Winter Spirits
I
BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON
T’S LIKELY THAT THE ONLY CERTAINTY FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS of 2022 in Alberta is that we are going to be ringing in the new year with some colder, wintery weather. You don’t need to consult with Punxsutawney Phil to know that (Groundhog Day is February 2nd), but we’ve looked both far and local to find some recommended spirits more than suitable for taking off the chill of a winter day spent on outdoor activities, or a fine day spent indoors watching the snow fly and thinking… “nah, I’ll go out tomorrow”. The Gnu Normal London Dry Gin Calgary Possibly the newest (‘Gnu-est’) Alberta distillery, Gnu Normal is a true London Dry Gin: unsweetened, juniper forward, and flavoured by vapour-infused botanicals with nothing added after distillation. It’s clean, fresh, and bright, with notes of grapefruit and mandarin peel - and we’re fans! It’s particularly delicious in a martini, with maybe an orange slice garnish, but the flavour profile also points us to a terrific gimlet and bee’s knees! CSPC +856433 $46-50
Still Austin “The Musician” Straight Bourbon Whiskey While I’m far more likely to use a bourbon in my eggnog than rum, it’s enjoyed neat where bourbon is a rockstar. Nosing the glass, sweet caramel and sponge toffee lead off with honey and cereal in hot pursuit. In the mouth, it manages the fine balance between hotter alcohol notes, but also all those promised flavours the nose gave us. The exact sort of spirit that nearly demands to be enjoyed by a bonfire... or in that eggnog. CSPC +842439 $80-85
Don’t Call Me Sweet Pea, Garden Amaro Alberta Amari are considered a digestif, generally made from botanicals infused into a neutralbased spirit, and sweetened – and… well, here’s a thing! This amaro is Alberta through and through, distilled from Carstairs field peas (!) with Alberta botanicals such as dandelions, wormwood, chamomile and elderflower – and sweetened with Alberta honey. It’s luscious, mouth filling, and a complex sipper for after any meal, with a huge, local feel-good factor! CSPC +854694 500 mL $32-36
Peat’s Beast Single Malt Whisky Scotland Not for the faint-hearted, this Single Malt is built around a “beastly” amount of peat characters. Rich and oily on the nose and palate with smoke, iodine, and tar leading the way, but also lemons, brine, and a fine leather note on both the nose and on the palate, and a touch of black liquorice on the finish. Certainly, it’s a peat-forward expression, but still balanced and with less peat than some other examples. CSPC +843950 $68-72
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whisky 2021 Release, Canada It’s pretty exciting to be a rye drinker these days with newfound interest in special releases, cask strength editions, and limited runs. A hearty cask release at almost 64 percent ABV but still expressive with loads of spice, vanilla tones, and fruit characters. Best with a splash of water to bring out the milder cocoa and cereal notes and let the spirit roll around on the palate. CSPC +857573 $72-80
The Ileach Islay Single Malt Whisky Islay, Scotland Nothing beats a nice and smokey Islay whisky when the mercury dips or a little precipitation is in the forecast. Rife with saline and iodine, vinyl, and peat on the nose, the palate shows off a little citrus and honey, but still all that warming earthy peat character too. Manages that fine balance between too much – and not enough peat for that difficult to please Islay enthusiast. CSPC +703776 $50-55
34 Culinaire | January/February 2022
