will pour a few of their favourites, including the latest, small batch limited edition, "Maplewood Select".

Discover the story of Nikka Whisky and its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, the 'Father of Japanese Whisky'. Learn how his journey from Japan to Scotland shaped his vision and led to the creation of this renowned whisky company. This masterclass will explore a selection of Nikka whiskies, highlighting both their innovative blends and exceptional single malts. Experience the breadth of Nikka's expertise, from their masterful blending techniques to the historical development of Japanese whisky from Nikka’s Global Spokesperson and Educator, Emiko Kaji. To conclude the experience, a special limited edition bottling will be shared, providing a unique glimpse into the future of Nikka Whisky.

“Sometimes it seems like everything Billy Walker touches turns to gold. In 2017 he purchased the GlenAllachie distillery and every year since has seen new expressions and ideas that expand on his legacy. GlenAllachie is in particular known for their heavily sherried expressions, especially the 10 year which has been named best single malt in the world at both The World Whisky Awards and The Whisky Explorer Awards.”

Turntable Spirits is a modern-day blending house looking to flip the record on ordinary. Step into the world of blending and taste a range of small batch blends that focus on quality, innovation and transparency.

Glenmorangie’s Kind of Delicious and Wonderful Whiskies

Glenmorangie are known not only for their delicious single malt Scotch whiskies, but also for their philosophy and concepts behind them. From the pioneering family who founded the distillery, to the innovative practices and ideas by their whisky creation team. National Brand Ambassador Bry Simpson will take us through some of these wonderful expressions, with stories from the wild imaginations of the whisky makers who created them. This will also be the first taste in BC for many for the new Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old!

Classic malts: Discover your perfect single malt

Discover the tastes and whisky styles throughout Scotland with a flavour tour of six distinct whisky distilleries: Cragganmore, Oban, Talisker, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Lagavulin. National Whisky Consultant Stuart Brown will take you on an educational journey through Scotland and will be showcasing the craftmanship and finishing techniques that make them the unique expressions that are known around the world.

“A Deconstructed Tasting of Angel’s Envy and its Finishing Process”

Join Owen Martin, Master Distiller of Angel’s Envy, as you taste through and discuss Angel’s Envy whiskeys off the still, out of the bourbon barrel, and as the final bottled product – at different proofs and finishing cask intensities.

Join Ana Hinz, International Brand Ambassador and Business Development Manager, as she guides you through the new frontier of American single malt whiskeys. From defining a new category, to exploring new facets of flavor through unique barleys, oak, cask finishes, and American peat.

Join David Hudyma, Prestige Engagement Specialist, as he takes you on a journey through the vaults of the House of Suntory Japanese Whiskies.

The number one selling Islay Single Malt in the World is a fan favourite for flavour and history. James Neil will lead the Masterclass through our favourite expressions, a good dose of Islay lore and some very special drams for our guests and Friends of Laphroaig.

Dive into the many expressions of Smokehead Whisky, a robust single malt with a bold, smoky character. Built for those who crave adventure, its intense, peaty flavors offer an unforgettable ride in every sip.

Mizunara Magic: Discovering Shinobu Distillery's Whisky

Join us for an unforgettable whisky tasting masterclass featuring Shinobu Whisky, a stunning blend of Japanese tradition and Scottish whisky-making techniques. You’ll savour rich flavours ranging from oak, spice, and dried fruit to delicate notes of vanilla, honey, and subtle smoky umami, all thanks to Shinobu’s unique use of ex-bourbon, sherry, and Mizunara oak casks.

Whether you're a seasoned whisky fan or just curious, this session will let you dive into the complex, yet approachable world of Japanese whisky. Get ready to sip, savour, and enjoy with Reece Sims and TS Global.

The VIP Tasting is open to special guests of the 2025 Victoria Whisky Festival and VIP Ticket holders. It will be held in the Vancouver & Pender Island Ballrooms prior to the Consumer Tasting and will feature the full line of whiskies as with the Consumer Tasting. VIP Ticket holders will be able to explore the range of whiskies being presented for a full hour prior to the Consumer Tasting (Ticket price includes VIP Tasting & Consumer Tasting).

The heart of the Festival is the Consumer Tasting being held in the Hotel Grand Pacific’s Pender Island and Vancouver Island Ballrooms featuring a myriad of distilleries and whiskies including Canadian whisky, Scottish single malts and blended whiskies, Irish whiskey, Japanese, Indian, French, Swedish, Australian whiskies and a variety of whisky & whiskey styles from the United States of America.

Each attendee is provided with an engraved Glencairn whisky nosing & tasting glass as well as assorted product information from the presenters.

The Hotel Grand Pacific will be providing the best Hors d’Oeuvres from their award winning kitchen and Chefs using local ingredients including the very popular & elusive haggis tarts created especially for the Victoria Whisky Festival! Here you will be able to satisfy your whisky curiosity by sampling your choice of over 150 whiskies, the largest selection available for such an event in British Columbia.

This exceptional dinner is by invitation only; the culinary team at the Hotel Grand Pacific led by Executive Chef Roy Tam will pair exceptional local ingredients with some outstanding whiskies.