Planning for the festive season often involves shopping for liquor on your to-do list. Whether you need to restock your bar cart or are on the hunt for tasteful gifts, here is a selection of spirits covering a range of styles and flavours that share an enjoyable character.
Most are easy to find, and many were singled out because they are versatile spirits that could work for both cocktails and sipping. There are also two exclusive whiskies that have just come to market for enthusiasts looking to splurge.
$50 and under
Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve, $39.95
This rich and flavourful dark rum was a welcome addition to the venerable Jamaican distillery’s portfolio. The mix of orange peel, spice and honey flavours make this an enjoyable sipping rum.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $35.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $42.49 in Saskatchewan, $36.49 in Manitoba, $36.25 in Quebec, $38.99 in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, $38.09 in Nova Scotia, $40.60 in Newfoundland.
Espolon Tequila Blanco, $45.95
A well-priced tequila, with citrus, vanilla and spice notes, this is best enjoyed in a cocktail, like a refreshing Paloma (with grapefruit soda) or a tequila-based Bloody Mary.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $41.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $38.99 in Saskatchewan, $43.99 in Manitoba, $44.99 in New Brunswick, $46.09 in Nova Scotia, $47.87 in Newfoundland.
J.P. Wiser’s 10 Year Old Triple Barrel Canadian Whisky, $34.95
A new addition to the Wiser’s portfolio in Canada, this triple barrel aged whisky offers vanilla, honeycomb and toffee notes that gain interest from pepper and orange zest on the lingering finish. The nicely balanced tatse makes for a great mixer.
Hand-out/Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $30.49 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $33.99 in Manitoba, $35.29 in New Brunswick, $36.48 in Newfoundland.
Lot No. 40 Single Copper Pot Still Canadian Whisky, $41.95
Lot 40 produces an exciting array of Canadian whiskies, including this rich and flavourful rye expression. The finish is long and savoury, which makes this a great base for a classic cocktail or a whisky you can enjoy on the rocks or on its own.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $40.49 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $41.99 in Manitoba, $39 in Quebec, $42.99 in New Brunswick, $43.99 in Nova Scotia,
Maker’s Mark Bourbon, $45.95
Maker’s Mark has an interesting and approachable character that makes it consistently enjoyable. Fruity and sweet on the nose, with more savoury and nutty complexity on the palate to balance the caramel and vanilla notes.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $45.99 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, various prices in Alberta, $47.99 in Saskatchewan, $42.74 in Manitoba, $43 in Quebec, $46.72 in Newfoundland.
Reifel Rye, $49.95
Named in honour of the master distiller who helped establish Alberta Distillers, George Henry Reifel, this new high-rye whisky offers impressive richness and complexity with crème brûlée, toffee and pear notes that carry through to the long and warming finish. A serious sipping whisky that makes an impression.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $43.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $33.99 in Saskatchewan, $40.84 in Manitoba, $43.79 in New Brunswick, $49.98 in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
Roku Gin, $49.95
Roku features a distinctive blend of native Japanese and traditional botanicals employed – including cherry blossom, sencha tea and juniper – to produce this smooth and oily textured spirit with a compelling fragrance and flavour. Its style is best served neat or as a martini.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $49.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $41.49 in Saskatchewan, $45.49 in Manitoba, $50.50 in Quebec, $53.49 in New Brunswick, $46.98 in Nova Scotia, $51.59 in Prince Edward Island, $52.42 in Newfoundland.
St-Rémy Signature, $43.95
A recent addition to the St-Rémy portfolio, which includes affordable V.S. and V.S.O.P. expressions made from grapes grown throughout France for distillation, Signature is a nicely balanced brandy to sip on its own or in a cocktail.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $43.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $43.75 in Quebec, $44.79 in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Té Bheag Scotch Whisky, $40.40
This blended whisky from the Isle of Skye is well known for its difficult to pronounce name (CHEY-vek, not “tea bag”) and value for price ratio. This has a rich texture and spicy character, with peat-smoke, cereal and caramel notes that linger.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $39.99 in Manitoba, $41.50 in Quebec.
Tobermory Gin, $50.25
Located in the Isle of Mull, the Tobermory distillery is well known for creating a distinctive range of Scotch whiskies. This stylish gin, which is made in small batches, is making a name for itself with its fragrant herbaceous and floral character.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $49.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta.
Zirkova Together Ultra Premium Vodka, $35.95
Together is a quadruple distilled and filtered vodka that was created to be enjoyed as part of a cocktail. It’s bright and citrussy character works equally well in a vodka soda as it does in a Cosmopolitan or Caesar.
Supplied
Available in Ontario.
Over $50
Grant’s Triple Wood 12 Year Old, $59.85
This well-balanced and warming whisky is a premium edition of Grant’s popular triple wood blended Scotch. Aging for a minimum of 12 years in sherry casks, American oak and bourbon barrel makes for a richly flavoured spirit with attractive spice, vanilla and toffee notes.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $64.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $60.99 in Manitoba, $61.99 in New Brunswick, $61.48 in Nova Scotia.
Monnet VSOP Cognac, $72.45
Founded in Jarnac, France in 1838, Monnet prides itself on producing a “sunny” style of brandy, with upfront fruity and floral character. This aged expression conveys appetizing nutty, dried fruit and leather aromas that are rounded out by honey and vanilla flavours on the palate.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, $68 in Quebec.
Over $100
Canadian Club 45 Year Old Chronicles No. 5, $499.95
The fifth and final chronicles release draws from a batch of spirit put into barrel in 1977. The oldest Canadian whisky to be released, this rich and enticing whisky presents toffee, spice and leather notes with pear and stonefruit flavours. The finish suggests a complex mix of sweet and spicy notes to savour.
Supplied
Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $403.49 in Saskatchewan, $500.80 in New Brunswick.
Dalmore Luminary Collection No. 1, $525
A creative partnership between Dalmore distillery and V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, the Luminary collection will feature a series of limited-edition single malts that showcase talents from the worlds of whisky and architectural design. This first release is a 15-year-old single malt matured in casks formerly used to age amarone and specially designed casks with virgin Scottish tay oak, Japanese oak and American white oak. The result is an exceptionally rich and complex whisky.
Supplied
Available at the above price in British Columbia.
Plan your weekend with our Good Taste newsletter, offering wine advice and reviews, recipes, restaurant news and more. Sign up today.