Dr. Don Livermore Brings Canadian Whisky Masterclass to Whiskey Crusaders Whiskey Castle
Some whiskey nights are casual. You show up, have a pour, talk with friends, maybe pretend you can taste “saddle leather” because somebody next to you said it first.
This is not that kind of night.
On Friday, July 10, 2026, the Whiskey Crusaders are hosting an exclusive Masterclass & Dinner with Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore at the Whiskey Crusaders Whiskey Castle in Hurst, Texas. The event starts at 7:00 PM and brings one of the most respected names in Canadian whisky to North Texas for an evening of education, dinner, stories, and a seriously impressive lineup of whisky.
Dr. Don Livermore is not just someone who knows a lot about whisky. He holds a Ph.D. in Brewing and Distilling, created the Canadian Whisky Flavor Wheel, and has been recognized as the World’s Best Whisky Blender by the World Whiskies Awards. In other words, when Dr. Don starts talking about whisky, this is one of those times where you stop talking, lean in, and try not to miss anything important.
This masterclass focuses on four iconic Canadian whisky brands produced at the historic Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario: Pike Creek, Gooderham & Worts, Lot No. 40, and J.P. Wiser’s. For many Texas whiskey drinkers, Canadian whisky may not be the category they reach for first. Bourbon tends to hog the spotlight down here, and rye usually gets invited to the party as long as it behaves itself.
But that is exactly why this event is interesting.
Canadian whisky is one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated categories in North American whisky. It has history, range, elegance, big rye character, creative maturation, and in the right hands, remarkable depth. This event is a chance to experience that category through someone who has helped shape it at the highest level.
Why This Event Is Worth Paying Attention To
A great masterclass is not just about what is in the glass. It is about who is guiding the room.
Dr. Don Livermore has a rare ability to take the technical side of whisky production and make it approachable without watering it down. He can talk grain, fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending, oak, and flavor development in a way that satisfies the deep whisky nerds without leaving newer drinkers behind.
That matters, especially with Canadian whisky.
For American whiskey fans, the category can feel a little mysterious. Some people think of it as light. Some think of it as old-school. Some only know the big names they saw on their grandparents’ bar cart. But sit down with the right bottles and the right teacher, and the picture changes quickly.
This lineup gives guests a chance to taste across several styles and personalities of Canadian whisky, from rum-finished Pike Creek to the rye-driven intensity of Lot No. 40 and the aged elegance of J.P. Wiser’s. It is the kind of lineup that can turn “I don’t really drink Canadian whisky” into “Okay, I may have been wrong about some things.”
Growth is important. Especially when it comes with dinner.
Featured Whisky Lineup
The evening begins with a welcome cocktail: a J.P. Wiser’s Old Fashioned Whisky Cocktail.
From there, guests will taste through a broad Canadian whisky lineup, including:
Pike Creek 10 Year Rum Finished Canadian Whisky
Gooderham & Worts Four Grain Canadian Whisky
Lot No. 40 100% Rye Pot Still Canadian Whisky
Lot No. 40 100% Rye Dark Oak Canadian Whisky
Lot No. 40 100% Rye Oloroso Finished Limited Edition Cask Strength Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 10 Year Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 15 Year Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 24 Year Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 27 Year Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 42 Year Canadian Whisky
Three surprise Canada-only whiskies
That is not a typo. The lineup includes a 42-year-old J.P. Wiser’s and three surprise Canada-only whiskies. For a lot of Texas whiskey fans, that alone is worth circling on the calendar.
These are not bottles most people casually bump into at their local shop. This is the kind of tasting where you may end up trying something you have never seen before and may not see again for a long time.
Dinner Menu
The masterclass also includes a full curated dinner.
The evening starts with a non-alcoholic Summer Fruit Punch made with pineapple, lemon, lime, cherries, fruit juices, and fresh mint.
The appetizer is Smoked Pecan Gouda & Spinach Artichoke Phyllo Bites, followed by two salads: Watermelon & Feta Salad with purple onion, Kalamata olives, basil, and balsamic drizzle, and Peach & Arugula Salad with blue cheese crumbles and champagne vinaigrette.
Entrées include Southern Chicken Spaghetti and Smoked Sausage & Baby Potatoes with Firecracker Glaze. The side dish is Cuban Green Beans with Bacon, and dessert is a Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Salad with strawberries, blueberries, homemade pound cake, and whipped cream cheese filling.
It is a summer dinner menu with plenty of comfort food, a little heat, a little sweetness, and enough variety to keep the whisky lineup from doing all the heavy lifting.
Event Details
Event: Masterclass & Dinner with Dr. Don Livermore
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Whiskey Crusaders Whiskey Castle
Address: 173 W Harwood Rd., Hurst, TX 76054
Tickets: $20
Ticket Link: https://whiskeycrusaders.com/product/jp-wisers-masterclass-dinner-friday-07-10-2026-with-dr-don-livermore/
What to Expect
Expect an intimate whisky education experience built around Canadian whisky, a guided tasting with Dr. Don Livermore, a curated dinner, and a room full of people who probably already have strong opinions about mash bills.
This event should appeal to seasoned whiskey enthusiasts, curious bourbon fans, rye lovers, and anyone who wants a better understanding of Canadian whisky beyond the usual stereotypes.
For more events like this, check out the full Texas Whiskey Events Calendar or browse more North Texas whiskey events.
And if this calendar helps you find your next great whiskey night, take a look at the Texas Whiskey Geek merch page. It helps keep this site independent, ad-free, and focused on supporting whiskey events across Texas.
Event Disclaimer
Event details can change. Please confirm dates, times, ticket availability, whisky lineup, dinner menu, and event details with the official host before making plans.
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