Indulgences Spirits And Cigars

Seasonal selections

Being the first choice for cocktails has made vodka the most fashionable spirit. A deluxe Polish vodka, Wyborowa Exquisite (€45, www.wyborowa.com), is a prime example, with a distinctive bottle designed by architect Frank Gehry, who is of Polish descent. As for the contents of the bottle, Wyborowa Exquisite is distilled from rye, which provides plenty of character. A lightly creamy texture opens up with subtle sweetness balanced by nuttiness, and ends in a fresh aftertaste.

Malt whisky has been produced in Scotland for several centuries, but it's only in the 1980s that it became an international phenomenon. One of the first malts to become more widely available was Glenfiddich, with the distillery releasing limited-edition bottlings alongside the regular range. The latest is the Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1976 (€430, www.glenfiddich.com), of which only 549 bottles are available. The aromas provide an ideal start, with rich vanilla, honey and apples, before the palate releases creamy vanilla, ripe fruit, a hint of dry oak and butterscotch, providing range while retaining composure.

Cognac houses have always specialised in rare, not to mention expensive, bottlings. While these are only available in limited quantities, the choice continues to grow. A recent addition to this group is Le Voyage de Delamain (£5,750, www.delamain-cognac.com), presented in a Baccarat decanter of which only 500 have been made, with the decanter housed in a leather casket. Blended from rare and extremely old stock, Le Voyage de Delamain is delicate on the palate, but deeply fulfilling. The indulgent richness includes ripe fruit, subtle vanilla with hints of chocolate and mellow spices, before a wave of ripe, luscious fruit embraces the palate. Expensive but sensational!

For many cigar aficionados the Por Larranaga 'Magnifico' (€20-€30) is a real Christmas treat – it is made exclusively for the UK market and available in only 1,400 numbered boxes. The Magnifico echoes the once renowned Magnum – a holy grail for cigar enthusiasts in the 60s and 70s. As a Cuban brand, Por Larranaga dates from 1834. Despite its provenance this is a relatively mild cigar which has been well made and constructed. I quite liked the size and fragrance but didn't care for the dry and rather bitter aftertaste due to its comparative lack of age.

Established in 1907, Dunhill now ends its first century as purveyors of fine cigars and tobaccos with the relaunch of their notable Signed Range. Using only top quality tobaccos from three different origins (Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Cameroon), each box is individually numbered and personally signed by the roller who made them. The range consists of six popular sizes but the Torpedo (€18-€25) impresses with its balanced form and dark, silky wrapper. Excellent combustion and pronounced Nicaraguan taste make this an enjoyable and approachable cigar although each of the cigars in the new range smoke differently.

Only 600 numbered boxes of the Sol (€10-€15) have been produced by Macanudo so you will have to look hard to find this special petit piramides from the Dominican Republic. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of this big-selling US brand but I couldn't resist the opportunity of sampling this pocket torpedo. As a relatively mild cigar with an easy draw, the Sol is perfect to offer the occasional smoker who demands neither strength nor complexity.