ScotchBlog

Signatory Vintage Independent Bottling - Ben Nevis 1993

2012-02-07T02:01:18Z

Produced from only a single ex-sherry cask from the Ben Nevis distillery (cask number 2697), this exceptional 17 year old single malt bottled by the fine folks over at Signatory Vintage is a shining example of a quality highland whisky which provides a well balanced and extremely smooth, albeit sweet profile. Rarely have I encountered a malt in this age range as smooth as this, in fact while we don't see much from Ben Nevis in Ontario, one gets the sense that great vintages are hiding in the warehouses of this distillery.

Nose: Aromas of fresh dates drizzled with honey, this nose is also generously woody without being extreme. Sweet maraschino cherries and oatmeal provide subtle layering.

Palate: The palate is rich, sweet, extremely smooth and well rounded with a touch of spice mid-palate providing nice balance and complexity. Very malty with toffee and brown sugar, and despite my attempts to push through them, the sweet oak flavours continue to wrestle themselves back to the main profile over and over again. This does make it difficult to pull out subtler flavours sitting behind the very rich and full body. Water does little to assist here, and although this expression is bottled at 46% ABV, it is so smooth with such little heat such that dilution isn't necessary.

Finish: Melons and orange bring the richness of the palate into the finish. Slightly dry with a noticeably burnt, but not displeasing after-taste.

Overall: To us, distilleries that we rarely hear about (like Ben Nevis) are mysterious beasts whose styles we yearn to explore. It is interesting when we compare this release to the more heavily sherried 1992 expression we sampled a few years ago, the overall richness of the Ben Nevis line seems a main theme. With all the buzz about the Glenfiddichs and Bruichladdichs of the world, it's refreshing to experience something more rare.

There are still a few dozen bottles of this release available in the LCBO, and if you're looking for something special and unique, its $87.95 price tag isn't outrageous for the quality you'll be getting.

Glenmorangie Astar Highland Single Malt

2012-01-31T22:16:13Z

Another rare find from the Glenmorangie is the Astar (gaelic for "journey") which is currently not available at the LCBO, but was brought to me from the UK. The Astar is aged in specially selected and dried young white oak from Tennessee, without finishing in any other type of barrel. It is non-chill filtered and bottled at an impressive 57.1 percent abv.

Nose: Smoky and spicy, cinnamon, fennel and hints of fresh apple, strawberry, and vanilla cream.

Palate: Spicy, floral and smoky, with notes of raisin, bitter chocolate and espresso.

Finish: Quite hot with bold oak and a long sustained finish.

Adding water is advisable to open up such a potent malt, and this produces a sweeter nose of chocolate, vanilla and orange peel. The palate with water is more oaky, floral and creamy.

Overall: This is another impressively complex malt from a distillery that continues to produce unique variations on its distinctive flavour profile of smoke, floral, vanilla and gentle fruitiness. For those who already appreciate some of these malts (such as the Signet, Quinta Ruban, or Nectar d'or), the Astar is very much the bright, bold, "cask strength" cousin and worth snapping up if you are shopping abroad.

6 Whiskies Paired with Food for Less Than $25

2012-01-24T01:37:29Z

No. It's not a typo. What you're seeing is what's on offer at the next ScotchBlog reader meet-up.

Similar to last time, we've worked with our fantastic hosts to put together two flights of 3 whiskies each, and once again the chef has paired each whisky with a nibble to highlight the fact that whisky and food do indeed go together. Exactly like last time, there will be full food and whisky menus for a la carte ordering, and no cover. Just pay for what you eat and drink.

This month's edition will focus on the smokier side of the whisky spectrum. Some will be a combination of smoky and sweet, while others will display the classic peat, and all will be delicious. After the flights are finished, feel free to stick around to mix and mingle, as many of us will be going deeper into the whisky list.

The tasting will be held in downtown Toronto this Saturday, January 28th with a start time as close to 3pm as we can manage, as we'll do our best to ensure that we get rolling once everyone is there. So how do you find out where? Well just to your right is the "Contact Us" option that we'd like you to use to email us with your name and the number of guests that will be joining you (we'd love to know their names too!). The reason for this is to provide the chef with a reasonable estimate of the number of flights to prepare. After we receive that email, I will personally get back to you with all of the details.

On behalf of all of us at ScotchBlog.ca, we look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday.

Is a price hike looming at the LCBO?

2012-01-18T14:00:00Z

Last week, I heard a rumour about an impending price increase at the LCBO. My first reaction was typical of the embittered Ontario consumer: a sigh and a resigned muttering: "First coffee, then hydro and now they're going after my whiskey..."

