The Best Drinks Advent Calendars for 2022

It's November and that means one thing… Christmas is a common feature on all the shelves with piles of baubles here and boxes of shimmering tinsel there. It also means that this year’s round of drinks advent calendars are being released! Woo-hoo!

The countdown to Christmas is on, and what better way to enjoy it than by opening a boozy treat each day? If you’re a bah humbug then it makes the countdown enjoyable, and if you’re already a Christmas convert then it makes it even better! They’re getting more and more creative every year with options a-plenty, and we’ve got something for everyone with our handy guide below!

For Fine Spirits drinkers:

The Whisky Exchange Spirits Advent Calendar

Welcome to the ultimate, luxurious treat for a lover of fine spirits. The Whisky Exchange have put together 24 minature bottles of whisky, rum, gin, amaro, calvados and more, all of which are exclusive bottlings, under-the-radar spirits or some of the biggest names in fine booze. Simply stunning and berautifully packaged.
Find here: £150

For Gin drinkers:

Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar

Most gin drinkers will already be on drinking terms with Fever-Tree and their cracking selection of tonics. This year, their masters of mixology have paired them up with some of the UK’s best-known gin brands like Tanqueray and Hendrick’s, as well as some new kids on the block. Perfect dance partners like Ginger Ale and Ophir’s spicy gin wait behind each door so have fun finding and tasting the pairings as the month rolls on!

Find here: £60

The Premium Edition Gin Advent Calendar

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml samples of gin from around the world hand picked by experts, there’s something for everyone behind each door! From classics to new releases, Tarquin’s Figgy Pudding Gin to Bluecoat’s American Dry, this is a yuletide medley you won’t want to miss!

Find here: £99.95

For Rum drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Rum Advent Calendar

There’s something tantalising behind every door for the rum drinkers too, with this Drinks by the Dram calendar. Dark rum, white rum, golden rum, whatever you’ve wished for it’s in here. Try unusual delights like award-winning Discarded Banana Peel Rum and enjoy old familiars such as Plantation’s XO.

Find here: £149.95

For Tequila drinkers:

The Spirit Co – Arriba Tequila Advent Calendar

You will begin a 24-day long journey to enlightenment with this, and how many advent calendars can you say that about? Although they’re 30ml sized bottles, The Spirit Co’s 24 tequila picks are designed for you to taste and discover the subtleties of this Mexican icon. From fresh Blanco, to complex Añejo, you will understand tequila on a whole new level by the time the big day comes.

Find here: £124.95

For Vodka drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Vodka Advent Calendar

Vodka is a spirit that can be found being dismissed by some as monotonous. Well, with a new year on the horizon, it’s time to change those misconceptions. These expertly curated tasters are a perfect opportunity to learn about how vodka can vary, and what you’re individually drawn to. Whether it’s drinking crisply smooth originals or subtle berry beauties, every day is a school day and school has never been so fun.

Find here: £99.95

For Whisky drinkers:

Whisky Explorers’ Edition Advent Calendar

Winter whisky warms the soul perfectly over the festive season, and as you prize open each cardboard door, a new whisky awaits. From traditional Irish whiskeys to a new whisky that is actually designed by artificial intelligence(!!), this advent calendar is perfect for someone wanting to dip their toe into the wonderful world of whisky.

Find here: £99.95

Whisky Premium Edition Advent Calendar

If you’re already a card-carrying whisky explorer or know someone that is then this calendar is for those ready to take the step up. Every door is filled with a wax-sealed 30ml dram of top tier whisky, carefully selected by world-famous producers. Aged to perfection, this is a great way of eying up your favourite premium whisky without buying a whole bottle. Pricey sure, but if you can’t treat yourself or others at Christmas time when can you?

Find here: £249.95

For Wine drinkers:

Brixton Wine Club Canned Wine Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is jam packed with Brixton Wine Club’s favourite canned wines from throughout the year, including limited editions and ones that have sold out so it’s a real treat. There are reds, whites, seltzers, bubbles and not only that, but we were happy to see so many up and coming British wines included too!

