December 20, 2014

Single Malt Scotch picks at the LCBO and some super Scotch Tastings Dec 28, and in January

I thought I had run out of time to put out a few suggestions for Scotch picks for Christmas and New Year, but a neighbour recently mentioned that she loves to shop on Christmas Eve - all that frantic jollity, panic, and bemusement at depleted shelves of everything.
In any event, and because I'm frantically trying to get over a nasty cold and not out partying, I decided to while away some of this Saturday evening before Christmas by mentioning a few tasty Scotch picks, currently available at the LCBO, many in limited quantity and only at some stores. So look online for Ontario stores near you that might have what you want, or go talk nicely to your friendly neighbourhood LCBO person and ask if he or she can source the product.

First up, let me mention a superb, bargain basement Scotch tasting at the Highlander Pub at 2pm on December 28th. Led by my good friend and dedicated whisky aficionado - Emmett Hossack, this event will include
Auchentoshan Virgin Oak - a brilliant whisky matured in new oak, toasted casks, with a Bourbon-esque feel to it,
Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean cask - a very tasty dram
Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva - elegance personified
Ardbeg Corryvreckan - a whirlpool of smoky based tastes
and a surprise blended Scotch.
With some tasty bites and Emmett's well researched accompaniment, this will be a great event - and all for $40. Presented by The Scottish Society of Ottawa. Call 613 562 5678 for tickets - limited to 40

In the New Year, join me for whisky chat at The Glen Pub in Stittsville and their annual Burns Supper
and/or on January 29th at Divinos for our next premium whisky tasting - also close to Burns night.

Carol's Single Malt Scotch Whisky Picks at the LCBO

Under $70

Glenmorangie Original - an elegant, easy drinking malt
Glendronach 12 year old -sherry sweet and a good dram
Compass Box Spice Tree - a blended malt (same as a Single Malt but sourced from several distilleries), sweet and spicy
The Glenlivet French Oak Reserve 15 year old - lots of flavour from this great buy
Laphroaig Quarter Cask - smoke and toffee from this great Islay distillery

Under $80

Old Pulteney 12 year old - a nice whisky from this north westerly, maritime distillery. Good luck finding it!
Laphroaig 10 year old - smoky, a classic
Auchentoshan Three Wood - packed with flavour, hard to find
Glenfiddich 15 year old - uniquely bottled from a solera system, always delicious and always containing whiskies much older than 15

Under $90

Talisker 10 year old - lovely peaty character, a gem of a whisky
Glenfarclas 105 - this year's unsung hero. Cask strength, loaded with great flavours, from a unique distillery, a steal at the price

Under $100

Dalwhinnie 15 year old - classic Highland Scotch
Aberlour a'Bunadh - cask strength, cognac like, packs a delicious punch
Bowmore Darkest 15 year old - smoke and Cadbury's fruit and nut bars in a  bottle. Hard to find.
Ardbeg 10 year old - another great peaty Islay whisky
Auchentoshan Virgin Oak - very few left. Brilliant. Think bourbon and spice.

Under $110

Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask - finished in rum casks
The Glenlivet 18 year old - elegant

Under $150

Lagavulin 16 year old - Islay, peaty elegance
Aberlour 18 year old - Rich and delicious, beautiful whisky from Speyside
Lagavulin Distillers Edition - another one for the Lagavulin lovers

Under $200

Ardbeg Uigeadail - Huge, peaty, packed with flavours, cask strength.
The Macallan Sienna - elegant, sweet, beautifully balanced
The Glenlivet Archive 21 year old - speaking of elegance and flavour.....
Highland Park 18 year old - one of my possible "stuck on a  desert island" whiskies, a touch of smoke and a huge array of flavours
Jura 21 year old - love this distillery
Ardbeg Corryvreckan - another peaty biggie from this great Islay distillery

Under $300 

Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 year old - delicious, head to the tasting on Dec 28 to try it out
The Macallan Ruby - top of the line from the newish Macallan collection
Old Pulteney 21 - fabulous whisky if you can find it, lots of character

Over $300

Glenmorangie Signet - beautiful Single Malt, beautiful packaging
The Glenlivet 25 year old - share only with great friends
Bunnahabhain 25 year old - rare and wonderful

In the interests of putting this out in a timely fashion, and allowing me time for my hot toddy and an early night, this will be my first post ever not embellished with enticing photos.
If bourbon is also on your list, check out my previous post for some bourbon picks
Happy shopping,
Merry Christmas!
And the very best of health and happiness for 2015