Wisers That’s Spiced UP! Halloween launch event

Established in 1857, Wiser’s is one of Canada’s oldest whiskeys but the Spiced Up blend is one of the newest kids on the block. I attended a Halloween-themed launch event earlier this week where we got to try the brew out in a number of different scenarios – neat, simple bar mixes, hot toddies over an outdoor campfire with smores and extravagant cocktails like the Headless Horseman (see below for recipe!) In fact, many of the suggested recipes are quite feasible in the most lacking of home-bars, given a bottle of Angostura bitters or other, are on hand.

And now a word from our sponsors, errr flavour experts! “Offering French vanilla with traces of raisins and English toffee on the nose, rich amber colour, a full body, and a flavour profile boasting sweet caramelized toffee and dried fruit rounded off with pleasant vanilla, Wiser’s Spiced provides Canadians with a new way to enjoy its expertly crafted whisky. Wiser’s Spiced is available in the LCBO for $27.95.”

Other highlights of the event were a costume guessing contest based on famous literary characters. Some of the get-ups were tricky like cryptic crosswords — a girl in spandex and a 80s side-pony tail was 1984. Death of a Salesman and the Portrait of Dorian Gray were a little more straightforwards, see below for all the pics!

The Headless Horseman” (created by Mixologist Gavin MacMillan)

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Wisers Spiced Canadian Whisky

2 oz Pumpkin Cider*

0.5 oz Egg White

Method: Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled coupe with cinnamon sugar rim.

*Note: For this cocktail you may substitute Apple Cider for Pumpkin Cider, if you cannot purchase pumpkin cider or do not wish to make your own.

During Halloween season, Pumpkin Cider can be purchased at Toronto-based Chasers Fresh Juices at their store or through their website (http://www.chasersjuice.com/).

But you can also make Pumpkin Cider at home in a few easy steps, by following this recipe:

Ingredients:

1 can pumpkin purée

2 litres fresh apple cider (not apple juice)
4 lemons, juiced
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Method:

Mix all ingredients in a blender, then heat in a saucepan on a low simmer, stirring often. Chill before serving.

Spiced Apple and Ginger

1 oz Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky

3 oz apple juice

3 oz ginger ale

Build all ingredients in a highball filled with ice and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Vanilla Old Fashioned

2 oz Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky

1 tsp sugar

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 tsp water

Add sugar to the bottom of a rocks glass and add Angostura bitters and water, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Add Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky, fill glass with ice, and stir. Garnish with an orange zest.

Canadian Coffee

1 oz Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky

½ oz Kahlúa

2 oz espresso

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Spiced Sour

2 oz Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky

1 oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz sugar syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Vanilla Iced Tea

1 oz Wiser’s Spiced Canadian Whisky