A quick search online yielded a description of the increase in the LCBO's minimum pricing structure and as outlined by the CBC "About 10 per cent of spirits sold by the LCBO and three to four per cent of beers will see their prices go up. A 24-bottle case of the cheapest beer will go up by 55 cents, from $28.80 to $29.35. A 750 mL bottle of a mainstream spirit will go up by 50 cents to $23.90."

"Meh. What's so bad about that?" I can hear you thinking. Small change right?

Well, maybe not...

A 2010 regulation governing the LCBO's minimum retail pricing structure virtually guarantees yearly price increases as the retail price of alcohol is chained to the Consumer Price Index of Ontario as determined by Stats Can. But, this "guaranteed" annual increase is just one of the ways the Crown corporation is able to raise retail prices as part of its commitment to social responsibility.

The recent Auditor General of Ontario's report revealed a number of issues with the LCBO and chief among them was the corporation's pricing process. Although it's common practice for businesses, including the LCBO, to adjust their prices in order to keep pace with inflation, offset fixed operating costs, incorporate new taxes etc...it's hard to see in the LCBO's mark-up rates what's being added for the sake of keeping operating, distribution costs in check and what's being added on to save us from ourselves.

Yoked to the cart of social responsibility, the LCBO's purchasing process differs from those used by private-sector retailers.

As most of us learned in grade school, the market works on a very basic premise: buy goods products at the lowest possible cost and then sell those goods at a higher price in order to profit from the exchange.

Not so at the LCBO, according the report:

"Suppliers submit a retail price within an established retail price range set out in the LCBO's call for products and then work backwards, applying the LCBO's fixed-pricing structure to determine the wholesale cost they will charge the LCBO. If a supplier's cost quote results in an amount that does not match the agreed-upon retail price, the LCBO will ask it to raise or lower the wholesale cost of the product."

In addition to the yearly "annual adjustment", the LCBO routinely allows its suppliers to submit higher quotes via the LCBO Trade Resources Online website. The Schedule of Quote Increases for suppliers provides 6 possible dates for increases within the first 5 months of 2012.

As Auditor General Jim McCarter pointed out after releasing the report, this isn't the way the real business world works:

"A Wal-Mart would certainly go back to their supplier and say: 'Would you sell it to us cheaper?' We think a lot of suppliers would sell it to us cheaper, basically to get that LCBO listing."

Astonishingly, the LCBO does not negotiate discounts for high-volume purchases to reduce its costs. In fact, the fixed-pricing structure gives the LCBO "no incentive to negotiate lower wholesale cost as doing so would result in lower retail prices and, in turn, lower profits, which the LCBO indicated would be contrary to its mandate of generating profits for the province and encouraging responsible consumption."

However, the LCBO requires its suppliers to provide their "best price" (excluding taxes, duties, and freight) which must not be "higher than the price at which the Product is being sold by the Supplier to any other government Liquor board or government Liquor purchasing body or like entity in Canada." One wonders if this strategy is geared more toward preserving the LCBO's monopoly and the monopolies of other jurisdictions' Liquor Boards and Commissions and discouraging cross-border booze shopping than it is ensuring the best price for the consumer...

Within the report, the LCBO defends its practices claiming that other Canadian jurisdictions also use the fixed mark-up model and that it provides a balance between "generating revenue, promoting social responsibility and providing customers with selection and value at all price points." The report also concedes that the LCBO has been "successful in consistently generating increased profits for the province year after year."

That's quite a feat when you're the only player in the market and you're continually asking your suppliers if they'd like to sell you the product for a little bit more than last time...

But, there's one more arrow in the LCBO pricing administration's quiver: the snob appeal of "premiumization."

In keeping with its mandate to encourage responsible drinking, "premiumization" aims to generate more revenue without increasing the amount of alcohol consumed in the province by encouraging consumers to buy more premium-priced products and by increasing the number and variety of products offered at higher prices. Working with its suppliers in the name of social responsibility to keep prices artificially high while showcasing products through the glossy and seductive Food & Drink magazine and the decidedly "insider" angle of the Vintages Magazine; the LCBO has effectively given suppliers a free pass to "upscale" their brand at the expense of the consumer. As suppliers have more control over pricing than consumers, the market reacts the only way it can: by hoarding product.