Find here: £125

Laithwaites Wine Advent Calendar

Every December day is made that bit better by a delicious quarter-bottle of wine waiting for you, isn’t it? All packaged up in a cosy Christmas market scene too, so it makes a wonderful festive addition to your home. We won’t spoil it for you but there also may or may not be a special treat on Christmas Eve too ;)

Find here: £69.99

For Cocktail drinkers:

NIO 12-day Advent Cocktail Box

This is the perfect advent for sharing because you can reveal cocktails two at a time over 12 days, so don’t worry you do still get your 24 drinks! And you even get a garnish too, so you can really indulge in the authentic cocktail experience. The calendar houses a very alluring cocktail hall of fame, with Negroni, Manhattan, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Daiquiri to name a few. There’s also sure to be some surprises for you too.

Find here: £115

For Beer drinkers:

Beavertown Craft Beer Advent Calendar

Don’t worry beer guzzlers, there’s something for you to countdown to Christmas as well. Craft beer extraordinaries Beavertown have created a delightfully vibrant advent calendar this year, and a limited-edition version that includes a load of cool gifts too. 6 mini boxes are included so they’re perfect to pop in the fridge, meaning that the only surprise is which beer you get, not that it’s warm!

Find here: £58 / £68 (Limited Edition)

For Cider drinkers:

Lilley’s 2022 Advent Calendar

There are even cider advent calendars these days, and we love the interesting concoctions of Lilley’s. Pear flavoured Bee Sting had picked up plenty of awards for the Somerset company, and the same can be said for their Rhubarb flavour. Also, if you like sweet ciders, then let us tell you that the Mango is a must try. There are 24 full size bottles so it’s good value too, and you can go look up each interesting flavour... or keep it as a Christmas surprise! Scrumptious.

Find here: £66

If you’re still stuck for gift ideas or just fancy looking at what else is out there, check out our other drinking gift ideas and be sure to let us know if you’ve got your eyes on any advent calendars we’ve missed out here.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Gins For Your G&T Under £30

You don’t need an excuse, but if you’re looking for a reason to pour yourself a crisp G&T today then we’ve assembled a fantastic collection of gins below for you to enjoy, and all for under £30 too!

The humble G&T goes back hundreds of years when it was originally used to ward off malaria and its official day of celebration, International G&T Day celebrated on 19th October, is a recent invention. On this day in 2010, 95-year-old gin lover Mary Edith Keyburn had her family sneak in one final gin and tonic to her hospital bed before passing away, so what began as a private family moment has become a global celebration of Mary’s favourite beverage! What a woman!

So without further ado, here are our gin recommendations for a delicious and affordable G&T…

Brecon Botanicals Gin

As you might guess from the illustrations on the bottle, this special edition from the wonderful Welsh Penderyn Distillery uses botanicals from the four corners of the world. There is a hint of citrus and deep bergamot that gives way to oriental spice, with a luxuriously clean and crisp finish as it’s made with pure water from the Brecon Beacons National Park. After all, there’s a reason it picked up a Gold at the 2021 Gin Masters! Serve it simply with lots of ice, premium tonic and some fresh lemon slices to really elevate the citrus notes. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £22.99

Broker’s Gin

Andy and Martin Dawson set out on a mission in 1998 to create the best London Dry Gin, and in 2010 they became the first ever gin to be awarded a score of 98 at the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge, so you could say that’s mission complete. This fantastic gin is produced in a 200-year-old distillery using traditional copper pot stills and 10 botanicals including orange and lemon peel, angelica root, cinnamon, liquorice, and cassia bark. As the Broker’s themselves say, there are, ‘no frills and no peculiar ingredients’ and that’s true, it’s just a superbly balanced combination that creates a gorgeous, very subtly herbal, and slightly creamy profile. Hats off! Serve it over ice, with tonic and a lime for garnish. It would also make for a top drawer Negroni, but it’s a weighty 47% so careful with the ratios ;)

