It’s good to be single, if you’re a single malt Scotch. It’s even better to have a friend who will buy you a bottle of the new, limited-edition The Glenlivet Nàdurra Triumph 1991 (Christmas is coming!). Triumph 1991 is the newest addition to The Glenlivet’s Nàdurra family, which debuted in 2006.

Nàdurra, which is Gaelic for “natural,” is a unique approach to single malt—a more authentic Scotch experience. As the company explains, “Short of becoming Master Distiller, Nàdurra is the closest you can come to drinking straight from a cask at The Glenlivet Distillery.”

Unlike most Scotch, Nàdurra, a proprietary line, is made without chill filtration, resulting in a slight cloudiness—a traditional and perfectly natural effect. A non-chill filtered Scotch better retains its natural flavors, with additional richness and a creamy mouthfeel.

The perfect gift for a Scotch lover: It’s
almost like drinking Scotch straight from the cask.

If you want to throw a holiday party that will live in memory, how about a tasting of all of The Glenlivets*: the 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve, Nàdurra 16-Year-Old Cask Strength, 18-Year-Old, Archive 21-Year-Old, The Glenlivet XXV and the new kid on the block. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Triumph 1991, which will be available only in the U.S. beginning in November 2009, with a suggested retail price of $85, although we have seen it for far less.

*There are also rare offerings of the Cellar Collection.

• Want to know more about Scotch and other whiskey? Check out our Whiskey 101 article.
• Learn your whiskey terms in our Whiskey Glossary.

There’s one sure way to make a haunted
house disappear: Get some forks and call
some friends. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table.

It’s not just for kids: Even adults deserve a little something special for All Hallows’ Eve. You can use your favorite cake recipe or a mix.

• See our review of Top Pick Of The Week Bundt Cake Mixes, which includes the history of the Bundt cake. The Sticky Toffee Pudding mix would be perfect for your haunted castle cake!

• We’ve got lots of valuable butter tips.
• You won’t believe how many different types of butter there are. See our Butter Glossary.
• Find flavored butter recipes, reviews of our favorite artisan butters, the history of butter and more in our Butter Section.

• What’s the origin of cream cheese, and why did Philadelphia brand get its name, given that it was created in New York? Find out in our Cheese Glossary.

You’ll always have a deluxe pasta dinner on hand if you tuck away a bag or two of gourmet pasta in beautiful shapes and colors, along with some jars of roasted peppers, marinated artichoke hearts and good breadsticks. Keep a container of quality, fine-grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese in the freezer, along with some sliced gourmet sausages. When you need an impressive dinner in 15 minutes, just cook the pasta and zap the sausage in the microwave. You can open a jar of sauce, but you don’t even need a formal sauce—just toss the pasta with the grated cheese (straight from the freezer) plus butter or fine olive oil, and offer diners a grind of fresh pepper. Serve with the breadsticks and a roasted pepper and artichoke “antipasto,” drizzled with balsamic vinegar. If you happen to have a loaf of Italian bread and fresh salad greens, so much the better!