Why Sweet Bordeaux & Cocktails are the Perfect Match

Words by Aidy Smith

Bordeaux and Cocktails. At first glance your mind is probably a little boggled at how could these two words have anything in common? Well, there’s a very obvious link – and it’s not the Bordeaux’s top shelf reds. Bordeaux has large a production of white, sparkling and, most importantly for cocktails, sweet wine. 

Sweet Bordeaux has become side-lined over the years as a ‘seasonal trend’, appearing mainly around Christmas and other celebratory dates but it doesn’t have to be. This baffles the locals who drink their sweet wines as aperitifs, with main courses and as everyday tipples. To its producers, the moniker ‘dessert wine’ is akin to uttering the word Voldemort in Harry Potter (that’s not a good thing). 

While the older generation winemakers have tended to treat the notion of ‘Sweet Bordeaux Cocktails’ with dismay - it has been left to the younger generation winemakers to push for innovation, strive for change and educate the world on Sweet Bordeaux Cocktails.

Why does it work?

The keyword here is balance – that strike between acidity and sweetness. The wine acts as a perfect base in a cocktail, allowing a variety of spirits whether sweet, acidic, bitter or spicy to harmonise in the glass.

They also work really well when used as the base in sparkling cocktails (especially with champagne and English sparkling wine) as the acidity equalises incredibly well. 

Sweet Bordeaux comes in different prices and quality tiers. Starting with entry level, Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux wines, which you can expect to display typical aromas of grapefruit and citrus with a distinct sweetness that balances well alongside acidity. 

As you move to the mid-tier, sweet Bordeaux wines from Loupiac, Cadillac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont offer a more structured profile, perfect for more sophisticated and complex cocktails. Here you can expect more abundant tropical notes to act as the base of a cocktail, such as dried mango, pineapple, apricot and even banana. 

Finally you have the top tier choices from the likes of Barsac and Sauternes, which range from the mid-£20’s to £100’s based on the notoriety of the Chateau or brand. Highly complex in nature with candied fruits, honey and orange peel being the staple notes, these are ideal for the high-end cocktail. 

What are they doing to encourage the use of sweet wines in cocktails? 

The Sweet Bordeaux group as well as a handful of producers are spending an increasing amount of time with bartending and mixology schools. While producers such as Cartron and Bastor Lamontagne have emerged as pioneers of the movement, others are following in suit and there are even examples of some SB brands being created specifically with cocktails in mind. A good example of this would be SO Sauternes and their infamous Sojito cocktail (a mix up of the Mojito with Sauternes).

Sweet Bordeaux cocktails have also made more appearances at global trade tastings as the group continues to emphasise their wines can be enjoyed as more than just a food pairing and aperitif. 

Given that Sweet Bordeaux has been around in the UK for centuries, why is the breakthrough happening now?

As the snobbery barriers of the wine industry continue to diminish and technology makes exploring and understanding wines easier (i.e. look at the sheer impact of apps such as Vivino), younger generation drink enthusiasts are beginning to pay a lot more attention to wines. 

Pair this newfound awareness and thirst to discover with a UK drinks industry renowned for world class mixology innovation and it’s not difficult to see why this new form of cocktail is beginning to show its face. 

What makes SB better than other sweet wines in the market?

The Sweet Bordeaux group has carried out research that shows wines produced from botrytised grapes and affected by noble rot are much more flavoursome and intense than wines created from other production methods (port, sweet sherry, Muscat, Madeira etc). 

An exceptionally wide range of aromas and tasting descriptors are Sweet Bordeaux’s USP, encompassing everything from ripe and tropical fruits to flowers, honey, orange peel and even spices. As a result, this allows sweet Bordeaux to become a solid choice for Mixologist’s wishing to add distinctive character within their drinks. 

If there were ever a time to get involved and showcase some true innovation within the Sweet Bordeaux cocktail space, now would be it. Santé!