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £23.75

Boodles British Gin

This is another London Dry Gin, and one that has gone from strength to strength since a big 2013 overhaul. Inspired by a recipe dating back to 1845 when Boodle’s Gentlemen’s Club was in full swing, Boodles oodles with flavour. The botanical list includes sage, rosemary, and nutmeg but there is a very unusual omission; there’s no citrus. As a result, Boodles has a mellow, aromatic, and gorgeously herbaceous quality to it. Serve with plenty of ice, premium tonic, and a peppermint leaf for a glass of refreshing coolness.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £23.93 // US $24.99

Edinburgh Gin

Made in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh Gin have been making a name for themselves for over a decade now. This is a gin that isn’t afraid to lead with its smooth juniper, but underneath that is citrus sweetness, earthy pine, and a really complimentary creaminess from the inclusion of milk thistle. All of this is topped off with a gentle touch of warming spice to finish, what’s not to love?! Try it over ice with your favourite tonic and an orange slice for garnish.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £25.94 // US $34.99

Malfy Gin Rosa

Malfy Gin Rosa is easily a gin you can get lost in and after a few sips you’ll wish you were enjoying it on the Amalfi Coast, but it’s still pretty good at home we have to say. Underneath that stunning pale rose colouring is a beautiful aroma of rhubarb and fresh citrus, followed by vibrant fresh Sicilian grapefruit and a long juniper finish. This would be fantastic with a Mediterranean tonic and of course some pink grapefruit to top it all off! On the other hand, or perhaps even in your other hand, if you’re in the mood for cocktails then it’s begging to be at the centre of a Clover Club, or perhaps a Gin Fizz too! Stunning.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: UK £26.49 // US $27.99

Love Delhi Gin

Have you ever thought about accompanying Indian food with gin? Well now’s the time. Love Delhi was created by one of the largest Indian caterers in the UK to compliment gourmet Indian food, paying homage to the fact that G&T originated in India! At the heart of this vibrant gin is the national fruit, Mango. Alongside pomegranate and juniper, they offset the spicy undertone superbly to create a wonderfully unique tropical gin. Plenty of ice (maybe more if you’re having a particularly spicy curry with it) and premium tonic is great to allow the gin’s strong flavours to come to the fore, and there’s only one garnish here – a sweet slice of mango! Nom!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £27.99

Crafter's London Dry Gin 

This gin is distilled in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia as it has been for over a century. Their oldest pot has even got its own name, which is Mamma Ilse named after the legendary master who worked there, Ilse Maar. Production secrets have been passed down through the years, including the skill involved in distilling 6 different botanicals separately. The unique bouquet of Nordic plants is spearheaded by veronica and fennel seed, creating herbaceous and flowery notes. It’s a beautifully aromatic dry gin that tends to win people around on a first try – see for yourself! Premium tonic, ice and a sprig of rosemary provide the perfect set up for this herby gin and tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £27.99

Boxer Gin

Named in honour of the first Heavy Champion of the World, Tom King, who knocked back gins before each fight, Boxer Gin packs a mighty punch. The juniper berries are harvested from the slopes of Mount Everest and the botanical elixir is completed with fresh Italian bergamot, lemon, and orange, all meticulously blended in Victorian copper pot stills. These lively flavours are painted on a canvas of woody spice and subtle floral notes to create an incredibly complex and rewarding dry gin. This will make for a great G&T with a classic or elderflower tonic, and cucumber garnish to sit perfectly with the fresh and mellow palate. Truly a gin for champions!

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

That’s your gin covered, but a great gin must be paired with a premium tonic to match right? Have a look here or here for some of our favourites!

