Whisky Mentor

Kyrö Whisky Tasting
2025-08-16 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Join us for a deep dive into the bold and distinctive world of Kyrö Distillery’s award-winning spirits. This exclusive tasting event will spotlight a remarkable expression of Finnish whisky: a 100% malted rye whisky, peat-smoked and finished in Monbazillac wine casks; a unique combination that delivers complexity, richness, and smoky elegance in every sip.

This particular single cask release has been personally selected for Whisky Mentors, offering guests the rare opportunity to taste a limited and curated expression of Kyrö’s craftsmanship. We’ll begin by sampling the whisky neat to explore its full character, followed by a special serve: a handcrafted smoked Old Fashioned, prepared to highlight the whisky’s peaty, spicy profile with a touch of sweetness.

In addition to the whisky experience, we’ll also be featuring a tasting of three of Kyrö’s exceptional gins, showcasing the distillery’s mastery.

Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast, a cocktail lover, or simply curious about Finnish distilling traditions, this event promises a sensory journey through Nordic innovation and flavor.

Craft Beer Tasting
2025-08-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Summer’s Not Over Yet!Let’s welcome August with crisp, cool, and refreshing craft brews from Connecticut Valley Brewing Company, Frost Beer Works, and Other Half Brewing. These hard-to-find gems are as rare as they are delicious, and tastings like this don’t come around often. Don’t miss your chance to sip something special!

Cigar Malt Whisky Launch
2025-07-13 12:00 - 14:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, Connecticut, 06331, United States
Join us for the launch of Irene’s Cigar Malt Whisky; a bold and complex American single malt crafted to pair with finest cigars. This peated, wine cask-finished whisky delivers rich notes of dark fruit and tobacco, perfectly balanced by the bright, sweet character of fruit wood-smoked barley.

Irene will be joined by Ty Phelps, her partner on this project and founder of Andalusia Distillery in Blanco, Texas. Together, they’ll be on hand to meet guests and co-sign bottles of this special release.

We’ll also be joined by Ali from Smokers Discount World in North Windham, bringing a curated selection of premium cigars to pair with our whisky. Enjoy standout smokes like the Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary and the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary, a perfect match for the depth and richness of the Cigar Malt.

Come sip, savor, and discover the art of pairing whisky and cigars. Don’t miss it!

Sake Class
2025-06-21 16:00 - 17:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a Certified Sake expert. Learn about production methods, styles, tasting techniques and food pairings. Bring your own sushi or sashimi if you like. Normally we would charge for a class like this but through the generosity of our educator, this class is free. Limited spaces so sign up quickly.

Agave Spirits and Food Pairing
2025-05-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Experience agave spirits and mezcal like you never have before. Asaf Cohen of Dos Locos and his buddy Chef Dan will be presenting an incredible afternoon of education, tasting and food pairing of Caminitos line of Espadin, Esadin Puntas, Tobala, Tepextate and Papalometl. You don’t want to miss this exclusive event.

Augusta Distillery Old Route 8 QS01 Fated Tasting
2025-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
If you haven’t tasted this bourbon yet, do yourself a favor and show up this Friday. Chase all the unicorns you want and waste your time or come check out this classic Kentucky Bourbon. There are very few bourbons these days I’d pull the trigger on when they are over a hundred buckaroos but this is one is an exception. Learn why I picked the younger 8 yr old over the 10 yr old. Graduation gifts, late Mother’s Day gifts, Father’s Day gifts or just a gift to yourself. This will not disappoint. Cheers!

Bourbon and Wine Tasting
2025-05-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
If your mom drinks bourbon or wine, she deserves better. Come get some of our latest bourbon picks and wine picks for her.

Saturday Wine Tasting
2025-04-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
A very special selection of premium wines for your holiday weekend with our wine expert Anthony. He can answer all your questions about what’s going to pair with what for your holiday meal. If nothing else, come taste some delicious wines.

Wine and Spirits Tasting
2025-04-18 15:00 - 18:00 | CT
It’s going to be a GOOD Friday. We have wines, gins, vodkas and cocktails for you. Stop in to see us from 3 to 6 pm

Watershed Uncut Unfiltered Batch 005 Launch
2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Join us the Saturday for the much anticipated release of Watershed’s Uncut, Unfiltered Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Ryan Venrick (Watershed Distillery) and Irene Tan (Whisky Mentors) collaborated on the blending project to bring this to YOU (thirsty bourbon fans). We will both be available to autograph your bottles if you like and tell you everything you want to know about this release. THIS is delicious bourbon!!

