The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 78

Welcome back to another Bring a Bottle podcast! This week it’s all about garlic vodka, fancy bottled mocktails and drinks from Latvia. Listen in below for all this and more!

WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

This week we’re revisiting Deanston Virgin Oak highland single malt Scotch whisky but this time it’s all about its versatility in cocktails – listen in to check out our favourites and Aidy’s interesting garnish suggestion.

ABV: 46.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £34 // US $36.99

Drinks News

What do you look for on a wine list? A recent study has published some rather surprising results Plus, we reveal some top tips to make life easier when ordering wine in a restaurant.

Bang for Buck

Listener, Milton, contacted us and told us all about his bargain supermarket finds. Like, for example, a magnum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for… drumroll please… only £28! Want to know how he does it? You know what to do ;)

Drinks From Around The World

This week Aidy transports you to Latvia to sample Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur made with many, many different natural ingredients. And yes, it includes tree bark! The best bit? You enjoy it served in your coffee or poured over ice cream.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.50 // US $33.59

No/Lo

Ever wanted a mocktail that actually tastes like what it says on the can? Well, Helena selects a quartet of really tasty mocktails from Savyll Beverage Co and tells us all about them. Available in cans or bottles from £12 for four, these vegan and gluten free drinks give that great authentic classic cocktail flavour without the booze.

Size: 250ml
Price: UK £11.99 for 4 // US sysco.com

Mailbag

A great question this week, “What is chill filtering?” . Listen in as we take you through what it is, why it happens and whether we think it’s a good thing or not.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to send in all your mailbag questions and of course to listen in ;) Cheers!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 77

Oh l' amour, it’s that time of year again. But whether you celebrate Valentine's day, Galentine's day or ‘give yourself some love’ day, we have some great tips so listen in to episode 77 for all our romantic cork popping inspiration.

WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

Why it’s the perfect whisky choice for Valentine's day! It’s Deanston 17 year old Pinot Noir finish limited edition. It’s luscious and elegant with red meadow berries jumping out from the wine cask finish and has a smooth and creamy finish. Nom!

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £110

Drinks News

Believe it or not, research has been done on which animals can hold their booze the best. You’ll be surprised at the results! Plus the 400 year old winery discovered that’s changing the way people think about the history of alcohol.

Buy it or Bin it!

We taste test Kylie Minogue’s pink prosecco. An easy drinker to get the conversation started at parties, but did it end up in the bin? You’ll have to listen in to find out!

ABV: 11%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £9 (stocked in most major supermarkets)

Drinks From Around The World

Let us introduce you to Mamajuana, the national drink of the Dominican Republic. A spiced beverage made from rum, red wine, spices and - wait for it - tree bark! (Does anyone else feel like there’s a bit of a tree bark theme going on here?!)

Bang for Buck

Bang for Buck is back and it won’t leave you disappointed as Helena shares a proper pink fizz that using a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir blend is made in the same way as Champagne and tastes just as good. Introducing Codorniu Anna Rosé Cava!

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Price: £11

Mailbag

This week it was a question we often get asked and it is a brilliant one at that “When a wine is described as something like strawberry, is there actually strawberries in it?” Listen in as we explain just what tasting notes mean and why they are described as they are.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to send in all your mailbag questions and of course to listen in ;) Cheers!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 76

Episode 76 has landed and it is Chinese New Year - the year of the tiger. As if by magic, we have a whisky that pairs perfectly with Peking duck, pancakes and hoisin sauce - listen in below to find out more!

WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

This week we’re sipping on Jura 18 year old. A whisky that perfectly showcases the signature style of Jura with its light peatiness that is harmoniously intertwined with caramel. Aged in ex-bourbon AND premier grand cru Bourdeaux barrels, this whisky is perfect for a little ‘you time’.

ABV: 44%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £65.99

Buy it or Bin it!

It’s back, and we’re not sure how we feel about it this week. It’s vodka from The Wasabi Company - we will let you take an educated guess at what it might contain… but where did it end up? You’ll have to listen in to find out!

ABV: 40%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £29

Drinks From Around The World

We don’t want to get you too excited but we cover two drinks this week. Have you heard of Byarozavik? It’s a traditional drink from Belarus made from birch sap that helps to keep low cholesterol levels. And with an extra nod to the new lunar year, Helena tells all about the world’s most popular spirit that you’ve probably never heard of.

