Need something stronger than wine to embolden you during this scary month of October? Something more boooozy, perhaps? How about a pair of whiskies—one from the home of Halloween and the other from la belle province?

Spicebox Pumpkin Whisky — Quebec ($29.45)
While you can infer a few things about the expected aromas and tastes of a brand that goes by the name Spicebox Whisky, the story behind the name is just as compelling as its flavour profiles.

“Spicebox was inspired by crafty Canadian entrepreneurs who would smuggle contraband cargo in wooden barrels marked ‘Spices,’” the Quebec-based company notes. “They knew it was the perfect camouflage and that the aromatic spices would infuse the whisky with delicious flavours, creating something extraordinary.”

Spicebox begins the process with a quality Canadian whisky aged in bourbon barrels from three to six years. Its cold-extraction process helps develop those spicy characteristics.

And nothing says October quite like Spicebox’s Pumpkin Whisky. As they describe, “Think pumpkin pie in a glass. Now add the warm, smooth finish of rye whisky.”

Sweet vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and, yes, pumpkin, leap out of bottle. Paler than one might expect in the glass, there’s a sweetness to the palate, but plenty of those rich spices popping off the tastebuds and adding some heat to the finish.

It might be at its best in a cocktail form, though, and is a great fit for apple cider. Certainly a well-priced seasonal indulgence. Check out this link for cocktail recipes. 35% abv. 87/100

 

Hinch 5 Year Old Double Wood Irish Whisky — County Down, Northern Ireland ($76.95)
Halloween is only a few weeks away, so here’s a nod to its origins with a review from this new distillery in County Down, Ireland.

Known for its world-famous golf course of the same name, County Down was home to seven whisky distilleries from the late 18th to the early 20th century. Hinch Distillery is a new kid on the block, but has already knocked the blocks off whisky aficionados despite just officially opening in 2020, while adding a visitors centre earlier this year.

If you’re ever venturing to Northern Ireland at the end of October, though, it’s also worth making the two-hour car ride northwest to take in the enchanting Derry Halloween festival. Celebrating the origin of All Hallows Eve, which dates back 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), Derry has celebrated their annual event with storytelling, mischief, feasting and hospitality for more than 35 years.

Back in County Down, though, the grain-to-glass Hinch Distillery has had much to celebrate themselves, including a pile of recent accolades, among them ‘Gin of the Year’ (for its Ninth Wave brand), Double Gold for its 10 Year Old Sherry Finish Irish Whiskey, and Gold for its 5 Year Old Double Wood at the 2020 China Wine & Spirits Awards.

As for the latter, this premium blend of single-malt and single-grain whiskies is matured for a minimum of four years in premium first-fill bourbon casks, before adding a contemporary twist of virgin oak cask aging for the final year. That triple-distilled, double-wood blend adds colour, character and depth to the final product. Hinch’s whisky mash house, meanwhile, contains two mashing vessels, allowing the distillery to maximize its flavour profiles.

This five-year-old edition is a pale amber in the glass and a touch restrained on the nose, suggesting its youth, but with orange rind, creamy spice and mocha all present. On the palate, it’s light on its feet—don’t go looking for too many layers, given its age—but is still round and smooth, with more citrus fruit (including apricot) and a peppery oak on the palate. A little pricey, given that it’s only five years old. 43% abv. 89/100