Six Lovely Whiskies To Buy For Valentine's Day

by David Kiley (RSS feed)
Feb 11th 2011 at 3:01PM

Whiskey for Valentine's Day? Why not.

It's not there aren't any female whiskey aficionados. But I will say most of these suggestions seem to me to be much more appropriate for men than women. After all, how many really great Valentine's Day gifts are there for men? Jewelry? Sure, for the right man, who wants a new ring or cuff-links. Bracelets? Not so much. Please.

But whiskey, special whiskies, for the whiskey loving man? That's a can't miss present. But not just any whiskey. Given the nature of the day, look for a whisky that is lush, special, characteristics. Deep amber colors, nice age, finishes of chocolate and marzipan. To do it right, think "sex in a glass."

Here are six suggestions that fit the bill. And they all should be available at better liquor stores with a decent whiskey selection.

Glenmorangie 18-year old: Price $100.00
Once it has spent 15 years maturing in American white oak casks approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Then, when both have reached 18 years, it is blended back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavor. The taste is balanced between honey, malt and flowery scents. Dates and figs emerge in the background with a hint of wood smoke. Think of Glenmorangie 18-year old like having candy, flowers and a wood fire all in the one glass.

Amrut Fusion: $50-$65.00
Introduce your mate to a whisky he or she has probably never tried. This whisky, from India, is one of the best in the world, especially under $100. Combining Indian malt and peated Scottish malt, it has a sweet side, but not too sweet. The taste includes vanilla custard, peat, dried pineapple. It will be unexpected, like a good gift should be.

Aberlour Abunadh: Price $60.00
This is a superb cask-strength single-malt whisky. It has no age-statement, so its delight is a timeless as love. It is released in limited run batches, each batch carrying a unique number on its label. The whisky is blended from Aberlour barrels ranging from 5 to 25 years old. It is aged in Spanish oak Olorosso sherry butts, which gives the whisky an especially dark amber color. It is a touch sweeter than many single-malts because of the long aging in the sherry wood. It is gentle enough for men and women to imbibe. The word a'bunadh is roughly translated into English from Scottish Gaelic as "original."

Ardbeg Corryvreckan: Price: $85.00
Among Ardbeg's super peaty whiskies, this one stands out as arguably the most powerful. As Malt Advocate called it, "Muscular, well-textured, and invigorating." The more aggressive notes of coal tar, anise, and smokey seaweed, flanked by black raspberries, dark chocolate, coffee and molasses. Malt Advocate even wrote their tasters detected a touch of "bacon fat" in the taste.

Crown Royal Cask No. 16: Price: $100.00
Finished in Cognac casks, this is a velvety smooth Canadian whisky with lush notes of vanilla, butterscotch, marzipan with a balanced fruity finish. Many have called it Crown Royal's best expression ever.

Parker's Heritage Collection: 27-Year Old: Price: $200.00
One of the Malt Advocates highest rated whiskies, This extra mature whiskey has great deep amber coloring with notes of dark rum and toffee, as well as dried apricot, raisins and vanilla. An ideal whiskey to drink with a cigar. Don't be afraid to pair this gift with a terrific cigar, preferably tucked into a new leather cigar traveler.

Gallery: Six Lovely Whiskies for Valentine's Day Gifts

Tags: amrut fusion, ardbeg corryvrecken, crown royal, Glenmorangie 18, Parkers Heritage Collection, Valentines Day gifts, whiskey, whisky

Filed under: Spirits

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Willy Feb 11th 2011 3:11PM

It's spelt 'Whisky'

Rae Feb 11th 2011 4:14PM

Whiskey/whisky nmemonics:
Here’s a quick way to remember how some of the world’s biggest producers spell their products:

* Countries that have E’s in their names (UnitEd StatEs and IrEland) tend to spell it whiskEy (plural whiskeys)
* Countries without E’s in their names (Canada, Scotland, and Japan) spell it whisky (plural whiskies)

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/whiskey-vs-whisky-whats-the-difference-straight-up-cocktails-and-spirits-100476

Rae Feb 11th 2011 4:16PM

* Countries that have E’s in their names (UnitEd StatEs and IrEland) tend to spell it whiskEy (plural whiskeys)
* Countries without E’s in their names (Canada, Scotland, and Japan) spell it whisky (plural whiskies)

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/whiskey-vs-whisky-whats-the-difference-straight-up-cocktails-and-spirits-100476

Nathan Feb 12th 2011 1:48AM

Forgetting the Whisky/Whiskey debate for a moment here, but did nobody notice the terrible writing here? Was there no proofreading whatsoever?

One example: "Given the nature of the day, look for a whisky that is lush, special, characteristics."

Also, starting sentences with 'And' - only allowed if the rest is perfect, a good writer can be let off because you know they've made the decision to use it consciously.

Sorry, to many errors to not comment on.