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Making the Gift Count!
Getting into the Holiday Spirits
© Michael Vaughan 2004
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
Saturday, November 27, 2004

LIVE WINE LINK
www.winefind.ca
(CLICK ON THE NAME - All listings are automatically linked to the LCBO database)
If there is a product that interests you, just click on the name below and you will instantaneously connected with the LCBO database. The product will appear in blue and all you have to do is click on the name again and then the next screen will provide details along with the store search. Just click on store search. The number of bottles in each store is updated nightly. You should call the store first to see if stock still remains (each store phone number is listed).

“It is the thought that counts” is something no one would deny. But surely with the copious selection of specialty items available at the LCBO, the time has come to time to make the gift count as well. Of course, it takes a bit more effort than simply going for the most attractive LCBO gift-wrapped package. First, there is the bottle’s content to consider, which can vary from delightful to dreadful. As no product ratings are available, one doesn’t know what is worth buying. As of today, National Post readers can visit my website and get a holiday gift checklist of what to buy and what to avoid, which will be updated as the 100+ special items on offer are tasted. To see click here.

Secondly, one also has to consider the likes and dislikes of the person on the receiving end. A bottle of the finest rum, for instance, will not impress if the recipient happens to hate the stuff. Which brings me to one of the best bets, the beautifully packaged Appleton Estate Rum Gift Pack (601401) at $69.95 consisting of four different 200 ml bottles of Jamaica’s finest.

It is the perfect choice for those wishing to discover the wide array of styles available. It kicks off with the ever-popular, tasty Appleton Estate V/X Rum (177808), which sells for $22.95 per 750 ml and progresses up through Appleton Reserve Rum (200436) at $27.95, Appleton Estate Extra Rum (105742) at $32.95 and finally Appleton 21 Year Old Rum at $89.95 (all priced in the 750 ml format). Picking up a bottle of each would set you back $173.80. Keep in mind that at $69.95 you are paying a 50% premium for the gift pack convenience, as the actual content cost is only $46.34.

You are going to have to shell out more to get this season’s best collection of Scotch whisky. Top marks for the outstanding Highland Park Single Malt Gift Pack collection (601211) at $239.95, which consists of three 333 ml bottles.  It includes Highland Park 12 Year Old (204560) from the general list at $49.95 and two special Vintages items the elegant gently honeyed Highland Park 18 Year Old (500231) at $117.95 and Highland Park 25 Year Old (500231) at $350.00 (all priced in the 750 ml format). In this case, three full-sized bottles would set you back $517.90. Best yet, this $239.95 bargain-priced gift package is only a $10 premium of actual content cost.

Cognac connoisseurs will definitely enjoy the elixir adorning the front cover of the 52-page Vintages holiday gift catalogue. The elegantly rounded, seductive Remy Martin Extra Fine Champagne Cognac (650051) at $224.95 per 350 ml bottle – the full bottle (215368) will set you back $395.00. Ironically, I found this refined blend to be more appealing than their rare Louis XIII Cognac, which comes in a decorative, Baccarat crystal decanter (67090) at $1,899 per 700 ml.

Getting back down to earth, lovers of grappa can now take their favourite spirit wherever they go. From the 56- page “Ultimate” LCBO gift catalogue come the gift-boxed Bottega Moscato Grappa Spray (601286) a mere $15.95 for the100 ml spray bottle. The gently grassy, ripe pear aromas are perfection for those wanting to provide that special fragrance to their drinks/cuisine. A wide variety of fine Bottega grappa come in a variety of decorative packages, including the lovely Blue Venetian Mask Chardonnay Grappa (597617) at $84.95 (500 ml).

Bata Shoe museum fans should be impressed with the clear glass shoe-shaped bottle filled with red coloured Nannerl Cinderella Shoe Grappa with Cherry Liqueur (650143) at $39.95 for 350 ml. The nose is focused on sweet maraschino cherry and grass with an odd, new shoe tonality. Although better on the palate (think of viscous, candied maraschino cherry center sans chocolate flavours), it is certainly not for everyone - perhaps for souls with a shoe fetish or a relative of Imelda Marcos?

In terms of events, this weekend’s Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, which takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is a great window to track down some best buys. At the French Pavilion some 13 agents will be sampling their wares. Check out the well–priced Burgundies from Bouchard Pere & Fils, along with Hine Rare & Delicate Cognac at Woodman Wines & Spirits. Also don’t miss trying Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais, Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s excellent, newly-released 2003 Mouton Cadet Blanc and Laurrent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne at the Philippe Dandurande booth.