Spirit of Toronto Whisky Gala

I cover plenty of wine festivals but not as many whisky galas. The Spirit of Toronto event on May 12 is a whisky-lovers dream. It includes sampling of more than 100 single malt whiskies, masterclasses with distillers, a whisky cocktail bar,live jazz and an outdoor cigar bar. The event will also include Canada's first rare whisky auction, which will offer a rare whisky which was distilled at the Glenury Royal distillery in northeast Scotland. The distillery shut down in 1985 and only 498 bottles of this 50 Year Old were produced in 2003. Proceeds from the gala go to the Parkinson Society Canada as a tribute to Michael Jackson author of the "Malt Whisky Companion" and a person living with Parkinson's disease. Tickets are $105.