Tastes of the Tavern:
Whisky Tasting & History Experience
Saturday, February 28 | 1 - 3:30 p.m. and 5 - 7:30 p.m.
$95 per person
Sip and savour the spirit of Niagara in the oldest home in St. Catharines.
Tastes of the Tavern pairs whisky, culinary creations, and history for an unforgettable experience.
Be guided through a tasting of three esteemed Canadian whiskies, specially curated by Canada’s first certified whisky ambassador Ajay Bhardwaj, and hear spirited stories from Niagara’s whisky history in the ballroom of the John Brown House (c. 1802-1804).
New this year:
We’ve teamed up with local chefs Darren Stoute and Charlene Glaw to offer elevated culinary creations to pair with each whisky.
Following the tasting, guests are invited to explore our storied stone house and discover its adaptive rehabilitation while indulging in desserts and a signature tavern-inspired cocktail.
Tastes of the Tavern makes a perfect gift for the whisky enthusiast, foodie, or local history buff!
Meet Your Guides
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The Whisky Consultant Ajay is Canada's first certified Whisky Ambassador and Director of Spirits at Iron Gate Auction. Ajay is the Director of North American Operations for the Whisky Ambassador Ltd from Scotland and has also co-developed and delivered the Advanced Whisky Ambassador certification. Ajay is passionate about sharing the story of the spirit and learning with others through the Whisky Ambassador certification, educational tasting events and consultations on investment-grade spirits for buyers and sellers.
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Your chef for the 1:30 p.m. seating, Chef Darren Stoute is based in Niagara and is the winner of the 2010 Iron Chef Niagara and awarded Reader’s Choice Awards “Best Chef in Niagara Falls".
Born in England from Caribbean parents, Darren grew up in Canada. He was drawn to the Niagara Region for its abundance of local fresh ingredients. Through his travels, his love for cooking, and exposure to many different people and cultures, Darren has developed a unique perspective and cultivated a passion for creating infused world-style foods.
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Your chef for the 5 p.m. seating, Charlene’s passion for culinary excellence is at the heart of Char In The Kitchen. Char offers customized catering services in the Niagara Region that are sure to delight and inspire. With a commitment to quality ingredients, exceptional flavor, and elegant presentation, Char crafts health-conscious dining experiences from-scratch tailored to her clients' lifestyles. Her services include private onsite-chef offerings, catered special events and buffets, children’s parties, and appetizer grazing tables. Additionally, Char is an established Montessori chef in St. Catharines.
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Sara Nixon is the Director of Community Engagement at The Brown Homestead. Raised in Grimsby, Sara grew up fascinated with the local history that surrounded her. She earned a Masters degree in Public History at Carleton University and has built a career in the museum and heritage fields over the past decade. Sara also currently serves as Chair of the Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee.
Two seating times, one day only!
Saturday, February 28
1 - 3:30 p.m. or 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Your $95 ticket includes:
Flight of 3 expert-selected whiskies and guided tasting led by Ajay Bhardwaj of Iron Gate
Culinary pairing bites specially curated by Darren Stoute (1 p.m. seating) and Charlene Glaw (5 p.m. seating)
Spirited stories from Niagara’s whisky history
1 signature tavern-inspired cocktail
Full access to the rooms of the John Brown House
Assorted dessert and light beverage station
Please note that the John Brown House is undergoing continued adaptive reuse work and is currently not wheelchair accessible. The guided-tasting portion of the event will take place on the second storey of the house, accessible by stairs only. Washroom facilities are outdoors and accessible by stairs only.
Accessibility
This event supports the ongoing adaptive rehabilitation of The Brown Homestead and future programming.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible.