Alternative Drinks To Have With Curry

When it comes to Indian curry or Thai food over here in England, light, refreshing, not-too-gassy beer is a firm favourite. Brands like Kingfisher, Cobra, Singha and Jaipur are absolutely leading the way. But what if you don’t want to drink beer? Here are a few alternative suggestions for the best drinks to have with curry as shown by me on talkRADIO this week: 

Wine

When spice is involved, whether aromatic or chili hot, the best sort of wines to have with curry are white and aromatic with lots of flavour and ripe fruit notes. Off-dry wines work brilliantly here too, even if you think you might not normally drink them. It’s because that touch of sweetness really tames the heat and the riper, richer flavours stand up to the stronger flavours of the curry. Key wine styles to seek out for curry would be Alsace Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Marsanne, off-dry Riesling. A crisp, sparkling wine will work too, especially when there is a touch of residual sweetness. Try these:

Wolfberger Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is a soft skinned grape that makes wines that are low in acidity, very soft and incredibly aromatic, with notes of lychee and rose petal with a touch of ginger. That kick of sweetness is the perfect foil for spice. 

Find it at Co-op for £9.95

Irresistible Marsanne

This wine blew me away at the press tasting. Marsanne is a grape that hails from the Rhone valley in France - usually blended with Viognier and/ or Roussanne to make the famous, weighty white Rhone wine. Standing alone here, it needs nothing else. Ripe, round and peachy with notes of apricot and honey. Incredibly gluggable and excellent value. Nice label too. 

Find it at Co-op for £8

Bowler & Brolly, Classic Cuvée English Sparkling Wine NV

Bowler & Brolly is ALDI’s new own brand English wine range and this one is made with the three Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Meunier) in the traditional method. Hailing from Lyme Bay in Devon, this is super crisp and refreshing with a good amount of fruit and a chalkiness that battles the spice. The perfect upgrade tipple for your spicy cuisine.

Something Different

Sollasa & Tonic

A gin alternative created specifically to complement Indian Cuisine by co-founders Vishal and Sajag along with leading chefs and mixologists. It was named after a 12th century book called “Manasollsa’ written in Sanskrit which is considered to be the first ever Indian cuisine recipe book. Lower in ABV than most spirits at 20%, it has delicious, complex flavours of orange zest, lime, lychee, mint and basil, with notes of coriander seed and cardamom. Serve it long with Indian Tonic. Find recipes on their website too.

Find it on Sollasadrinks.com for £29 (70cl)

What is rye whiskey and what should I buy?

Words by Colin Hampden-White

What is rye whiskey? Essentially, rye is a grain from which some whiskies are made. There are two main types of rye whisky: the first is American rye whiskey, which is similar to Bourbon but must be made with at least 51% rye. The second is Canadian whiskey, which, to make things complicated, can be labelled as rye for historical reasons but may not actually contain any rye in its creation.

Many other countries make rye whiskies, some of which are excellent and have recently won top medals in spirits competition. These, along with American rye whiskies, will state the fact that they are made from 100% rye whisky on the label.

American rye whiskey, as well as needing to be made from over 51% rye, is also made with corn, malted barley and wheat. It has to be distilled to no more than 80% ABV and can only be filled into barrels at no higher than 62.5% ABV. It must be aged for a minimum of two years and not blended with any other spirits in able to to be called straight ‘rye whiskey’.

In Canada, despite rye not actually having to be used, the whiskey must have a character that is historically associated with Canadian whiskey, and rye characteristics are included in that flavour profile. These days, most Canadian whiskies are blended to achieve this character trait. They blend corn and wheat in used barrels and even use a small amount of flavouring, which is created from a mash (the porridge created to make the liquid which is then fermented and distilled in whiskey making), using rye. Usually though, the blend can be as much as 90% corn or wheat.

