HOPSCOTCH EVENTS 2023
MONDAY NOVEMBER 20
6:00PM—6:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
SOLD OUT
MASTER CLASS REGIONS: ISLANDS
"Masterclass Regions" series are private deluxe tastings featuring whiskies from a particular region. Guests will learn about the specific flavours that the particular region is known for and taste their way through the different distilleries from within such region. The Islands in Scotland host many different famous and iconic distilleries including: Arran, Highland Park, Scapa, Jura, Tobermory, Talisker and others. Attend the event and taste the many flavours of the Islands while learning more about them and what makes their whisky so special.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 20
7:30PM—8:20PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
SOLD OUT
MASTER CLASS REGIONS: HIGHLANDS
"Masterclass Regions" series are private, deluxe tastings featuring whiskies from a particular region. Guests will learn about the specific flavours that the particular region is known for and taste their way through the different distilleries from within such region. There are more than forty distilleries located in the Highland region. Some of the most popular are GlenDronach, The Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Oban, Aberfeldy, and Old Pulteney. Some of the scotch flavor profiles of Highland whisky include oak, heather, dried fruit, fruitcake, and smoke. Expect a flavor of sweet cereal in the north and dry fruit in the south. The whiskies tend to be spicy and more intense than the Speyside whiskies. Attend the event and taste the many flavours of the Highlands, while learning more about the region and what makes it so special.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 20
9:00PM—9:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
THE LAST GREAT MALTS
Experience three classic and historic distilleries from Scotland the Benriach the Glendronach and the Glenglassaugh distilleries where we will taste whiskys produced with wildly eclectic barrel compositions alongside heavily sherried drams from the Highlands and tropical coastal regions spirits that are rarely seen from Scotland
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21
6:00PM—6:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
TOMINTOUL MASTER CLASS
The astounding natural beauty surrounding Tomintoul Distillery, combined with the fresh mountain air of the Cairngorms, the soft, pure water from the Ballantruan spring and the tall stills of Tomintoul, all contribute to creating exceptionally smooth and well-balanced whisky. Join Selwyn Rawstron, as he walks us through a range of award-winning Tomintoul Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21
7:30PM—8:20PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
GLENCADAM MASTER CLASS
Glencadam distillery opened in 1825 and since then, little has changed. Their award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky is still produced using the same traditional and handcrafted production methods as it has done for almost 200 years. Join Selwyn Rawstron, as he walks us through a selection of outstanding award winning Glencadam Single Malt Whiskies.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21
9:00PM—10:30PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $135
SOLD OUT
THE MASTERS OF WHISkY
Going into its 9th consecutive year, the past 8 have all been one of the first events to sell out. It always sells out. Attendees taste some of the world’s best whisky while offering the true whisky connoisseur the opportunity to to taste and learn about some of the finest and rarer drams available in BC. At the last installment of Masters of Whisky the following are just a few of the bottles that were tasted: Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique, Kujira 24 Year Old, First Edition 1999 Glenburgie 20YO, Bruichladdich Octomore 12.3 and The Macallan Estate. Each bottle at this event has a retail price of over $200! This year we will have some very special treats. Come and taste what makes these whiskies so special and expensive. This is a longer tasting of about 90 minutes and between 6-8 bottles will be sampled.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22
6:00PM—6:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
BUNNAHABHAIN & FRIENDS
Situated at the end of a small single track road, on the shores of the Sound of Islay, Bunnahabhain is known for its spectacular surroundings and delicious signature unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky. Journey the Isles with a family of malts as delicate as the land on which they are made. Islay, to the Isle of Mull, and back to the Highlands, We will explore the unique characters of Bunnahabhain, as well as fellow Island distilleries as Tobermory, Ledaig, & the Deanston.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22
7:30PM—8:20PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
GLENFIDDICH MASTER CLASS
Led by Ron Oliver, the Masterclass will talk about one of the most historical and special distilleries in Scotland: Glenfiddich. The distillery was established in 1887 by William Grant and is still family run to this day. Glenfiddich was one of only six Scottish distilleries to operate throughout Prohibition and when the distillery’s owners William Grant & Sons built Girvan grain distillery in the early 1960s the decision was made to differentiate malt whisky from grain. And so in 1963 Glenfiddich became the first single malt (labelled as ‘straight malt’) to be marketed outside Scotland, with its flagship 12-year-old whisky becoming the world’s biggest-selling single malt.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22
9:00PM—9:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
NIKKA JAPANESE WHISKY MASTER CLASS
Join Nikka Ambassador Austin Bellantoni of Enoteca Bacco to learn the story of how one man’s journey from Japan to Scotland led him to be named the ‘Father of Japanese Whisky’ and found the renowned whisky company Nikka Whisky. Guests of this class will be tasting a range of whiskies that exemplify the Nikka style from interesting innovative blends to showcase the Nikka blending expertise and the Nikka single malts that showcase the historical development of Japanese whisky under the former guidance and vision of its founder Masataka Taketsuru.
friday NOVEMBER 24
6:00PM—10:30PM / PNE FORUM / EAST VANCOUVER
GRAND TASTING HALL: NIGHT 1
Opening night of anchor event, The Grand Tasting Hall. This is one of the most exciting events of the entire festival. 250+ Products including Whisky, Spirits, Wine, Premium Beer and More.
Saturday NOVEMBER 25
6:00PM—10:30PM / PNE FORUM / EAST VANCOUVER
GRAND TASTING HALL: NIGHT 2
The big night of the festival. This is the final night of The Grand Tasting Hall. 250+ Products including Whisky, Spirits, Wine, Premium Beer and More.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26
11:50AM—12:30PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
BENROMACH MASTER CLASS
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. Join us on a guided tour to try Benromach’s core expressions up to 21 years old, as well as bottlings from the Contrasts range including 2 made of experimental malted barley.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26
1:10PM—1:50PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $35
GLENALLACHIE MASTER CLASS
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. Enjoy this guided tasting as we try GlenAllachie at various ages, including the heavily sherried 15, the Whisky of the Year-winning 10 year cask strength, and finally Billy’s newest project, MacNair’s, which features GlenAllachie married to peated Islay malts.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26
2:30PM—4:00PM / THE REFINERY (DOWNTOWN) / $75
PREMIUM & EXTENDED ‘CLASSIC MALTS’ EXPERIENCE
Discover the tastes and whisky styles throughout Scotland. Starting with lighter more mellow flavours found in Speyside, then discovering unique flavours throughout the Highland regions, and ending with a kick from Islay. Brand Ambassador Dante Concepcion Jr will take you on a tour of four distinct whisky distilleries (Cragganmore, Oban, Talisker and Lagavulin), and will be showcasing 6 whiskies, the craftmanship and finishing techniques that make them the unique expressions that are known around the world.