Theatre Northwest is pouring Scotch with a twist.
No, not a splash of lemon or dash of salt - that kind of twist is blasphemy to aficionados of the Scottish nectar - but the kind of twist that surprises and enthuses the mind.
Scotch drinkers have their stringent beliefs. The only foreign substance one should ever add to the stuff is water, if you absolutely must, and in low doses.
If you dare say a blend tastes better than a single-malt, you may not be wrong but you'd better be prepared to defend yourself.
Swirl and inhale (twice, actually, to offload the alcohol smell and get at the organics underneath it) before taking a small sip. And always take only small sips.
But on the other hand, Scotch drinkers are also noted for their adventurous attitudes and dogged detective work in the pursuit of knowledge of their beloved ambrosia.
TNW's resident Scotch maven Marnie Hamagami holds a regular series of Scotch tasting events, which does the double duty of satiating those swashbucklers of taste and raising funds for the city's premier theatre organization. Like a high seas admiral, she designs each event like a battle and the one on Saturday night will burst with volleys of whisky no one in Prince George has ever experienced before.
The love of Scotch is a universal imperative, and Japan - a nation of technical innovation and a love of savoury alcohol already - has acquired a taste for the rich flavour of the highlands. Since Scotland is about as far away from Japan as one dram can get from its cask, they did the research and the beta-testing to create one of their own. Only whisky distilled in Scotland can be called Scotch, so the Japanese version is respectfully dubbed Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky. And Hamagami acquired some for this event.
"Just so we're clear: there is no coffee or coffee flavour in this whisky," she said.
"The coffee reference is because of the kind of machinery they have at the Nikka distillery. This isn't a gimmick, they take Scotch very seriously. And, yes, it is very good tasting."
Scotland is known as much for heavy drama as much as heavy whisky. Hamagami added the Scotch world's most exhilarating mystery to this event as well.
Two varieties will be on offer - Ileach and Finlaggan - that have won hearts but avoided the sleuthing tongues of even the most dedicated drinkers.
"They are fine Scotches but there are only theories about who actually makes them. It's such fun," she said. "The source of Finlaggan has remained a very closely guarded secret. To tell the true origin of Old Reserve you'll simply have to taste it and find out. The Ileach is a peaty single malt from a secret Islay distillery. This has received rave reviews from whisky critics and has a solid core of peat and malt."
There will be other prized flavours on the TNW table as well. It is a night of fluid conversation and fluids that seem, themselves, to communicate. Tickets are $75 and the numbers are limited.
There will be an array of appetizers and the attendance of expert Scotch facilitators to discuss the details of where Scotch comes from, region to region, bottle to bottle, and how the magic is made. The more one learns about the fiery peat-water, the more enjoyment that comes from each sip.
All proceeds from the Scotch event goes to fund the theatrical programming of TNW. Tickets can be purchased via the TNW website (look under the Outreach/Education heading) or by phoning Hamagami at 250-563-6969, extension 305.
