In the three years I worked on Dark Matter, I made some wonderful friends and accomplished many great things, but one of my biggest take-aways from my time on the show was the impressive amount of knowledge and experience I garnered in the world of whiskies.  It started back in season 1 after Blindspot Executive Producer Martin Gero gifted Paul and I two bottles of 18 year old Bunnahabhain.  Paul, of course, took his bottle back to his hotel room and finished it, solitary style, over the course of a week.  I, instead, elected to share my bottle with a few friends – Line Producer Norman Denver, Production Manager Robbie David, Assistant Director Brandon Tataryn, Script Coordinator Alison Hepburn, EP Assistant Elliot Sokolsky, and several others, forming what would become the Dark Matter Whisky Club.

Norman followed up by bringing in a bottle of his favorite 16 year old Lagavulin and, soon, others followed suit.  Over the course of those three seasons, we sampled a variety of whiskies, from the simply superb to the truly terrible, averaging about 17 bottles a season.  Whenever Norman sounded the wolf call, we all knew it was time and we gathered for our daily libation.

The Dark Matter Whisky Club – A Short Visual History (2014-2017:

A little something from Golden Boy Martin Gero to commemorate our first day of principal photography.

Archival photo of one of the very first meetings of the Dark Matter Whisky Club.

Director Amanda Tapping joins the club – Episode 104.

Director Ron Murphy joins our ranks – Episode 106.

Welcoming Director Bruce McDonald into the fold – Episode 109.

2nd A.D. Grant Boyle with his contribution – a little taste of home.

Actor Anthony Lemke becomes a member – Episode 109.

He later returns with his own contribution – a bottle of Prince Edward County’s finest.

While main unit is on the road, Whisky unit stays true – Elliot, Matti, Trevor, and Alison.

Director Ron Murphy returns for more whisky – and, oh yeah, to shoot another episode (109).

You can tell the club was in its infancy by how few empty bottles adorned the top of that shelving unit.

Executive Producer Paul Mullie comes for a visit, and a drink.

A youthful Brandon Tataryn comes bearing gifts.

And another little something from Mr. Boyle.

Director and Stunt Coordinator John Stead graces us with his presence – and a bottle of 17 year old Craigellachie.

Elliot unconvinced by The Glenrothes.

Trevor Finn presents: Basil Hayden’s and Old Rip Van Winkle.

Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok vs. Jura Superstition: Round 1.

Director Andy Mikita knows the drill.

Motoring through the season – and making progress on the whisky front.

The ranks continue to swell.

Visual Effect Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson with the assist from Dalwhinnie.

Celebrating the season 1 finale – and a season’s worth of whisky.

And that’s a wrap on season 1.

The after-party.

Season 2 resumes in force!

Pick your poison, and glassware.

Key Hair Renee Chan – Balvenie.

1st A.d. Chris Binney – Balvenie.

Director Amanda Tapping – Hibiki Harmony.

Script Coordinator Alison Hepburn – Angel’s Envy.

Key Grip Chris Toudy – Aultmore.

 

I am immortalized.

 

Director Jason Priestley in the mix – Episode 207.

He came prepared.

Director Andy Mikita’s two-handed return – Episode 208.

The ever dainty – Director Peter Deluise, Episode 209.

Not to be outdone.

Director Will Waring – pineapples and Dalwhinnie, Episode 212.

And that’s a wrap on season 2!

A toast to season 3!

Director Ron Murphy sets the tone.

And Robbie David follows up.

Actor Roger Cross with the Yamasaki.

John Stead sports a new look – and delivers a new bottle.

Season 3 nears and end.

Kicking back with the After Dark gang.

Saying goodbye to the production offices was hard, but bidding farewell to that veritable army of fallen soldiers was downright heartbreaking…