Drinker’s Discovery

Helena has discovered Cannabrew, a craft beer brand that produces CBD lagers and cider. Crisp, pure and fresh they have 15mg of CBD per can meaning they are all about the chill without any hempy taste. What’s even better? For every case sold they plant 2 trees so there’s nothing not to love!

ABV: IPA 4.5% // Cider 4%
CBD: 15mg
Find here: IPA £37.19 for 12 // Cider £37.19 for 12

Mailbag

Last but by no means least: “Why is aged wine seen as being so good?” We fill you in on whether older really does mean better and if so which bottles to look out for.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to let us know what you think and don’t forget to listen in!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 75

Welcome back to the Bring a Bottle Podcast! It’s our first podcast of 2022 and with brand new sections, more drinks news and the usually lighthearted fun, boy are you in for a treat. Here’s just some of what you can expect from this week…

WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

This week we have such a treat in our glasses, Fettercairn Limited Edition 16 Year Old 2nd Release 2021. It’s aged in three different types of sherry cask, resulting in tropical notes with delicate dry fruits and spice on the palette and in our opinion is the perfect introduction to the Fettercairn style.

ABV: 46.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £69.95

Buy it or Bin it!

We have a brand new section ladies and gentlemen where we taste a product and decide whether we would buy it or bin it! Following the theme of Dry January, this week we taste test Brothers zero-alcohol toffee apple English cider. What’s the verdict - you’ll have to listen in to find out!

Drinks From Around The World

Which country could it be this week? Well, as this podcast came out on Burn’s Night it seems only fitting that we start with Scotland. Aidy brings a certain can of fizzy pop that’s apparently made from girders! No prizes for guessing the brand, but did you know it’s delicious cooked with pulled pork and as an ingredient in cupcakes?

Drinker’s Discovery

Producer Helena brings a bottle to the table this week and that is Monsoon Valley wine from Thailand served at The Giggling Squid. This naturally leads us on to the topic of why you should never dismiss wines from lesser known countries or unfamiliar regions… check out which lesser-known countries/regions we rate by listening in above!

Mailbag

Last but by no means least: “I’m going to a Burns Night party, what drink goes with haggis?”. Get in touch on Instagram and let us know what you think and make sure you listen in here to find out our answers!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 72

Another week, another brand-spanking-new podcast awaits and this week we’ve got loads of drinker’s discoveries to share including an interactive bartender and some fun festive drinks that have NOTHING to do with mulled wine! Listen in via the player below!

What’s In Our Glass?

We’ve got a VERY special treat in our glasses this week – Deanston 12 year old Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured whisky. Distilled in 2008 and limited to only 13,227 bottles, this Oloroso cask matured whisky is 52.7% ABV and packs quite a punch. It has a beautiful Christmassy vibe - think gingerbread in a glass! Aidy reckons it would pair perfectly with Black forest gateaux with a bit of lemon in it.

ABV: 52.7%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £79.95

The Third Drinker

The wonderful Eulanda Shead-Osagiede joins us again to chat all about why we eat what we eat, an event of titanic proportions, and what she’ll be serving up this Christmas. Check her out on Instagram at @heydipyourtoesin.

Drinks News

Ever fancied having a robot serve you up a cocktail?! Well, now you can with the invention of Cecilia, a interactive bartender who can serve up 120 cocktails per hour! Find out what Aidy, Helena and Eulanda think about her by tuning in now. That’s not all though, we chat about the world’s first multi-aged blend of reposado and añejo tequila from Maestro Dobel Tequila, wine aged under the sea, the best Buck’s fizz/Mimosas to get your hands on, and what on earth Lillet Blanc is, amongst much more!

And finally…

Mailbag

‘I hate mulled wine but want to drink something festive - What other seasonal drinks can I make?!’. Listen in to hear Aidy, Helena and Eulanda’s suggestions here!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 71

Episode 71 is here and we’re feeling festive! This week we chat all about how to make mulled wine that tastes decent, Irish Cream Liqueur - how do you drink yours?! and free gin cocktails! Listen in here…

What’s In Our Glass?

This week it’s Deanston 18 year old! Recently crowned Whisky of the Year 2022 in a blind tasting, Deanston 18 year old is matured for 18 years, including a finishing period in first-fill Kentucky bourbon casks and bottled without chill-filtration, this is a rich, luxurious whisky with notes of vanilla and sugary shortbread. Try a dram alongside your mince pies or an apple and pear crumble. Nom!

