One of the world’s most revered whiskies and one which if you can taste it, you simply must! macallan’s exceptional 25-year-old malt is the epitome of Speyside, winning awards and lifelong fans alike. The nose is rich in orange and pear, with sweet spices and just the slightest touch of smoke. Its effect on the palate is textbook, malty apricots, prunes and figs are paired with cinnamon and sweet nutmeg. All bound together with a burst of honey, firmly planting this malt at the heart of the speyside scene.
A premium cognac created in 1979 by Maurice fillioux, Hennessy paradis is rich and silky smooth, with an abundance of spicy and sweet-scented aromas. Opulent to the very last sip, scents of subtle pepper, sweet spice and floral notes of honey and wild roses. its taste profile is complex and the peppery spiciness and crystallised fruit fragrances merge into strong, deep flavours tantalising the palate and showing off exactly why Hennessy Paradis is a premium cognac.
Fantastic grain vodka that lives up to its esteemed reputation. Silky mixed citrus zest and soft wheat unfold both slowly and smoothly on the palette. The finish is dry and clean with moments of lemon and crushed wheat; has a great length too. Big thumbs up. Grey Goose always delivers. Extremely well-made vodka and well worth the money.
Luxurious offering from Poland. Medium-bodied with faint vanilla any crushed grains. The finish is of a reasonable length with butter and nutty cream notes that fade into lemon zest.
A grand old master of the Bowmore range, this 25-year-old malt is aged in Spanish sherry and American bourbon casks. The defining character of this peaty malt is coastal, with sublime smoky notes and nutty depth. On opening, you’ll enjoy the rich aroma dark fruits, that coastal smoke and herbaceous freshness. This leads into a flavour which is rich with classic peat smoke, a touch of cocoa and a creamy nuttiness which really enhances all the other notes. Gentle smoke lingers in an endnote you’ll remember.
Believed to be one of the first extra Anejo tequilas invented Herradura suprema spends 49 months maturing in American oak casks. This gives it notably different flavours and characteristics when compared to other anejos. Mellow vanilla floods the nose and has other sweet notes including chocolate, honeyed apple and hot cinnamon spice. The flavour is rich in vanilla too with the apple notes remaining and toffee coming through, leading to a long bitter finish.
One of the premium offerings from the famous Patron Tequila distillery, gran patron platinum uses the finest blue agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco. Triple distilled and then rested for a short time in oak tanks, Gran Patron Platinum is wonderfully smooth and full-bodied. The nose is full of that fresh agave teamed with citrus and fresh fruit and the flavour follows suit with the agave taking centre stage, citrus and fruit following on. Its finish is long and spiced with white pepper.
Oxley is a revolutionary English gin with a fresh, bright, smooth classic gin taste. Unlike any other spirit, Oxley is made by the innovative cold distillation process. Cold distillation occurs at -5c capturing the natural flavours of the botanicals and preserving them in the final spirit.
Fantastic grain vodka that lives up to its esteemed reputation. Silky mixed citrus zest and soft wheat unfold both slowly and smoothly on the palette. The finish is dry and clean with moments of lemon and crushed wheat; has a great length too. Big thumbs up. Grey goose always delivers. Extremely well-made vodka and well worth the money.
One of the most highly commended Chivas regal blended malts, this 25-year-old offering is truly delicious, with light fruit notes pairing perfectly with soft nutty notes. On the nose, it’s the nuttiness that comes through first followed by berry fruits and malts and even a faint hint of porridge. The flavour is softer, gentle with sweet honey, aniseed and elegant toffee richness. An earthy finish is a perfect endnote.
This 18-year-old Macallan was aged in ex-bourbon barrels before bottling, creating a spicy, intense offering, part of the Macallan old malt cask range. A rum-infused nose rich with raisins, spice and caramel is the perfect introduction to a dark and brooding flavour, espresso and cocoa working in tandem with sweet biscuit spice and stem ginger also present. The malty finish is a satisfying way to round up an exceptional drink.
Another classic from the famous Appleton rum distillery, a blend of Jamaican rums come together to deliver the flavour of Appleton 21 year. Matured for that full 21 year period, this Appleton rum is a rarity and is only released once a year, making it highly sought after. Burnt fruit cake and leathery notes are the most prominent in this rum closely followed by bitter spiced oak, that classic demerara sugar flavour and vanilla and ginger spices. The tannic oak flavour remains long after drinking and is indicative of the premium quality of this rum and its maturity.
