One of our favorite single malts is Bowmore,
but not everyone likes the peaty Islay
style. Photo courtesy Laphroaig.

No matter how much you think you know, you can use a consultation with a single malt expert. Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide To Single Malt Scotch covers some 800 single malts (by the way, pairing the book with a bottle is a great idea). So were do you begin?

We begin by asking someone who’s had almost as many single malts as Michael Jackson. Park Avenue’s proprietor Jonathan Goldstein, a single malt expert and a Keeper of the Quaich,* offers this advice:

1. Like? First, does Dad even like Scotch? Have you seen him drink it before? You would be surprised how many people come in, notes Goldstein, and ask for a single malt because their father drinks Wild Turkey—which is a Bourbon! Ignorance is no reason for embarrassment, but it is a reason to consult a professional who wants to help you make the right choice.

*Quaich is pronounced kwaych with a gutteral “ch,” as in the Scottish loch or German ach and ich. The traditional shallow-bowl drinking vessel of Scotland, which has two or three handles, dates to the Druids. At parties and clan gatherings, large quaichs filled with whiskey were passed from person to person.

3. Budget? How much are you willing to spend and how many bottles do you want for your money. Do you want one super bottle? Do you want a variety of bottles so Dad has a “collection” to compare and contrast? Your expert should be able to find excellent choices in all price ranges, and knows about special new releases.

4. Collector? Is Dad a serious collector of single malts? Many distilleries create investment-worthy bottles (a recent bottling of The Macallan, a 57-year-old single malt Scotch in Lalique Crystal, retails for $19,100). An alternative for collectors are “exclusive” bottlings, handled by a few specialist shops. Park Avenue’s exclusives start at $67.

• For single malt help, call Park Avenue Liquor Shop at 1.212.685.2442.

• To learn how whiskeys differ (Bourbon, Canadian, Irish, Scotch, Tennessee, etc.) and beef up your whiskey terminology, see our Whiskey Glossary.

The next time you need munchies to go with cocktails or beer, try Scandinavian crispbread. It’s tasty, relatively low calorie and whole grain.

In large rounds (about 11 inches in diameter), it makes an impression on a platter.

Made only with whole grain rye flour, yeast, water, and salt, the product is all-natural, vegan and fat-free. Plus, large round crispbreads are fun. Snap off any size piece and nibble with cheese, olives or spreads.

Crispbreads are also a treat when served with soups or salads, and can be served for breakfast or snacks with jam. You can find Swedish crispbread from Siljans and Leksands in specialty food stores or on Amazon.

Try it, you’ll like it! Photo courtesy Amazon.com.

Discover more special breads in our Bread Glossary.

Buy me some shortbread and Crackerjack.
Photo courtesy CooperstownCookie.com.

The shortbread is shaped like baseballs, of course! As the company says, it’s the best baseball you ever ate.

Shortbread cookies and mini “bunts” are available in tubes, tins, tins commemorating one’s favorite MLB team and collectible “stadium tins” showing Camden Yard, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and the original Yankee Stadium.

See the entire line at CooperstownCookie.com. Use discount code 5OFF50 to save $5.00 on orders of $50.00 or more.

The only caveat: Get the large size, because these shortbread cookies will disappear faster than a hit out of the park. See the full review.

• See more of our favorite Father’s Day gifts.

• See reviews of our favorite cookies.

Send a box of the handmade, all-natural buns as a gift. Unlike the ginormous Cinnabon, here’s a more elegant bun that eschews the cloying icing and is just sweet enough for breakfast.

Each swirly bun is shrink-wrapped for freshness. Five days later, they’re still moist and soft—we don’t even need to give them a quick nudge in the microwave.

The menu lists 25 flavors, from Nutella and Peanut Butter and Chocolate (or Peanut Butter and Jelly) to savory varieties, such as Garlic & Parmesan and Onion & Parmesan. So far we’ve tried Almond, Blueberry, Black & White (dark and white chocolate), Chocolate, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar (the most popular flavor), and Toffee.

Send someone a swirly bun treat. Photo
courtesy JustBuns.com.

Now we’ve got to go back for more: the two Peanut Butter flavors, Raspberry, Chocolate Coconut and the two savory swirlies. We keep them in the freezer and restore them to swirly goodness in the microwave (20 seconds).

E-commerce is not yet up and running, so you can phone in an order or leave your request via the Contact Us form on the website.

Or, better yet, enter to win a dozen of the swirly buns in this week’s Gourmet Giveaway contest.

• To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Gourmet Pies & Pastry Section and enter your email address for the prize drawing. This contest closes on Monday, June 14th at noon, Eastern Time. Good luck!
• Learn more about breads in our Bread Glossary, and check out the breakfast pastries and other baked goodies in our Pie & Pastry Glossary.

No more aching legs: It’s like
standing on pillows! Photo courtesy
WellnessMats.com.

Ergonomically engineered to provide maximum comfort, safety and relief, anti-fatigue WellnessMats are the most cushy and comfortable mats (or flooring of any kind) that we’ve ever stood upon. The non-skid mat is available in a variety of colors and sizes, and is a godsend for people with aching legs and feet.

WellnessMats are not inexpensive ($119.95 and up, depending on size) but they’re worth every nickel. We have the Maxum mat in THE NIBBLE’s test kitchen, and it’s the difference between standing on hard tile and standing on pillows.

See more of our favorite Father’s Day gifts.