Aidy Recommends: The Sauternes French Martini

Ingredients
20ml Grand Marnier
30ml Rabaud Promis Sauternes
Lemon twist

Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy!

Try These

Tanners Sauternes Half Bottle

Size: 375ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £13.50

Château La Rame 2017 Ste-Croix-du-Mont Half Bottle

Size: 500ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £14.99    

Tesco Finest Sauternes Half Bottle

Size: 375ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £12

How to Improve your Mood

It’s no secret that many of us are struggling right now more than we would. Most of the things that put a smile on our face are forbidden, but not ALL of them. That’s where today’s little tidbits of advice come into play. 

Yes, there’s a variety of little things you can do on a day-to-day basis which within the space of just a few seconds can bring a little cheer back into your life and perk up your mentality and mood. Some may sound silly, some may sound obvious, but at the end of the day as long as they work that’s all that matters. Ready?

Smile at yourself in the mirror

It might sound ridiculous but smiling at yourself in a mirror makes you feel slightly uncomfortable and silly to the point that your false smile becomes a real smile. Try it. 

Spend a little time with your pet if you have one

Comfort and knowing that we are responsible for someone else brings a great deal of joy to our lives. It also puts our mood into perspective. When we spend time with our kids or our pets, no matter how needy they can sometimes be, it brings a great deal of joy to our lives. It’s proven to emit certain hormones that give you a wider third-person perspective to realize that life isn’t all doom and gloom and what you are surrounded by is in fact very important and a beautiful reason to be alive. 

Laugh

This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Have that comedian you adore or that TikTok / Instagram profile that makes your dimples grow. Laughter is one of life’s greatest medicines, so if you’re ever feeling blue, a couple of minutes of watching something humorous will set you back on good form. 

Talk to upbeat people

Our brains and bodies release a hormone called oxytocin to strengthen the relationships we have with those around us. Your brain/body releases oxytocin to strengthen relationships. Oxytocin gets released during light caresses, sex, when someone shows they trust you, and sometimes even simply with talking. When released, oxytocin increases feelings of attachment for another person, as well as feelings of trust

Have Sex, Masturbate or get a Sex Toy

I’m not kidding – and while some people may laugh at this (good, I made you happy), sex emits a surge of hormones that really lift our spirit and mood. If you live by yourself or don’t have a partner then put things back into your own hands right now in your bedroom. There’s no shame in talking about topics like this. Mental health is a serious and complex thing and sex has been proven to have a positive impact on our moods through the release of countless hormones. 

De-clutter or Re-arrange things in your room

Changing an environment can help us feel refreshed, enabling us to bust out of a negative mood. Clutter spikes cortisol, getting rid of it decreases it!

Listen to sad songs and cry. 

Might sound a little counter-productive, but allowing yourself to get rid of those pent up emotions is a release. Once you’ve had that release your happiness meter is re-filled and you’ll be less likely to dwell on the negativity. 

Compliment someone else

Tell a friend they look nice in a photo, drop a message to someone out of the blue reminding them of something you loved that they did. Basically, if you can give a compliment to someone, go ahead and do it. Research has shown that we get a spike in happiness knowing we are making others happy. 

https://www.titlemax.com/discovery-center/lifestyle/scientifically-proven-ways-improve-your-mood/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/hide-and-seek/201701/10-simple-ways-improve-your-mood-when-youre-feeling-down

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/5-tips-to-boost-your-mood/

https://greatist.com/happiness/34-ways-bust-bad-mood-ten-minutes#8

How to Make Yourself Happy!

HAPPINESS…. A term that may seem cliché, but ultimately results in us leading a more fulfilled and positive life, surrounded by wonder, comfort and love. There’s no magic formula that you can inject into yourself on a permanent basis, but there are several life steps you can follow and that’s exactly what we’re going to delve into today. 

Happiness is the result of a variety of hormones and affects us in different ways. We have dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins to thank for those gleaming cheeks we get and warming feeling within that we get, but they have to be activated to work. 

Throughout today’s article and video you’ll notice a couple of recurring themes – surround yourself with positive, put your mindset in a positive place and focus on the light, not the darkness. 

Positive Thinking

It’s completely understandable if you’re feeling quite shitty right now. Allow yourself some time to come to terms with your feelings so you’ve let them out, maybe even talk to someone about them as an outlet, but do remember, and this is important, that every time you showcase negativity or are moping around – you’re not just affecting yourself but those around you too. 

Countless studies have shown how people with a negative mindset can be contagious in bringing other people down too – exactly the same (but the opposite) but those who showcase positivity – it is completely infectious and spreads the light making others gleam with joy. 

So, positive thinking, what’s the trick? Well, this ones quite simple. Just think about a really happy memory you have. Maybe it’s with a loved one, maybe it’s that stupid thing your friend did, maybe it’s a time you felt harmonious joy or pride, maybe it’s a time you did something for someone else which filled you with hope. You may be thinking ‘what’s the point?’ – but take my word for it – do it. Once those hormones start rushing through your body the darkness will turn into light and you are once again, back in control. 

YOU control YOU

Remember, the only person who controls how you feel is YOU – don’t ever let someone else bring you down – they don’t have the power to do that. The sooner we realise that WE ARE IN CONTROL OF HOW WE FEEL, the sooner we can combat and push away the negativity of others. It’s boils down to that simple notion of knowing that you are in the driver’s seat of your life. It sounds incredibly simple and it is. You are strong. Remember that. Once your head is back in that driver’s seat, smile away. 

The Cold Water Trick

Do you ever feel terrible in the morning? Super sleepy? Well, there’s a little trick that can combat that and it sounds AWFUL but it really does work. If you’re anything like me you keep extending the amount of time you’re in the shower in the morning, making the water hotter and hotter as if it’s an embracing hug. The notion of stepping out is not good. Here’s the trick. Just before you get out – turn the water to freezing cold for a split second and let that be the last thing you feel. Not too long, I’m talking about literally a nanosecond. Once you do this a surge of energy bounces through your body, making you incrediblt alert, focused and ready to conquer the day. You might dread feeling really cold and sad, but actually, the opposite happens. 

Find Something to Look Forward to!

There’s nothing worse than doom and gloom and knowing nothing on the horizon seems fun. Change that. Book something or arrange something that you’re going to look forward to. If you’re in a position to plan a holiday far out enough that it (hopefully) won’t be affected by COVID, do it. Not everything has to be money related either. Even organising a group of friends on a joint video call is something that well send surges of positivity thourgh you. 

Partake in Conscious Acts of Kindness

This could very well be one of the most important. We spend so much time thinking about OURSELVES, but what about others? It is human nature that if we do good, we feel good. So the next time you see someone suffering, go out of your way to help then. Whether it be a homeless person in need of food or drink, someone in need of mentorship or just someone on LinkedIn asking a genuine question to help guide them in a better direction with their career. There are countless ways you can help – you just need to be observant and use your emotional intelligence to identify them. The best thing you can do as a human is make someone else smile. It’s contagious – it will soon come right back around. 

Exercise

It sounds pretty simple and it is. Get yourself outside once a day for a walk or even a 5-minute workout from home. You don’t need to be a body builder; you just need to give your body some time to reflect on itself. Any form of exercise creates a surge of hormones allowing you to feel more positive about yourself. 

Meditation

There are countless forms of meditation – do a little research to see what works for you. You can also check out our tips on how ‘Sound’ can impact your health and wellness by clicking here and discover multiple other ways to instil happiness within your life. 

Make your environment a happier place

We’ve given you lots of tips over this series to make positive change to your life in order to reduce anxiety and become calmer in 2021. You can take many of these learnings and adapt them to your routine to become a happier person. SAD lights, different scents, going for walks, socialising more, thinking positively – these are just a few. Delve into all of our video series by clicking here. 

