Vecchio's amaro del capo is an Italian liqueur flavoured with, amongst others, herbal tea, mandarin, orange, juniper, liquorice and mint. Best served straight from the freezer in a cold glass.
Made in a copper still over 150 years old, Plymouth gin has a well matured, authentic and enjoyable dry gin flavour. Plymouth is made using no bitter botanicals and it’s the aromatic pine-driven juniper that comes first followed by lavender and camphor with a touch of lemon zest. On the first sip, a zing of lavender hits first and lemon and orange soon follow, with earthy notes bringing the drink into a mellow finish. Refreshing yet steeped in subtle flavours, a classic gin for your favourite cocktail.
A wonderfully blended and nurtured brandy, three barrels combines the traditional flavours we all know and love and adds a twist. Three barrels are a blend of selected Eaux de vie from famous french wine regions and it has been handcrafted and matured in French oak barrels, delivering the smooth taste and touches of both candied sweet fruits and hot, spicy ginger. The spicy notes are mellowed by the sweetened fruit and nuttier notes of walnut and almond also help to deliver the perfect balance.
A rare spiced rum with a memorable name, the pink pigeon is not a drink you’ll forget in a hurry. One of Mauritius’ finer offerings, a bird native to isle is where it gets its name. Warming custard notes are released on opening the bottle and they’re soon followed by sweet icing sugar, buttery croissant and even strawberries. On drinking the sweetness remains and vanilla and nutmeg spice also come through, with a fieriness developing as you sip.
A spanish gin that is one of only two gins in the world with its own EU designation of origin, Xorigeur is based on an 18th century recipe and was popular with the sailors at that time. The green handled bottle makes it stand out from the crowd but it’s the perfumed flavour and orange-rich character which really make this gin sing. A grape alcohol base gives it a juicy flavour which is peppered with bright herbaceous and spicy notes. Fresh, almost menthol juniper ends each sip, lingering as a quenching aftertaste.
This delicious and moreish tequila has a rounded flavour that isn’t lacking in spice. Tapatio Reposado is robust without being overwhelming and mellow agave is supported by more prominent notes of sharp green apple and a trademark pepperiness this brand is known for. As it coats the palate a creamier depth becomes apparent, with notes of sweet caramel and chocolate tempering the hot pepperiness. Remnants of the ageing process are apparent until the end, with wood smoke lingering on.
Bushmills black bush is an interesting blend that’s a little different from the rest on the market. Bringing together malt whiskies which have been aged for 11 years in sherry casks for a truly alternative flavour. The nose is powerful with lemon, fresh grapes and barley with a flavour which is sweet, almost dairy-infused and rich in fruit. Its finish brings the barley back into centre stage and peppery notes come through strongly.
Jim beam red stag whisky uses an infusion of the natural essence of black cherry, delivering a unique and interesting flavoured whisky which is different from your average bourbon. It has the appearance and flavour of a whisky liqueur without the same syrupy thickness and from the aroma, you’ll enjoy the warmth of the cherry without losing the depth of the bourbon flavour. Mellow oak comes through on tasting and enhances the rich dark cherry flavour, leading to an endnote which is naughtily sweet.
Well balanced juniper and builders tea note arrive first followed by fresh Thai herbs and spices. Blackjacks appear before the kick which is a very smooth affair. The finish is dry and full of burnt liquorice wood, juniper and strangely, coriander. classic and clean. What more can you ask for? Excellent stuff.
An exceptional gin with African influences, Whitley Neill combines some fascinating flavours in their refined and balanced product. The traditional flavours of gin benefit from two additional African botanicals, the baobab fruit and the cape gooseberry. These flavours combine beautifully to offer a sweet, fruity twist to Whitley Neill gin. Tropical and exotic, this gin still leads with classic juniper but the new flavours linger in a refreshing end note.
A high quality spiced rum from the Barbadian foursquare distillery, four square delivers a warm and welcoming spicy touch to your favourite rum flavours. Honey and clove are the prominent flavours when you smell and the combination is inviting and not remotely cloying. Surprisingly fresh on the palate, the spiciness in this rum is measured and well-balanced with a subtle elegance coming through in warm honeyed vanilla. Despite its sweetness, the spices ensure it doesn’t become sickly.
Spiced green island rum is a wonderful addition to your rum collection. The fact that Mauritius lies on the original spice route ensures that some of the finest spices are available to the green island in preparing their rums. Opening with welcoming vanilla notes, mild lime and clove freshness, green island spiced then leads into a burst of hot ginger which builds on the palate and remains until the final hit. It is tempered by that mild lime flavour, ensuring it doesn’t overwhelm.
A single store right up in Aberdeen is where Chivas regal is created. The art of blending has been honed to perfection, allowing the creation of a range of stunning Chival Regal whiskies enjoyed around the world. Chivas regal 12 year is recognisable because it’s lighter than your average dram, has a distinct sweet aroma and a smoky character, distinguishable on the palate which releases elements of all the different flavours behind its blend.