In short, the Ontario consumer is over a barrel. If consumers refuse to buy a product in protest of its price there are few avenues for them to obtain it due to the LCBO's monopoly on alcohol sales. Their options are to travel directly to the manufacturer and purchase a bottle (which may only be feasible if the producer is Canadian and within the province), order it through the LCBO in which case they are subject to minimum orders and additional fees, arrange a clandestine import and risk imprisonment, or simply go without.

Moreover, if a product is successful at its current price range consumers are rewarded for their purchases with a pricing structure that guarantees that the price will creep ever higher thanks to the LCBO's guaranteed annual adjustment in the minimum retail price, the "backward" pricing scheme and the "premiumization" strategy.

While this latest increase appears to be "peanuts" who knows what other fees, adjustments, and taxes we'll be forced to pay for alcohol under the banner of social responsibility?

Thanks to Jeremiah Lapointe for his assistance in re-purposing this image obtained from Wikimedia Commons which is reproduced here in a modified form and is free from copyright restrictions.

Deanston Virgin Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch

2012-01-16T20:09:57Z

This is a non-age-statement bottle from the Deanston distillery, produced by Burn Stewart distillers, which also produces the Bunnahabhain and Tobermory whiskies. Young whisky finished in new American oak and bottled at 46.3%.

Nose: The nose is bright with lemon, grape, sugar and floral/grass notes. Sweetness, yeast and light oakiness.

Palate: Honey, vanilla, orange marmalade and grapes followed by caramel, oak and light nuttiness. Adding water brings out hazelnut and light coca flavors.

Finish: Brief and dry with a slight oiliness as well as hints of fruit and coca.

Overall: A bright, light, simple and enjoyable whisky. The formula of young whisky, finished in first-fill oak and unchillfiltered seems designed to achieve a sort of minimalism (I am further supported by the slogan on the bottle: "Simple, Handcrafted, Natural") which is admittedly pleasing in results, while also being a shrewd marketing strategy for a somewhat immature whisky. Available at 39.95 at the LCBO, I would consider buying this again, and would recommend it to those who find my tasting notes on it appealing.

Robbie Burns Day Planner

2012-01-14T20:10:06Z

As always, January 25th is Robbie Burns Day, and as usual many restaurants and pubs will be offering up specials on food and drink, poetry, dancing, and more. But what about us whisky fanatics in Toronto? What are we to do?

In years past I would hum and haw, mulling my options until it was too late to get a ticket anywhere, and ultimately end up at home or a friend's with a bottle from my own collection. Surely there must be a better way right? A short list of venues with extensive whisky lists and their menus, offerings, and prices perhaps? Well, there is now.

This is your Toronto Robbie Burns Day shortlist.

There are a number of great venues and menus every year, and this one is no exception. So let's get to who's doing what for how much (before tax and tip naturally).

Quinn's Steakhouse

96 Richmond Street West

416-367-8466

Cost: $75

What you get: A 6-course meal including cock-a-leekie soup, smoked salmon, Scotch egg, haggis (of course), lamb pastie, and dessert. Add to that a 4-course whisky flight featuring Auchentoshan and Bowmore, led by Bowmore Brand Ambassador Jamie MacKenzie, and you've got potentially the best deal going.

What to do: Call and reserve your seats with a deposit. With a menu like that, I wouldn't wait if I were you.

The Caledonian

856 College Street

416-577-7472

Cost: Depends on what night you show up! The Caledonian is Toronto's premier Scottish pub and restaurant. As such they are doing Robbie Burns week!

What you get: Nothing on Wednesday unless you've already bought your ticket. It's sold out!

What to do: Prod me to write this primer earlier next year

The Feathers Pub and Single Malt Bar

962 Kingston Road

416-694-0443

Note: There is a Robbie Burns tasting on the 24th with Jamie from Bowmore. The menu for the 25th has yet to be revealed, so do call later for more information. So let's focus on the whisky tasting!

Cost: $40 (taxes in)

What you get: A 6 whisky flight featuring 3 from Bowmore (including the recently released and very limited Laimrig) and 3 from Auchentoshan.

What to do: Call now to reserve your spot.

Allen's Restaurant

143 Danforth Avenue

416-463-3086

Cost: $65

What you get: A 3-course meal plus haggis, a live performance of Burnsian poetry, Scottish dancers, and a proper pipe band. This year's menu has yet to be revealed, but given this establishment's focus on fresh local produce, that should hardly be a surprise. Drink specials will be on offer as well, but that too will be a surprise.

What to do: Call as soon as possible to reserve your place as I have it on very good authority that there are very few places remaining.

