Spirit of Sudbury

08/20/2026

Greetings,

It is with mixed emotions that Spirit of Sudbury announces the cancellation of the 2026 event, originally scheduled for October 24th, 2026 at Sudbury’s Science North. Spirit of Sudbury was founded with the vision of providing a world-class experience for spirit enthusiasts and those who are curious about the world of fine spirits and distilling. Providing this level of experience requires a high level of human and other resources. As the organizers experience advancements in their respective professional careers, increased demands are placed on the time and energy available to plan and execute the event. After extensive discussions, it became clear to the organization that providing the world-class level of experience for 2026 could be a challenge.

Founders Marc and David would like to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all those who purchased tickets for 2025 or 2026, as well as vendors, distillers, volunteers and anyone involved. Spirit of Sudbury is grateful for the support of its community in launching the first-ever event of its kind for Northern Ontario.

All tickets purchased for 2026 will be refunded, as well as any vendor fees paid. Please allow some time for the organization to process these transactions. If yours has not been received within 1 month, please contact [email protected].

At this time, the organization hopes that the event can return for 2027 with a refreshed plan and path forward.

Thank you very much for your interest and support.

Cheers 🥂,

Marc Lavigne & David Franke
Founders
Spirit of Sudbury Inc.
[email protected]

06/22/2026

Spirit of Sudbury is on the 'gram! Connect with us over there:

83 Followers, 59 Following, 31 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Spirit of Sudbury ()

06/18/2026

Spirit of Sudbury 2026 is thrilled to present the James Dorland Trio, as the official band for the occasion - playing world-class instrumental jazz, all night long.

Local musician and promoter James Dorland has the privilege to be joined by two world-class musicians and educators living locally. Louis Simão has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including Nelly Furtado, Kiran Ahluwalia, Patricia Cano, Dominic Mancuso, Michael Occhipinti, Luis Mario Ochoa, Justin Rutledge, and many others. In 2025, Simão received the World Music Grand Prize and Lennon Award from The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Brian Quebec has been a member of the Canadian jazz community for over 40 years having collaborated with Ed Bickert, Patrica Cano, Kevin Turcotte, Reg Schwager, Lorne Lofsky, Roddy Ellias, Jocelyn Gould, Brian O’Kane, Christian Overton and Virginia MacDonald to name a few. 🎵

**ky ***ey ***ey 🎹

06/15/2026

We're on LinkedIn! Let's 'link' up:

Spirit of Sudbury | 167 followers on LinkedIn. Promoting a sophisticated and elegant learning culture around wh***ey and spirits for all to experience and enjoy. | We We are passionate about wh**ky, community and Northern pride.

06/13/2026

The unique and refined Masala Spirits Co. will be BACK for Spirit of Sudbury 2026 , with their signature Masala Wh***ey. 🥃

"We’re proud to share that Masala Wh***ey has earned a Bronze Medal at the 2025 Canadian Wh**ky Awards and a Silver Medal at the Best Cocktails Spirits Competition. Celebrate the craftsmanship and unique flavour that make Masala Wh***ey an award-winning spirit."

Discover Spirit of Sudbury 2025 – Northern Ontario’s premier wh**ky event. Tastings, masterclasses, live jazz, and community at Science North.

06/11/2026

Northern Ontario's own Legend Spirits will be back for Spirit of Sudbury 2026 , Oct. 24! Tickets are available at www.spiritofsudbury.com. 🥂

"Legend Spirits Company is a distillery, hand-crafted cocktail bar, restaurant and retail shop located on the historic Seguin River in downtown Parry Sound. Local couple Raymond and Susan Boyden, along with longtime family friend Steven Joyce, have teamed to create some of Canada’s finest spirits in one of our country’s most breathtaking landscapes. A lot of legends have sprung out of the Canadian Shield around Parry Sound, and our distillery and restaurant celebrate them.