Dried pink grapefruit and earl grey tea followed by a strong liquorice undercurrent that leads into a sort of crushed parma violet sweets affair. Kick is woody and spicy and leads into juniper, bergamot and faint ginseng notes. All in all bloody good.
The five year old offering initially launched as angostura gold is here and ready to show off the finest features of the popular trinidadian brand. Blending together heavy and light molasses-based rums angostura 5 years is intense with pungent treacle and muscovado sugar notes coming through in the nose. The flavour itself is medium with cedar wood and spice playing key roles alongside zesty grapefruit. The citrus notes come through especially well in the aftertaste.
Maker’s mark’s claim to fame is that they distil their bourbon to the lowest proof in the whole of us. They believe their distillation process ensures their bourbon’s rich, powerful flavour and the addition of red winter wheat adds a necessary smoothness. Fruity and rich on the nose you can enjoy the heat of spiced honey and the zest of mixed peels. Rye, spice and barley malt come through alongside butterscotch and vanilla, rounded the drink off perfectly.
Arette Blanco is a premium silver tequila, launched in 2007 and highly thought of on the drinks scene. Bottled on site in jalisco and made of 100% agave, arette blanco is an exceptional silver tequila full of fresh flavours, spicy hints and a cheeky character in which you can pick out each single flavour note. Great body and wonderful for sipping or mixing into a wide range of different cocktails and long drinks.
Evan Williams extra-aged offers flavours different from other bourbons in the distillery’s range, simply due to the extra time it spends in its barrels getting ready. When perfectly prepared it’s bottled and you’ll enjoy a wonderfully mellow and drinkable bourbon which has a perfectly balanced flavour. On the nose you’ll get bright notes of vanilla, cream and spice and they soon lad onto a maple syrup rich body, warm on the palate with oak notes balancing against the spice. Warm and sweet, perfect for those chilly winter nights.
Made using wines made in the Baden region of Germany, fortified with fruit eau de vie from legendary producer Schwaderer, and flavoured with herbs including wormwood.
Four roses is an exclusive small-batch bourbon that offer a distinct and sweet flavour with strong notes of molasses and cinnamon. Honey hues release honey fudge and nougat notes followed closely by cedarwood and pipe tobacco. The flavour is similarly sweet, with the honey notes married closely with cinnamon and the cedar wood gaining a smoked quality. The final notes that linger are of lightly toasted nuts with the rye content of the bourbon coming to the forefront.
Kentucky Straight bourbon finished in ruby port wine casks, which adds a subtly distinct flavour to give Vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup with a hint of Madeira that slowly fades.
Big on the floral sweetness at first but with a very delicate mouthfeel. Christmas clementines and gentle juniper show up before the soft floral kick. Opal fruits and rosewater on the finish with an unexpected liquorice and clementine close.
Espolon tequila is a brand created by Cirilo Oropeza, an experienced master distiller, with over 50 years of experience of distilling tequila under his belt. His Blanco has notes of pineapple, vanilla and pepper.
Springwater clear and aromatically fruity, Tosolini Cividina grappa is robust and awash with the fresh flavour of grapes. Distilled in northern Italy in traditional copper stills, there is a Slavic and Austrian influence due to the region of the distillery. With sweet brandy undertones mixed with the pomace of the grapes, Tosolini Cividana grappa has a mellow flavour which marries wonderfully with aromatic notes and the sweetness of grapes throughout.
A rye whisky to be reckoned with Jim beam use all their tried and tested methods to produce this high quality, critically recommended bourbon. 51% rye in the mash bill ensures fiery heat and an ageing process of four years ensures smoothness and oaky tones which further enhance the quality of the drink. Caramel vanilla warmth help temper the heat of the spice with welcome notes of cherry and nutmeg also coming through. A quality rye whisky is certainly worth a go!
Made using wines made in the Baden region of Germany, fortified with fruit eau de vie from legendary producer Schladerer, and flavoured with herbs including wormwood.
Try something different from your regular tanqueray and tonic. exotic and packed full of flavour tanqueray rangpur brings in the flavours of ginger, bay leaves and intensely fruity rangpur limes. sweetness leads this extraordinary gin, with lime juice and zest marrying wonderfully with traditional juniper. lime continues to take centre stage but ginger heat and a touch of pepper help to give a welcome bitter edge to think drink. perfect for a refreshing gimlet.
Jose Cuervo Agavero is an exceptional tequila flavoured liqueur, displayed in an unusual, memorable bottle. Blue agave reposado and Anejo tequilas are blended together with the essence of Damian flower to create a flavour you won’t forget. Herbal and vegetal aromas are the most prominent with light woody notes, lime zest and even asparagus come through. The flavour is sweet and mellow as you first sip but it begins to heat up, with those familiar herbal notes coming through.