So there you have it folks. A quick run down of what's on for Robbie Burns Day this year. Hopefully next time I'll be able to gather the necessary information sooner so you can have a crack at getting into The Caledonian as well.

Oh, and what is ScotchBlog doing for Robbie Burns Day/week? Well, let's just say you might want to save Saturday, January 28th at 3pm wink wink.

Grant's 18 and 25 Year Old Scotch Whisky

2012-01-12T14:30:37Z

Our friends over at William Grant & Sons were kind enough to send us samples of their 18 and 25 year old blended whiskies, which unfortunately are not currently available outside the UK. Grant's 18 Year Old blended whisky consists of a mixture of malt as well as grain whiskies which are then finished in port casks. Grant's 25 Year Old is an extra special treat for us, as this is the first batch that has ever been produced. Made up of 25 different distinctive malt and grain whiskies, including Ladyburn and also the first ever whisky laid down at Grant's Girvan distillery in 1963, we were extremely excited to sample this new product.

Grant's 18 Year Old

Nose: This has a very distinctive Speyside nose, very similar to other Grant's expressions. A heavy brown sugar kick along with figs and fruitcake, surely a characteristic imparted by being finished in port barrels. A citrus zest combined with a touch of smoke provide some balance against the largely sweeter characteristics.

Palate: This expression lacks the sourness normally associated with the Grant's Sherry & Family Reserves. Dried fruits including apple and pears sweetened with caramel and rich malt. This is a flavourful whisky which if one peels back, reveals hints of fresh leather with flecks of peat smoke. You'll find that this dram is great to roll around on the tongue - it's surprisingly (and enjoyably) peppery.

Finish: A very dry finish is needed to rein in the sweetness of the palate, and here the 18 year old doesn't dissapoint. Quickly drying with a light but long smoke, the hint of peat returns a bit more forcefully than on the palate amidst a woody must.

Grant's 25 Year Old

Nose: What a difference two expressions from the same blender can have. This nose is lighter, yet more complex than the 18. Doughy with prunes and vanilla this is also fruity with a whisper of smoke, a bit of peat and with water it becomes quite floral. The depth to this nose is quite striking. In fact after nosing for a few minutes, I covered my dram up and left it for a period of time before returning to nose it again. Layer by layer, new components are revealed, while others remain elusive.

Palate: For a Speyside whisky, there's a surprising hit of smoke here. Thankfully, it has been expertly tempered with richer and sweeter notes of oatmeal, honey, raisin, and baking spice. There's an extremely gentle and mature peat here. A smooth, well-developed mouthfeel dominates, demonstrating the quality and age of the constituent malts and grains.

Finish: A slight sourness gives way to lingering smoke, with a long sherry finish. Final hints of walnuts provide wonderful closure to the dram.

Overall: Both Grant's 18 and 25 year old expressions prove that quality blended whisky can pack just as much of a flavour punch as their single malt brethren. Here at ScotchBlog, we're not generally fans of grain whisky. Since blenders usually prefer to use more grain whisky for younger blends as young single grain whiskies provide maturity and sweetness, it's not surprising that we've found many entry-level blended whiskies reprehensible. As blended expressions get older however, the ratio is often reversed in order to create a more balanced blend.

In our opinion, it's this higher malt to grain ratio, along with the quality of the malts going into the product, that truly sets apart the Grant's 18 and 25 from other blends. Under the watchful eyes of former master blender David Stewart, current master bender Brian Kinsman has done a wonderful job here, and we're hoping hoping that one day soon we'll have these available in Canada.

Rosebank 17 Year Old by Gordon & MacPhail

2012-01-11T02:57:23Z

Mothballed since 1993, and looking more and more like it will be forever closed, Rosebank is a distillery whose whisky is absolutely worth hunting now before the clock truly strikes midnight for the average consumer. Triple distilled in the traditional Lowland style, aged in a refill sherry hogshead, this whisky has been delivered unto to us fans (some may call me more of an obsessive) of closed distilleries by the fine independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail.

Distilled in 1991, bottled in 2008 at 55.3% ABV, and procured at Boston's venerable Federal Wine & Spirits on my trip there in late 2010, this whisky has been testing my restraint and tantalizing my taste buds for over a year now.

So if you are prepared to hunt this expression, or enjoy vicarious whisky-masochism, please do read on. If not, well, keep your eyes open for it at the finer purveyors of single malts and please read away anyway.

Nose: Candied fruits and brown sugar waft from the glass along with the faintest notes of black pepper. This is laid over rich wood and moss, serving to conjure thoughts of walking through an old forest in autumn.