Happiness in Social Circles

This doesn’t mean you have to be an extrovert – it just means don’t isolate yourself away. Right now, this couldn’t be more important. We can’t leave our homes and head down to the bar to have a good old’ natter with your best mates – but we can do that over our computers, our phones, whatever it might be. Don’t hide in the darkness and feel like you are alone – make the effort to set up a call and then see just how much fulfilment it brings to your life. Human beings are not meant to be isolated, we find nourishment in conversation and belonging. So if you’ve not spoken with a friend for a couple of days – now is the time to rectify that – and I don’t mean a text message – I mean voice of video. There’s a MASSIVE difference between the two when it comes to seeing and feeling real emotion. 

Laugh More!

It’s pretty simple – laughter is the best form of medicine didn’t come from nowhere – it’s a known fact that those who laugh more are happier. So find that favourite TV Series, watch those memes and GIF’s and make sure you keep in contact with those who make you feel like sunshine – because it has such a profoundly positive impact on our lives. 

The Countless Benefits of Flowers and Plants on Your Mind, Senses and Soul.

Put simply, being around plants, flowers and trees triggers a response within us that surges through billions of different neural pathways in our brains. When this happens, we naturally feel more positive. That’s why a walk in the park or being around lots of flowers can really help!!

As you begin to settle into your homes for yet another Lockdown, Green is going to be more important now, than ever. Whether it be trees, plants or flowers, here are just a few of the benefits you can expect to find:

• Improve the Healing Process

• Better Performance and More Energy

• Feel More Relaxed

• Enhance Concentration and Memory

• Lowers Background Noise

Improve the Healing Process

Plants in office spaces result in lower sick rates and the reason we have plants and flowers in many hospitals is because they help people recover more quickly. There’s also indoor air quality too – they suck in all of that stale air, breathing out fresh oxygen which keeps our systems pumping away. 

Here are a couple of other health perks countless studies have identified: 

● Lowers blood pressure
● Reduces stress
● Boosts immune system
● Creates a positive mood
● Improves sleep

Better Performance and More Energy

These beauties improve out state of mind – the subliminal affects they emit boost our mood and make us feel much more alive and active. Exactly what we need if working from home. 

Feel More Relaxed

"Biophilia" is an innate affinity of life or living systems, which is exactly what plants are. By having them in our homes we are continually reminded that these living organisms exist. They soothe us, allow us to not feel so alone and remind us of what being alive is all about. Sunshine, sky, wind, the smell of flowers, the trickling sound of a water feature – all of these things have the same affect. 

Enhance Concentration and Memory

The effect of nature has been proven to stimulate our senses, improving performance, memory and mental cognition. A notable study at the University of Michigan showed that memory retention had increased by 20% for those who surrounded themselves by plants. Whether your room is covered in them or you’ve just got a little plant on your desk, you can begin taking the steps to reduce a sterile environment. 

Lowers Background Noise

Plants have been used outside for years to reduce noise; they aren’t just for visual privacy. But they can have the same affect in the home as well. Reducing the irritating noises of things like cars and construction as a buffer. 

Where Do You Buy Them?

• Your Local Florist (see if they are delivering, what can you do to help?)

• Various online services like Bloom, Floom and FlowerBX

• Your local supermarket (Waitrose always have a great selection)

• Internal Greenhouses (they also have SAD light benefits (i.e. Click & Grow)

Here a couple of additional articles you can check out for the science behind it, the studies that have been carried out and to delve into my points a bit more:

The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Plants
https://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/health-and-well-being-benefits-of-plants/

Why Trees Can Make You Happier
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_trees_can_make_you_happier

Seven Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home Office
https://www.ciphr.com/advice/plants-in-the-office/

Why Indoor Plants Make You Feel Better
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806 

