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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Cocktails » TOAST Artisan Spirits Tasting Event

    Published: March 6, 2017 / Updated: May 19, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    TOAST Artisan Spirits Tasting Event

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    Artisan spirits and tasty bites from some of Portland's best chefs shined at the 7th Annual TOAST 2017 Artisan Spirits Tasting event. 

    Jump to:
    • Artisan Spirits Tasting
    • Bites
    • Spirits

    Booze, butchery, and beautiful bites took center stage at the Oregon Distiller's 7th Annual TOAST artisan spirits tasting event.

    TOAST 2017 was back at the Leftbank Annex this year. Therefore, it was amazing! Leftbank Annex is truly an excellent venue for TOAST. It's my favorite venue for food & drink tasting events like this, and I hope they never, ever move it again.

    Artisan Spirits Tasting

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Held February 18th this year, Toast 2017 artisan spirits tasting was a BLAST. Hundreds of people came through the Leftbank Annex to sample spirits from local distillers, as well as enjoy tasty bites from Portland chefs.

    Here, craft distillers showcase their vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, and more. There are also syrups and tonics served here; most vendors had spirits and other products for purchase at TOAST 2017 to help you re-stock your home bar.

    Bites

    Five of Portland's top chefs prepared delicious bites for guests to enjoy throughout the night. TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    One of those chefs was Season 14 Top Chef contender BJ Smith, of Smokehouse Tavern. He and his team served up a variety of smoked meats, pickles and special sauces.

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Meat definitely played a prominent role at the Toast 2017 artisan spirits tasting event.

    TOAST-2017-Proletariat-Butchery

    The Proletariat Butchery guys were having way too much fun.

    And of course, anytime you bring out a full pig for a crowd, there's gonna be a show.

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Proletariat Butchery had two pigs at TOAST. The pigs were from Elkhorn Farms and Forge where they were fed spent grain from Big Bottom Distilling Elkhorn Farm & Forge Big Bottom Distilling.

    The meat fest continued at other vendor booths...

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Yes, that is fried chicken on top of a donut.

    The Waiting Room represented big time with Mini Dons: a mini version of The Don, a special that they've featured recently on their brunch menu.

    The "Don" is fried chicken served with a Meyer lemon and bacon fat donut with candied ham glaze and drizzled with Hot Honey (house made hot sauce and @beelocal honey)

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The Waiting Room also brought Nevor Shellfish Oysters, Crawfish Hushpuppies, and Fried Chicken Oysters. Such a crazy delicious and beautiful spread!

    Boke Bowl also served some dumplings at Toast 2017. Meanwhile, Northeast Portland French-inspired Verdigris Restaurant was there slinging some very delicious chicken chowder.

    Spirits

    More than 120 spirits produced by approximately 40 distillers from around the country were represented at TOAST 2017.

    Here's a look at some of my favorites.

    TOAST-2017-Townshend's-Tea-Fernet-and-Coke

    Townshend's Tea Company shared their Fernet at TOAST 2017. They served up Fernet and Coke that was definitely more delicious and fancier than my college rum & coke days.

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    JVR Spirits brought their Krupnik liqueur. This is a spiced honey liqueur that makes me long for apple pie. It's packed with nutmeg, vanilla, ginger, and orange.

    It is a sweet liqueur that's fantastic on the rocks, but I also like it with whiskey.

    TOAST-2017-Walter-Collective-Gin

    I always have my marketing/PR/branding hat on, and I fell in love with the The Walter Collective labels. Their gin is made with a unique combination of Italian juniper, spices and citrus.

    TOAST-2017-Walter-Collective-Vodka

    The Walter Collective also premiered its brand new alternative grain vodka, made with spelt.

    TOAST-2017-Rogue-Ales

    Longtime Northwest brands were also represented alongside blossoming new distillers. Rogue was on hand with a line-up of its various whiskey, gin, and rum.

    TOAST 2017 artisan spirits event in Portland, Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    A handful of cocktail and soda mixers were also available to sample at Toast 2017. Portland Soda Works sampled their Rose Cordial Syrup, Rose City Tonic, and Ginger Syrup. Coming Up

    This was my fourth year attending TOAST 2017 artisan spirits tasting. I had a great time, and one thing I love is how it's always a great mix of some familiar favorites and fabulous newcomers on the spirits scene.

    Tickets this year were $65 for VIP, $45 for General Admission, and $15 for Designated Drivers. Personally, I think it's worth it to splurge on VIP tickets. VIP admission includes entry, tastings, bites, commemorative glass, 2 cocktail tickets, access to the VIP balcony with private bar, and access to the distillers after party. General Admission includes entry, tastings, bites and commemorative glass. The Designated Driver ticket $15 includes entry, non-alcoholic drinks, and bites.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Umina Beach says

        October 26, 2017 at 1:05 am

        I'm sitting here at office and talking to myself " oh my god! this is makes me hungry! what is that meat? oh my i can imagine the taste!! "

        Reply
      2. Beach Loop says

        March 18, 2017 at 11:03 pm

        Food, drink, and fun gourmet style - sounds like my kind of event!

        Reply
      3. Tenacious Little Terrier says

        March 06, 2017 at 10:41 pm

        Everything looks amazing... especially all that meat. I've driven past it tons of times but never been to an event at LeftBank. Guess I'll have to try to go next year!

        Reply
      4. Pech says

        March 06, 2017 at 3:28 pm

        Hmmm, is the reason you like the The Walter Collective labels also partially because you have a weak spot for those shades of blue on their gin.... Also, you took some fantastic photos of the chefs! I was sorry to miss out on Toast this year since I had prior commitments with beer for the day but appreciate hearing reports back on what are the new discoveries on the libation front this year!

        Reply
      5. Create/Enjoy says

        March 06, 2017 at 3:13 pm

        Oooh, yum!!! What a great experience, seeing two pigs served like that!

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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