Skye Avenue Kitchen & Lounge is granting the wishes of whisky aficionados by offering Canada’s largest collection of rare and artisanal whiskies and spotlighting peated styles during an exclusive pairing dinner this September at this Central City hotspot and dining destination (190-13450 102 Ave.).
Skye acquired a cache of whiskies from Fets Whisky Kitchen — a staple of the local dining scene on Commercial Drive before it closed its doors in 2022 — and now boasts a collection of more than 1,300 unique bottles from around the world, with a focus on Scotch and American whisky.
At Skye, enthusiasts can indulge their love for whisky via a soon-to-be-launched Whisky Club that offers discounts, curated whisky flights and VIP access to tickets to events and pairing dinners including ‘Up in Smoke’ on Thursday, September 26. The Up in Smoke event will showcase a curated selection of five never-to-be-seen again bottles of peaty and smoky Scotch whiskies accompanied by food pairings that will perfectly complement and enhance the rich flavours of each unique whisky.
The restaurant’s whisky program is led by Vice President of Hospitality Development Richard Goodineand new Whisky Curator Stacy Kyle, a Certified Bourbon Professional who also brings to bear a WSET Level 2 Spirits Award with distinction, specialized certificates in Gin and Irish Whiskey from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and her status as a mentee of the Our Whisky Foundation.
A prominent figure in the industry, Kyle regularly leads masterclasses in whisky — including the first-ever Women’s Only masterclass at the Victoria Whisky Festival — and is a familiar face at whisky festivals and spirits events across BC and Alberta.
“Stacy’s expertise and passion for whisky shine through when she engages with both enthusiasts and newcomers and we’re so excited to have her on board to showcase and share her love for and experience in the whisky industry with staff and guests,” says Goodine. “Stacy’s an educator and an innovator and a trailblazer in this field and her reputation is well earned.”
On Wednesday, September 11th starting at 5P.M., Japanese Whisky gets its moment in the spotlight at Skye during a one-night-only bar takeover by international bartender and brand ambassador Yuki Yamazaki, who will pull a guest shift behind the bar and showcase a limited-edition Kujira Inari whisky made from rice. Yamazaki is also the owner of The Japanese Bitters — the world’s first aromatic bitters produced in and incorporating ingredients from Japan.
Ideally located in the burgeoning Central City neighbourhood of one of Canada’s fastest-growing, vibrant and diverse cities, Skye Avenue Kitchen & Lounge is named for Scotland’s revered Isle of Skye and the renowned whisky producers that inhabit the windswept island.
Skye Avenue is open Sundays to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight and offers menus that showcase truly unique fare with West Coast flair on plate and palate alike for daily lunch, dinner, and happy hour service in addition to Sunday Brunch.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations for Skye Avenue can be made via OpenTable here or by calling 604-590-0900. For enquiries about private events or group bookings, send an email to info@skyeavenue.com
