November Spirits
Ok. We’ll admit it, we don’t know what the weather is going to be like this November. Will it be a wet and mucky November, or will we all be out and about enjoying warmish days and brisk evenings? Or -shudder- will it be an early blast of the white stuff that has us hunkering indoors? This month, we covered our bases, mostly with soul warming brown spirits like whisky and bourbon, but also tequila to get you thinking about the beach or patio, and a fun, spicy, vodka to jazz up a weekend or bonfire.
Ardbeg Spectacular
A limited-edition release for Ardbeg Day 2024, this is a first for the Islay distillery – it’s matured in rare port casks. Perhaps Bull Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation for Ardbeg, sums it up best: “Totally weird and absolutely spectacular. This is a freaky whisky!" Given the port casks, of course it’s sweet - and given that it’s Ardbeg from Islay, of course it’s smoky - but there’s so much more to discover… lavender, apple, caramel, mint…
CSPC 105255 $155-180
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brand new to Alberta, this Woodinville Bourbon comes from… yes, you guessed it, Woodinville in Washington! 72 percent corn and 22 percent rye give a sweet and spicy nose, with vanilla, cocoa nibs, and treacle toffee flavours on the palate coming from the extra-heavily charred barrels. At 90 proof it doesn’t need any dilution, but just a drop or two of water really brings out the sweet notes.
CSPC 108304 around $74
Mi Campo Reposado Tequila
Another new to Alberta product is Mi Campo (My Field), a new take on the art of tequila making. The seven-year-old Blue Weber Agave leaves are roasted and then gently squeezed to release the natural honey flavours, then double-distilled and aged in Napa Valley pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon barrels to give a really smooth banana, chocolate, and pepper finish – perfect for your favourite tequila cocktail!
CSPC 822335 $38-40
Lochlea “Our Barley” Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
The “Grains to Glass” movement is one that we definitely welcome as if you have the very best base ingredients – it does show in the final product. Humming along nicely at cask strength, with a mix of barrel in the maturation, Our Barley (from their own farms), highlights bartlett pears, orange citrus peel notes, and clean cereal expressions. Full and spicy on the finish, this is best neat. 
CSPC 874957 $75-80
Hartfield & Co. Pre-Prohibition Style Bourbon
The only distillery in present-day Bourbon County, Hartfield & Co focus on small batch (just 1183 bottles of this one!) pre-prohibition style, which means a high malted barley mashbill (no wheat included), single pass distilling, and aging in small barrels. It’s very soft - even at 100 proof - mouth-coating, creamy, smoky and a little sweet, and dangerously easy to drink! Only available in Kentucky and Alberta.
CSPC 817454 $90-100
Polar Ice Cinnamon Sugar Flavoured Vodka, Canada
Oh my! A collaboration of sorts with Beaver Tails – the well-known (at least in parts of Canada) treat, and a smooth, smooth Polar Ice Vodka. Coming across on the nose as classic drive through, doughnut style pastry with a little powdered sugar and cinnamon, it zings on the palate with plenty of cinnamon, but not too much, and a mild blast of sweetness. A neat holiday or winter treat for sure!
CSPC 110655 $34-37