Haven’t picked up a gift for Dad yet? Don’t despair here is our last minute recommendation, along with a couple of re-imagined cocktail recipes sure to win his heart.
Pike Creek: A whisky for those looking for more adventure. Aged in oak casks in a non-climate-controlled warehouse, exploding it to Canada’s severe temperature swings to create an incredibly smooth yet complex flavour profile.
PIKE CREEK – 10 YEAR OLD DOUBLE BARRELLED
FLAVOUR
Sweet honeycomb toffee, molasses and vanilla with lingering rye spice.
PROOF
42% ALC./VOL
SERVE
This whisky yields its best flavour when sipped neat, on the rocks, or with a few drops of water.
$39.99 at 115 BC Liquor Stores
$35.99 to $38.99 at these fine shops or online: Crown Cellars | ZYN.ca | DSW Liquor
$40.95 on sale until June 22 $37.45 at LCBO taxes and bottle deposit included
COCKTAILS ANYONE ?
OLD FASHIONED
- Don’t let the name fool you: This cocktail may have roots that go back at least two centuries to colonial America
(that’s why they call it “old”) — but enjoying an old fashioned never gets old. - The best Canadian whiskies make for complex, mellow old fashioneds.
- Flavourful and strong, the old fashioned is best suited to before or after dinner, with dessert or snacks — or just when you’ve got a chance to relax.
INGREDIENTS
Pike Creek 2 oz.
Sugar 1 tsp sugar
Angostura
bitters 4 dashes
Water 1 tsp
Orange peel
for garnish 1 strip
Ice cubes 4-5
INSTRUCTIONS
Add sugar to the bottom of a rocks glass. Add bitters and water, stirring to dissolve the sugar completely. (If using a sugar cube, you’ll need to press it with the back of a spoon to help dissolve it.)
Add J.P. Wiser’s 10 Year Old Canadian Whisky, add ice, and stir well.
Prepare your orange zest garnish by peeling a thin strip of orange. Squeeze it above the drink to release the oils from the skin, and drop it in or attach to the rim.
Note: You can prepare an old fashioned in the glass you’re serving it in (as in the directions below), or you can make it in a separate mixing glass and then strain it into the rocks glass for serving it.
VARIATIONS & TIPS
One secret to an excellent old fashioned is to stir for at least 20 to 30 seconds, until the liquid is very cold. Dilution with water “opens up” some of the aromas in whisky, making them easier to sniff out.
If you’re due for an extra special treat, try using a great, long-aged Canadian whisky
WHISKY & COLA
Often known as a “rye and cola” when you order it at a bar (because “rye” is synonymous with Canadian whisky).
A thirst-quenching drink that still has a lot going on, flavour-wise — especially if you use a great Canadian whisky
INGREDIENTS
Pike Creek 1.5 oz.
Cola 5 oz.
Lime wedge
for garnish 1
Ice cubes 5
INSTRUCTIONS
Add ice to your glass, then whisky, then cola.
Stir very gently to mix the ingredients together (being careful not to spill).
Drop lime wedge into the glass or attach it to the rim.
VARIATIONS & TIPS
Experiment with different colas to see what you enjoy most. Some people swear by colas with cane sugar; they’re robust enough to go toe-to-toe with whisky.
Other soft drinks that taste great with Canadian whisky include ginger ale, ginger beer and soda water.
