November Spirits

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

Come autumn, we often start thinking of spices as the weather turns and the leaves fall. But we also think of variety and changing things up a little in our selections. This month, we’ve come across some highly recommended bottles we think you’ll approve of - with a pair of French whiskies, a rather novel single malt from Scotland, and a Rye whisky from Alberta. On the other end of the spectrum, we have some very different, unusual gins to help change things up a little.

Cambridge Distillery Japanese Gin England

Awarded three consecutive times the most innovative distillery in the world, Cambridge Distillery distill their fresh botanicals individually before founder, William Lowe MW, expertly blends them into the spirit. Their Japanese Gin is the first gin made with Japanese botanicals of yuzu peel, shisho leaf, toasted white sesame, and sansho pepper spice, producing a super elegant, premium, dry, and delicate gin that needs nothing other than you to enjoy it, which we know you will! CSPC +856008 $112-118

Alberta Distillers Reifel Rye, Canada

Rye-based whiskies are poised for a renaissance of sorts. Notoriously difficult to ferment, rye is often only a small (if any) portion of the mashbill of many “rye” or Canadian whiskies. Reifel is named for George Reifel, who assisted Alberta Distillers in the early days, and shows off fruit with dark, almost roasted cereal notes and plenty of spice. A clean, expressive spirit, that is damn good too. CSPC +869179 $48-52

District 9 Distilling Company Saigon Baigur Premium Dry Gin, Vietnam

And now for something completely different – the first premium dry gin to be distilled in Ho Chi Minh City! Extremely fragrant, Saigon Baigur features 12 local botanicals including the distinctive, citrusy, fresh Buddha’s hand as well as lotus flower, dragon fruit, bird’s eye chili, black and green cardamom pods, and lemongrass. We’ve never tasted anything like it, and that’s very exciting as it’s quite beautiful, with evocative aromatics of its origin. CSPC +873328 $42-45

Tomintoul Cigar Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland

My cigar enjoying days might be staying in the distant past, but that doesn’t mean a whisky like this is out of the question. Showing off a little with all those sherry cask notes and nutty, honey aromas, a gentle smokiness creeps across the palate with prominent spices. Rich, smooth, and full flavoured, best with a little bit of water to open things up – no cigar needed, but a bonfire or firepit will complete the experience. CSPC +846758 $128-135

Alfred Giraud Heritage French Single Malt Whisky, France

The Giraud Family got their start as coopers and in cognac production, but they certainly made a smart choice in expanding to whisky, as their bottles are fantastic on all counts. Their “Heritage” expression comes across as a finely balanced, smoothly textured, cereal-driven whisky with top-shelf barrel notes and a bright fruit character showing on the finish. This is exactly the sort of whisky that makes for a good gift to share with the recipient. CSPC +854547 $200

Alfred Giraud Harmonie French Malt Whisky, France

A very welcome treat in this French spirit, the “Harmonie” is lightly peated, but perhaps it should say, “perfectly” peated, permitting enough of the slightly oily, smoky notes to cleanly support malted, cereal characters. I found this perfect served neat (even though it’s 46 percent) with wonderful texture, but a little water would open things up enough for many. CSPC +854548 $225