The Victoria Highland Games Association is once again pleased to present “The Whisky Tasting School” on May 17th and 18th, 2025 at the 162nd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park.

All sessions will feature single malt whiskies presented by ambassadors representing a variety of whiskies from around the world.

The registration fee is $49.00 (Sunday Food and Whisky pairing sessions $59.00 ) and includes a one-day field entry (value $20).

Guests must be aged 19 years or older to attend!

Each session has limited seating; in previous years all sessions have sold out prior to the Games so don’t be late in registering!

Details of the 9 sessions are as follows:

Tickets are non-refundable

(WS1)
Saturday May 17th 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Whisky Folk
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with Adam Bradshaw

Over the last six years, Adam at The Strath has proudly sourced and released over 20 exclusive single cask whiskies. Join him as he shares a selection of his favourites from Scotland and beyond, and also reveals some exciting brand-new editions to the lineup.

(WS2)
Saturday May 17th 12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
House of Suntory Japanese Whisky Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with Rick Sousa

Come and join Victoria Single Malt Club President Rick Sousa as he takes you journey through the vaults of the House of Suntory Japanese Whiskies.

(WS3)
Saturday May 17th 1:55 PM – 2:55 PM
Charcuterie and Sleeman and Son’s Spring Hill Distillery Masterclass
Price: $59 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with distillery representative

Come enjoy charcuterie from the Whole Beast and taste a selection of whiskies from Sleeman and Son’s Spring Hill Distillery including the long anticipated John Sleeman and Sons Single Malt. For more information on The Whole Beast, visit www.thewholebeast.ca.

(WS4)
Saturday May 17th 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Glenallachie Distillery Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with James Bornn

Billy Walker has achieved about as much as one can achieve in the whisky business, from his early days at Chivas through the sale of BenRiach and GlenDronach. His newest venture at GlenAllachie distillery, focusing of heavily peated spirit as well as richly sherried single malts, may be his best work to date. As it turns out, Billy’s hand is as deft with peat as it is with sherry. The full range of GlenAllachie expressions, both peated, sherried and other, will be featured.”

(WS5)
Saturday May 17th 5:05 PM – 6:05 PM
Laphroaig Distillery Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with distillery representative

The number one selling Islay Single Malt in the World is a fan favourite for flavour and history. Those lucky enough to attend this Masterclass will experience a good dose of Islay lore and some very special drams of Laphroaig.

(WS6)
Sunday May 18th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Paul John Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with distillery representative

Paul John Whisky is made from Indian 6-row malted barley and, for some variants, imported Islay and Aberdeen peat, distilled in traditional copper pot stills and then matured in charred American Oak casks at the company’s distillery in Goa, India. The Paul John Single Malt expressions (except Nirvana) are non-chill filtered, with no added colour, additives, or flavours. Come experience a selection of these exceptional spirits that have won over 290 prestigious international awards.

(WS7)
Sunday May 18th 12:35 PM – 1:35 PM
Whyte and Mackay Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with Adam Bradshaw

Take a tour of Scotland’s exceptional single malts from the Islands, Speyside, and Highlands. Featuring Jura, Tamnavulin and Fettercairn.

(WS8)
Sunday May 18th 2:10 PM – 3:10 PM
Scotch Malt Whisky Society Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with Lawrence Graham

SMWS Canada invites members and guests alike to join host Lawrence Graham, Co-Founder of the Victoria Whisky Festival, Keeper of the Quaich and long time SMWS member, as he leads you through an exciting lineup of SMWS whiskies.

(WS9)
Sunday May 18th 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
The Vancouver Island Distilleries Masterclass
Price: $49 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT On Sale Soon Buy Now!
with Chris Reid, Brennan Colebank, and Graeme Macaloney

Over the past two decades, several Vancouver Island distilleries have produced a myriad of award winning whiskies. In fact, Macaloney’s Island Distillery won the 2025 Canadian Whisky of the Year honours for its Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt. Come and join representatives from Shelter Point, Stillhead, and Macaloney’s Island distilleries and sample the excellent world class whiskies each of these are producing.