Making Spirits Bright

Rich, rare and delicious, our top festive drink picks are perfect for holiday toasting—and gifting. —Vita Daily

season’s scotch. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is matured in a combination of 100 per cent sherry-seasoned American and European oak for a balanced profile of dried fruit and light oak spice. It offers a creamy palate with honeyed flavours carrying marmalade and baking spices, followed by a lengthy, fruity finish. Pair it with pumpkin pie for a perfect finish to your holiday feast.

rum pum pum pum. This limited-edition Appleton Estate 15 Year Old Jamaican Rum—full bodied with orange peel, vanilla, toasted oak and subtle hints of coffee, nuts and molasses—is exclusively available in Canada (talk about adding a special touch to our eggnog!).

brandy obsession. We can barely think of a more perfect-for-the-holiday-season sip than a smooth and balanced signature French brandy—specifically, Marquis de Villard VSOP, presenting aromas and flavours of Christmas (think baked apples, butterscotch, pear, dark chocolate and a hint of maple sugar).

gin joy. In choosing libations for the season, don’t forget about clear spirits, which make a wonderful base for timeless (read: year-round party-perfect) drinks like martinis. Other winter-worthy uses for gin? How about a hot cocktail or two? We’ve got recipes for a warming Sipsmith G&T here!

blue christmas. We’re doubling up on this drink, thanks to Bombay Sapphire‘s gift pack, designed to illuminate when a candle is placed inside and perfect for holiday entertaining.

christmas goose. Not the bird you cook but, rather, the brand you drink when you want to elevate a holiday gathering. From Grey Goose Vodka come several gifting options, including a flour tin, espresso martini pack and a “twist and reveal” box that lets you choose from eight festive greetings.

whisky all the way. A perfect addition for this season’s list of top spirits to be enjoyed over the holidays is the brand-new Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve—a whisky inspired by the unique character of its namesake, Captain Bill, that boasts succulently festive flavours of mandarins in syrup, poached pears and chocolate-covered raisins. Oh yum!

mark your advent calendar. For the first time in history, Kentucky Bourbon is getting a Canadian twist! In collaboration with B.C. Liquor Stores, Maker’s Mark has developed a unique bourbon customized for the province of British Columbia. Maker’s Mark Private Select is a first-of-its-kind barrel program that allows retail customers to “make their own Maker’s” by finishing fully matured cask-strength Maker’s Mark Bourbon in a single barrel made up of their custom selection of oak staves (choose from Baked American Pure, Toasted French Spice, Maker’s 46, Seared French Cuvée and Roasted French Mocha). The end result is a rich winter whisky, velvety on the palate, with a finish of chocolate on the nose.

Happy holidays from VITA and please remember to drink responsibly!