LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2019

WHISKIES OF WINDSOR

Only inWindsor Every town has its unique eating and drinking traditions: here’s what else to try in Whiskeytown.

Boston Cooler: This va- nilla ice cream and local Vernors ginger ale mix is best at the Dairy Freez drive-in outside Essex. – Michele Sponagle

Bubi’s Garlic Sauce: A pungent, creamy sauce to enjoy at Bubi’s Awesome Eats or to take home in jars.

Paczki: Most famously from Blak’s Bakery, these Polish filled- dough treats have their own annual Windsor day.

Pizza: Windsor-style pizza has shredded pepperoni, canned mushrooms and lots of Galati Cheese Company mozza.

A Distillery District is Born Windsor’s riverside Walkerville enclave has a hip new name: the Distillery District. Local entrepreneurs are turning heritage buildings on Wyandotte Street East into an arts and shopping hub, with a portrait of Hiram Walker decorating the lobby floor. A few blocks away, a bronze statue of the founder will grace the revitalized Walker Power Building, kitty- corner to the Canadian Club Brand Centre, the company’s one‑time HQ. Walkerville 101 He built it, and they came: Canadian Club workers, tourists and other business barons flocked to all the amenities of Hiram Walker’s company town. He even reportedly built an underground tunnel from his Walkerville headquarters, for his nightly return to Detroit. Each August, the Whiskeytown Festival toasts Walkerville’s roots on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church, built by Hiram’s son. whiskeytown.ca Explore every corner of the one-time company town with a Walkerville Heritage Walking Tour map. visitwalkerville.com/all-tours

WINDSOR’S HIRAMWALKER & SONS IS THE LARGEST-CAPACITY DISTILLERY IN NORTH AMERICA.

Royal ReserveWhisky LCBO 95968, $27.20 One of the vintage brands in the Canadian whisky lexicon, this light but aromatic rye has a slightly astringent, dry finish that’s a perfect foil to ginger ale. The iconic label still peels off cleanly for sticking onto your favourite accou- trement of choice—it has long graced everything from toolboxes to guitar cases country-wide.

HiramWalker Special OldWhisky LCBO 281, $27.45

This hot, spicy classic rye is named for the founder of Windsor’s Walkerville distillery enclave (who, ironically, was from Detroit). From the retro quilted- glass bottle to the medallion-style label, this is old-fashioned rye the way Canadians have enjoyed it for more than 160 years. Try it in a Whisky Sour lightly sweetened with maple syrup.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT IMAGE BY TAMMY BLAZE

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AUTUMN 2019 FOOD & DRINK