Tip a Wee Dram was a whisky-tasting fundraising event that raised money for the Vancouver-based cancer-related charity Callanish in March each year.
The event raised over half a million dollars over its 10 years. Regrettably, 2019 was its final year.
WHISKY TASTING IN VANCOUVER
Although Tip a Wee Dram is no longer happening, other Vancouver whisky-tasting opportunities still exist. One of the best is Global Whisky which takes place on the weekend of January 31st and February 1st in 2020. Click Global Whisky 2020 for details.
Another popular whisky event is the Hopscotch Festival. It usually happens at the PNE Forum in the fall.
Tip a Wee Dram
The Tip a Wee Dram used to take place in March each year at the Scottish Cultural Centre at 8886 Hudson Street in South Vancouver not far from the Fraser River and Arthur Laing Bridge.
In 2019 this charity event took place on March 9th.
On the Saturday in 2019 there was a Master Class event at about 5 pm (which usually sells out months in advance), a VIP start at 6 pm, and general admission beginning at 7 pm.
Tickets in 2019 were $150 for the Master Class event, $125 for VIP tickets and $100 for general admission (all plus online fees).
About the Whisky Event
The mission of the Tip a Wee Dram event is to “raise spirits and money by nurturing love and community for those touched by cancer.” It did this by selling tickets and inviting the public to an evening of whisky tasting.
Since its launch in 2010 the event raised over $500,000 and was attended by well over 2,000 local whisky lovers.
At a typical Tip a Wee Dram event there were 50 or more different whiskies to sample, light snacks and several dozen auction items to bid on.
Whiskies you might have found at the event included Ardbeg, Armorik, Central City Brewers & Distillers, Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, Kujira, Liberty, Nikka Whisky, Shinobu, Wayne Gretzky and Canadian Rockies. Past events also featured Jack Daniel’s, Eligjah Craig, Evan Willimas, Four Roses and Gentleman Jack from the United States, as well as White Owl and Centennial Rye Whisky from Canada, among others.
In addition to being a fun occasion with plenty of whisky, Tip a Wee Dram was a fundraising event benefiting the Callanish charity. Net revenues averaging close to 90% of sales went directly to the charity, which is impressive!
About Callanish
Callanish is a registered non-profit charitable organization that provides week-long retreats to people with cancer and supports patients, their loved ones and their health care providers. It’s based in Vancouver at 2277 West 10th Avenue and has been formally in operation since 1997.
For more information about the organization, see the Callanish website.
Other Information
For tickets and more information about the Whisky event, check out the Tip a Wee Dram Facebook page.
For other events happening the same month, check out Vancouver’s March Calendar or Festivals & Events Calendar.
Other similar events at other times of the year include the following:
- Harrison Wine Festival – in the spring
- Vancouver International Wine Festival – in the spring
- Vancouver Hop Scotch Festival – in the fall
- Vancouver Oktoberfest Beer Events – in the fall
Other topics that might be of interest include the following:
