I am not quite sure why, but it seems as though every time there is a hot ticket event in Toronto these days, it always coincides with some cold weather and snow. However, it’s been five years since Grey Goose launched a new flavour and it was quite evident that Toronto’s finest was not going to let some below freezing temps and a snow storm warning stop them from schlepping their behinds to the Thompson Hotel. All those who were in attendance was cordially invited to experience the vodka brand’s “tale of Cherry Noir”, which I have to admit sounded rather mysterious and cryptic. I started to understand the concept when I stepped inside and saw that the dimly lit space was illuminated with black street lamps and peppered with hired models wearing black, hooded robes, flanked on tufted couches. Making this one of Toronto’s most digitally innovative events, a printable Instagram station was set up for party-goers who used the hashtag #cherrynoir allowing them to take home their posted images from the popular social channel.

My blogger bestie and I, Jason Burke of Snkrbox, arrived early thinking we would make it ahead of the invited masses – but it was clear that everyone else had the same idea – as we crammed ourselves inside the lobby bar and danced to tunes spun by DJ Stylist award winner, DJ Wrispect alongside model Stacey McKenzie, In Fashion’s Glen Baxter, Blogger Casie Stewart, CocoandCowe’s Catriona Lamb and JacFlash owner Jaclyn Genovese.

Camara Alford, Model Stacey McKenzie and Lifestyle Purveyor Zark Fatah

Yours truly with Founder and Creative Director of Snkrbox, Jason Burke

Alana D’Andrade of Bacardi Canada and Singer, Kelly Sajda

Sonia Gallo of Diesel Canada with gal pals Sheena Perron and Steph Stewart

Guests were greeted with diamonds, as ultra classy drink tickets, which was kind of my highlight of the night, and were engraved with the Grey Goose Cherry Noir name. I actually considered not having a drink just so I could take them home with me at the end of the night. But who was I kidding – the whole reason I was there was to sample this new flavourful vodka. Specially curated cocktails like; Cherry Collins, Black Cherry Coke, Saison D’Amere, Soiree Noir and Tres Noir, were a huge hit amongst the media guests…so much so, people lined up for 40 minutes to go back for seconds.

It seems as though Grey Goose has made a huge splash with Cherry Noir and guests appeared to be happy for what they received in exchange for their diamonds. Shout out to Grey Goose Cherry Noir, ASC PR, Thompson Toronto and Community Agency for putting on such an amazing soiree!

XO,
S