By Calum Ecroyd

Celebrating Scotland: 8 Stunning Scottish Gins you Need to Try

Words by Leigh Andrews

Great Scot it’s Scottish gin day! It’s 1st of October and it’s time to celebrate International Scottish Gin Day! We have chosen some absolutely fantastic Scottish gins for you to celebrate with! With gins from the mystical beauty of the Highlands and Islands all the way to the stunning Scottish Borders there’s something here for everyone! 

Great Glen - Pink Gin

What could be more Scottish than a gin made from the pure waters of the breathtaking Loch Ness itself? Hailing from Drumnadrochit on the western shore of Loch Ness is this wonderfully complex pink gin. Initial citrus gives way to the beautiful crisp fruitiness of pink lady apples and Scottish raspberries, with the luxurious floral finish of vapour-infused hibiscus and rose petals. Unlike Nessie, these glorious botanicals definitely do not want to stay hidden! Serve it simply with lots of ice, premium tonic and some fresh raspberries or boost that pink even more with some hibiscus petals! 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £39.95

Smugglers Gin

It may be new but this award-winning gin was inspired by age old tales of 18th century Edinburgh’s devious drinks smugglers. Thankfully there are now much easier ways to bag the perfect tipple! This fantastic gin was created using sustainable distilling and organic botanicals including vibrant lemon verbena, lemon balm and Scots lovage. This superbly balanced combination creates a gorgeous, exceptionally smooth, citrus-led gin that any smugglers of old would be desperate to cache. So if, like us, you don’t want to share, keep it under lock and key! Serve neat over ice, with tonic and a squeeze of fresh lemon or if you love a cocktail we reckon it would be sublime with any recipe using lemon and thyme  …..which doesn’t necessarily have to be picked wild from a Scottish mountain!   

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.95

Biggar Herbaceous Gin

Biggar by name, even bigger by nature! This award-winning, incredibly bright, bold, and gorgeously herbaceous gin hails from the South Lanarkshire town of Biggar at the foot of the Tinto hills. It is packed full of harmonious herbal flavours. With its array of beautiful botanicals such as sage, lemon verbena, dandelion root, clivers herb and elderflower this gin is a herb lover's delight.  Although everything else about this gin is big it’s made in small batches of just 140 bottles at a time! Ensuring those smooth, sensational flavours are kept as colourful as a Scottish tartan! Serve with plenty of ice, premium tonic and a generous twist of orange peel.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £36.00 

Rutland Square Chai Spiced Gin

Spiced gin fan? Or a spice fan in general? You will LOVE this beautiful gin! It’s nspired by the wonderful history of Edinburgh founder, Nishant Sharma’s Great-Grandfather in 1940’s India. While working on a tea estate, he became fast friends and subsequent moonshine maker with a Scottish Army Officer who taught him how to distil. Fast forward to 2021, using Oolong white tea from that very estate his Great-Grandfather worked on, Rutland Square Gin was born! Wonderfully balanced aromas, warm comforting spice from cardamom and star anise, with a delicious floral sweetness from the white tea… what’s not to love?! Try it neat over ice, in a spiced negroni, or with premium tonic, orange peel and star anise!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £36.95

Foghouse Small Batch Gin

Foghouse invites you to ‘Escape the ordinary’ and we can wholeheartedly verify there’s nothing ordinary about this gin! Multiple award winning Aberdeenshire based Foghouse Gin is in short…sublime! It’s incredibly smooth, with subtle creamy sweetness giving way to citrus notes and depth a deep sea diver would be proud of! With rosemary and olive for a beautiful Mediterranean finish, this gin is escapism at its best. The goal was to produce a gin that could hold its own in a classic Martini and also make a perfect gin and tonic. You could also, most definitely, have it neat over ice…so we’d say that’s a hat trick! For a classic Martini create with just a swirl of dry vermouth or a classic G&T with a sprig of rosemary and a twist of orange peel  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £38.99

