TORONTO, July 18, 2024 – Heat the north with the Finest! Just in time for BBQ season, Gibson’s Finest® Canadian Whisky, an award-winning range of Canadian whiskies, announces its partnership with the 10th Annual Northern Heat Rib Series, North America’s largest rib festival. In honour of the 10 year anniversary for Ontario’s finger licking rib fest, Gibson’s Finest will travel through 10 cities across Ontario starting this May to serve up refreshing mixed drinks that perfectly pair with those delicious BBQ bites.
Enjoy the true Canadian summer energy trying out authentic BBQ dishes from local vendors while listening to live country and rock music featuring homegrown talent, and sipping Gibson’s Finest. Alongside the vendors selling saucy ribs, juicy chicken, melt- in-your-mouth brisket, sizzling sausages and more, the bar will feature Gibson’s Finest® made mixed drinks including Gibson’s Sunshine Tea, Gibson’s Bold & Cola, and Gibson’s Smash. Gibson’s Finest will also have a pop-up Finest Lounge featuring cool swag and a space to relax and enjoy the finest moments of the Fest.
“With BBQ season upon us, partnering with Ontario’s Best Rib Festival made perfect sense for Gibson’s Finest,” comments Emma Herlihy, Senior Brand Director, William Grant & Sons Canada. “Canadians love a good BBQ and Gibson’s Finest® is the finest choice for winding down after a successful BBQ.”
The BBQ tour kicks off in May and will make its way across Ontario until the end of August with weekend long pit stops in Binbrook, Windsor, Orillia, Stoney Creek, Georgetown, Hamilton, Milton, Midland, Waterloo, and Lindsay, so rib-loving Canadians can get outside and enjoy some old fashioned BBQ.
Rib fest hours vary per city and run Fridays to Sundays or Fridays to Mondays during long weekends. Admission fees are $2 per person.
“We are excited to heat the north with Gibson’s Finest® this year. There’s no better way to celebrate an authentic Canadian summer than with the finest Canadian whisky,” comments Robyn Wilson, Owner & Operator, Northern Heat Rib Series.
Gibson’s Finest® is one for the ages. Canadian whiskies are only required to be aged for three years, a requirement that Gibson’s Finest® exceeds to achieve its refined flavour and distinct character. The Gibson’s Finest Canadian whisky range includes 4 variants that ensure there is a flavour profile to suit every taste palate, ranging from sweet and silky to vibrant with vanilla. The four variants include Gibson’s Finest® Sterling, Gibson’s Finest® Bold 8 Year Old, Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old, and Gibson’s Finest® Venerable 18 Year Old.
For more information on Gibson’s Finest® Canadian Whisky, please visit here.
2024 Northern Heat Rib Series Location & Dates:
Binbrook Rib Fest | May 17-20, 2024
Binbrook Fairgrounds, 2600 Regional Rd 56, Binbrook
Windsor RibFest | May 24-26, 2024
Riverfront Festival Plaza, 1 Festival Plaza, Windsor
Orillia Ribfest | June 07-09, 2024
Tudhope Park, 450 Atherley Rd, Orillia
Stoney Creek Ribfest | June 28-July 01, 2024
Eastgate Square Mall, 75 Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton
Georgetown Ribfest | July 05-07, 2024
Trafalgar Sports Park, 11494 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown
Hamilton Ribfest | July 19-21, 2024
CF Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth St, Hamilton
Milton Ribfest | July 26-28, 2024
Community Sports Park, 805 Santa Maria Blvd, Milton
Midland Ribfest | August 16-18, 2024
Harbourside Park, 475 Bayshore Dr, Midland
Waterloo Ribfest | August 23-25, 2024
RIM Park, 2001 University Ave E, Waterloo
Lindsay Ribfest | Aug. 30-Sept. 01, 2024
Lindsay Fairgrounds, 354 Angeline St S, Lindsay
GIBSON’S FINEST® TASTING NOTES: Gibson’s Finest® Sterling Canadian Whisky:
The making of Gibson’s Finest® Sterling is a process requiring both patience and uncommon craftsmanship. Master blenders use a unique blend of aged whiskies to create a harmonious, well-balanced Canadian whisky. Masterfully distilled, tenderly aged and blended to perfection. The combination of these aged whiskies results in a superior blend with a unique smooth taste. Gibson’s Finest® Sterling offers consumers a superior quality whisky that appeals to both entry level drinkers as well as everyday connoisseurs.
