BOTTLES TO GIVE

OLD PULTENEY 12 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH LCBO 515346, $79.95

The Old Pulteney distillery is the most northerly on Scotland’s mainland, established in 1826, in the old herring-fishing town of Wick. There’s a trace of sea air in the aroma of this mediumbodied single malt, and a deliciously complex taste of apples and vanilla cake with an added wisp of smoke.

ARMAGNAC DE MONTAL VSOP LCBO 618496, $53.35

Light on its feet but with a long finish like a peacock’s tail, this is a splendid VSOP Armagnac with fresh plum and anise leavening aromas of prune and vanilla oak. A most contemplative brandy.