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SignatureMT | 21 MT S Now Available in North Central MT Now Available in 4pk 16oz cans! Now Available in 4pk 16oz cans! Bottle of the Sexes Bright and Bubbly vs. Dark and Mysterious Urban Affairs WHOLLY SPIRITS Text by Heather Palermo & Cory Crawford • Photography by Jesse Martinez Heather: This time of year means Bubbles! Champagne, sparkling wine, and drinks to be made with these. What better way to cheer in the New Year than with bubbles? There are different types of bubbles and some should be had on their own, while others make good mixers. My favorite champagne is Veuve Clicqout, a tasty bubbly that Husband and I enjoyed on our honeymoon as we watched the sunset over the beach in Fiji. Peach notes stand out without being overly fruity while a nice dryness lingers on the back of the palate. At $40, it is not a cheap bottle of bubbly, but definitely worth splurging on during the holidays. Champagne cocktails are tasty, fizzy and can transform cheap bubbly into something wonderful during the holidays. The Husband and I enjoy a refreshing mimosa (OJ and bubbles) while opening gifts. A few more favorites are the Bellini (Prosecco and peach juice), and the Kir Royale (champagne and Chambord – a purple liquor that looks fancy in its gold packaging). Cory: It's time to contemplate a much deeper and darker subject: Scotch Whiskey. There are few drinks that foster the variety and mystery of a finely crafted Scotch. From the bright, sweet flavors of the Scotland Lowlands to the heady peat smoke and saltwater essence of Islay, the range of tastes and smells can be a bit confusing at first. A good place to start is a blended Scotch from Speyside. Johnny Walker and Chivas Regal are classic go-to brands that showcase some of that famous depth and elegance, without being prohibitively expensive or hard to find. If Scotch is something you could take a liking to, then it's time to grab some single malt and decide which region really suits your fancy. The Lowlands, near Scotland's southern border, produce a lighter bodied and subtle whiskey. Auchentoshan is a great choice for this area. Further north are the Highlands, a huge area with much diversity. These are full bodied with darker flavors and a little more smoke. Dalmore and Oban offer fine representation but the most popular region, Speyside, has a richness and complexity that tickles the palate with sweet deliciousness. Some good examples are Macallan and Glenlivet. Moving up the peat smoke scale, Campbeltown was once Scotland's whisky capitol, but alas only three distilleries remain. Springbank produces some delightfully complex bottles. Island Scotches, such as Talisker and Highland Park, are an excellent bridge from the Highlands to our last, but certainly not least, region: Islay. If you prefer the tang of brine and peat smoke over the sweet malt of inland Scotch, this is the place to be. What seems overwhelming at first can transform into a lifelong fascination with the sheer complexity that these master distillers can cram into 750 milliliters. Laphroaig and Ardbeg are really something to experience. With the holidays fast approaching, take the time to pour a wee dram and enjoy all the good things around you.