Why Living with and Tending to Plants is Good For You
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201022-why-living-with-and-tending-plants-is-good-for-you

5 Genius Inventions To Help You Shed the COVID Weight

Words by Aidy Smith (@Sypped)

You’re not alone. As most of the world has been in their own version of lockdown the naughty foods have come into our lives a little more than we’d usually allow, same for that glass of something special each evening. The result? For many of us, the love handles have returned. So much for that summer body, eh? Alas, don’t worry about it. The good thing is, there’s a bunch of new tech and various creations which allow you to combat this face-on. Read below for some simple and convenient ways to get in better shape!

Yo-Yo DESK® BIKE

The Yo-Yo Desk Bike isn’t just another piece of exercise equipment that’ll soon sit in the corner collection dust. This bike will become a fully integrated part of your workday routine. Turn a normally inactive portion of your day into an active one and burn through the fat faster. 

Silent motion technology gets rid of noise distractions while you can work from a laptop with ease and even take video calls while secretly burning the calories. For most of us, working from home has become tedious, not to mention the backpain from spending too much time sitting down. This wonder acts as a stand-up desk too, so you can change your position for a healthier posture.  

Basically, work while losing weight and without noticing you’re even working out. Amazing. 

Price: £400
Learn More Here

The Gym Keg

This one is incredibly simple, but so powerful. We all know we need to drink more water as it’s something that contributes to shedding the weight. It gets a little repetitive having to constantly fill up a smaller bottle of water, so why not just buy something that holds 2.2L of the stuff. That way you only need to fill it up twice during the day and you’ve more than completed your daily allowance. Just be sure not to overdo it though, 2.7L for women and 3.7L for men are the daily recommendations. 

Price: £16
Learn More Here

Noom

There’s a hell of a lot of ‘weight loss’ apps out there, but honestly, very few are based on mountains of scientific research across both biological and psychological fields. Noom helps people to lead healthier lives through behaviour change, making you feel like you’re in control of your life so you can make the hard decisions versus being forced into a situation that makes you loathe dieting. It’s kind of like having a nutrionist, health coach and trainer all in one place. 

Daily quizzes educate you and help you understand WHY you need to take certain actions, while the food suggestion features help you make more informed decisions about what you eat without scaremongering you into cutting out everything. Its realistic. You essentially log what food you’re eating which is categorized into green, yellow and red, allowing you to see how healthy you are being. 

The app has shown to directly promote healthier habits, reducing risk of chronic health problems and even reversing diseases. These aren’t just statements either, they continuously publish research in international recognised journals such as  Nature and British Medical Journal (BMJ), which has shown that 64% of Noom users lost 5% or more of body weight, greatly reducing their risk of diabetes and other conditions.

In summary, an app that doesn’t make weight loss feel like a chore is a great start to becoming healthier, so give it a whirl.  

Price: From $200 (£160) per year
Learn More Here

Æcorn Aromatic

Many of us have been guilty of piling on the pounds from drinking too much. The weather has been amazing, happy hour is within reach of your work desk, there’s countless reasons, really. On that note, it’s important to look after your health and a variety of incredible low or non-alcohol options exist, one of my absolutely favourites being Æcorn Aromatic. Not only is it fantastic as a non-alcohol cocktail ingredient, but it makes a stunning G&T alternative. Flavour and texture are two crucial components for me in any non-alcohol drink and this has both in abundance. 

So in sum; get a nice and health tonic water, and to taste preference an amount of this beauty and et voila, your healthier drink awaits. 

Price: £20
Learn More Here

Ember Mug

I’m a total geek of new tech and Ember have just solved a problem that affects many of us when it comes to drinks. If you’re trying to be healthy you make yourself a nice cup of herbal are fruit tea, right? But heres the alarming issue. It goes cold way too quickly, then you get irritated, then you become annoyed and after a trio occurrence you just give up. Ember is the first portable mug that regulates the same temperature based on what you program to your phone. So, your healthy brew will never get cold and you can keep topping it up. You can even take tea that has brewed earlier in the day and the cup will actually heat it up. Genius.

