Whisky & Words
Event Information
Description
LIMITED MASTERCLASS TICKETS AVAILABLE
Click links below.
We're excited to announce a new addition to our Whisky & Words line-up: Masterclasses. We’ve assembled six tailored pop-ups across Granville Island where experts will guide you through your favourite whiskies (and soon-to-be favourites) along with food pairings from some of the city’s best purveyors. Masterclasses will take place from 5:30-7pm.
BC Whisky: Whiskies from our corner of the world are making a splash on the world stage. Join Charlene Rooke in Edible Canada’s demo kitchen to explore the best of BC whiskies including Shelter Point, Lohin Mckinnon, Goodridge&Williams, Okanagan Spirits and more along with local, farm-to-table fare from Edible's esteemed kitchen. $65
Terroir & Bourbon: Join Colin Bussiere of Only Hearts Spirits to explore and taste the impact terroir brings to local craft North American bourbon along with Origins Coffee Roasters’s John Sanders to discuss these revered and culturally important beverages, as well as the producers that represent them. $50
SOLD OUT Science & Whisky: Tuck into the Crush private dining room at The Sandbar restaurant with ambassador Bryan Simpson, to take an in-depth look at the science behind Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky. Simpson will reveal the brand's unique processes and lead you through a selection of the Glenmorangie range including Glenmorangie 10 Year Old, Lasant, Nectar D’or, Signet and Glenmorangie Mystery Bottle—all while enjoying canapés from the kitchen. $65
SOLD OUT Whisky & Authors: Join Jamie Johnson of The Balvenie and author Alix Ohlin for a cozy fireside conversation celebrating the crafts of whisky-making and writing. Whiskies including The Balvenie's DoubleWood 12, Caribbean Cask 14, DoubleWood 17 and Single Barrel 12 will be paired with elegant bites from Dockside Restaurant. $65
SOLD OUT Women & Whisky: Join Beth Havers, Canada's first female Scotch Ambassador, for an exploration of Glenfiddich's Experimental Series at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts featuring exciting food pairings by PICA chefs. $65
WHISKY & WORDS
Explore Whiskies | Craft Spirits | Craft Beer | Wine
Please join us at the 19th annual Whisky & Words (formerly The Dram) in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest’s youth education outreach programs. Enjoy unlimited drams of whisky from distilleries around the world, including Scotland, Canada and Japan, as well as American craft bourbon; you’ll find local craft spirits and beer too.
The Vancouver Writers Fest is a registered, non-profit charity; as such, all ticket holders will receive a tax receipt for 75% of their ticket value. For example, a $100 ticket means you will be issued a tax receipt in the amount of $75.
Sip & Stay: SOLD OUT. Patrons were so enthusiastic to book that there are no longer rooms available at the hotel. Stay the night at the Granville Island Hotel; Whisky & Words attendees will receive a special discount rate with their ticket.
***This event sells out; please purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment!***
GENERAL ADMISSION (once Early Bird tickets sell out) - TICKETS $100 - VIP TICKETS $150
VIP Entry: 7–8pm
General Admission Entry: 8–11pm
A few highlights from this year's silent auction:
- A 3-day Whistler getaway.
- Five-course whisky-themed Tasting Menu for 4-6 guests paired with Highland Park at Boulevard Restaurant.
- Four-course dinner for 4 guests with dram selections and whisky-inspired cocktails at Yaletown’s hottest new restaurant, Elisa.
- A whisky tasting experience at the new Parq Vancouver's Hidden Lounge at D/6.
- Whiskies, spirits and more like The Macallan Edition Series 1-4.
- Gift certificates for The Origo Club, Earls, Tractor, The Keg, Bridges and many more.
