What do you want to do after work? Answer: sit down to a whisky flight and a charcuterie board at Boilermaker House. Tasting sessions run every Thursday, with each week featuring a different theme.
Last week I found myself nestled in the back of the bar ready to learn about the impact of cask finishes the best way possible – through a lot of tastings. Max, our dapper guide to all things whisky, started us out with a white dog. This spirit hasn’t been cask aged and it provided a base line for the variety of aged whiskies we were about to try. Our flight included whiskies finished in sauternes, port, and rum barrels. We sniffed and savoured flavours like toffee, molasses, raisin, honey, and vanilla. My two surprise favourites from the night were the fifteen year Glendronach and the Lagavulin, both aged in sherry casks. Suddenly sherry is looking a lot more appealing!
photo courtesy Boilermaker House
The tastings are a casual affair – you can book ahead or just walk-up for the 6pm sessions. There were only four of us in attendance that rainy night, which made for some enjoyable socializing with the other whisky enthusiasts. This isn’t an all-night event; we were in and out within the hour. Max got through the tastings quickly, then dropped off a shared charcuterie board and scooted off.
Boilermaker House has 600 whiskies on the wall, but they don’t have the pretentious attitude to match. They make these spirits accessible to both novices and aficionados. If you’re already a connoisseur, you’re guaranteed to find something new to try. If you’re just dipping your toes in the whisky pool, the staff will answer your questions without judgement (which we put to the test with some of our enquiries that evening!) The tasting themes change weekly and rumour has it next week is all about Australian whiskies. Sample some Tasmanian peat at this new CBD bar.
-Jenny Schmidt
Jenny Schmidt is an event addict. She earned a BFA in theatre and has participated in arts festivals on three different continents (plus a couple of islands). When she’s not attending live shows, you can find her sampling the latest craft beer or sipping a classic cocktail.
Thursday Night Tasting Sessions run every week at 6pm for $50 at Boilermaker House.