Like elsewhere, there are whiskies that are 100% rye and Canadian whiskey has a few more rules: They cannot use barrels larger than 700 litres and the liquid must be aged for a minimum of three years, like Scotch. Unlike Bourbon (but again, like Scotch), the barrels can be new or used.

What is the taste profile of rye in whiskey?

Rye makes a big difference to how whiskies taste. Rye creates a spicy and a peppery flavour, especially on the back of the palate and finish. Bourbon distilled from at least 51% corn is sweeter and typically more full-bodied. Historically, rye was used more in the past and in fact, many bartenders are returning to rye in cocktails as it creates a dryer style, especially in a Whiskey Sours, Manhattans or Old Fashioneds.

With so many different rye whiskies on the market now it is difficult to navigate through the shelves or on-line stores to find something you might like. Here is a shortlist of ones to try and there should be a style to suit everyone, from the easy-going, Canadian rye to a full-bodied rye from Finland and a few countries in between….

Canadian Club

I’ll start in Canada with Canadian Club, which is a slightly easier going style of rye whiskey. The proportion of rye isn’t stated, but the flavours are there and are sweet and slightly spicy, but not as sweet as a Bourbon, and the whiskey is smooth for rye. I think this is a great start to trying rye and a brilliant price point at under £20.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £17.95

Jim Beam Rye

Crossing the border into the USA, there are plenty of options. The first I would try for a full-on rye experience is Jim Beam Rye; spicy right from the first sip and brilliant in cocktails. It has a caramel undercurrent keeping everything in balance. This is the best value rye whisky at under £30.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £24.90

Rittenhouse Rye 100 proof

Staying in the USA, but raising the bar a little, I would choose Rittenhouse Rye 100 proof. This is a very aromatic rye and packs a good punch at 50% ABV. The typical rye flavours come through on the palate rather than the nose, with lots of fruity chocolate and orange flavours. Complex and spicy, this rye gives a more rounded flavour, rather than being overly spicy.

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £44.75

Balcones Rye 100 proof

My final choice in the USA is a big step up in the world of rye. It is more expensive, but gives you a full on rye experience as it is made from 100% rye. This was created for the tenth anniversary of the Balcones distillery. Made with several different varieties of rye this whisky is complex and spicy with plenty of power from a heightened ABV. It is chocolatey with orange zest and honey, cinnamon and baked apples on the nose. The palate is even more complex and full-bodied with chocolate and tobacco joining the flavours. The finish is dark brown burnt sugar and hints of char and dry oak. It’s one of my favourite rye whiskies.

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £67.25

 Millstone 100

Sailing across the pond, my first stop would be in the Netherlands with Millstone 100. This isn’t the cheapest rye in the world, but there is good reason for that. It is made from 100% rye, completely in small pot stills, matured for 100 months in new American oak barrels and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). It is hugely aromatic with hints of thyme on a brown sugar base. There is lots of cardamom and lemon zest. A full, complex and delicious rye whisky. 

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £73.95

 Adnams Rye Malt

Rye whiskey is even made in England so for my last suggestion I’m heading to the country in which I live. Adnams produce a brilliant example of rye whiskey made with English-grown rye from Reydon. It is said in old English that “rey” means rye and “don” means hill, and the rye has been grown in Reydon for centuries. This rye takes on the traditional style of rye with a large proportion of rye (75%), and a smaller proportion of barley. It is aged for at least five years in French oak and is not chill filtered, allowing all the flavour to reach the bottle.

ABV: 47%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £44.95

Having travelled all over the world in search of great rye whiskies these are the ones I would bring home. At the start of my rye journey I would try the inexpensive Jim Beam, and at the end of my journey I would drink the Balcones. From an old established distiller to a pretty new one, they are both from the USA. The rest of the world is catching up fast and there are some brilliant expressions that I would happily have in my cabinet. If you’ve enjoyed the journey and want to learn a little more about whiskies from the USA, then try these brilliant bourbon whiskies.