Kings Code 3 Tan's Fury Massachusetts Launch
2025-03-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Pemberton Farms Marketplace, 2225 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02140, United States
Join us for the launch and bottle signing of Kings Code 3 Tan’s Fury at Pemberton Farms, Cambridge, MA. Amanda Beckwith, lead blender at Virginia Distillery Company will be co-hosting this event with Irene Tan.

Kings Code 3 is a blend of whiskies sourced from Virginia Distillery Company and Clonakilty Distillery. Come find out why this third edition is “angry” whiskey. We will have all three Kings Code editions available for tasting.

Kings Code 3 Tan's Fury CT Launch
2025-03-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Join us for the launch and bottle signing of Kings Code 3 Tan’s Fury at Canterbury Liquors. Amanda Beckwith, lead blender at Virginia Distillery Company and Padraic Col, co-founder of Clonakilty Distillery will be co-hosting this event with Irene Tan.

Kings Code 3 is a blend of whiskies sourced from these two distilleries. Come find out why this third edition is “angry” whiskey. We will have all three Kings Code editions available for tasting.

Kings Code 3 Tan's Fury The Savory Grape, RI Launch
2025-03-14 16:30 - 18:30 | The Savory Grape, 1000 Division St Unit 130, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, 02818, United States
Join us for the launch and bottle signing of Kings Code 3 Tan’s Fury at The Savory Grape. Amanda Beckwith, lead blender at Virginia Distillery Company will be co-hosting this event with Irene Tan.

Kings Code 3 is a blend of whiskies sourced from Virginia Distillery Company and Clonakilty Distillery. Come find out why this third edition is “angry” whiskey. We will have all three Kings Code editions available for tasting.

Single Cask Nation Whisky Tasting
2025-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Calling all whisky fans, especially if you’re a Single Cask Nation fan. From 2 to 4 pm this Saturday, we are going to be sipping from our single barrel pick to a whole bunch of other SCN expressions that are finally available in CT. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Free Wine Tasting
2025-01-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
If you are not into sherries, (our concurrent event) we have a free wine tasting for you Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 pm. 2 red and 2 whites. Perfect for pairing with lunch, dinner, or even breakfast if you are so inclined.

Sherry Education Class
2025-01-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
This won’t be your mother’s Harvey’s Bristol Cream sherry, but a wide range of styles and flavors across 8 different sherry varieties from Williams & Humbert – Fino, Amontillado, Mazanilla, Palo Cortado, 15 yr Oloroso, 15 yr PX, Cream Sherry, Dry Sack.

Please remit your $30 payment by January 10

by check

to Irene Tan 180 Westminster Rd # 3, Canterbury, CT

or

these forms of payment are also acceptedVenmo –

@whiskymentorsPaypal customsw@gmail.comZelle customsw@gmail.com

Please pay as a friend so we don’t absorb the processing fees

Crafting Cocktails with Ben Fuller
2024-12-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Join us this Saturday afternoon for a cocktails class with Spirits and Cocktails expert Ben Fuller to learn the how to make cocktails the way the pros do. This is a free class but you do have to sign up for it. Go to the whiskymentors.com to sign up.

Bruichladdich Masterclass
2024-12-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Join us for an exclusive exploration of Bruichladdich Distillery, where whisky craftsmanship meets bold innovation. This Master Class delves into the Bruichladdich story, with each whisky representing a unique chapter. Discover the unpeated Classic Laddie, a testament to Bruichladdich’s pioneering spirit. Taste the essence of Islay in Bruichladdich Islay Barley, a single vintage whisky crafted from locally sourced grain. Sip Port Charlotte 10 with some bacon (BYO Bacon). Experience Bruichladdich Eighteen, a landmark whisky distilled by the new team, marking a turning point in the distillery’s history. Finally, delve into Octomore (which edition tbd), a whisky that pushes the boundaries of peated whisky to create a masterpiece that defies convention.

Wines for the holidays
2024-11-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
It’s that time of year to get together with friends and family. Share some good eats and drink so good wines. Stop in for a taste, we have some fun stuff for you.