Misty Isle Gin

This gin is distilled in Portree, one of the most colourful villages in Scotland, on the dramatically beautiful Isle of Skye, the misty Isle. Inspired by their incredible surroundings, Isle of Skye Distillers has produced a spectacular spirit. It has been expertly blended using the crystal clear waters drawn from the nearby Storr Loch, juniper, lemon, grains of paradise and one secret botanical hand-picked from the breathtaking mountains of Skye. The beautiful floral dryness of the juniper, the citrus spark of the lemon, and the perfect wild edge of the peppery grains of paradise make this a stunning gin. If you’re looking for the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Islands in a glass, this is it! Serve with plenty of ice, premium tonic and a twist of orange for the perfect gin and tonic!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.5%
Find here: £35.99

Shoogle Junniperous Gin - Navy Strength

Any self respecting Scot will have heard of the phrase ‘a wee shoogle’ For those unfamiliar, it means ‘a little shake’, often used when dancing! There is absolutely nothing little about this incredible Navy Strength gin. Juniper rules, with orange citrus and intriguing botanicals like kumquat and tonka bean giving a beautiful sweetness. Almonds and pink peppercorns give an incredibly smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a superb spicy finish. This is no wee shoogle on your tastebuds, it's more like an explosion! It’s difficult to believe this is a Navy strength. Serve it with plenty of ice, a slice of orange and a premium light tonic and go on, have a wee shoogle!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £45

Alexander’s Gin

Handcrafted in the beautiful area of Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, from natural highland mountain spring water comes the superb Alexander’s Gin. Although only founded in 2018 it has the profile of a gin that surely must have taken decades to perfect! Being a London dry, juniper is prominent, followed by classic citrus, beautiful sweetness from Royal Deeside honey and a gorgeous warming spice finish. Mixing with tonic only adds to the pleasure, and lifts it to almost sherbet-like freshness. Quite simply this has to be one of the smoothest London Dry gins we have ever had the pleasure of tasting, it’s not Alexander’s gin now …it’s OURS! Serve as a classic G&T, in an espresso martini, or with cloudy apple and a cinnamon stick, sit back and dream of Scotland!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.4%
Find here: £37.95

If you’re looking for more tasty gin goodness to feast your eyes upon then head over to 8 Delicious Gins for a G&T or The Best Eco-Friendly Gins!

Great Gins for Summer

Words by Leigh Andrews

It’s finally that time of year when the birds wake you up in the morning instead of your alarm, the parks are full of sunbathers and picnics, and you’ve got round to cleaning up the barbecue after the final one of last year (we all do it!). All we need now are some fabulous gins to complete the glorious summer! Look no further, we have some crackers here to brighten up any summer day!

Pollination Gin

With a name evoking visions of nature and busy bees flitting between the flowers, this small-batch, multi-award winning Welsh gin is so exceptionally smooth, piney, herbaceous, light and fresh that it will give you a fabulous glimpse of the glorious Welsh flora and fauna without you ever having to leave your back garden. 20 of its 29 botanicals are sustainably foraged from species native to the Dyfi Valley UNESCO Biosphere reserve, in the Snowdonia foothills where Dyfi distillery calls home. Due to this, it’s only available for a limited time in the year so go on, improve your summer tenfold by grabbing a bottle while you can! Try it served with lots of ice, quality tonic and some juniper berries or a generous piece of lemon peel.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 45%
Find Here: £34.95

Downpour Pink Grapefruit Gin

You may look at the name of this gin and think that we are picking this one because of people’s perception of a good old British summer! Nope, the name does not lie, it is an absolute Downpour….. of FLAVOUR! This incredible pink grapefruit gin from North Uist distillery not only comes in an absolutely stunning bottle (which we will be keeping to upcycle!) but the gin inside is an explosion of grapefruit citrus flavours that will leave your mouth watering for more. There is no mistaking the sweet freshness of hand-peeled pink grapefruit zest and this continues to shine through when you add tonic and a generous wedge of pink grapefruit. There is nothing rainy-day about this gin!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40