The Best Gins For A Martini

Words by Colin Hampden-White

This Saturday it is world gin day which has been gathering popularity every year. With a multitude of gins to choose from in bars, the Martini is the most drunk cocktail of the day. This year is different as most of us will be locked down and at home. When we would have been in bars with a plethora of gins at our disposal, most of us don’t have the budget for more than one or two. Here we have compiled a list of the gins we think are the best gins in the world for making a Martini, from classics to new exciting brands, all lovingly created for your delectation. I believe there is a gin in the world for every palate, and here we come a long way in finding them.  

 Classics

 Bombay Sapphire

This is one of the most delicately perfumed gins in the world, which makes it perfect for a dry martini. Be careful with the vermouth with this one, it can easily drown it. But with just the right amount, which can be achived by simply rinsing the glass in vermouth, this can make a truly memorable martini. Chill the gin in the fridge for perfect results. One for those who have a delicate palate. Expect light juniper and sugared almonds, but still lots of herbaceous flavours too.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.98 // US $32.99

Tanqueray 10

Introduced to the world in 2000, Tanqueray No. Ten is named after the still it is made in, pot still number 10, which is nicknamed Tiny Ten. The small batch gin is created using whole fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruit, alongside chamomile flowers and other traditional botanicals. Expect a burst of citrus with every sip. Quite notably, it is also the only gin to secure a spot in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. This iconic tipple makes a mean Martini.

ABV: 47.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £28.50 // US $49.99

No.3

A beautiful looking gin from Berry Bros. Made to a special recipe, the name No.3 refers to the address of Berry Bros & Rudd - Number 3, St James's Street. With juniper at its heart, it's also made with three fruits and three spices using copper pot stills. Juniper to the fore, supported by floral notes and spicy, warm cardamom. Plenty of citrus ‘zing’ complemented by the gingery spiciness of coriander. This is a powerful gin, and is superb in a Martini, especially when the bottle is kept in the freezer, I think it’s a good idea for all higher strength gin to be kept in the freezer all the time. Topping off this gins credentials is the fact it has won the International Spirits Challenge best gin in the world four times.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £33.49 // US $39.99

Beefeater 24

A more recent addition to the Beefeater range. When creating Beefeater 24, Desmond Payne knew he had to come up with something totally different for his selection of botanicals. He used tea! The 12 ingredients used are Japanese Sencha Tea, Chinese green tea and then Seville orange peel, grapefruit peel, lemon peel, juniper, coriander seed, liquorice, angelica root, almond and orris root. It is called Beefeater 24 because the botanicals are steeped in the spirit for a full 24 hours. The result is a fragrant gin with good sweetness and plenty of complexity. A cerebral gin for those who like to ponder.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £25.90 // US $44.99

Modern Classics

Sipsmith London Dry Gin

Produced in the workshop previously used by the late, great Michael Jackson (whisky writer, not Moonwalker), this super-small-batch artisinal Gin is flavoured very carefully, making it easier for the natural quality of the spirit to shine through. Distilled in a marvellously compact pot still / column still combo. named Prudence, Sipsmith epitomises distilling on a truly artisinal scale. At the time of her installation, Prudence was the first copper pot still to be brought to life in London for over 200 years. This makes a clean Martini, and is great for those who want to experiment with different vermouths as it will let the flavour of the vermouth shine through. 

ABV: 41.6%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £26.99 // US $37.99

Ki No Bi

This is my favourite gin for a Martini of all time. Ki No Bi Gin is the first release from the Kyoto Distillery! Unveiled in 2016, Ki No Bi Gin has been made using a rice spirit base, as well as a selection of botanicals including locally-sourced ingredients - like yuzu, hinoki wood chips, bamboo leaves, green sansho and gyokuro tea. The botanicals are split into six flavour groups (Base, Citrus, Tea, Spice, Fruity & Floral and Herbal), and each group is distilled individually before being blended together. Incredible stuff, this. Like No.3, Ki No Bi is great in a Martini when kept in the freezer. 

