The Twelve Whiskies of Christmas

When the festive season rolls around and Christmas cheer is on every lip, the discussion turns to gift giving. And which whisky will that special someone choose for me this year? Here are some suggestions (hint, hint) for the discerning gift giver – and for the thankful gift receiver: 12 (plus one) whiskies that any self-respecting whisky lover would be thrilled to find in their Christmas stocking or sip with Santa by the fire.Canadian Club Classic 12 This is the most Christmassy of the Canadian Club range. It’s sweet and spicy and a most versatile drink indeed as it works well as a sweet and flavourful sipper, a robust mixer, and, with its spicy notes, will add flavour and zip to a glass of eggnog.  CC Classic 12 is available at LCBO for $24.40.Collingwood A new flavour from an established distillery, Collingwood took Canada by storm in 2011. Loads of robust rye notes have been bolstered by extra time spent in a marrying vat with staves of toasted maple. The result? A fruity, spicy quality unmatched in any other whisky. On sale now for $27.95.Crown Royal Limited Edition Crown Royal is the best-selling Canadian whisky in the world, but this special Limited Edition is only available in Canada, making it well worth a trip north across the border for someone state-side wanting to get Dad something really special this year. Canadian dads, of course, will be just as pleased to receive a bottle. $37.45.Pendleton 1910 12 years old Exclusivity operates on both sides of the border. Available only in the U.S. is this exclusive Canadian rye whisky bottled by Oregon’s Hood River Distillers. It is a couple of cowboy-belt notches above the original already popular version of Pendleton. The fancy bottle it comes in is carefully sculpted but it’s the juice inside it that really impresses. And Dad will be impressed that you crossed the border to buy him a special aged Canadian rye. Available in the U.S. for $39.95.Royal Canadian Small Batch New for 2011 Royal Canadian Small Batch is a fruity, up-market version of an old Canadian favourite. It's rich and flavourful for fireside sipping or a midnight nip. And the bottle is a bit classier too, making it a dram Dad would be proud to serve his most welcome guests. $37.95 at LCBO.White Owl Real rye whisky with the colour filtered out, White Owl is made for cocktail drinkers who want to raise their game. Funny thing though, once whisky drinkers started sipping it, White Owl became the most successful new whisky ever introduced by Highwood Distillers. It is still selling like hotcakes so don’t wait till the last minute to get yours. White Owl opens new possibilities for cocktails and mixed drinks.  $39.75 at LCBO.Danfield’s 21 Available right across Canada, though in limited quantities, Danfield’s 21 year old is a connoisseur’s delight. Rich corn whisky is accented by long-aged rye to produce an unparalleled whisky which is both sweet and piled high with crisp Canadian wood. A wonderful sipper. Currently $45.75 at LCBO.Alberta Premium 30 This 30-year old all rye whisky from Alberta Distillers was the big whisky story of 2011. It was much anticipated and sold quickly but persistent shoppers will still find bottles in liquor stores in Alberta, Ontario, and points in between.  At $49.95 for a 750 ml bottle of 30-year-old whisky, it also has to be the whisky bargain of the year.Wiser’s Legacy Pot-distilled rye whisky is mingled with just enough malted rye and corn to broaden the palate of one of the spiciest whiskies on the market. Legacy is made according to an original J.P. Wiser recipe, showcasing the ageless skills of one of the founders of the Canadian whisky style. Its substantial square decanter and wooden stopper make a great first impression that carries over into every glass. $49.95 at LCBO.Masterson’s Rye The best of the Canadian straight ryes, Masterson’s has the punch of straight rye whisky with the smooth elegance that Masterson’s masterful minglers so skillfully produce. Strong, rich, robust and complex, it remains ever so sippable. You’ll have to go state-side to buy this one, but it’s worth the trip. Rumours have it coming home to Canada in the New Year, but do you really want to make Dear Old Dad wait until then?  $54.99 at Shoppers Vineyard.Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1 Forty Creek has an impressive line-up of whiskies and this is one of the best, a real “spice monster.” John’s Private Cask is the latest of John Hall’s limited, one-time-only small-batch releases. The combination of creamy body and robust flavours is sure to please that hard-to-buy-for whisky lover. Sells in Canada for a bargain $69.95.Gibson’s 18 This whisky generates more fan mail on canadianwhisky.org than any other with its sophisticated synthesis of creamy grain flavours and clear crisp wood. Soft, supple, and oh so elegant.  This is a true contemplative to savour slowly by the embers of the Yule log. Available in very limited supply at $74.75.Glen Breton Battle of the Glen 15 years old Glenora Distillers’ finest single malt whisky is distilled and matured in the Highlands of Cape Breton. Fifteen years have smoothed the spirit to silk, creating a rich single malt whisky with a full bouquet of fresh orchard fruits and wild flowers. It sells for $150.00, but you’ll have to do a bit of searching as it is no longer available at LCBO.So there you have it: twelve Christmas whiskies to make Christmas morning just that much more special.  And as that famous song tells us, there are actually 12 Days of Christmas. So don’t limit yourself to just one of these choices. Why not try a different one on each of the 12 days (and an extra one for Boxing Day)? “On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me… Hohoho! Merry Christmas!