LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2024

PRESSED TO IMPRESS

Cocktail Class Looking to highlight fall flavours in your cocktails? Ontario whisky mixed with a farm-fresh pressed apple cider is a harmonious, unexpected match that truly works. The warm, spicy notes of whisky shine alongside the sweet-tart acidity of cider. Try a ratio of one part whisky to two parts cider. Consider these ultra-local couplings or experiment with your own cider-whisky matches.

Forty Creek Maplewood Select LCBO 39103, $89.95

This new fall release has a silky texture with ripe berry, fresh corn and white pepper aromas. Crafted in Grimsby, the whisky has a corn sweet ness that accompanies big spice notes rounded out with maplewood. Complement flavours with cider by Fletcher Fruit Farms in Binbrook.

Spring Mill John Sleeman & Sons Traditional Straight Whisky LCBO 27998, $54.95

The Guelph distiller’s first whisky has pleasing sweet caramel, citrus and toasted oak notes, plus hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Highlight those flavours in a zesty cocktail by adding juice from half a lemon to the whisky, along with cider from Martin’s Family Fruit Farm in nearby St. Jacob’s.

Wolfhead Cinnamon Whisky LCBO 29193, $36.95

Add a shot of this aromatic whisky with a lasting finish from Amherstburg to cider and gently heat with a cinnamon stick or star anise for a cocktail reminiscent of apple pie. Keep the pairing local and go with fresh cider from Delhaven Orchards in Blenheim.

Dillon’s Rye Whisky LCBO 14915, $49.95

Distilled in Beamsville, this 100-per-cent rye whisky has been aged for 4 years in new oak. It boasts aromas of dried fruit, citrus, ginger and vanilla. Pair this subtly sweet whisky with pure apple cider from Niagara’s Palatine Fruit & Roses, made with tangy, not‑too‑sweet Red Love apples.

Maverick Barnburner Whisky LCBO 631853, $35.95

This corn and rye whisky distilled in Oakville is double-aged in bourbon barrels. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, rye, sweet bourbon, apple and pear, plus hints of woodsmoke. Tap into that apple flavour with fresh cider made from Cana dian apples at Chudleigh’s in Milton.

Take your whisky and apple cider cocktails to the next level to impress your guests. Add a pinch of pumpkin spice, grated nutmeg or cloves. Warm the mixture in a slow cooker and serve in mugs with eye catching garnishes, like thin slices of orange, lemon or dehydrated apple, and whole cranberries.

DRESS IT UP

BUY GUIDE Discover fresh-pressed ciders at farmers’ markets, orchards and artisanal cider-makers. Here’s a handful of local stops worth visiting.

Brantview Apples & Cider, St. George

Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival, Wellesley The last Saturday in Septem ber marks a celebration of seasonal bounty in Waterloo region. Expect local specialties like apple fritters, apple butter and Wellesley Brand fresh pressed apple cider, blended with five apple types.

Bennett’s Apples & Cider, Ancaster The Bennett family has produced apples near Hamilton since 1911. Their shop sells apple cider donuts, two dozen apple varietals and an ultra-fresh cider pressed on-site.

Loughborough Heritage Orchard, Inverary Marc and Stella Hiemstra restored an orchard left unattended for more than a decade north of Kingston. Today, they grow organic heritage apples,

This family-run farm has grown apples for more than 200 years. Its cider, crafted with Empire, Cortland and Honeycrisp, won best sweet cider in 2024.

like Red Atlas, for their award-winning cider.

APPLE FRITTERS PHOTO: LARRY KRYSKI

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