Palate: Exploding out of the starting gate with a burst of spice and a deep sherried nuttiness, all underpinned by the faintest dark cocoa, this whisky is a full workout for any tongue. The candied fruits reveal themselves slowly through the luxuriously coating mouthfeel, eventually offering up oranges and pineapples. Adding water serves to diminish the heat of this cask strength bottling without effect on the mouthfeel, and only a moderate elevation of the orange notes.

Finish: Long and ever evolving, the wood does carry on for some time before fading to allow the almond notes of the sherry to linger even longer. Dry throughout, even the addition of water does little to diminish this characteristic, but it does serve to heighten and further develop the almonds and chocolate.

Overall: I love this whisky, Rosebank, and what Gordon & MacPhail did with it. Simply stunning, the character changes constantly over the course of the full hour it seems to take to truly open up, if one can keep it in the glass that long. Exciting from start to finish, this one is a must buy for any whisky fan.

Bruichladdich 12 Year Old - Second Edition

2012-01-03T23:28:13Z

Bruichladdich has recently released the Second Edition of their 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt. Bottled at 46% ABV and without any colouring or chill-filtering, Master Distiller Jim McEwan has succeeded at producing a traditional, gracefully balanced as well as lightly peated Islay whisky. This expression has been fully aged in quality ex-bourbon casks, hand selected by Mr. McEwan.

Nose: A hint of smoke and vanilla combines with green apples and pears to provide a subtle yet layered nose which I'd recommend the reader let sit in a covered glass for some time to allow this whisky to develop to its full potential. Adding water brings out the Islay qualities - damp leaves, a hint of seaweed and as one would expect, peat.

Palate: Lemon zest is strong here. Oak flavours not unlike a well-aged bourbon mingle quite well with layered sour apples, sweet barley, butter cream and clover. Try adding water to this dram; while you won't get much of anything new on the nose or palate, it opens up the existing flavours further, as well as adds a touch of smoke.

Finish: The peat punch comes late, but better late than never. On the finish, one is hit with seaweed, iodine, sea salt and mustiness before being left with a lingering oak and vanilla.

Overall: This is a great introduction to the Islay style. While I wouldn't mind a touch more peat, it does have all the flavours one expects of Islay, albeit in minute amounts. As a one-off Bruichladdich release, I'd recommend stopping by an LCBO that still has stock and obtaining a bottle while you still can. If you're looking for a more heavily peated Bruichladdich, I'd recommend the even more limited Port Charlotte An Turas Mor.

Beer Fit For A Whisky Blog - Innis & Gunn

2011-12-29T18:27:29Z

Normally we stick to whisky, save for the occasional April Fools joke, but the unique nature Innis & Gunn Oak-Aged Beer makes it worth sharing here. And, to be honest, they're bloody delicious. Through the folks at Your Brand, ScotchBlog.ca was treated to a flight of I&G bottles.

Innis and Gunn Original

On the nose is a deep maltiness and fresh nuts. Sweet and sour is prevalent on the palate, along with burnt caramel, almost extract, creamy vanilla and oak making this a strong but fresh tasting brew. The beer finishes cleanly with a rising sweetness and oakiness remaining in the throat and a hint of aspartame.

Overall: The sweetness didn't overwhelm the ale making this a preferred buy for an upscale and different beer choice.

Innis and Gunn Blonde

Hops, oak, delicious banana bread with a hint of skunkiness grace the gentle nose of this European-style lightly oaked beer. The palate is rich and fruity with vanilla, honey and a mild pleasant oak. The bottle finishes up with mild bitterness, light vanilla and delicious dried fruit.

Overall: Refreshing. The mild sweet vanilla oak notes makes this beer stand out.

Innis and Gunn Rum Cask

A subtle hint of sweet synthetic cherries and oak on the nose. A taste brings root vegetables, roasted malt, hints of caramel and dark fruit top notes. Not as sweet as expected given the nose. The finish is slightly dry and bitter with lingering maltiness. Molasses rises late on the palate and continues through the finish.

Overall: A great winter beer. To be savored slowly with a festive meal.

Innis and Gun Highland

A wonderful sweetness is immediately apparent with floral breadiness and dried fruit on the nose - Chrismas Cake. The palate is simply Wow! Tons of flavour. Blackberries and dried fruit continue from the nose, really rich and syrupy mouthfeel with honey dew melon and roasted malt. The beer finishes with a mild hop bitterness and vanilla.