Bourbon and Wine Tasting with Irene Tan
2024-11-16 18:00 - 22:00 | Jacques Cartier Club, 79 WIlson St, Jewett City, Connecticut, 06351, United States
Jacques Cartier Club

Upstairs Hall – Open to the public

$30 per person – ask your bartender for tickets. Call 860-376-9872 to purchase tickets.

6 to 10 pm Bourbon and Wine Tasting

8 pm to 10 pm Music by Dan Watson

BYOF – burnt ends, bacon, sharp cheese, shrimp cocktail, etc

Blind Beer Tasting Class 2
2024-11-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Yes, there was a first class which most of you missed because I forgot to post it in events. But it went swimmingly well. So we are going to keep it going. You get 3 flights of 3 beers, ciders, malt beverages to taste blind with me and you might discover a new favorite or that you really didn’t like that beer you’ve been raving about. Who knows, I’m here to help you on that journey. It’s $10 cash or check for the event, or venmo, or paypal, or cash app or there is an ATM next door. Anyway, spots are limited to 16 so sign up fast.

Kings County Whiskey Tasting
2024-11-02 15:00 - 18:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
The illustrious Queen of Kings County whiskies, Laura Graham, will be at Canterbury Liquors on Nov 2nd to tell you all about their bourbons and ryes. She might even give you a sip if you ask the right questions 🙂 We are well stocked on these, so no worries that you won’t be able to buy what you like.

Wine and Spirits Tasting
2024-10-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Stop in and try something new in the Spirits Category. A single estate grain to glass distillery has caught my attention. Farmer turned distiller, Mike Swanson, is focused on single varietal ryes. He and I met in Austin last weekend at the Bastards Ball when we were both pouring our creations for a few hundred enthusiastic members of the Whiskey Tribe.

Despite all indications of fall weather, next week is going to be balmy by New England standards for October. We are pouring two crisp and delicious white wines also.

Sips with Simon Brooking
2024-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
What better way to spend a Thursday evening than sipping Laphroaig with the illustrious Simon Brooking? If you were here for his last visit, you know what to do already. If you weren’t, then plan to be here already.

Project Interrupted 2024 Session 3
2024-09-21 14:00 - 14:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
It’s that time of year for our annual unicorn whiskey event. We’ll keep the instructions simple. There will be 3 separate tasting sessions. You can only sign up for one session. Each session is limited to 50 people. You taste 4 whiskies in the session you sign up for. When you arrive, you will be handed a wee Glencairn for your tasting. Hang on to and don’t try to make off with it. After your tasting, you will return it for a free raffle ticket. If your ticket gets picked at conclusion of the 4 tasting sessions, you will get a chance to buy one of the unicorn bottles at close to MSRP + a $25 Project Interrupted fee (this your donation to our local charity).

Each session will have 3 of our single barrel picks and 1 bottle that is has “Unicorn” status. The tasting list will not be revealed till the day of the event. Signing up for the last session might give you a shorter wait time for the drawing but you don’t know what unicorn bottle tasting you will miss in the earlier sessions. 😉

While you’re waiting your turn, there will be a food truck in the parking lot in front of the store. Bring cash and chow down while you wait in anticipation of getting that special bottle. At 2:30 pm we will start to call out the tickets. You have 30 seconds to pick your bottle.

Project Interrupted 2024 Session 2
2024-09-21 13:30 - 14:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States

Project Interrupted 2024 Session 1
2024-09-21 13:00 - 13:30 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States

Clonakilty Single Pot Still Launch
2024-09-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
Don’t miss the historic launch of Clonakilty Single Pot Still in the US and the chance to meet the Head Distiller, Oisin Mulcahy. I tasted the new make in 2022 when I was in Cork and it is stunningly delicious. I cannot wait to try the aged whiskey.

Nulu Single Barrel Launch
2024-07-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
It’s a double header Saturday. Following our Ben Holladay tasting is the launch of our first single barrel “double barreled” bourbon from Nulu QS01 Fall Jacket. Despite the heat wave we are currently experiencing, you will want to pick up a few of these bottles for when the mercury drops.

Ben Holladay Bourbon Tasting
2024-07-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Canterbury Liquors, 180 Westminster Rd #3, Canterbury, CT, 06331, United States
It feels like Christmas in July. Ben Holladay Bourbons are now available at Canterbury Liquors. Why they haven’t won best bourbon in the world is beyond me. But maybe it’s best we keep it our secret. Exceptional quality, absolutely delicious, affordable, do you need any more reasons to come and grab some bottles this weekend?