Cîroc is a premium vodka which is distilled from exquisite french grapes and delivers a smoothness you won’t find in the other vodkas on the market. Refined and indulgent citrus notes come through in the nose and are followed by a mouth feel which can only be described as smooth as butter. The natural characteristics of the luxurious grapes come through and are joined by the welcome flavours of lemon zest and intense black pepper. As clean and smooth a vodka as you’ll find.
A bolder, darker expression of Maison's iconic blanc, this rosé reveals the richness of pinot noir while remaining faithful to the house style. Its bracing vinosity will further develop over time.
The rarest Johnnie Walker on the market, the blue label has a refined and elegant flavour that lifts it into the premium malt category. A robust and fragrant nose is rich with oak, dry spices, berry fruits and aniseed. The flavour is mellower, more balanced and open, with toffee and light hints of smoke. Chocolate and intense malt warmth give the flavour another dimension and the long finish is awash with powerful oaky notes.
Hennessy xo was created by Maurice Hennessy himself in 1870 and was initially reserved for the maker and his friends only, a mark of its excellence. Rich and robust, Hennessy XO has a deeper amber colour than your regular cognac, due to its long maturation process and the hand-selected barrels used during this. Around 100 Eaux de vide work together to create the rounded, bold flavour which is characterised by rich black pepper, a touch of spice and dry and candied fruit.
This 21-year-old Balvenie malt is the flagship of Balvenie's small group of port wood whiskies and is a refined and balanced offering. It spends time maturing in thirty-year-old port pipes which deliver elegance to every sip. White peach and light smoke flood the nose and are quickly followed by a delicate flavour with red fruits, raisins and vibrant floral honey. Balvenie’s 21-year-old malt is a wonderful example of delicate flavours blended perfectly together.
One of the most well-known distilleries in the land, this 21-year-old Glenfiddich has all the flavours you want from an exceptional malt. Finished in specially selected Caribbean rum casks, rum-like notes come through in the nose alongside figs, caramel, evoking the festive period. The flavour is rich in spiced fruit depth, with ginger and lime standing out strongly. A long and dry finish is the perfect ending to a highly enjoyable drink.
An enticing combination of both petite and grande Champagne Cognacs, Remy Martin XO is a fine and smooth drink which has a unique and unparalleled velvety texture. Its long and lingering flavour is rich on the palate yet it begins on a light note with delicate iris and jasmine fragrances. Once sipped a burst of ripe fig, juicy prunes and a hit of citrus. Refined and rich, your palate will be satisfied for long after you finish your drink.
Martell cordon bleu is a distinguished cognac which marries together the flavours of a number of different Eaux de vie from the borders region. Created in 1912 it is deep golden copper in colour and has strong aromas of orchard fruits, plummy warmth, cinnamon, vetiver and toasted almonds. The flavour is simple and mellow with a long and fruit-filled finish coupled with light spices and a hint of honey.
Encapsulating the spirit of Martell and the deep, refined brilliant of a good XO, Martell xo is a leader in its cognac category. Fresh fruity notes of the Eaux de vie of the borders work in subtle harmony with the bold, matured flavour of Eaux de vie from the grand champagne to create the distinct flavour of Martell XO. A hint of gingerbread smoothly leads the rest of the flavours on, with further highlights of walnut, cedar and orange blossom.
Don julio anejo 1942 spends up to two and half year ageing, nearly enough to be classed as extra anejo. It’s stilled in a single pot still and has the wonderful spiced aromas of cinnamon, sweet agave, vanilla and interesting turkish delight. The taste is deep with cinder toffee notes, the continual flavour of the agave and bursts of sweet, zesty citrus. Dry and nutty the finish is long with notes of smoke.
18-year-old highland park is an exceptional whisky that builds upon the already renowned reputation of its younger, 12-year-old brother. All the exceptional stand out notes you’d expect in a quality Orkney note are there with mature oak and aromatic smoke coming through in the nose. The full-bodied flavour hits the palate with gusto, with smoke, peat and honey blending together in a beautiful mix. A soft, long and rounded finish teases you into trying just one more sip.
One of the premium members of the Chivas family, rich and complex in flavour, Chivas royal salute is aged for 21 years. Bottled in extravagant handcrafted porcelain flagons, you can tell luxury when you see it and you can taste it too. On the nose hints of fresh dandelion, honey and a little salty sea spray are offered up alongside a touch of peat. When you taste it’s all about the wild extravagant honey and spicy hits of tarragon, dill and other fresh, vibrant herbs. The malty notes carry on into a warm, lingering finish.