ABV: 45.7%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £43.99 // US $79.99

Chase GB

This dry, juniper led gin tastes like it has been designed for the much loved G&T, but as well as making a great G&T, it also makes a well-rounded Martini. This exceptional gin starts life as Chase's Potato Vodka, but is then combined with a selection of 10 botanicals - like juniper, almond, angelica, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ginger, lemon peel and liquorice root. Boasts a good balance of spice and citrus, with the all-important juniper commanding the room. If you like a juniper led gin, but also want to taste the other flavours coming through on the palate, then you will adore Chase.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £27.99

Cotswolds Dry Gin

The Cotswolds distillery was built to make whisky, but luckily for us, their founder Dan Zsor also has a passion for gin. The Cotswolds Dry Gin, is made with juniper, coriander and angelica root macerated in their pure wheat spirit for 24 hours. Following this, they add a botanical selection including bay leaf, grapefruit, lime, black pepper, cardamom seed and Cotswolds lavender to their carter head still for distillation. To bring it down to bottling strength, a robust 46% ABV, they use naturally refined Cotswolds water. A modern gin in a classic style which makes a rounded and easy to drink Martini.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £31 // US $46.79

The New Wave

Oxford Rye Organic Gin

The Oxford Artisan Distillery was founded by Tom Nicolson in the historical city of Oxford, making it the first, legal gin distillery in the 'city of dreaming spires'! The first gin release from these intrepid new distillers was Spirit of Toad, billed as an 'Oxford Dry Gin' this progression is made with rye grown exclusively on organic farms within a 50 mile radius of the site, this is truly a local spirit, now known simply as Oxford Rye Organic dry gin. It was distilled in two, handmade, purpose built stills, Nautilus (2,200 litre) and Nemo (500 litre), which were built by Paul Pridham from South Devon Railway. For those who like a little peppery kick to a Martini, this will be for you.

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £33.50

Due Sorelle

Due Sorelle, meaning two sisters in Italian has been created by two sisters. They wanted to create a gin that went very well with Champagne, and it really does. However it also makes a mean Martini. The sisters got together with the Yorkshire Dales distillery to create this gin. Only released towards the start of 2020 it has already got a loyal following. This versatile gin is fabulous in all gin cocktails, but when not mixing with lots of ingredients, it makes a great Martini, especially if you go light on the vermouth.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £39.95

Beaufort smoked sipping gin

Here’s something a little bit different and for all the right reasons. Inspired by Heston Blumenthal, Beaufort Spirit have created a ‘whisky barrel’ smoked water as part of their Smoked Sipping Gin. Szechuan pepper, pink pepper and citrus oils combine once poured to give the illusion of gunpowder smouldering in the glass. At 57% this gin certainly passes the ‘gunpowder’ test and has taken its place as the new ‘big smoke’ in town. Definitely one to discover if you like sipping gins. 

ABV: 57%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £39.95

Gießen Dry Gin

Giessen or Gießen in its home town in Germany is great if you’re looking for something exotic, Gin is an element of Gi(eße)n and the makers of this gin would like to introduce this essence to all connoisseurs of high-quality juniper distillates. In a meticulous search for the perfect taste, friends Yan-Tobias Ramb & Michael Karber have chosen ingredients that characterise their home in central Hessen and have accompanied through childhood into their lives today. In addition to the juniper berry, Dry Gin also emphasises the wonderful fruit combination of apple and rhubarb and refines it florally with elegant hibiscus blossoms and eight other exquisite supporting botanicals. For those who like a fruity gin, then look no further. You can even buy it in a Magnum sized bottle!

