Theatre North West is offering a delicious dram of socialization and camaraderie blended with a delicious dram of Scotland's peaty nectar.
Scotch is savoured and studied by its enthusiasts the same way the cigars of the Caribbean or the wines of the world are imbibed.
The appreciation of Scotch is partly rooted in Highland pride, but also in the educated tastes of whiskey drinkers who let only that which is carefully crafted touch their lips.
There is such a community in Prince George, and TNW is getting them together for an evening built as a love letter to the amber firewater.
"One of the interesting things about Scotch is the variety available, and how someone's tastes are attracted to one versus another," said TNW board member Marnie Hamagami, the main organizer of the upcoming Scotch social.
"But there is so much more to it. There is a whole conversation that happens about how to drink Scotch. Some sneer about even an ice cube mixing with their Scotch. Some swear by adding a few drops of water to awaken the aromas and that then triggers a fuller flavour. Some people put 7-Up in their Scotch and I frankly don't understand why you'd ever vandalize a work of art like that, but hey, that's what some people do and that is exactly why this whole conversation happens, because people care about Scotch."
She is one of them and she is in good company in this city. Two such Scotch tastings have happened before, for TNW's fundraising sake, and an audience is expected of about 70 people for this coming edition, each of them paying $75 for the ticket.
The event goes beyond a mere tasting experience. There are focused discussions to improve Scotch knowledge, featured brands (this edition will emphasize the Highland label but there will be more), and always some special stars in a bottle. A popular feature is a bottle of ultra rare Scotch that goes home with a prize winner at the end of the night.
"This event serves a small but dedicated group that doesn't get many chances to meet up together over the thing they love, so it is serving a niche to have these events," said Hamagami.
"There seems to be a crossover between the Scotch drinking community and theatre-goers. This is a fundraiser, so Theatre North West gets the benefit of that, but we have also seen a lot of interest grow in what the theatre company is doing as a result of these social events. The Scotch drinker is apparently someone who can also savour live drama. Maybe that's because live theatre is hand-crafted and takes a huge amount of attention to detail to come out with a quality product at the end, that could be it. Both are small-batch, pleasurable, intellectual pursuits but also just fun and delicious. It's a good relationship we've got going on, that much is clear. And I get to drink amazing Scotch, so there's that, too."
The next Scotch And Social at Theatre North West (located at Parkhill Centre) is March 12, doors opening at 7 p.m. (first pour at 7:30). For tickets and information contact Hamagami at [email protected] or 250.563.6969 x306 or at Books & Company.