Price: £80
Learn More Here

Like this? Try our latest Drinker Discovery post, 7 Rums That Scream Luxury, and the World’s best Sipping Tequilas

The World’s First Peated Tomato Juice

Yep, that’s right. This is the first tomato juice to have been infused with Islay peat smoke. The result? A totally unique flavour that screams “Bloody Mary!”. Not only is it richer and deeper in taste than your standard tomato juice, it’s hand-crafted in Scotland itself by a small team of gastronomic food innovators. 

Quite exciting, given how much we love a bloody mary. Now, they recommend you mix it up with vodka (recipe below), but I would argue for those who love peat as much as we do, drop a wee dram of whisky in there instead for a double whammy peat punch. Don’t forget that mandatory slice of shortbread on the side too.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with peat – it’s an organic material that has decomposed over millions of years. On Islay, it absorbs all of the sea salt from the atmosphere given you’re never far away from the coast, in doing so infusing all of that rich goodness when smoked.

A local smokery is used to extract maximum flavour, with the dried peat being infused into the fresh, seasonal tomatoes. What you get is a super rich batch of sweet, smoky and salty tomatoes and in turn, their juice. Damn. 

Okay, enough talk, let’s get to the good stuff. 

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Tongue In Peat’s Smoky Mary Recipe 

Ingredients: 

50ml vodka (or a peaty whisky!)
6 drops Tabasco
8 drops Worcestershire sauce 1 pinch celery salt
1 tsp horseradish
2 tsp fresh lime juice 

Method: 

Rub a wedge of lemon along the rim of your glass, then coat with black pepper. Add the vodka, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, salt, horseradish and lime juice before topping up with Tongue in Peat Smoked Tomato Juice. Fill the glass with ice then stir, and garnish with a wedge of lemon and celery stick. 

Tongue in Peat is now available in 250ml or 500ml glass bottles from selected online retailers including directly from Tongueinpeat.com as well as Paisley Drinks Company and Craft56.co.uk 

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The Last Drop Distillers: The World’s Most Exclusive Spirits Collection

Words by Aidy Smith

I’ve always considered alcohol like art – you have your raw ingredients, whether grape, grain or anything in-between, much like you have your paint, chalk or pencils. Upon taking your palate you begin to create your masterpiece on the canvas, one colour and one stroke or brush at a time. Take your distillation methods or winemaking process, which yeasts you use, how many times you filter and the same can be said for producing wine and spirits. The connection between the two has always fascinated me and much like procurers of fine art, I spend a lot of my time searching auction sites around the world in an attempt to find a truly old, truly unique piece of history that I can add to my collection. Sometimes I’ll drink it, sometimes I’ll simply admire it. 

You see, out there in the world, hidden in the darkest corners of distilleries, wineries and bodegas sit rare treats that have stood the test of time. Some of these, their owners are very much aware exist, whereas others have simply gone forgotten given the sheer number of casks stored. While I may be able to look up a listing on an auction site, I’m not able to walk into a highly fortified warehouse to take a peak at 50+ year old casks. But there is a company who are – and my god have they sourced some treasures. Enter, The Last Drop Distillers. 

But here’s the thing, regardless of what your company is, you don’t get to simply walk into any old warehouse, for that, you need credentials and relationships  that have been forged over many years – and these two things are exactly what this team hold, which is why this company has been able to achieve so much in such little time. 

Co-Founders James Espey and the late Tom Jago are two very familiar names within the drinks industry, having throughout their joint careers of over 110 years been responsible for the growth of countless iconic spirits like J&B Rare, Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal and Bailey’s Irish Cream to name just a few. Today, the company is overseen by the next generation, Rebecca Jago and Beanie Espey, both of whom’ over the years have comfortably called the drinks industry their home, following in the footsteps of their fathers and in the process showcasing that this industry is just as much for women as it is for men. 

Then there’s the various directors of the company, each with their own unique skillsets – take Ben Howkins for example, one of the most charming gentlemen I have met and an encyclopaedia for anything sherry, port, tokaji and so much more. It’s people like this who attain the much-needed knowledge, relationships and palates based on decades of experience to determine the quality of those magical finds. 

The point I’m trying to make is that this company is built up of a family of gracious people who have an exceptional talent to seek out precious ‘last drops’ of some of the oldest and most perfect spirits in existence. But even then, it’s not easy and the team openly acknowledge just how difficult it is to succeed in their quest; not all spirits age well and too long in wood can ruin them. But occasionally all the elements – original distillate, type of wood, the right climate for storage – combine to produce an unlikely miracle. 

Right, I keep referring to these miracles, so at the risk of beginning to sound like a cork-tease, I suppose I should tell you about some of the most fascinating finds The Last Drop have come to discover. Here are six instrumental releases that have given this company its reputation over time.  

The Last Drop Release No 1:
1960 Blended Scotch Whisky. 

This was the very first release and how it all began. Upon launching the company James and Tom knew they needed to do something special, so calling upon their incredible list of contacts in Scotland, Tom narrowed down his search to three casks, which upon tasting, he immediately knew were the ones. Up until the day he passed away in October 2018, Tom swore this was the best whisky he’d ever tasted – which coming from a man whose career was built on building brands made from the stuff, is quite a lot. 

Hidden away in the back of a warehouse in the Lowlands, what really set these casks apart was not where they were hidden so much as the treasure that was hidden inside. You see, The Last Drop aren’t just ‘rare spirit hunters’ in the sense of the quest, and the treasure hunt, but also in their ability to source and uncover gems that are literally hidden in plain sight. It took three years to sell out of the first release, but this bottle set the benchmark of quality for what was soon to become the most highly accoladed rare spirits company in the world.  

The Last Drop Release No 2:
the 1950 Cognac. 

Their second release was one of grave importance because it set them apart from being an ‘independent bottler of Scotch Whisky’ by that I mean a company who simply bottles a whisky then sells it on. You see, by releasing a cognac they became a ‘Spirits Company’ and cognac was by no means their only foray beyond the dram. Once again, that carefully built contact list of colleagues became invaluable and they found themselves sourcing a 1950 Cognac from a family-owned business on the banks of Charente that has been in operation for multiple generations. This was the beginning of a fascinating evolution.  

The Last Drop Release No 7:
the 1972 Lochside Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Only 106 bottles were ever created from this incredibly rare single cask. It’s not often to firstly find a whisky as old as this, but secondly from a distillery which no longer exists and Lochside is an example of just that.  Their mission to champion single grain whiskies continued as they maintained their reputation for producing incredibly small amounts of precious liquids. A light, but complex whisky which deserved to be seen for the gleaming gem it had become. 

The Last Drop Release No 14:
the 1925 Hors d’Age Grande Champagne Cognac

As if a 1950 cognac wasn’t a triumph in itself, the team decided to take things one step further and the story behind it this particular find is stunning. A single barrel of a cognac, distilled by the current owner’s grandfather in 1925, was hidden behind a wall of rubble as the Germans approached the south west of France before WWII. Forgotten, it lay there until late 2017, when the grandson undertook some renovation work on one of the barns, and there was a treasure: barely enough for 182 bottles of a simply glorious 93 year old cognac, untouched for over 70 years. It had never been topped up or in any way tampered with and is believed to have spent its life in an ex-Pineau des Charentes barrel, which imparts an extraordinary sweetness. In a fitting tribute, this true beauty was made in the year Tom Jago was born and bottled in the year he passed – a lovely nod to a man who has helped get moments of history like this into the hands of those who will truly appreciate them. 