A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT'S POURING AT THIS YEAR'S WHISKY & WORDS (stay tuned for more as they become available):
- Aberlour
- Ardbeg
- Balvenie
- Progressive Hebridean Distillers
- Glenfarclas
- Glenfiddich
- Glenfiddich 12
- Glenfiddich 14
- Glenfiddich 15
- Glenfiddich IPA
- Glenfiddich Project XX
- Fire and Cane
- Glenlivet
- Glenmorangie
- Highland Park
- Jameson
- Japanese Whisky
- Shin White Oak Aged Whisky Umeshu
- Shinobu Blended Whisky Mizunara Cask Finish
- Shinobu Pure Malt Whisky Mizunara Cask Finish
- Suntory Whisky Toki
- Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky
- J.P. Wiser's
- Laphroaig
- Central City Brewers + Distillers
- Lohin McKinnon Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky
- Lohin McKinnon Peated Single Malt Whisky
- Lohin McKinnon Single Malt VQA Wine Barrel Finished Whisky
- Lohin McKinnon Single Malt Whisky
- Lohin McKinnon Tequila Barrel Finished Whisky
- Macallan
- Odd Society Spirits
- Bittersweet Vermouth
- Commodore Canadian Single Malt
- Prospector Canadian Rye
- Wallflower Oaken Gin
- Scapa
- Glansa
- Skiren
- Spot Whiskeys
- Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Twa Dogs Brewing
- Prince Dougal's Dram
- Twa Cask Highland
- Twa Cask Islay
- Twa Cask Speyside
- American Bourbon
- Kings County Bourbon
- Kings County Peated Bourbon
- Oppidan Cane & Rye
- Oppidan Smoke & Sea Bourbon
- Oppidan Solera Aged Bourbon
- Roots and Wings Distillery
VIP-Only Pours (more to come)
- Ardbeg Uigeadail
- The Balvenie PortWood 21
- Bomber Brewing Spicy Nuggs Imperial Rye Stout, 9.0% abv; collaboration with Sawdust City Brewing, Gravenhurst, ON
- Bruichladdich Black Art 6
- Glenfarclas 21
- Glenfiddich Winter Storm
- Glenlivet 21
- Highland Park 18 Year Old
- Jameson 18
- J.P. Wiser's 19 Seasoned Oak
- Kujira 8 Year Old Single Grain Whisky
- Lohin McKinnon Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky
- Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask
- Odd Society Spirits 2 Year Old Malt Whisky
- Old 55 Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
- Victoria Caledonian Distillery Mac Na Braiche
Beer
- Bomber Brewing
- Bomber Pilsner, 4.8% abv
- Bourbon Barrel Aged Choqlette Porter, 5.5% abv
- Toto Darkness Black Lager, 5.4% abv
Other highlights of the event include a Legacy Liquor Store pop-up so you can purchase what you’re tasting.
If you’d like to be involved with this year’s Whisky & Words, please contact Andrew Forshner or call 604-262-2080.
FAQ
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Yes. This is a 19+ event.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Granville Island can be accessed by bus or by car. Unlimited free parking is available on the Island from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Overnight (24 hour) parking at the EasyPark lot next to the venue costs $15.11.
The Vancouver Trolley Company will offer a shuttle service from the event venue to Olympic Village Skytrain Station every half hour from 9:35 pm (first shuttle) to 11:59 pm (last shuttle).
Sip & Stay overnight at the Granville island Hotel with a discounted Whisky & Words rate. Select this option during checkout.
What is the refund policy?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for this non-profit event. If you aren’t able to use your ticket, please consider donating it to your best friend, sister or donating it back to the Vancouver Writers Festival as we could not operate without the generosity of our patrons.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, this is not necessary. All guests will be on a guest list at the door.
Tell me more about what my ticket price covers.
100% of funds raised this evening support the Vancouver Writers Fest’s operational programming like Spreading the Word, as well as events in classrooms across the Lower Mainland and non-traditional locations like BC Children’s Hospital and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre to ensure all kids in BC can feed their imaginations.
All brand ambassadors volunteer their time and goods to make the non-profit Whisky & Words festival happen.
Please consider supporting them by buying some of your favourite whisky in advance from Legacy Liquor Store.
It’s flu season so, without further ado, we leave you with these whisky recipes for the common cold.
