Saturday (January 25) marks the 255th birthday of Scotland’s pastoral patriot, Robert Burns. There’s only one appropriate dram to raise and clink to the Good Old Bard of Ayrshire this weekend: Scotch.
The Famous Grouse
Rating: NNN
Why: A blend of grain and single malt whiskies, including stocks from Highland Park and the Macallan, the Famous Grouse is smooth and affordable – classic characteristics that have made blended Scotch the world’s best-selling whisk(e)y.
Price: 750 ml/$28.05 (on sale until February 2)
Availability: LCBO 52050
Compass Box Asyla
Rating: NNN
Why: The lightest of Compass Box’s line, Asyla isn’t my personal favourite – but not everyone wants to their taste buds to flirt and wrestle with their whisky. If you fancy an easy blend with a demure nose and a soft, sweet palate, then this is your dram.
Price: 700 ml/$54.90
Availability: LCBO 346346
Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Rating: NNNN
Why: Single malts like Ardbeg are why I’ve come around to Islay peat-bombs. Hiding behind the initial hit of bonfire are a spectrum of intense aromas and flavours, from salted caramel to buttered popcorn, citrus, coconut, tar and iodine.
Price: 750 ml/$99.95
Availability: LCBO 560474
