November Spirits

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

n typical fashion, Alberta’s autumn is an exercise in preparation. Will it snow today? Will it be 20 degrees later? However you are filling your days, it’s more than likely that the evenings will be on the wintery side, and we’d love to recommend a I few bottles to take a little of the chill out of the air.

Proclamation Irish Whiskey, Ireland

Celebrating the establishment of Ireland 105 years ago, Proclamation whiskey is one smooth operator. It’s toasty and almost creamy from being tripled-distilled and aged in new American oak. Made in small batches from Irish grain whiskies, it’s matured in bourbon casks and blended with a little sherry-finished malt, which makes for a complex, rounded whisky that’s dangerously easy to sip, with notes of crème brulée and a hint of lemon marmalade. CSPC +848767 $49-52

The Original Koloa Kaua’i Dark Hawaiian Rum, Hawaii

It makes sense that Hawaii’s first sugar plantation, in Koloa Town, on Kaua’i island, should be the home of their first distillery, and Koloa Rum Company is still producing single batch, premium, craft rums. Kaua’i Dark Rum is vanilla forward, fast followed by dark, semi-sweet chocolate both on the nose and on the palate, suggesting all sorts of fun tiki cocktails that include coconut and pineapple juice, but try as a Café Caribbean with whipped cream for an indulgent treat! CSPC +743400 $55-65

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey United States

Is this proof that there are no new frontiers or hills left to climb? This is indeed a peanut butter whiskey, and one that successfully marries two vastly different things. On one hand you have the rich, umami-laden character of the peanut butter, and the other a fairly rich, but smooth and off-dry whisky. Together, it’s a 35 percent peanut brittle meets whisky story that should be a hit with both the bonfire crowd or the adventurous cocktail crowd. CSPC +847605 $52-57

Dad’s Homemade Dutch Rye Vodka Netherlands

While we don’t see all that many vodkas made with rye, they can be a welcome change from excessively “neutral” vodkas that dominate our shelves. From Zuidam in the Netherlands, Dad’s showboats with a spicy nose and palate that is distinctively rye-like and still has a mild, creaminess softening any rough edges. Very good, and a solid choice for vodka-forward mixing. CSPC +838925 Price $60-64

Casey Jones Distillery Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch

Mmmm… smooth, spicy, sweet corn, smoky, and small batch, this first bourbon from Kentucky distillers, Casey Jones, is lipsmacking with an incredibly long, dark and fruity finish. Just one-year old, it’s already a tempter, drawing you in with caramel and toffee notes and delivering a satisfying unctuousness. Master Distiller Arlon Casey Jones’ once forbidden distilling roots are showing! CSPC +846825 $72-77

Bira! South Pacific 12 Year Old Aged Rum, Fiji

Wow, this is one unique and interesting rum for lovers of fine spirits looking for something a little different, and previously only available abroad. Now we lucky Albertans have the opportunity to get our hands on this limited run of only 1272 bottles of aged Fijian rum! It’s not coloured or chill filtered, only water is added to bring it down to 55 percent ABV. It’s intense, with notes of bitter dark chocolate and spice – think pepper, olives and molasses! For you or that special person… CSPC +855407 $125-145