There’s lot’s of choice for those seeking alcohol for general consumption, but sometimes you want to up the ante for those special moments, a self-indulgent treat, or even as a favoured go-to choice libation. Premium brands have once again been gaining in popularity over the past few years, and even more so during the pandemic, when many were stuck at home unable to hit up their local bars and restaurants.

The Glenlivet and Rémy Martin are two such brands that are experiencing a resurgence, and not only with the established well-to-do crowd, but also within the emerging younger demographic who are wanting to add a luxurious note to their chill time.

The Glenlivet – there’s a single malt moment to match every mood

Founder George Smith was the first in the Glenlivet valley to legally distill whisky nearly 200 years ago, as he defined the Speyside style of whisky introducing the world of single malt to all. Their new campaign slogan, “Original by Tradition” shows how tradition is breaking traditions, in whisky and in culture in order to move things forward and set new standards.

2015

The Heritage 12 Year Old whisky has been called a lot of things in its time: smooth, fruity, complex, sophisticated, entertaining, classic. Representing The Glenlivet’s signature style, this classic malt is first matured in traditional oak, before spending time in American oak casks which impart notes of vanilla and gives the whisky it’s distinctive smoothness. The mineral-rich water that comes from Josie’s Well helps form the flavours during mashing and fermentation, whilst the specific height and width of the copper stills add a delicate yet complex character.

Now, almost 200 years since the distillery doors opened, The Glenlivet Founders Reserve has been created by Master Distiller Alan Winchester. This fine liquid captures the distinct, smooth, fruity taste that George Smith first envisioned in 1824, and went on to be amass highest sales volume of any new Scotch product launched in the last five years.

The Glenlivet is for those who are willing to pay for quality and premium products that elevate their status and can be enjoyed with close friends, now more than ever. it can be drank neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail – the choice is yours.

The Glenlivet is once again making single malt whisky approachable by breaking down barriers and stereotypes.  Don’t know about The Glenlivet? Try something new. It’s not your grandfather’s single malt, it’s your discovery!

Founder’s Reserve LCBO

Captain’s Reserve LCBO

12 Year Old LCBO

15 Year Old LCBO

18 Year Old LCBO

For those wanting to give their taste buds a shot of premium brandy, St-Rémy Signature recently released as a brand new brandy with a new superb bottle, aiming to recruit a new generation of brandy drinkers.

St. Remy began its journey in 1886, forming its distillery in Machecoul, France. Since then. they’ve been creating unique, authentic brandy. Anticipate aromas and flavours of plum, dried apricot, oak and vanilla, along with baking spice. It’s medium-bodied with a rounded palate and a long finish.

It can always be consumed in a classic way, neat or on the rocks, but its versatility also opens it up to several cocktail recipe ideas.

Club Cocktail• 2 oz / 6 cl St-Rémy Signature • 0,5 oz / 1,5 cl Maraschino Liqueur • 0,5 oz / 1,5 cl Fresh Pineapple Juice • 2 tsp superfine sugar Shake hard with ice,Fine Strain into a chilled Coupe,Garnish with pineapple leaf or wedge,Garnish with aromatized Peychauds bitter.

Corpse Reviver N° 1• 1 oz / 3 cl St-Rémy Signature • 1 oz / 3 cl Lairds Apple Brandy • 0,75 oz / 2 cl Italian Sweet Vermouth Stir over cracked ice,Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass,Express lemon oils over the glass,Garnish with a freshly trimmed and thin slice of lemon peel.

French Metropolitan (Brandy Manhattan)• 2 oz / 6 cl St-Rémy Signature • 1 oz / 3 cl Italian Sweet Vermouth • 3 dashes Angostura bitters Stir with cracked ice,Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass,Garnish with a brandied cherry.

French Alexander• 1,5 oz / 4,5 cl St-Rémy Signature • 0,7 oz / 2 cl heavy cream • 0,5 oz / 1,5 cl cacao cream • 0,25 oz / 0,75 cl simple syrup or 1 tsp superfine sugar Shake hard with ice,Fine strain into a coupe or glass coffee mug,Garnish with grated nutmeg to cover the top

French Old Fashioned • 2 oz / 6 cl St-Rémy Signature• 1 dash Angostura Bitter• 3 dashes Regans Orange Bitter A twist on one of the most famous cocktail recipe, the Old Fashioned.Garnish with an Orange Peel

Signature Dry• 2 oz / 6 cl St-Rémy Signature• 1 oz / 3 cl Dolin Blanc• 1 dash Orange Bitter A twist on the classic Dry Martini. A cocktail recipe that suits a more mixed target.Garnish with lemon ails from a peel.

Signature Rose (Jack Rose)• 2 oz / 6 cl St-Rémy Signature• 0,75 oz / 2 cl lemon• 0,25 oz / 0,75 cl grenadine syrup• 0,25 oz / 0,75 cl hibiscus syrup• 1 egg white Hard shake for 30 seconds with Ice,Double Strain into a footed Libby Embassy Georgian glass,Garnish with flower or candied lemon wheel

Tin Train(Paper Plane)• 0,75 oz / 2 cl St-Rémy Signature• 0,75 oz / 2 cl Aperol• 0,75 oz / 2 cl Amaro Nonino• 0,75 oz / 2 cl Fresh Lemon JuiceShake hard with ice,Fine strain into a chilled coup,Garnish with a thin lemon wheel

Grab a bottle from the LCBO today and kick start your summer with the envy of your friends.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.