NOSE: Sweet and fruity. Mild and slightly caramel notes evolve into sweet lemon candy.
PALATE: Creamy with subtle fruity and citrus notes with hints of vanilla, walnut and black pepper.
FINISH: Medium-bodied finish, of peppery spice and soft caramel notes.
Gibson’s Finest® Bold 8 Year Old Canadian Whisky:
We stay true to the time-honoured method of making whisky the right way: we age it longer for better taste. Gibson’s Finest® Bold is a smooth, full bodied whisky that dares to be different. Aged for 8 years and 92 Proof, Gibson’s Finest® Bold shines brightest when mixed with cola.
NOSE: Vibrant vanilla sweetness with light aromas of maple and delicate oak notes, and hints of fruits and spice.
PALATE: Rich and sweet with a bold rich rye character on the palate.
FINISH: Full-bodied complemented by delicious sweetness and a long, lingering finish.
Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky:
Master blenders use a unique blend of aged whiskies, the youngest of which is twelve years old, to create a harmonious, well-balanced Canadian whisky. Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old is one of the few whiskies possessing a guarantee of ageing so you can always be sure you are enjoying a smooth, exceptional 12 year old Canadian whisky. Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old is a truly remarkable Canadian whisky that is renowned for its sophisticated character, extraordinary smoothness and outstanding flavour.
NOSE: Fruity with subtle oaky notes. Aromas of caramel custard and butterscotch with a fruity-finished nose.
PALATE: Sweet and silky, with citrus zest, oaky notes, spiced white pepper and hints of zesty ginger. A full bodied and creamy mouthfeel, with toffee notes and caramelized sugar.
FINISH: Medium to long, warm and peppery, with some sweetness on the finish.
Gibson’s Finest® Venerable 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky:
Gibson’s Finest® Venerable 18 Year Old is an elegant and sophisticated blend of rare 18 Year Old Canadian whiskies that is offered in limited edition. It is sweetly aromatic
and rich in character. With a uniquely long velvety finish, this superbly distinctive whisky provides a rewarding experience for discerning rye connoisseurs.
NOSE: Scents of pine sawdust, with loads of oak and the luxurious sweet fragrances of vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Rich yet dry, with lots of spicy rye, fruity rye and dusty rye. A generic sweet rye fruitiness with a contrasting whiff of green wood.
PALATE: The first sip is rich in caramel, toffee, vanilla, and fresh sweet corn until spicy oak and hints of pepper turn quite hot on the tongue. Rich and oaky. After 18 years in wood, an initial flurry of cedar and fresh sawdust resolves into a fragrant base for a whole range of rich and flavourful delicacies.
FINISH: Medium finish. Hot and spicy with fading pepper and zesty bitter lemon. Loads of wood and rye spices, then some sweet fruitiness towards the end.
ABOUT NORTHERN HEAT RIB SERIES
Northern Heat Rib Series is North America’s largest touring BBQ Rib festival, making 15 stops across Southern Ontario in 2024. Since 2016, the festival is one of the largest summer events, drawing 475,000 hungry food and entertainment lovers across Southern Ontario. Over the last six years, Northern Heat Rib Series has featured many well-known and up-and-coming musical artists. Northern Heat Rib Series understands the importance of supporting local and works closely with local businesses and organizations to promote growth.
For more information about the Northern Heat Rib Series Festival and/or event specific information, please visit www.northernheatribseries.ca.