Jim Murray — author of the Whisky Bible and one of the world’s Kings of whisky connoisseurship — was in Victoria for the Victoria Whisky Festival this weekend and made time to visit our Distillery.

CTV was there to capture his first taste of our Craigdarroch Spirit.  Check it out!

To recap, Jim says:

Juicy… I’m salivating, beautiful. … It’s a part of the colour of the Island.

We say: Phew!  And, as the Brits say, we’re dead chuffed you came to visit us, Jim.  Cheers!

Come warm your winter spirits with us over the next couple months.

First off, we’re at the Victoria Whisky Festival pouring our baby girl: Craigdarroch Spirit.  She’s growing up beautifully.  Come for an formal introduction or to meet her again — January 19-22 at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

Then, from 12-15 February, find us at the second Tales of the Cocktail in Vancouver at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.  As Tales’ founder Ann Tuennerman affirms:

Vancouver is such a rich, vibrant cocktail city. We couldn’t help but come back for a second year.

We’re participating at Tales’ Meet the Maker event on Monday the 13th, 12-2pm and pouring everything we’ve got!

The first five rows will get whet (ahem).  Hope you can join us!

Join us at the Victoria Whisky Festival next weekend.  We’re bringing back our amber beauty:  Craigdarroch Spirit.  She’s a year older and much more clever.  (And only 22 more months until she officially graduates to “whisky” status.)

She was awarded rave reviews last year.  What will they think of the wee lass this time ’round?  We’ll keep you posted.

During the Victoria Whisky Festival, WhiskyCast reviewer Mark Gillespie caught up with Peter to discuss the warm welcome of our Craigdarroch Spirit and chat about making a 100% BC single malt.

The podcast is here — it starts about halfway in.  Mark writes:

Call it beginner’s luck if you want, but Peter Hart’s* first batch of single malt spirit received rave reviews at the recent Victoria Whisky Festival… even though it was only two months old.

*For the record, Peter’s certainly got H(e)art, but he’s actually a Hunt.

Valerie and Bryan introduce Victoria to a new Craigdarroch

Last weekend we joined the big wigs in at the independent Victoria Whisky Festival, where we had a fabulous time, met wonderful folk, and learned a pile.   Great thanks to the organisers for taking a chance on a dark horse and having us there.

Our Craigdarroch Spirit, made in collaboration with Matt Phillips of Phillips Brewing, was very well received, despite its youthful glow.

Finally, our best to you for Robbie Burns Day!  We hope the whisky is flowing, the haggis rich, and neeps & tatties creamy, wherever you are.

O whisky! soul o’ plays an’ pranks!
Accept a Bardie’s gratefu’ thanks!

……………………….……….- R. Burns, 1786

While in Victoria for the Whisky Festival, Scottish whisky reviewer Ralfy Mitchell popped by our Distillery for a tour and taste.  What did he think of our fresh Craigdarroch (soon to be*) Whisky?

If I was to relate this to a Scotch whisky, the nearest would be a slightly custard, creamy version of Bladnoch.  It’s Lowland in style…  It’s grain rich, it’s quite complex…. a very interesting whisky.  Well worth looking out for.

Take Ralfy’s video distillery tour here and join him here for a taste.

*Legally to earn the coveted moniker “whisky” a spirit has to be aged for three years.  Praise already with only 34 months to go!

If you’re at Victoria’s Whisky Festival this weekend, watch out for us.  We’ll be there sampling our latest project (you can try it too).  Our working title is Craigdarroch Whisky.  Besides alluding to a heavy dose of local history, Craigdarroch means “oak of the rocks”.   Come tell us what you think.