The Last Drop Release No 11:
Centenario Duo of Tawny Ports 1870 and 1970 

As both a wine and spirits lovers, this is where the two worlds intertwine, and this is a product I have been fortunate enough to call my own. I remember the first time I took a sip, the two side-by-side and tears began to form in my eyes. Much like anyone with a passion there are some moments where we try a liquid so rare in its nature and so tasty that it hits us in a way we simply can’t explain and that’s when I realised exactly what The Last Drop offers its customers. Tasting this for the first time was one of those rare occurrences that will stay with me for a lifetime. 

To put things into historical reference - to taste a port that is older than the titanic, well, you can imagine the beauty of that moment. But these things are by no means easy to source and it was Ben Howkins, a true pioneer in port exploration leading the effort alongside Cristiano van Zeller – a name synonymous with the port industry. Together they discovered not one, but two aged tawny ports from the same vineyards, but made 100 years apart: in 1870 and in 1970. Not only 100 years apart, but also divided by Phylloxera: the older port was made from grapes on pre-Phylloxera vines, the younger on vines grafted onto American root stock after the louse wiped out almost all the vines of Europe. A chance to taste history, and to take enormous pleasure in doing so: these ports are incomparably delicious and so different from one other, the 1870 is deeper and more savoury, while the 1970 is positively fresh and floral.

The Last Drop Release No 13:
1982 Bourbon Whisky from Buffalo Trace

This takes us to one of the most recent releases as the company decided to venture even further beyond its origins in Scotch to the other side of the pond. This tiny release of just 44 bottles of 1982 bourbon was at the peak of its perfection and while some believe that bourbon isn’t meant to be aged, The Last Drop felt differently (as do I to be honest!). Turns out many others agree, the bottles were sold out incredibly quickly – although they did spot a bottle on auction recently selling at $18,000, more than 4 times the original price. In a further fitting tribute, 1982 is the birth year of Beanie Espey, with the bottling of this product taking place the same year her first son was welcome into the world, as well. 

As this piece draws to a close it’s worth my mentioning just how much I truly adore writing on topics like this – getting a glimpse into the historically rich universe of drinks and how they came to be. If you’re anything like me, I like to have at least one wonder sitting atop my shelf, the bounty of my collection and something so exquisitely rare that others can only look at in envy. The Last Drop has created something truly wonderful – the ability to help people experience a piece of history, emotion, wonder and above all else quality. I now can only wait in anticipation to discover what their next releases may be. Until then, if you’d like more information on any of the above – simply contact The Last Drop Distillers directly.  

The Last Drop Distillers
www.thelastdropdistillers.com

This content was originally published in Oracle Time Magazine under Aidy’s Drinks Column. You can subscribe to the online magazine here to view online or order the magazine in print format.

Jerry Can Cocktail Bar

From bespoke light fixtures artfully fashioned from beer cans to chic handbags made from canvas coffee sacks, we’ve seen our share of creative repurposing. But Copenhagen design team Danish Fuel is taking upcycling to another level with their sleek, wall-mountable Jerry Can Bar Cabinet made from—wait for it—old kerosene containers from World War II. The cans, originally called Wehrmacht Kanisters, were designed by the German military in 1939 to hold kerosene,water, and gasoline in preparation for the war. They were coded by colour to differentiate between the liquids they contained and eventually dubbed “Jerries”, which was the nickname for Germans during the war. 

The inventive team of designers at Danish Fuel collects the discarded Jerry Cans from military surplus centres and initiates a 3-week process of drilling, sanding, burning, adding a powder coat—all sorts of highly involved procedures that result, against all odds, in a battered old gas canister emerging a gleaming custom-made bar you’d be proud to hang on your wall and fill with a few of your most treasured spirits and glassware. Jerry Can Bar Cabinet is the classiest form of “reduce, reuse, recycle” we’ve seen yet.

Buy now from €400