Impressive lineup of rare wines and whiskies coming to BC this month

We don’t know about you, but when it comes time to celebrate — whether it be a new promotion, birthday, or holiday — it’s customary to make a pit stop at our local BC Liquor Stores location so we can raise a glass to the occasion.

This month, the long-standing institution is inviting us to celebrate them as they ring in their 100-year anniversary with a collection of rare wines and whiskies in honour of the big milestone.

If you’ve ever wondered what a 100-point wine tastes like — or what it’s like to savour an ultra-rare, aged whisky — this might just be your chance. The release will be happening on Saturday, March 13 at 15 participating locations across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the BC Interior.

Included in BC Liquor Stores’ 100 Collection lineup is an assortment of exceptional labels that will make any whisky collector or wine enthusiast swoon, including releases from the legendary Gordon & MacPhail, Glenfarclas single casks, and a 100-point Italian brunello, to name just a few.

According to Adele Shaw, BC Liquor Stores’ Category Manager for Spirits and Sake, “These are amazingly old whiskies that pay homage to the history of whisky-making as well as the longevity of the BCLS. There were only a few hundred bottles of these precious spirits produced, and it’s a rare opportunity to have all these offered in one collection.”

Here’s a glimpse of some of the inimitable bottles featured in the release, which is slated to make history in the BC beverage realm.

Gordan & MacPhail Private Collection – Glen Grant 1948

Gordan & MacPhail Private Collection – Glen Grant 1948/BC Liquor Stores

Certain to be the star of the show is Glen Grant Distillery’s oldest release. While it comes with a hefty price tag of $39,000, the stunning 70-year-old speyside single malt has been aged in a single, first-fill sherry butt from 1948 to 2018 (when it was bottled). Only 210 bottles were ever produced, making it an extra rare find.

Edradour 10-year-old Single Malt Scotch – Artist Series No.9

Edradour 10-year-old Single Malt Scotch – Artist Series No.9/BC Liquor Stores

This exceptional scotch is teeming with aromas of mint and tobacco, which expand into scents of pepper spice, roasted tar, and honeyed apple tart. On the palate, it’s bursting with flavours of red fruits, vanilla, and raspberries. The bottle itself is also a work of art, featuring a label created by artist Wang Yabin — one of China’s most poetic painters.

Glenfarclas Family Cask – 2001 S20 Cask 3384

Glenfarclas Family Cask – 2001 S20 Cask 338/BC Liquor Stores

Citrusy and tropical, the Glenfarclas Family Cask opens with aromas of lemon and orange — followed by a sulfuric scent and fragrances of exotic fruits, like mango. As you sip, flavours of toasty oak, tropical fruits, and honey-like sweetness also reveal themselves.

Château de Laubade Bas – Armagnac 1921

Château de Laubade Bas – Armagnac 1921/BC Liquor Stores

This celebratory 1921 vintage, distilled over 100 years ago, was bottled exclusively for BC Liquor Stores’ 100th anniversary. It’s lively with aromas of rancio, cocoa, and bitter oranges. Its rich palate is comprised of mellowed oak, roasted nuts, prunes, chocolate box, and tobacco leaf; beautifully round and excellent length of finish.

Opus One – Napa Valley Red 2013

Opus One – Napa Valley Red 2013/BC Liquor Stores

Rated 100 points by Decanter Magazine, this stellar Napa Valley wine strikes the perfect balance of fruit, acid, and floral notes. It’s a complex blend with dark fruit flavours and velvety tannins.

Luce Della Vite – Brunello Di Montalcino

Luce Della Vite – Brunello Di Montalcino/BC Liquor Stores

Another heavy-hitter, raking in a solid 100 points, is this mesmerizing and highly drinkable Italian brunello. “It’s from Tuscany and will make you feel like you are in Italy once you put your nose in the glass. Pair it with a simple meal made with pure, top-quality ingredients,” says Barbara Philip, Master of Wine and BC Liquor Stores’ Category Manager for Wines of Europe.

Checkmate – Little Pawn Chardonnay 2016

Checkmate – Little Pawn Chardonnay 2016/BC Liquor Stores

It’s always nice to see a Canadian label in a lineup of impressive wines, and this Black Sage Bench chardonnay does not disappoint. Rated 100 points, the aged white is bright and lively with a medley of fruity flavours and hints of oak.

M. Chapoutier – Ermitage l’Ermite 2015

M. Chapoutier Ermitage – l’Ermite 2015/BC Liquor Stores

Topping the list is M. Chapoutier’s 2015 Ermitage, which Philip describes as being “some of the most exotic Syrah you will ever try.” Since the Northern Rhone produces very little wine “the great ones — especially when they score 100 points — become very hard to find,” she adds. The complex wine is fruity and floral, with ripe tannins and spicy undertones.

To discover these rare wines, whiskies, and more, you can visit your local BC Liquor Stores location. To find one near you, watch virtual events, or read the latest issue of TASTE magazine, you can check out BCLiquorStores.com.

For the latest updates on releases and tips on what to drink, you can also follow @BCLiquorStores on Instagram.