Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love. And while many celebrate with a fine dinner at a restaurant, there’s nothing more romantic than an intimate candlelight dinner at home, seated with your favourite food and a glass of wine or liquor! If you’re unsure about your choice of drink, take a look at these wines and spirits that are perfect for date night!
Aberlour A’Bunadh
Photo Courtesy: Aberlour
One of the classic ageless whiskies, the Aberlour A’Bunadh is a hand-made homage to Aberlour’s founder, James Fleming. Prepared in sherried casks, A’Bunadh is a symphony of sweet notes candy notes including almonds, butter cookies, orange peels and dried cherry, with a kick of spiced notes including Szechuan peppercorn, nutmeg and a bunch of holiday spices. The whisky has an intensely bold flavour from the spices with hints of dark chocolate giving it a creamy, full-bodied flavour.
One of the world’s most awarded single malt labels, the Glenffidich 21-year-old expression has quite a rich and intense flavour. The liquor is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks for 21 years and finished for four months in bourbon barrels seasoned with Glenfiddich’s own Caribbean rum, imbuing the whisky with extra exotic notes. The rum is blended with the Speyside distiller’s secret recipe from several tropical Caribbean islands to awaken distinctive notes of ginger, lime and banana.
If you’re all for sweet whiskies then this dessert-like whisky developed by Glenmorangie’s Director of Whiskey Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden is perfect for you. Wanting to encapsulate the magic of cake in a single malt, Dr Lumsdenfinished the Glenmorangie in Tokaji dessert wine casks, leading to a burst of sweet, candy-like flavours – honey, white chocolate, apricot, almond, vanilla and pears, balanced by zesty orange and menthol.
A rather contemporary style wine, the Il Bruciato is an intense ruby red wine aged in barrels for at least eight months and for a further four months in the bottle. It is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes that come from Guado al Tasso’s vineyard. The wine has a fine balance of intensity and expression, displaying notes of bright, ripe berry fruit, sweet spices, and light caramel flavours. On the palate, it is a full-bodied and well-structured wine with supple tannins and a fruity after-taste.
The Louis XIII Cognac needs no introduction. One of the most popular celebration spirits, it is perfect for all occasions including a dinner date. The cognac has a unique flavour palate which includes aromatics like myrrh, honey, dried roses, plum, honeysuckle, cigar box, leather, figs and passion fruit. Apart from the liquor, the mouth‐blown decanters these are presented in, have been a part of the cognac craze.
Available exclusively at Mansionz by Living Liquidz in Bengaluru and Vaz Enterprises in Goa.
Moët & Chandon Champagne Rosé Impérial
Photo Courtesy: Moet & Chandon
Want a fruity surprise for Valentine’s Day? Then Moët & Chandon’s Rosé Impérial is your best bet! Touted as one of the best sparkling wines in the country, Chandon always has something delicious to offer. One of their specials includes the Rosé Impérial sparkling wine which is known for its fruity palate. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the Rosé Impérial boasts a romantic expression of fruity notes derived from strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants.
This queen of whites is made by the 140-year-old Wenté vineyards in California. Inspired by the morning fog that rolls into the San Francisco Bay area, the Chardonnay boasts a rich golden colour, showing off a floral nose with hints of citrus rind, green apple and lemon curd with toasty vanilla spicy notes seamlessly intertwined and a decadent creamy texture. It’s anexpressive wine with a vivid personality that excites the taste buds.