Working with the bones of 15,000 square foot former Crofter’s Jam Factory, Ray and a handful of dear friends (who also happen to be some seriously talented tradesmen) have transformed the ground floor into a traditional distillery where Master Distillers Andrii Svyrydov and Dan Ferchat concoct their small batch Wh**kys, Vodkas and Gins into more than a dozen products including our popular Watermelon Vodka, Nutski Peanut Butter Wh**ky and Mango Pineapple Gin..."

05/20/2026

🥃 Spirit of Sudbury 2026 will be back on Oct. 24th! While the whiskies and gins are among the most popular, there will be a wide array of spirits available, from many fine distillers. There will even be a few excellent rums!

Rum originated in the Caribbean during the 17th century, where enslaved people on sugarcane plantations discovered that molasses—a byproduct of sugar refining—could be fermented and distilled into alcohol. Initially known as "kill-devil" or "rumbullion" due to its harshness, it quickly became a staple commodity, fueling the triangular trade between the Caribbean, New England, and Africa. Barbados is widely recognized as the birthplace of rum, with records of production dating back to the 1650s.

05/12/2026

Last Straw Distillery was a definitely a favourite in 2025, and they'll be back, October 24th, 2026 in ! Secure your spot now at www.spiritofsudbury.com.

The Last Straw Distillery story is about family and friends coming together to bring a crazy idea to life. How exactly did a group of people with no background in the food and beverage business - let alone in making spirits – build an award-winning distillery in Vaughan, Ontario? It’s a story of imagination, hard work, perseverance, and above all, love.

"Through all of this, we have developed recipes of the highest quality that are truly unique to Last Straw Distillery. Each recipe was developed from scratch, and in-house by trial, error, and practice, and without the use of outside consultants, high-tech gadgets, or marketing gimmicks. To this day, everything from dumping the grain in the mash tun to filling and labeling bottles is done by hand, and with pride. We love what we do and we believe that the love comes through in every bottle."

**ky ***ey **ky ***ey

05/04/2026

Spirit of Sudbury is about the art, science and heritage of fine spirits. The 2026 edition takes place October 24th at Science North's exhibit hall in ! Yes, you'll find amazing whiskies and gins at the event, but did you know that the event also features a wide variety of spirits & liqueurs? This includes world-class vodkas from Ontario and far beyond! Secure your spot now. Also enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live jazz, and excellent networking & conversation. Secure your spot now at www.spiritofsudbury.com.

04/20/2026

🥂 🎟 Tickets now available for 2026's Master Class with Stuart Brown. Visit our www.spiritofsudbury.com to secure your spot. Space is limited.

It all happens Oct. 24 at Science North's exhibit hall.

MASTER CLASS
Classic Malts with Stuart Brown
​
Join wh**ky educator and enthusiast Stuart Brown for an engaging and enlightening master class at the second annual Spirit of Sudbury event. In "Classic Malts,” Stuart will guide attendees through the distinctions between six (6) classic malts.

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned sipper, this session offers a rare opportunity to deepen your appreciation for Scotch wh**ky. Through an interactive tasting and expert commentary, you’ll explore the unique production methods, flavour profiles, and heritage behind each wh**ky — and learn how to identify and enjoy the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences.
Expect myth-busting insights, practical tips for selecting and tasting wh**ky, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere designed to make wh**ky more accessible to all.

Stuart Brown was trained over two (2) decades by Johnnie Walker’s Master Distillers and Master Blenders. As part of the Mentorship Program held at the famed Cardhu Distillery in Speyside, he studied all aspects of wh**ky from the cooperage, peat production distilling process to blending of various whiskies in the Johnnie Walker and the Classic Malts line. Stuart became the first Canadian National Wh**ky Ambassador for Johnnie Walker and the Classic Malts.

Under the tutelage of many wh**ky experts in the Johnnie Walker family such as Ian Williams, Jonathan Driver, Evan Cattanach and Jim Beverage, Stuart compiled information that now has become the basis of his seminars.

Not a stranger to the master class programs across Canada, Stuart has been part of numerous wh**ky shows and has enlightened thousands of wh**ky enthusiasts. His enthusiasm and passion for the history of wh**ky enables him to deliver a tasting like no other.