Top Shelf Spirits for Dad

This Father’s Day, get Pop that trophy bottle that he’ll sip and savor until next June. Or at least until the leaves change color.

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

Snow Phoenix is a limited-edition (12,000 bottles in all) scotch made in sherry, bourbon and whisky casks aged 13 to 30 years. All of its ingredients were exposed to sub-zero temperatures when the roofs of several Glenfiddich warehouses collapsed from record snowfall (hence the name). Golden in color, it starts off bright (think green apples) but also has an oaky, salty depth. This is one silky smooth scotch.
47.6% ABV, $90

Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel 2011

Aged for 12 years, this is the latest of Four Roses’s annual offering of its limited-edition single-barrel bourbon—the spirit in each of the 3,600 bottles comes from individual, cream-of-the-crop barrels rather than a blend of several different ones. It packs a lot of heat at first, but the more experienced bourbon drinker will appreciate the spicy rye flavors and a long finish full of ripe fruit.
59.3% ABV, $90

Hibiki 12 Years Old

This clean, smooth and incredibly balanced dram is a good introduction to Japanese whiskey, which favors subtlety and balance over more macho flavors. Aged for 2 to 3 years in casks seasoned with plum liqueur, it has a pleasant sweet and sour, slightly acidic taste. It’s easy to sip straight up. No ice necessary, and perfect for the flask.
43% ABV, $65

Ron Abuelo Centuria

Yes, rum is for sipping, too. Made to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary, Centuria is a blend of Panamanian rums aged up to 30 years. At first you’re hit by its rich caramel flavors, then leather and tobacco and, finally, a little tropical spice. But mostly, you’ll be blown away by its smoothness.
40% ABV, $130

Herradura Seleccion Suprema

Aged for more than four years in American oak barrels, this Extra Añejo tequila is creamy, vanilla-y and has an ultra-long, oaky finish that’s practically whiskey-like but, with all of the agave notes, much more exotic.
40% ABV, $350



[Source: The Wall Street Journal, Photo: F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal]

Single Malt Scotch & Cigars - a Match Made in Heaven

Like two peas in a pod of the luxury world, cigars and whiskey can often be found together. Both known as two of the finer things in life, when used jointly, they work to enhance the drinking and smoking experience. This is particularly true when the drink being consumed is single malt scotch. Known as the Cuban cigar of the whiskey world, single malt scotch is the perfect drink to take out for a smoke.

What is Single Malt Scotch?
While many people know what single malt scotch entails, some people may not be completely clear. But, in actuality, the concept of single malt scotch is singularly simple: single malt scotch is essentially barely-malt whiskey made in Scotland that comes from only one distillery,

Scotch Whisky Trifle - it's not just for the Holidays

FIRST STEP:  Coffee-Caramel Custard

• 2 2/3 cups half and half
• 6 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons chilled whipping cream
• 1 1/4 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder
• 3 tablespoons Scotch whisky

SECOND STEP:  Trifle

• 1 1-pound frozen pound cake, thawed, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 6 tablespoons Scotch whisky
• 1 cup raspberry jam (about 10 1/2 ounces)
• 2 1/2-pint baskets fresh

How is Scotch Whiskey Made?