Rosemullion Summer Gin

When a gin tells you it’s Summer Gin you have an expectation in your head…..bright, fresh, citrus, fruity…and Rosemullion is all of those and more. Distilled near Falmouth in Cornwall using their own fermented base spirit with Cornish rainwater and local botanicals, this multi-award-winning Cornish gin, in its gorgeous bottle, has a beautifully warming peppery finish. It would be absolutely perfect for sipping on whilst sitting out on a balmy summer evening just as the sun is going down. Take yourself to the gorgeous Cornish coastline with this beautiful gin, served with lots of ice, Mediterranean tonic and a raspberry garnish or if you’re feeling extravagant, pop the champagne and make a French 75 cocktail!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35

York Gin Old Tom

Distilled in the ancient city of York this absolutely fantastic Old Tom Gin is perfect for the glory days of summer. An Old Tom is one of the oldest styles of gin and is sweeter than its contemporary London Dry gin. This Old Tom though comes with even more superb provenance in the name of the Michelin Star restaurant Star Inn in York! The herb infused syrup used to sweeten this Old Tom is produced in their kitchen! The gin itself is nothing short of incredible. So smooth you could drink it neat over ice, a beautiful sweetness with lots of fabulous floral notes from the foraged hedgerow botanicals and Yorkshire white roses. Try it neat over lots of ice, tonic and a garnish of pink peppercorns/star anise, or, for a sumptuous simple summer cocktail, in a Tom Collins!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42.5%
Find here: £35.45

Decem London Dry style

Here’s another chef connection! This time to Masterchef finalist Billy Wright, the brains behind this spirit. Now before we go any further we need to break it to you….this is reduced alcohol (10% ABV) so not officially a gin, but before you decide to read the next one, stay exactly where you are (we’re watching you!) as this spirit has been carefully distilled to retain all of the flavour of a really good gin without the 37.5% required ABV. Served as a traditional G&T with tonic and a wheel of lemon this is superbly fresh, think juniper, freshly cut grass, lots of fresh green herbs and citrus. For the sake of not having burnt barbecue sausages from the tipsy chef, this is exactly the summer drink you need!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 10%
Find here: £30

Brixham Market Garden Gins

For a little change, we are featuring not one but two gins from this distillery set in the beautiful seaside fishing town of Brixham in the Torbay district of Devon. The reason? They have two fantastic summery gins, made using fresh local ingredients, that will evoke memories of summer’s past and perfect sunny days.

So without further ado…

Market Garden Strawberry Gin

Made using beautiful juicy fresh strawberries from their local green grocer, this full strength gin is not overly sweet and the freshness of those gorgeous strawberries is instantly apparent along with that beautiful pink hue. The strawberries are slowly steeped with pink peppercorns giving it a wonderful warming finish, fabulous for those glorious sunny afternoons with great friends. To bring out that gorgeous strawberry, serve it simply with lots of ice and go easy on the tonic (2:1 ratio), garnish with a strawberry and a sprig of lightly crushed mint. We want that strawberry to shine as bright as the sun!

Size: 50ml, 350ml and 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: from £5 to £39

Market Garden Rhubarb and Ginger Gin

Ok, so this one took those of us who may or may not be 70’s children (a lady never tells her age!) right back to gorgeous days in the summer holidays, being given a stick of rhubarb from your Mum, fresh out of the garden and a little brown paper bag of sugar to dip it in! By slow steeping the locally sourced rhubarb in this full-strength gin, it infuses its delicate colour and superb flavour and is incredibly fresh! There’s a hint of citrus and then that wonderfully subtle kick of ginger spiciness on the finish. Rhubarb is definitely for so much more than crumble! Serve with lots of ice, light tonic and a slice of fresh ginger.

Size: 50ml, 350ml and 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: from £5 to £39

To see more of our gin recommendations, make sure you check out The Best Eco-Friendly Gins or The Best Flavoured Gins for your Money!