Fantastic grain vodka that lives up to its esteemed reputation. Silky mixed citrus zest and soft wheat unfold both slowly and smoothly on the palette. The finish is dry and clean with moments of lemon and crushed wheat; has a great length too. Big thumbs up. Grey goose always delivers. Extremely well-made vodka and well worth the money.
A truly exceptional guatamalan rum, zacapa centenario xo is a premium offering which doesn’t disappoint when it comes to flavour. beautifully delicate, the flavour of zacapa centenario xo is matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks which together deliver a flavour which is exceptionally sweet and sugary, without being sickly. the softness on the palate of this mature rum is surprising and very welcome, with only a hint of smoke coming through in the finish.
Year after year Reserva de Familia has kept its promise to promote young Mexican artists. The box is now a tradition to proudly exhibit their work, bearing their style, showing through form and colour the art of tequila.
Suntory are the gods of the Japanese whisky scene and their Hakushu line is amongst the most popular. The Hakushi distillery is hidden in the forests near the Japanese alps and this particular offering is aged for 12 years. An exceptional single malt, Hakushu 12 year is a light and refreshing offering with hay and mixed peels on the nose and gentle barley malt, smokiness and hazelnut coming through in the taste. Sweetness is perfectly balanced against spice.
One of the finest XO on the market, Courvoisier XO is an exceptional blend of fine and matured cognacs offering an aroma which immediately entices you in. A balance of intense flavours has been patiently nurtured over a minimum of 20 years and in this time the flavours blend to create the refined, excellence that Courvoisier is known for. Courvoisier's delicate xo has three key flavour notes: fragrant iris flower, sweet candied orange and creamy, caramel creme brulee.
El Dorado 21 years uses that 21 year period as a minimum benchmark and the blend is in fact made up of blends as old as 25 years and the maturity of this rum is apparent from simply opening the bottle. The aroma is filled with sweet scents reminiscent of an old fashioned sweet shop, with boiled sweets coming through strong on the palate too. The finish brings in some of the more intense notes including fresh tobacco, spiced chocolate and together they create a rum which is ideal for after-dinner sips.
One of the newest offerings from islay’s Bowmore distillery, this 18-year-old single malt is perfumed, wonderfully fruity and rich with dark, smoky peat. The nose begins vibrantly, with the alcohol eat coming through amongst perfumed fruit and essence of fruit jam. When the flavour comes through it’s a balance of sweet and smoky, with deep peaty notes paired with cooked fruit and hearty marmalade. The endnote is rich with sticky marmalade notes and a final whisper of smoke.
This 18-year-old Glenmorangie dram is an exquisite tropical offering. matured for 15 years in bourbon casks before finishing in oloroso sherry casks. This helps develop the warm, tropical fruit flavours and leads to a hugely satisfying flavour. The nose is rich in creamy honey, with greek yoghurt notes, exotic spice and vibrant berries. The flavour is awash with citrus, honeyed sweetness and strong hits of oak. A classic Glenmorangie malt.
Yamazaki 12-year-old is probably the most famous Japanese whisky there is. an exceptional single malt, it was one of the first seriously marketed offerings from japan to reach the rest of the world. Intensely enjoyable and rich with nut oils and citrus zest, Yamazaki 12-year-old is smooth in the mouth with biting winter spice providing that classic whisky flavour, with the fruity notes ensuring a rounded finish. A must for first-time Japanese whisky drinkers.
Fantastic grain vodka that lives up to its esteemed reputation. Silky mixed citrus zest and soft wheat unfold both slowly and smoothly on the palette. The finish is dry and clean with moments of lemon and crushed wheat; has a great length too. Big thumbs up. Grey goose always delivers. Extremely well-made vodka and well worth the money.
A full-bodied and balanced bourbon, at once fresh, sweet and smoky, with a rich and rounded mouthfeel, Longbranch is a collaborative effort between Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell and the brand's Creative Director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Longbranch has been refined using charcoal from both Kentucky white oak and Texan mesquite in a nod to both men home states.
Finished in first-fill Caribbean rum casks which previously held Demerara rum. Leading it to have a nose with lots of tropical banana and mango alongside buttery caramel finished on the palate with a prickle of aromatic spice.
Distilled and initially aged in Canada, before years of further ageing at a whistle pig farm in Vermont, this is, as owner raj bhakta puts it, 'a Canadian-us collaboration to the core'.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a legend in its own right. A dram you won’t forget and a malt you are almost guaranteed to want to buy time and again. Medicinal in style, the nose is rich in herbal and pine notes, with creamier hints of buttery warmth and smoke. The palate too is wonderfully creamy with tingling spices, a touch of fresh fruit, orange peels and that medicinal tang. The finish is long with a salty edge, a hint of peat and that unusual yet enjoyable medicinal taste remains prevalent.
