Almost everyone in Canada knows Nanaimo for the sweet dessert that is named after the city. But this great city has another less known feature called the Nanaimo Whisk(e)y Festival accompanied with Wee Tipple Party by Crimson Coast Dance Society. The festival takes place at the whiskey bar of the Grand Hotel. The hotel has been host to this event since 1999. A whiskey-thirsty guest of the hotel inspired this tradition.
This proud establishment offers more than 75 different bottles of the most popular drink. The drinks go from traditional single malt Scotch to more intricate blends and exotics worldwide like India, Japan, or Tasmania. The bar is also host to the annual Wee Tipple Whiskey Tasting, a fundraising event for Nanaimo's Crimson Coast Dance Society. The difference between whiskeys is mostly geography, and sometimes one or two additional ingredients. An interesting fact about whiskey is that it only ages when it is still in the barrel, and when it is bottled, it doesn't really matter how long it's been kept; it is still the same.
Nanaimo Whisk(e)y Festival is held at the Grand Hotel, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. The hotel is in Nanaimo's north end and not too far from downtown. A natural rock garden surrounds the Grand Hotel all around the property with breathtaking foliage, roses, fig-trees, herbs and even an olive tree. The garden area is a perfect venue for wedding ceremonies, and you can invite up to 130 guests. The hotel is close to main transportation modes, such as BC Ferries, the seaplane terminals, Nanaimo Parkway and the Nanaimo Airport. So it has easy access.
From Nanaimo:
The best and fastest route from downtown Nanaimo to the Grand Hotel Nanaimo is Terminal Ave N and Island Hwy N/BC-19A N. It is 9.5 km (5.9 miles) and takes about 10 minutes.
Head northwest on Wallace St toward Wentworth St and go on for 500 m (310.6 ft). Turn right onto Comox Rd, and after 93 m (57.7 ft), turn left onto Terminal Ave N/Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Continue to follow Terminal Ave N for 2.7 km (1.6 miles). Go onto Island Hwy N/BC-19A N and drive 5.7 km (3.5 miles). Turn right onto Rutherford Rd (signs for Rutherford Road). Destination will be on the right, and after 450 m (279.6 ft) more, you will reach The Grand Hotel Nanaimo.
From Victoria:
Getting to the Grand Hotel Nanaimo from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 121 km (75.1 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and go on for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Continue on Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N to Nanaimo and drive 118 km (73.3 miles). Follow Mostar Rd. and go to Rutherford Rd for 1.7 km (1 mile) to reach The Grand Hotel Nanaimo.
The origin of whiskey goes back to the countrysides of old Scotland. It has found its way out of the country by travellers such as Masataka Taketsuru of Japan. In the 1900s, Masataka Taketsuru, who wanted to study the whiskey craft, travelled halfway around the world to Scotland. When he went back home, he established Nikka Taketsuru and started producing his whiskey type. It is now one of the best whiskeys in the world. The whiskey bar at the Grand Hotel Nanaimo was started in 1999 when guests were asking for nice whiskeys at the bar before it was called a 'Whiskey Bar.' The more drinks were brought in to satisfy the thirst for whiskey, the more they asked for it, and the selection grew. Now we have Nanaimo Whisk(e)y Festival.
Nanaimo North Town Centre is a shopping mall and an excellent choice close to the hotel. It is a place you can spend hours and not noticing the time passing. Urban Planet, a clothing store, is another option for shopping; you browse through these shops and find what you want. If you favour watching the latest movies, Galaxy Cinemas Nanaimo is a perfect choice. Vina Lash Studio, a day spa, is an excellent place for relaxing after a day of exertion. Since Long Lake is nearby, you can stroll there and enjoy the beach with a stunning view, and while doing that, you can order something from one of the many take-outs in the center. For art enthusiasts, the good news is that the Art 10 Gallery is less than a kilometre (0.6 miles) to the northwest. It is an old and famous gallery among the regional artists.