8 Fantastic Gins to Gift this Father’s Day

Words by Leigh Andrews

Whether your Dad is the chief cook and bottle washer, head gardener, family taxi driver or the world’s best storyteller, they all have one thing in common, they love to feel appreciated! With this fantastic selection of gins we’ve picked out he most definitely will, so step away from the socks and check out these little beauties!

Keepr’s Honey Infused Gin

This is a gardening and nature lover’s dream tipple! This classic multi-award winning London Dry is delicately infused with 100% pure British honey, supporting our British beekeepers. The absolutely stunning honeycomb design bottle is made from 50% recycled glass and even the label is made from recycled paper. It is full of those gorgeous light, sweet, floral honey flavours, juniper, a hint of vanilla, citrus, and a wonderful kick of spiciness. Try the perfect serve of lots of ice, premium tonic and a sprig of rosemary or even neat over ice with a squeezed wedge of lemon to perfectly balance that sweetness.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.00

Abingdon Single Malt Barrel-Aged Gin

Nope, we haven’t accidentally put a whisky in the mix, but if your Dad loves a ‘wee nip’ he will LOVE this! A multi-gold medal award winner, this gin is aged for a secret length of time in Speyside single malt whisky casks. The casks themselves were originally sherry casks, then used to mature single malt whisky for over 10 years so this imparts incredible flavours in this gin. Light woody notes, warming fruity spice, caramel and juniper make this a taste sensation. Enjoy with ginger ale, neat like a whisky or it is excellent in a martini!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Dà Mhìle Organic Seaweed Gin

This is a SPECTACULAR Welsh savoury gin. Infused with organic seaweed from Cornwall after distillation, and with several garden herb botanicals used in producing this gin, they are all stars in their own right…just like your Dads are! Without losing its dry juniper base this gin evokes memories of day trips to the seaside, with that salinity on the palate, or sitting relaxing in the garden with aromas of fresh mint and garden herbs. This gin is just gorgeous as a G&T with a slice of lemon/rosemary or an olive. We were even recommended, by a Welsh mixologist nonetheless, to try it with a pickled onion (tell your Dad it’s an actual onion, pickled onion crisps will not do!) which worked fabulously and set it right up for a gorgeous Gibson Martini! 

Size: 50ml, 350ml and 700ml 
ABV: 42%
Find here: £28.80 (smaller sizes available directly from Dà Mhìle )

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

If your Dad loves a great story along with a great gin he will love this! The story goes that this gin was originally created by Royal Air Force Wing Commander Montgomery “Monty” Collins, who, after WW2, helped rebuild Berlin Zoo where he sponsored an Egret Monkey named Max. After moving to the Black Forest he ran a guesthouse producing his own gin, using the natural abundance of botanicals and juniper in the area. At the turn of the century during renovations of the house a box containing an ingredients list and an old dusty bottle of gin was found, with a hand-drawn label saying “Max the Monkey-Schwarzwald Dry Gin”. Containing 47 botanicals and at 47% ABV, it was renamed Monkey 47! A complex, beautifully smooth, refreshing gin, it’s perfect in a gin and tonic, with lots of ice and a slice of orange and can hold its own in any Martini!

Size: UK 500ml // US 375ml
ABV: 47%
Find Here: UK £36.99 // USA from $46.99

Upperhand Irish Craft Gin

Those sport loving Dads may be interested to know that this gin, in its beautifully stylish ocean blue bottle, was co-founded by Italian Judo Champion Alberto Borin. On meeting Alberto he is as passionate about this gin, which he produces with his wife Claudia, as he is about sport. It isn't surprising then that this new gin on the block has a massive Mediterranean influence with Sicilian lemon, dill and basil taking centre stage to the juniper. They are, in fact, the only botanicals in this intriguing spirit. A truly distinctive gin, distilled in Ireland, this is definitely one for the herb lovers and tastes absolutely delicious with a good quality tonic garnished with a slice of lemon or a few basil leaves, just leave the judo moves to Alberto!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.00

