Whisky Wonderland
We’re likely all pretty much done with the winter weather, and there are only four months or so to go until we brave leaving the house without a jacket. But meanwhile, it’s a great time to enjoy the most winter-friendly spirit – whisky. Perfect to sip watching the fire or a lovely sunset at 4:30 in the afternoon, it’s also brilliant in warming cocktails after outdoor activities. For those who love “the bard”, January 25 is Robbie Burns Day, a fitting day to enjoy some of Scotland’s finest, but we’ve included some excellent Alberta-made whiskies too!
Dalmore 2025 Edition Luminary No.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
The third (and final!) release of the Luminary series and carrying 17 years of age, this is a wonderful, collectable, and sharable (emphasis on sharable) whisky. A perfect choice to bottle this at over 49 percent ABV letting fig and cocoa, leather and vanilla, and cinnamon show clearly and evolving citrus and dried fruit elements over the mid palate towards the huge finish. This one is very, very good – best enjoyed neat. Perhaps move soon if you are interested.
​
CSPC 1230680 Around $575-600
Lochlea “Third Crop” Harvest Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
Fittingly, the Third Crop of the Lochlea Harvest Edition is finished in three casks. Bourbon, port, and sherry casks, all showing to great effect. A captivating nose with some delightfully strawberry-like fruits along with toffee, leather, and spice. The 46 percent ABV gives fine weight to the palate where things take a spicy turn, with some earthy, cocoa flavours emerging before a kicking, peppery finish. Neat is a good choice here, but a wee splash of water, even some ice, works well.
CSPC 117048 $90-95
Wild Life Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky, Alberta
Wow, sniff, sniff, sniff, and inhale the crazy, sweet chocolate raisins aromas, and then taste… it’s rounded and smooth, rich, opulent and oily, and full of the best Pedro Ximénez sherry-soaked fruit cake, toffee pudding, and all things lip-smacking and delicious – are you hungry or thirsty? Absolutely a welcome surprise for an Alberta whisky to taste like this. I hope there’s plenty left when you go and look for it, you’ll thank us!
​
CSPC 118438 Around $93
Eau Claire Distillery Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky, Alberta
Great quality at an exceptional price too, Rupert’s fills a void that we often haven’t had in the Alberta whisky scene. A widely available, Alberta-made, craft distilled, blended whisky. Rich and smooth on the palate, with not too much spice, sweet flavours and aromas of butterscotch and vanilla (but no sweetness of course in the spirit). It’s a great place to start a whisky journey, that also works exceptionally well in cocktails.
​
CSPC 126420 $36-40
Diony Canadian Whisky, Port Cask Finish, Alberta
Diony, from Red Deer Country, are encouraging us to drink quality, not quantity – and this weighty, all-Canadian amber whisky in its handsome, heavy glass bottle underscores that, it exudes quality. Distilled from local malted rye, malted barley, and oats, the whisky ages in re-charred French oak barrels and finished in port casks, giving warming notes of toasted raisin bread (love that!) with the richness of port, enhanced with a couple of drops of water.
​
CSPC 897616 $120-125
Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Single Malt, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The fourth in Torabhaig’s limited edition Legacy Series which will culminate in the release of their first 10-year-old whisky, Sound of Sleat is named for the sea separating Skye from the mainland. Torabhaig say “well-tempered peat”, I’d say it’s beautifully balanced – it’s smoky, saline, honey sweet, spiced, a little citrus, a little oily in the mouth - and unmistakably the elegant, smoky style Torabhaig is becoming known for. Enjoy neat.
CSPC 129948 Around $108-112
Hansen Distillery Northern Eyes Roughstock Reserve Whisky, Alberta
Love what Hansen is doing up in Edmonton, and I’ve yet to see one of their releases that hasn’t absolutely “nailed it” – and the whisky is no different. A blended whisky with plenty of rye in the mash, with sherry cask finishing for the sweet of heart. The Roughstock is very smooth from start to finish with an easy going spiciness, raisined fruit, and some tart, dark fruits at the end. Completely sippable and makes a killer Old Fashioned.
​
CSPC 117757 About $35