An excellent 18-year-old single malt from Glenlivet, this bottle is a classic Speyside offering which has won awards for its style and refinement. Classic flavours come through in a well-rounded and vibrant nose, fresh with sherried peel, apple blossom and chewy sultanas. On sipping you’ll enjoy the sharpness of tannic oak, walnuts, orange peel and manuka honey. Toasty cereals are spiced up and hints of fennel draw each sip to a satisfying close.
This 18-year-old offering from the core range of Glenfiddich is matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, delivering a sweet, smooth flavour. As you open the bottle you’ll enjoy the zest of grapefruit, fresh apples and spiced dried wood. When your taste you’ll enjoy all these bright fruit flavours candied and spiced with ginger. Complimentary notes toffee and sherry give the drink further character.
The colour blue, chosen as an expression for xo royal, is the colour of the third millennium: the blue of lapis-lazuli, the gem capable to free the creative expression and increase mental clearness.
Another market-leading cognac, Hennessy's rich and full-bodied flavours strike a special balance which makes it so popular. Bright and fruity from the first opening, Hennessy also has undertones of oak and once in the mouth flavours of nutty grilled almonds and a hint of fresh grapes are released. Tones of red berries and vanilla follow and ageing of a minimum of 2 years helps bolster the intense smoothness of the drink.
Like the nectar of the gods, Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or is an elegant, vinous single malt that will send you into raptures. Sauternes finish helps to deliver the sweet, vine flavours and enures the fruity notes are bold and inviting. A nose full of dessert wines and barley sweetness gives way to a full-bodied flavour, with cereal notes supporting the more wine-like characteristics. Oaky tannins support a light spice which helps lead to a rounded finish.
Ardbeg Uigeadail takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘dark and mysterious place’ which is also the loch from which Ardbeg gets its water. Ardbeg pride themselves on a range of unique quality malts and Uigeadail doesn’t let the team down. The aroma is a rich mixture of peat, dark sugar, espresso beans and a hint of deep tar. The flavour is led by sweeter notes, with ripe fruit and honey coming through first with just a touch of malt, all the while supported by that lingering peat. Caramel and malt find a place in the lingering finish, adding warmth and sweetness to the peat.
The Dalmore 15-year-old first hit the market in 2007 and benefits from maturation in apostles, amoroso and Matusalem sherry casks. The chocolate that the Dalmore is known for is present with abundance alongside zesty orange and wintry spices. The nose is simply meeting with orange zest and cocoa, with floral notes adding a further character dimension. A medium, sweet taste on the palate evokes the flavour of blue curacao and bitter chocolate, with stem ginger syrup and warming citrus present too.
An exciting release from esteemed Islay distillery Bowmore, this 15-year-old single malt enjoys maturation in fruity and elegant oloroso sherry casks. From the first opening, the bottle 15-year-old Bowmore is dark and punchy with sherry notes coming through strongly with sweet dates, spices and raisin present too. The flavour follows on in the same vein, rich and decadent with pine oil and rich woody spice coming through alongside malted fruits. The sherry character sells this malt every time.
Patron Anejo is treated with the same delicate nurturing process as a good wine. Uniquely aged tequilas are wonderfully blended together and each individual tequila is matured in its own small white oak barrel before combining. It has warm amber tones and a woody aroma with notes of raisins and vanilla. The flavour is smooth and sweet on the palate with the woody and vanilla notes coming together strongly and a hint of sweet honey coming in. The smoothness of this tequila makes it perfect for mixing and creating cocktails.
Michter's us 1 bourbon is made from a carefully selected mash bill that features the highest quality American corn. It is then matured to the peak of perfection, with barrels often aging in excess of eight years.
A single malt that many lusts after, Lagavulin 16 year old is a southern islay offering which combines bright rich notes with a light dryness, creating an interesting, concentrated flavour. The nose is reminiscent of lapsang souchong tea, exceptionally smoky with undertones of sweet sherry and vanilla. The flavour is equally intense, with a thick richness on the palate, rich in malt and sherry with bright fruited sweetness and the smoky peat always there in the background. A masterpiece of the smoky style.
An iconic name in Cognac, Martell has been producing quality bottles since 1715. Using sweet grapes from the borders region of Cognac, it has a naturally nutty flavour which stands out against others in its class. Regularly served with sweet ginger, tonic or simply on its own in a classic brandy balloon flavours of wood and spice stand out with lighter notes of citrus, pear and decadent saffron following after.