Caldera Legacy Workshop

Caldera Legacy Workshop
3 part Grain-To-Glass Whisky Making Experience

The Caldera was the second largest ship built in the historic River John shipyard in 1884 and on her maiden voyage sailed around the globe. Just as the history of River John and it’s shipbuilding legacy has inspired us to produce quality spirits and trade with the world, we are very proud to be offering our guests the opportunity to create their own legacy.

We invite you to join us for a 3 part grain-to-glass workshop experience, the only one of it’s kind in North America where we’ll guide you through the process of creating your very own Whisky made from ingredients you plant, grow, and harvest right on our estate farm in River John. This workshop is both educational and hands-on so be prepared to get your hands dirty! First, you will be taught how to prepare the soil and plant non-GMO locally sourced corn and rye seed on your own marked plot on our farm.

During our Harvest Festival in early October you’ll be invited back where we’ll show you how to harvest your grains, and prepare them for distillation. To celebrate the harvest we’ll fire up the BBQ so you can enjoy some of your hard earned corn crop on the grill!

On the final day of the workshop, when the crop is dry and ready you will be guided on how to make the mash using the group’s harvested crops and prepare for fermentation. Then We’ll fire up the still and start the distilling process. You will be guided through each step of the science and art of distilling, proofing, and barreling. Each guest will receive a their own 3 liter oak barrel with personalized engraving, filled with hand crafted cask strength Whisky in which to age your spirits in for as long as you please in our dedicated aging room. Perfect for commemorating life’s special occasions

What’s included:
Guided educational sessions for each workshop
Your own marked crop on the Distillery Property
All tools and equipment will be supplied for planting, harvesting, fermenting and distilling
Free Admission to our Harvest Festival
Custom 3 liter Oak Barrel with personalized engraving

Cost:

Introductory Offer $695.00 + HST per person (only 5 spots available)

Regular Price $749.00 + HST per person 

Private Sessions Available - please contact us for more information.

Part one: Sowing the Grains
July 2nd
1pm-4pm
Hands-on learning experience for planting your own crops

Part two: Harvesting and Drying (During our Harvest Fest)
October 2nd
1pm-4pm
Hands-on learning experience for harvesting and drying your own crops
Includes free admission to our Harvest Festival
Includes BBQ lunch featuring some of your own corn crop

Part three: Making the Mash, Fermenting, and Distilling
October 15th
10am-5pm
1 hour lunch 
Hands-on learning experience creating mash, fermenting, distilling, proofing and barreling.  

The mash making and fermenting stage can take up to 7 days, so at the workshop we will guide you through creating a mash from start to finish using your own crops, we will have also prepared a mash from your crops prior to your arrival and will have it ready to distill on the day of the workshop.

Please note this experience is limited to 10 guests per session, and the final distilled product will be made from combining each guests crops in the mash used for distilling. Private workshops are available for those that wish to have only their own grains distilled and barreled. For private sessions guests will have a choice of barrel sizes from 1 gallon, 5 gallon, 10 gallon, 20 gallon, or 50 gallon barrels. Perfect for celebrating special occasions. Please contact cory@caldera.ca for details on private sessions.

Although the liquor control regulations in Nova Scotia won’t allow us to let you take the barrel home right away, you’re encouraged to drop by and sample your Whisky throughout the aging process, and when you’re ready to bottle we will supply you with bottles for your Whisky and guide you through the proofing and bottling process. Once your Whisky is bottled you can take your custom barrel home with you, or even better, start a new batch!

Must be 19 years and over, Prices are before tax. Reservations required. Cancellation Policy: 100% refund if canceled 10 days prior to first day of workshop, 50% refund if canceled 5 days prior to first day of workshop. Sorry but because this is a step-by-step workshop we cannot offer refunds if you cannot attend a certain day, or decide to cancel during the course of the full 3 session workshop, we can however allow someone else to fill in for you.