Field Notes are written on-site at distilleries, bars, restaurants and other flavour-driven experiences. Each piece captures the atmosphere, the people, and the tastes that shape today’s flavour landscape.

Reece Sims Reece Sims

Field Note 007: Don’t Blend In, Instead Blend With the Best

Ninety whiskies. Five tables. One master blender. At Hiram Walker, Dr. Don Livermore leads a blending experience that’s equal parts education and inspiration. From historic mash bills and grain distillates to 40-year-old corn whisky and ryes finished in Black Sea oak, it’s a sensory playground where chemistry meets creativity. Each participant crafts a personal signature blend, guided by the science of distilling and the magic of flavor. It’s Canadian whisky at its most interactive—hands-on, history-rich, and surprisingly accessible.

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Reece Sims Reece Sims

Field Report 006: The Tender Side of Spirits

Fruit that doesn’t make it to grocery shelves finds new life at Spirit in Niagara. Here, bruised peaches, plums, and pears become crisp eau de vie, silky vodka, and even Canadian “Brrrbon.” It’s distilling with purpose, reducing waste while raising spirits.

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Reece Sims Reece Sims

Field Note 005: Higher Proof Education

In the heart of Ontario wine country, Niagara College has built something rare: a teaching distillery where education doesn’t stop at theory. Here, students learn the science, art, and business of distilling — and graduate with more than a certificate. They leave having made a real spirit that’s been bottled, labeled, and sold.

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