ABV: 46%
Size: 500ml
Find here: €35.39

Chase pink grapefruit & pomelo

OK, so this is a bit of a curve ball. Flavoured gins used to be not very good. They used to taste synthetic and unnatural, but today there are some great expressions of flavoured gin, and many of them can be found in our article on flavoured gin. They make fabulously fruity summer tasting Martinis. Not an everyday cocktail, but when you have a hot summer day and want to capture that summer feeling, take your favourite fruit flavour, buy a gin with that predominant flavour, chill it down and don’t use vermouth and sip it neat. Delicious. Our favourite at the moment is Chase pink grapefruit and pomelo gin.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £37.99

For more gintastic suggestions, we’ve got a great guide to Scottish gin which might just get you wanting to go to Scotland to visit a gin rather than whisky distillery.  

Brilliant rums under £30

Rum is a difficult category to delve into and decipher which bottles on the shelf will taste good. It seems that the rum category, as with many spirits, is as much about the brand as the area of the world in which the rum is made. There are some rums that are great value for money and more than that, they taste much better than their price tag would suggest. You will certainly recognise the names of some of the rums below, but you may not have tasted them recently. Others may be completely unknown, but if you love rum, I would definitely try them. Some of them are spiced, but none of these are flavoured, I may cover that another time, but for now I’m keeping it traditional.

Dead Man’s Fingers

Dead Man’s Fingers is a spiced rum made in St Ives in Cornwall, UK. It’s made on the premises at the Rum and Crab Shack which, if you’re down that way in the future, serves great food, and of course their own rum. This rum is a blend of Caribbean rums with a decent dose of spices. So why not order “Three fingers of Dead Man’s Fingers”! 

ABV: 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £18

The Duppy Share Caribbean Rum

In the world of whisky, it is the angels who take their share of the spirit as it matures, but in the Caribbean, it is the Duppy spirits who travel around the islands taking their cut. That is the story of where this rum gets its name. Matured in ex bourbon barrels, there is a mix of rum from Barbados which is five years old and rum from Jamaica, which is three years old.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £26

Goslings Black Seal

There is a black seal on the label, but the name originally comes from the black wax seal which was used to seal the bottles. Made with rums from pot stills and continuous stills, this rum has been produced in Bermuda since 1806. This is the perfect rum for a Dark’n’Stormy cocktail, which is lucky really as the Gosling brothers hold the trademark to that cocktail.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £23

Mount Gay Black Barrel

Black barrel gets its name from the heavily charred barrels in which it is matured, and it’s those barrels that give it the flavour which punches well above its price point. The rums are created in a double distillation in a pot still, and a single distillation in a column still. The larger proportion comes from the double distillation. Altogether, a brilliant rum.

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £27

Appleton Estate Signature Blend

This rum is matured in smaller barrels than normal, giving the spirit more contact with the wood and a richer flavour in a shorter period of time. Called the “Signature Blend”, it is rounded out by marrying the rums in oak casks before bottling. Fruity and full of flavour, it is excellent value and tastes like rum that costs double the price.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £16

Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Named after the legendary sea monster, this rum is incredibly rich and very spicy. It has been in the UK for ten years now and it has gained a reputation for being a great rum. At its recommended retail price of £26, Kracken is very well priced and tastes like rums that are over £40, so at £20 on Amazon right now, it is an absolute bargain.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £20 

Lamb’s Navy Dark Rum

This rum has a long history and a great reputation for value for money. Made from rums from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, it is smooth and easy. Where it really shines beyond much more expensive rums is with a mixer. The flavours in this rum are made for mixing and I’d rather have this with coke than many rums four times the price. 

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £14 

Ableforth’s Rumbullion!

Here is my exception to the title of this piece. Ableforth’s Rumbullion is one rum worth spending just a touch more than my £30 upper limit. It has won a bunch of awards and it’s not hard to see why. With high proof Caribbean rum at its core, it is richly spiced with Madagascan vanilla and zesty orange peel. Small amounts of cassia and cardamom are also added. This rum is great to enjoy neat, or on ice with a squeeze of fresh lime.

ABV: 42.6%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £31.69 

For more on rums from around the world, Aidy Smith gives us the best four rums to look out for.