Canada's only magazine dedicated to distillers, spirits and cocktail culture.
For 165 years, J.P. Wiser’s has been synonymous with Canadian whisky. But who says an old brand can’t learn new tricks? It’s just launched a bold new look across its entire portfolio, one that captures its heritage while looking ahead to the future.
A few years back, Toronto’s venerable Fairmont Royal York underwent a reno that transformed the train-station vibe of the main floor public area into the glamorous Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails. Now the space has a resident barkeep as dashing as it is.
15 oz Reifel Rye
6.75 oz Punt E Mes
2.5 oz Galliano liqueur
2.5 oz Krupnik Spiced Honey Liqueur (or any honey liqueur)
10 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: Honey, freshly ground black peppercorn
What exactly is barrel aging? Simply put, it’s the interaction between alcohol and the wooden barrels it’s resting in. This process can range from a mere 60 days to years, decades, even centuries. When temperatures rise, spirits absorb deeper into the barrel staves; then they retract out when temperatures cool. This constantly changing interaction affects the spirits by mellowing harsher notes, adding body and giving deeper, richer flavours.
10 oz Roku Gin (or whatever gin you prefer)
10 oz sweet vermouth
10 oz Campari (or whatever red aperitivo liqueur you prefer)
In the heart of Toronto’s vibrant cocktail scene, where new bars are constantly coming up with all sorts of innovative ways to bring entertaining, theatrical serves to life, there’s one place that stands out as a true, classic gem: Cocktail Bar.
A great bottle of whisky has always been the ultimate holiday gift, but this year Scotch brands are leveling up with immersive whisky experiences that include exclusive tastings, food pairings and even hotel stays. If your whisky tastes run more local, snap up a presale bottle of Sheringham’s rye-forward whisky, coming in 2024: it’s bound to be as stellar as their award-winning gin.
It’s always great to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar space, and so it was when we heard that Emily Vey was leading the bar program at the new(ish) Jungle Room in Vancouver’s West End. You probably remember her from the much-missed Diamond, as well as her thrilling run at the World Class Canada 2023 finals.
My early memories of punch are from college parties—party drinks cobbled together from curious arrays of cheap spirits mixed with saccharine juices and sodas and ladled from whatever vessel was large enough to quench the crowd. A mixing bowl in the best of times, a plastic trash can in the worst.
Nevertheless, we’d gather around, clink glasses and share stories over the ever-flowing bowl.
1.25 cups sugar, plus additional if needed
2 cups water
3 cups (750 mL bottle) Malfy Rosa
3 cups (750 mL bottle) Cocchi Rosa
2 cups lemon juice
3 cups fresh grapefruit juice
2 star anise
2 sticks cinnamon
One lemon, cut into wheels
Garnish: rose petals and your favourite sparkling rosé