Overall: What a fantastic bottle. Aged in casks previously used to mature a highland whisky for 18 years, it is entirely enjoyable. To be savored in cold weather.

Machrie Moor

2011-12-27T17:35:56Z

Coming from the ever impressive distillers at The Isle of Arran, Machrie Moor is a lightly peated single malt named after the large peat bog on the West side of the island. Built on their fantastic new make spirit, the bottling available now is the second edition, part of a limited run of 12,000 bottles, and weighs in at 46%

Nose: Opening with light peat and smoke, the sweet, malty notes ultimately give way to reveal vanilla crème brûlée. This is matched up nicely with a faint yet interesting combination of apples and citrus.

Palate: Rich, warm, and fruity. The light citrus begins to develop an undercurrent of orange, while red apples remain distant, yet detectable. A light iodine note appears at the same time as a honeyed sweetness, before dashing off to the finish.

Finish: Dry and lightly salty, the sweet orange finally evolves with the simultaneous appearance of chocolate, ultimately conjuring thoughts of Terry's Chocolate Orange. Late into the finish, a candied peach note also develops, delivering a delightful denouement to the whole affair.

Overall: Great stuff. A whisky worth seeking out, which is lamentably something you will need to do as I cannot get the LCBO's product search function to reveal this whisky's whereabouts. Yet I personally have seen this bottle in many locations. I recommend giving a call ahead if you are looking for this one. For those not subjugated by Ontario's spirit overlord, good luck on your hunt.

Discontinued in Ontario: Grant's Ale Cask Edition

2011-12-19T23:09:08Z

Alas t'is true....

Last week I was searching the LCBO website for blended whisky and was alarmed to find a big red "Product Discontinued" disclaimer next to the entry for Grant's Ale Cask Reserve. Remembering that the labelling has recently changed to Grant's Ale Cask Edition, I re-entered the search terms only to be met with the same results.

Pioneered by David Stewart, the former Master Blender at William Grant & Sons, the Ale Cask Edition is finished in casks that previously held Innis & Gunn Ale for a month. In fact, without the shared vision of Stewart and Master Brewer Dougal Sharp we may never have tasted either!

It's quite a shame really that Ontario is losing access to such a uniquely finished blended Scotch whisky. Although it was knocked out in the second round of our Battle of the Blends, I still prefer it to the runner up and I am sad to see it go. Distinctly "creamy," and malty, with honey flecked by vanilla rounded out by a light fruitiness; the Ale Cask is highly awarded and recently won the IWSC Gold Medal for Best in Class.

Sources at Grant's confirmed that the Grant's Ale Cask Edition is still being produced however, at the moment, there's no plan to bring it back to Ontario. Unfortunately, the LCBO made the call and decided to de-list the Ale Cask presumably because it wasn't performing as well as other whiskies in its price range. It's worth noting that Grant's Sherry Cask seems to being doing quite well in the market and, for now, is still readily available at the LCBO. I asked if any new blends from Grant's were coming into Ontario to fill the void left by the Ale Cask, perhaps an aged blend? But no, for the time being there's nothing in the works...

Formerly a fixture on the LCBO shelves, at the time of publication, there are just 11 bottles left in the GTA and 111 in the rest of the province. After those run out, that's it. You'll either have to travel to the U.K. or place a private order with the LCBO and no, there's no "deal" for making a bulk order above the minimum 1 case requirement. For those of you still doing some Christmas shopping, the gift of an Ale Cask Edition coupled with a brief note explaining its imminent departure from the province would be an economical gift with added cache for any Scotch whisky drinker on your list.

Glenfiddich 1974

2011-12-16T22:48:28Z

Scotchblog was recently lucky enough to again have an opportunity to get together with Global Brand Ambassador Ian Millar. Ian was in Toronto showcasing the new and extremely limited Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1974 edition. The entire run of Glenfiddich 1974 consists of only four individual casks, specially selected by Ian and 13 of Glenfiddich's brand ambassadors.

Ian excitedly described to us their process of selecting the casks that went into this product - they sat for hours nosing and tasting cask-strength whiskies, adding water, nosing again, and mixing with other cask samples. He describes some of the challenges they faced; while one cask tasted fantastic, when they added water to bring down the alcohol content, it would become reprehensible. While another cask would take to water nicely, it wouldn't necessarily meld well when mixed with others. The final four casks selected to create this expression were a 1973 European oak cask, a 1974 American oak cask, and two 1975 casks.

This yielded only 1000 bottles, 750 of which are for sale around the world. A mere 16 bottles will be coming to Canada, with the specific locations yet to be determined. It is estimated that when they are available, they will retail for $1000 each.

