Formerly Toronto-based Yongehurst Distilleries announced it had merged with The Farmhouse Spirits Company in Bradford, ON, in late April, “to come together to create a broad portfolio of the highest quality craft spirits produced right here in Ontario.”
Spirit of Toronto announced that its 2020 festival has been rescheduled to October 15 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto: register to be informed when tickets go one sale in September.
Spirit of Toronto festival is also running an Online Masterclasses Series, with tasting samples shipped in advance. Upcoming: “Rum for Whisky Lovers” on June 17, “Whisky & Chocolate” on June 18, “Whisky & Port” on June 19, “Whisky & Sherry” on June 20 and “Whisky & Peat” on June 21.
Bridgeland Distillery in Calgary received a bronze medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its unaged Single Malt Spirit, Mash #1, made with 100 per cent local barley from Red Shed Malting in Penhold, Alberta.
Ampersand Distilling in Duncan, BC, won the best Canadian Varietal Vodka as well as the World’s Best Varietal Vodka at the 2020 World Vodka Awards for its wheat-based Per Se Vodka.
Newfoundland Distillery Company’ s Gunpowder and Rose Rum won Best Spiced Rum in Canada at the 2020 World Rum Awards.
The cover story of the May 2020 issue of Calgary’s Avenue magazine touted the region’s local artisan distillers. Bridgeland Distillery, Burwood Distillery, Confluence Distilling, Last Best Brewing and Distilling, Romero Distilling, Skunkworks Distillery, Tippa and Two Rivers Distillery were among those featured.
A “Good Spirits” cover story in the Toronto Star’s weekend supplement was one of many pieces of local coverage featuring distillers providing hand sanitizer to essential workers and their communities.