Is there a better time of year to get drunk than the holiday season? We’re not talking about drunk
like the rest of the year, when you spend yet another regretful night out till
closing time with the guys, but drunk with refinement and sophistication. This Christmas,
toast to health and happiness in style and not with a bottle of malt liquor in hand.
booze for the festive spirit
There is so much diversity when it comes to holiday spirits. Not the ghost of Christmas
past, present and future, but the kind of quality stuff Chuck Dickens was on when he wrote
all that crap. OK, you got us. That was grain alcohol and opium. Bad example.
How about Ernest Hemingway then? He was fond of Scotch — there’s a better example. A quality Scotch
is just the kind of spirit that makes the holidays special. That, and all the love and
family togetherness. Besides Papa’s libation of choice, here are some other
spirits that pair well with “the most wonderful time of the year.” They also make great
presents too.
Cognac
Cognac is a personal weakness of ours and as such, we need no excuse to indulge. But if
this spirit is new to you, this is the best time of year to score some good deals.
Producers of this fine spirit are notoriously protective. The real stuff can only
be made in Cognac, France, and as a result, a lot of regulations exist to defend their
livelihood. As consumers, we benefit with clear and simple ways to identify the quality
from the crap. And believe us, the difference is remarkable. The universal
confusion with cognac is this: What do the terms VS, VSOP and XO mean? Well, a major
discrepancy in price is one thing you’ll notice. A bottle of XO can set you back about
three times as much as a VS from the same distiller. With a fine cigar and the yuletide
spirit around you, it may just be worth it. Here are the reasons for quality and price
differences. VS (Very Superior): Cognac that is between two and a half
to four and a half years old. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): Known as
Reserve, a VSOP is aged a minimum of four years in wood. XO (Extra
Old): Cognac of this designation is at least six years old, but can be much older.
This category includes Cognacs called “Napoleon” and “Vieille.” Hors
d’Age: Meaning “outside of age,” Hors d’Age is treasured cognac that is very, very
old. Terms like “Fine Champagne” or “Grande Fine Champagne” appear on cognac
labels too. They serve to indicate the amount of spirits within the vintage that come from
the Champagne region of France, which, to perplex you further, is broken down between
Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne. Borderies, Fin Bois and Bons Bois are three other
regions whose spirits blend to make quality cognac. If you see one of them on the label,
do not freak out. Just make sure to choose a brand you like with a level of quality you
can enjoy and afford. Enjoy a drink with a cigar (strong cigar for old
cognac, light for young cognac), dark chocolate, sharp, soft cheeses, roasted nuts, or
dried figs. Need more advice on booze for the holidays? Read on…