Colour: Deep copper.

Nose: A marvellous creaminess surrounding orange & tropical fruits, not unlike a fresh pineapple and orange fruit smoothie. Adding water brings out the sweetness, and evolves the nose into an orange Creamsicle with a light brown sugar coating. Not overly complex, but there is definitely enough here to keep it interesting.

Palate: The creaminess first detected on the nose drives full steam ahead onto the palate. Adding water doesn't drown or lower the flavours of this whisky, but instead actually brings out the richness of vanilla and toffee. Towards the back of the palate a touch of bitter anise pulls this dram back from being overly sweet.

Finish: A light, sweet, dessert wine finish. It doesn't linger as you would expect, instead becoming dry quite quickly, then lingering with an ever so slightly bitter anise that was detected on the palate.

Overall: Due to the extremely limited quantity, this expression is obviously a one-of-a-kind collector's item. It has great chararacter and is atypical in its flavour profile for Glenfiddich. While you can bet that we'd love to be one of the 16 individuals in Canada who will eventually scoop up these bottles, we're not holding our breath as the competition to get one will certainly be fierce.

Armorik Single Malt Whisky

2011-12-10T14:00:00Z

The Armorik Single Malt is a French whisky produced by the Warenghem Distillery in the Breton region of France. Armorik has no age statement and is matured in ex-bourbon casks. As one of only three French whisky distilleries in operation, we were understandably curious as to how a French single malt would stand up to its Scottish cousins.

Nose: A sour sweetness provides extreme notes of overripe fruits. Mashed bananas and apple sauce are the main elements, however this nose is very muddled and does not have any extremely defining characteristics. Some breadiness and waxy butter notes provide an overall strong, but not overly enjoyable nosing experience.

Palate: Like the nose, very sweet. Although this is a single malt, there is a flavour here reminiscent of a grain whisky. It is overall light-bodied with a cereal maltiness. Some white grapes, baking spices and just a hint of cocoa round out the palate. There is significant heat, indicating that this is a fairly young whisky.

Finish: Dry and tongue-tingling hot. I don't say this of many whiskies, but this one dries you out like peroxide. There is a lingering sweet & sour, but no identifiable flavours to speak of.

Overall: This whisky has potential, but in our opinion has not been aged long enough. There is a slight foulness, that while not overly off-putting, isn't made up for in any other areas either. While the box and label of the product are beautifully designed, they outclass the quality of the malt itself. One of ScotchBlog's writers commented, "The more you drink, the more sickly it becomes". This is a muddled, simple whisky that we would not be compelled to buy it again.

The 2011 Gift Buyer's Guide to Single Malt Scotch Whisky

2011-12-08T01:59:50Z

No matter what holiday you celebrate, there is no denying the fact that we are now in the middle of the gift buying season once again. So whether it be for a friend, family member, co-worker, or yourself, if you are anything like me then you could probably use a helping hand in selecting a couple gifts. Well, if you are looking at giving whisky as a gift, then let us help you with that task.

As always, I'll lay it out into 3 price ranges (based on LCBO pricing) of Under $70, $70 to $100, and Over $100, and this year there are some real treats out there, both rare and wonderful, and many with dwindling supplies. So read on and don't forget, if you provide yourself enough time, inter-store transfers are free in Ontario.

This is your 2011 holiday edition of the Gift Buyer's Guide.

When reading this guide, please remember that at the time of writing these whiskies are available, but supplies can change rapidly. Also, wherever possible, I've linked back to a larger review should you care to dig deeper on a specific whisky.

Now let's get into it!

Under $70

Aberlour 10 Year Old

Sweet with hints of raisins, almonds, spices and chocolate, this is an easy one to give away for $44.75. It is also an easy one to locate as it's virtually available everywhere. Well balanced and accessible it will work well if given to the novice or the veteran whisky fan, especially if you notice other sherried Speysides on their shelf such as Macallan 12 or Tomintoul.

Singleton of Glendullan 12 Year Old

Another one for the whisky fan with a sweet tooth, this too is widely available but also widely accepted and easily gifted at $49.70. Extremely smooth with elements of vanilla, apple, oatmeal and toffee, if your recipient is a dessert fan you cannot go wrong here. This may just be the most accessible whisky you can give as a gift as it truly has something for almost every palate.

