Located in the very heart of the Pays d’Auge in Normandy, the Domaine Familial Louis DUPONT is today run by Etienne Dupont and his son, Jérôme, 3rd and 4th generations, respectively. Since taking over in 1980, Etienne has improved the old orchards and accomplished additional new plantings to reach a total of 30 hectares, which is to say about 67 acres or 9,000 apple trees. Following the traditional methods of producing Calvados, the apples are hand-picked and rest in open wooden boxes called pallox to reach their highest aromatic peak. The juice is slowly extracted under low pressure and kept on its lees for 2 months to prevent any alteration of the cider’s flavor. The apple cider then undergoes a double distillation through a sophisticated Chalvignac copper still. The spirit is aged in 400-liter casks, made from Loire Valley oak, slightly toasted to allow natural vanillin-like aromas to enhance further the finished brandy (the Fine Reserve is aged a minimum of 3 years in these casks). Limpid golden in color with fine, complex and penetrating aromas of apple, apple crisp, pear, vanilla and caramel; round and fresh in the mouth, warming and contemplative; a superb brandy with which to while away the end of a fine evening.

Abel Tesseron created his own cognac company in 1905, relying at the time on two estates situated separately in the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne areas of Cognac. He adopted a long term policy of building up enviable stocks of eaux-de-vie, carefully conserved in their cool, damp cellars, dating back to the 13th century. These old and rare treasures, besides achieving a great reputation amongst a small circle of connoisseurs, have always been sought after by the big cognac merchants, who would make use of the fine quality of the Tesseron eaux-de-vie to complete their own blends. Today, thanks to a continual and ever increasing demand, Tesseron is selling more and more of its Cognac under its own name. Cognac Tesseron Lot No. 76 XO Tradition is an exceptional blend of reserve stocks of Grande Champagne Cognac, matured to perfection in old casks. Both elegant and expressive, Lot No. 76 announces itself to the olfactory with aristocratic aromas hinting at caramel, cinnamon, clove and zest of orange peel; smooth and refined on the tongue with penetrating warmth and flavor that seems to fully recall its quarter century or more of fine upbringing.

Delamain Pale & Dry was introduced as Delamain’s standard-bearer in 1920, and today represents some 80% of the firm’s production. The label is a reproduction of a 17th century engraving of the town of Jarnac and its Château by Claude Chastillon. Named after its taste, to reflect its clean, dry purity of flavor, it is blended from a range of Cognacs averaging 25 years of age. Brilliant pale gold in color, this superb Cognac is distinguished by its remarkable delicacy and refinement; aromas suggest a wisp of vanilla from old wood, cinnamon, clove and notions of candied orange peel and raisin; carries itself elegantly, almost floats onto the tongue with gentle richness of texture; the initial aromas are reprised and just a whole panoply of complex flavors linger welcome and warmly on the long finish.

One 200ml bottle each Delamain Pale & Dry, Delamain Vesper and Delamain Très Vénérable.

Oh Canada Maple Liqueur blends the purest maple syrup with fine Canadian Whisky and a touch of honey. Uniquely Canadian, Oh Canada Maple Liqueur is smooth and rich with a delicate sweetness. Regularly $19.99 the 750ml bottle, on sale now at:

Named after the Red Grouse, Scotland's national game bird, The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky is testimony to the unsurpassed blending skills of Matthew Gloag & Son, Ltd., a family business founded in 1800. Among the finest malt whiskies, such as The Macallan and Highland Park are married with exceptional grain whiskies for an unusually long period in fully seasoned oak casks, thus creating a blend of the smoothest possible character. Raised in the Highlands, The Famous Grouse is proud to be Scotland's favorite whisky. We recommend it most highly!