Single Malt Scotch whisky is one of life’s great elixirs. There is something wonderfully pleasurable about a wee dram moment in front of a fire, or standing in the rain dressed in weatherproofs having a fortifying swig from a hip flask and enjoying the landscape around you. To celebrate the looming winter, the rain and the cool nip in the air, it’s time to break out the single malt and salute life. Here’s our list of tipples under $100 a bottle to enjoy this season (all available at selected LCBO stores). ‘Slainte Mhath’ as they say in Scotland- Good Health! HIGHLAND PARK 12 YEAR OLD: From Scotland’s most northerly distillery, this well-priced amber single malt is rich with aromas of caramel, ginger and spice, with a hint of heather, and honey sweetness on the palette. $54.95   MCCLELLAND ISLAY MALT WHISKY: A great example of a salty sea spray Islay whisky, the aroma possesses hints of smoke and peat, while the smooth flavour and finish is dry, spicy and peaty. Remarkably affordable. $32.85   SPRINGBANK 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT: Springback Distillery employs some of the most traditional distilling techniques in Scotland. This 10 year old ‘handmade’ single malt is matured for a decade in former bourbon casks and possesses aromas of leather and toffee, with a salt and smoky taste and long finish. $79.95   THE BALVENIE 12 YEAR DOUBLEWOOD: This fantastic malt is reminisant of Christmas pudding and a great choice for holiday festivities. Matured in bourbon casks, the Double Wood is then transferred into sherry oak casks after approximately 10 years. Spicy, nutty with flavours of rum and raisin, and a hint of orange peel. $68.60   GLENDRONACH 12 YEARS OLD: With a deep, amber-gold colour, this is another great Yuletide tipple to savour with a small amount of water to release the taste. Rich aromas of spice, vanilla and ginger, and warm-on-the-tongue with hints of oak and warm sherry sweetness. $58.95   15 YEARS BENRIACH MADEIRA FINISH SINGLE SCOTCH WHISKY:With casks sourced from producers ‘Henriques and Henriques’ on the island of Madeira, this 15 year matured batch is limited to 2,400 bottles. The colour of honey, with a niff of fruit and wood, this well-bodied scotch has hints of vanilla, spice and chocolate on the tongue, with a nice long finish. $ 99.95   COMPASS BOX THE PEAT MONSTER VATTED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY: As the name would suggest, this is a real peaty number and ideal with a splash of water to release the taste. It is rich and malty with an intense smoky finish and sweet fruity undertones. $60.60   DALWHINNIE 15 YEARS OLD SCOTCH WHISKY: A nice golden colour with a crisp, aromatic nose, and hints of heather and peat. It has flavours of vanilla, citrus-fruits,  undertones of malt , and  a smooth and slightly smoky finish. $ 84.55   ISLE OF JURA SUPERSTITION SINGLE MALT: This is a really, well-balanced malt: rich, dark colour with lots of peatiness, some smoke and a wee bit of sea spray for good measure. It has a nice elongated finish of smoke and heather. And if you need more persuasion, George Orwell drank it when writing 1984 on the Isle of Jura. $59.65   ISLE OF ARRAN DISTILLERS POMEROL BORDEAUX CASK: Matured in former Bourbon barrels before spending six months in previously used wine casks from Chteau La Conseillante in the Pomerol, Bordeaux, it offers aromas of almonds, spice and red wine, and a bold flavour featuring hints of raspberry, honey and pepper. $ 74.95   TULLIBARDINE SHERRY WOOD FINISH HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT: Stored for 18 months in Oloroso sherry casks, the colour and nose is rich and dark, with hints of toffee and nuts on the palette. A long dry finish, it’s another great example of the use of sherry casks in whiskey making. $ 79.95   OLD PULTENEY 12 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT: Another from a  northerly distillery on the mainland of Scotland, this coastal tipple has salt and pepper with a honeyed sweetness and hints of herb and almonds. Left to sit in bourbon casks for 12 years, it was a Double Gold winner at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 21 year old version was recently crowned World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible, scoring a record-equalling 97.5 points out of 100. $79.95 Edward Wilkinson-Latham is the Senior Editor at Toronto Standard and does enjoy a wee dram moment.