LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

TREND SPOTT ING

GIFTABLE WHISKY

While writer Stephen Beaumont doesn’t like to play favourites with the drinks he consumes, there is one that strikes both a sentimental and a practical note: Bowmore 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky ( LCBO 330803, $59.95), which his

wife brought back from Scotland as her first gift to him. “It was the only spirit we served at our wedding reception,” he says. He still enjoys a dram now and again, either neat or with a slight splash of water, and also appreciates its giftability. “It comes in at a price that’s not going to break the bank,” he says, “but it also comes in a nice box so you can wrap it.” WHILE STEPHEN HAS done chocolate pairings with beer and spirits numerous times, “Going with Chocolate” (page 99) was his first with wine. “I ended up using a sparkling rosé,” he says. “The chocolate really brings out a lot of the strawberry and raspberry notes in the wine.”

PORTRAIT BY JAY BROOKS

30  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2015