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.

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.

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.

This creates a rum with notes of tropical fruits, ripe banana, chocolate and toasted coconut

Top notch Russian vodka. Very smooth with delicate grain mouth feel. This moves through to a faint hazelnut and honey finish. Doesn't require freezing just chilling as you would with a Champagne.

A terrific vatted grain whisky (the first of its type) from tireless innovators Compass Box. Supple & silky, with elegant, rich flavours of vanilla, toffee, coconut and cocoa

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.

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.

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.

Nose: Rich fruit, toffee. Palate: Balanced, bursts of sweet orange. Finish: Long, with raisins and spice

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.

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'.

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.

Grey Goose Premium Vodka has an exquisite clear, fresh and elegantly aromatic taste. This is a premium vodka of unparalleled smoothness and exceptional taste, with subtle hints of almond and a long, satisfying finish.

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.

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.

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.

A magnum bottle of Ciroc's classic vodka that lights up. Made in France using blanc and Mauzac grapes rather than the more usual grains.

Still initially matured in 'Whisky Oak' casks before being switched to sherry wood to finish, the extra years give it extra depth without being overpowering.

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.

Ghostbusters aside, this is a serious spirit! super clean vanilla notes with a touch of lemon and a smooth pepper and lemon rind finish this is best straight form the fridge but comes up well at room temperature too.

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.

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.

Honeyed sweetness, caramel notes, and a touch of spice create a truly luxurious rum experience.

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 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.

This 18-year-old offering from The Dalmore distillery is a highland whisky of much note. Rich and fruity with more than a little spice, chocolate and orange are the true stars of this malt, making it a wonderfully wintry and festive choice. The nose is rich with vanilla, orange zest and floral potpourri. The palate is wonderfully warming and perfect for sipping by the side of an open fire, chocolate raisins, sherry and pepper evoking this image. cocoa-rich and melt in the mouth.