Fireside Sips

Five of Wine Enthusiast's favorite winter drams to keep you warm this winter.

Published on Dec 19, 2005

By Daryna Tobey

Five of Wine Enthusiast's favorite winter drams to keep you warm this winter...

96-100 / Highest Recommendation

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Northern Highlands Single Malt Whisky (Scotland; Fielding & Jones, Ltd., Deerfield, IL): 43% abv, $30. A malt whisky gem and an incredible bargain. The palate entry is smooth and caramel sweet; at midpalate, the smokiness comes alive with additional tastes of sweet butter, toffee and honey.

96 W. & J. Graham's 2003 Vintage Port; $100. This is a great Port, from a great brand. It is packed with solid, structured, rich and intense black fruit flavors. Its tannins show considerable aging potential. It is a big, ripe wine, balanced by a long, lingering dark aftertaste. Imported by Premium Port Wines Inc.

90-95 / Highly Recommended

Hine Triomphe Grande Champagne Cognac (France; Todhunter Imports, Inc., West Palm Beach, FL); 40% abv, $200. The palate entry is sweet with overtones of mrazipan and light caramel; at midpalate, the taste profile highlights the oaky vanilla and honey elements. Concludes gracefully, integrated and sweet.

94 Mt. Billy 2002 Liqueur Shiraz (Barossa Valley); $26/ 375ml. So thick and so delicious. Despite its almost 18% alcohol, this fortified Shiraz is very well balanced. It floods the palate with sweet cassis and vanilla, then settles down to reveal smoky, charred wood flavors, smooth, gripping tannins, and a nutty, long finish.

89 Porto Poças NV Director's Choice Tawny Port; $20. Starts with aromas of dried cherries, a slight nuttiness and hints of smoke. Elegant and smooth in the mouth, its lovely nutty flavors buffered by dried cherries and honey. Finishes long, just a touch on the tart side.