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky

Alright, I know. It's not Scotch. It's made in India. But according to the Scotch Whisky Association's definitions, it is a single malt. Beyond that, it's about as adventurous as you can get with a gift whisky as it is sure to stir up the conversation just as much as it is certain to entertain and exercise taste buds. The flavour profile is both diverse and dramatic with its oily mouthfeel (if you don't drink whisky, that's not a bad thing) that takes a long time to unwind and reveal the flavour components carried within. Bananas, spices (such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice), hints of sweet and sour, and even a touch of smoke are delivered with every sip. Is there a more interesting whisky you can give for $68.90 or less? I doubt it.

$70 to $100

Bowmore Tempest 10 Year Old

Wow. It's not every day that I take the time to order 3 bottles of a whisky to hoard it. In fact, it's the first time I've ever done that, and this is the whisky that forced my hand as it is a limited run. Now don't let the big red lettered "Product Discontinued" on the LCBO's website scare you off (and if you're not in Ontario, just find it!), as there are still roughly 50 bottles left in the province. But that's it! Delivering that classic smoky, peaty Islay core, the Tempest brings equal parts sweet toffee, candied fruit, and salt to perfectly round out the flavour experience, and it does it all at cask strength (56% ABV to be exact). So how much will it set you back? $73.95 and it's worth every penny.

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

Created out of a whisky maker's disaster last winter when heavy snow caused multiple warehouses to collapse, this whisky from Master Blender Brian Kinsman was one of the stars of this year's Whisky Live in Toronto. Complex with elements of fresh pepper, cloves, vanilla, pear, and just a hint of citrus, it takes the recipient on a journey in every glass. Most importantly, this truly is a once in a lifetime creation. Oh, and guess what? The last shipment ever was sent into the LCBO about a month ago. Priced at $89.50 it is an absolute must buy for every Glenfiddich fan, and almost any whisky fan.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old

Banana nut bread and coconut. I'm not kidding. It's unique. It's inspired. It's delicious. Finished in Caribbean rum casks, there is a beautiful richness at play here which delivers that nuttiness along with vanilla and honey. Reasonably well stocked right now, it is absolutely worth being a gift as it will provide your recipient the requisite time to purchase another bottle, and at $99.95 they most likely will. I know I shall.

Over $100

Tullibardine 1988 Vintage

Warm buttered toasted oat bread with vanilla, orange chocolate (a Tullibardine trademark it seems), and hints of apricot. This profile renders this bottle perfect for after dinner or perhaps breakfast on Christmas morning. Simply delicious. There are only 48 bottles in the province right now and they aren't easy to find thanks to the LCBO mislabeling this whisky in their system. When you are looking for it (and you really should be) you will need to look for "Tullibardine Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky" and/or use the Vintages product code 695205, and then be prepared to spend $104.95 to acquire it.

Littlemill 19 Year Old from Hart Brothers

Thanks to independent bottlers Hart Brothers, this gem of a whisky is still available despite the fact that the distillery that made it is almost falling over and at the heart of a debate over whether to restore it or turn it into a museum. Robust, rich, and chocolaty with hints of ginger, light citrus, and roses (yes, roses!) this dream dram is smooth, complex, and brilliantly balanced. It can also never be made again. As it stands right now, there are 53 bottles available in Ontario for $149.95 a piece. This is one of those rare whiskies that a Scotch lover would simply love to add to their collection.

Glen Grant 25 Year Old

Once again we whisky lovers must extend our thanks to an independent bottler. This time it's Gordon and MacPhail who have stepped up and made this original distillery bottling available to the world. Leathery with spikes of peaches, apricots, and hints of walnuts it deserves to star in any collection, and the way it stole the show at this year's Spirit of Toronto there is little wonder why it is so scarce. There are only 30 bottles left in Ontario right now, and at $159.95 I cannot see them lasting too much longer. So if it fits your budget, do pick one up for the whisky lover on your list. (And if you have money left over, I'd love one too.)

Well folks, there are my recommendations for this year's gift buying season. Once again, store transfers are free in Ontario, so do make use of that service, and to those outside of Toronto, definitely give a call to your best available shop. I primarily focus on Ontario because that's where I live, but I do travel elsewhere.

For our friends in Chicago I recommend contacting Binny's Beverage Depot and for those in Boston I strongly recommend contacting Joe at Federal Wine and Spirits.

Lastly, if you need help while you're standing in front of a wall of whisky bottles and you have a smartphone, you can always reach us on Twitter @scotchblog where we'll be only too happy to help you in real time to the best of our abilities.

Thanks again for reading, and all the best to you and yours for the remainder of this year and long into the next.