ABV: 46.3%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £69.99

Who’s The Third Drinker?

We have two ‘third drinkers’ joining us for episode 71. In the studio with us is Eulanda Shead-Osagiede, third drinker in The Three Drinkers in Ireland and travel content guru who is back from her trip to the orange groves of Portugal and eloquently explains her theory on how travel is a celebration of cultures. Check her out on Instagram at @heydipyourtoesin. We also catch up with Deanston’s Master Distiller Brendan McCarron who discusses his new challenges at Deanston and a ‘secret’ project! You can find him on Instagram at @mcc_brendan.

Drinks News

York Gin is feeling very giving this Christmas and is handing out free gin cocktails but you’ll have to listen in to find out how to get your hands on them! We also chat about alcoholic tea, Britney’s first toast to freedom and some fun recipes to make with Irish Cream Liqueur - you’re going to love Helena’s!

And finally…

Mailbag

This week’s question is: ‘What is the secret to making the perfect mulled wine?’ See what we had to say about it here!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 70

Episode 70 is here and this week we chat drinks gadgets, delicious prosecco, vodka made from chips and much, much more! Listen in via the player below now!

What’s in our glass?

This week it’s all about Deanston 12 year old. A lovely whisky with caramel notes and honey sweetness that is perfect for people who live smoother fruiter whiskies. Try it in a Warm Scotch Cider – trust us you won’t regret it!

ABV: 46.3%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £37.60

In the news

Aidy has discovered a vodka made from curly and crinkle cut fries and Helena is getting excited about wine trains!

Third Drinker

Lauren Horne joins us this week and tells us all about her brand Dottie’s Espresso Martini. Vegan friendly, gluten free and using barista grade style Guatemalan coffee along with the amazing crema that forms on top once it’s poured it really is a revelation in the canned drinks industry and one to try!

ABV: 7%
Size: 250ml
Find here: dotties.co.uk

Call the shots

Helena puts Aidy and Lauren to the test to see if they can figure out what the orangey, bubbly, toffee popcorn and salted caramel smelling drink is that they have been given. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

And finally…

Mailbag

White wine is a trigger for my acid reflux – is there a white wine out there that you think wouldn’t upset my stomach as much.

Listen in for all this and more!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 68

This week’s podcast is focusing on the Belvedere Organic Infusions range, but it’s not just that, we have some BIG news to share, lots of new exciting drinks discoveries and a great mailbag question! Listen in via this player to hear all this and more.

What’s In Our Glass?

Episode 68 is a one-off special podcast focusing on Belvedere Organic Infusions. Belvedere vodka is Polish vodka made with 100% organic ingredients and the infusions range, consisting of Lemon & Basil, Blackberry & Lemongrass and Pear & Ginger Vodka is created by using these quality organic ingredients with an added twist of flavour. Some flavoured vodkas can be very synthetic but these vodkas have multi-layered flavours making for very complex interesting drinks. Listen in to hear which cocktail Aidy has whipped up with them.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here:
Lemon & Basil UK £39.95 // US $43.19
Blackberry & Lemongrass UK £39.95 // US $43.19
Pear and Ginger UK £39.95 // $43.19

BIG News

You may have already seen on our website but our brand new TV series The Three Drinkers in Ireland is now in production! Listen in to hear a few more cheeky teasers about what you can expect to see from February 2022!

Secret Santa

It’s nearly that time of year again and it’s always a struggle to know what to buy! Helena has discovered a brilliant drink that she reckons would do really well as a secret santa gift. Introducing, Wild Arbor, a clear cream liqueur that is free from dairy, gluten, has no artificial flavours or preservatives and tastes like an indulgent Irish cream – it is definitely a drink for all.

ABV: 19.8%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £19.95 // US $29.99

Drinkers Discovery

This week it’s all about X by Glenmorangie, a brand new single malt whisky designed to be used in cocktails! A sweeter, more luscious and rich whisky than Glenmorangie’s usual style, Helena thinks it works really well in taller drinks and mixers like a highball with ginger ale.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £29.95 // US $31.99

Mailbag

This week’s burning question is: ‘Should you drink alcohol in a certain order or avoid mixing certain types?’

You can listen to all this and more by tuning in now!