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin

If your Dad likes his gins with more punch than pinch then this is the gin you’ve been looking for! This multi-award winning Australian beaut is distilled at a whopping 58.8% ABV but still manages to retain an incredibly smooth mouthfeel as well as superb flavour intensity. Distilled with finger limes it retains incredible fresh citrus with all of the warmth of ginger and earthy turmeric in the mix. A gin like this is perfect for cocktails, so your Dad can pretend he is James Bond to his heart’s content and ask for a ‘shaken not shtirred’ in his best Sean Connery impersonation!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 58.8%
Find here: UK £42.00

Templar Spirit Daniel Hooper Lion Edition

We have featured the exemplary Templar Spirit Gin before, with their previous Limited edition hand finished Joker bottle by renowned British artist Daniel Hooper. As if by fate, this one is perfect timing for those avid collector Dads out there! The bottle’s label features an incredible depiction of a lion in Hooper’s distinctive style and contains their classic smooth, lightly sweet London Dry Gin. This time not only are there just 50 bottles but some of them will be a surprise Navy Strength edition! Founded by an ex-Matelot and Royal Marine Commando, a percentage of all sales will be donated to military charities to support veterans and their families.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40% or 57%
Find here: £100.00

Tayport Distillery Scots Pine Gin

A beautifully stylish, elegant bottle of gin, distilled, bottled and labelled on-site at Tayport Distillery. Inspired by the stunning coastline of Fife and the local Tentsmuir Forest this gin is a soft bed of pine needles underfoot, the smell of the fir trees and fallen wood. A gorgeously flavourful gin, with eight botanicals of Juniper, Scots Pine, Coriander, Cassia, Cardamom, Orange Peel, Angelica and Almond. This wonderfully warm, citrus gin is perfect for the Dads who love a bit of spice in their life and perfect to sit down, glass in hand in front of the fire with, after a long country walk with the family. Serve with either premium light tonic and a slice of orange, or with premium ginger ale and a slice of orange.

Size: 200ml and 500ml
ABV: 40% 
Find here: £15.00 - £25.00

Alnwick Sloe Gin

Sloe gin is for life, not just for Christmas! This stunning bottle of Sloe gin from award-winning Northumberland Spirit Co. is perfect. It’s not only fantastic for those Dads who love a little after-dinner Port but how about a gorgeous summer cocktail with Prosecco while the barbecue is on! It’s a beautiful combination of Northumbrian sloes, natural sloe concentrate perfectly blended with their fabulous Alnwick gin creating a delicious gin bursting with fruit flavours and warmth. Try it neat, with a crisp, cold Prosecco or pack a jug with summer fruits, cucumber, mint, ice and cloudy lemonade and create your own Summer refresher! Dad’s barbecues will be taken to another level!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: £29.00

If you’re looking for a different sort of gift for Dad then we have plenty of suggestions in this wine and spirits gift guide or you can find plenty more tasty treats here.

Great Wine and Spirits to Gift this Father's Day

Words by Colin Hampden-White

With so many choices of premium sparkling wine and Champagne on the market, I wanted to highlight two I’ve had recently. One traditional, and one non-alcoholic and from England. Both excellent. I have also found some amazing rum, cocktail pouches, a big, luscious, marvellous Malbec, and a couple of gins, one with sweet pineapple and ginger because dads like sweet things too!

Roger Daltray

I first tasted this on release before the pandemic. It was released for The Who on their 50th anniversary and having tasted it again a few days ago, I am pleased I thought so much of it in 2019, because I am still hugely impressed. Sometimes when a celebrity has a bottle made for them, it can go horribly wrong, and the juice in the bottle isn’t that good, but in this instance it is excellent. The design is also excellent giving the impression of a premium product yet not being overly showy. The design holds onto the brand identity of The Who well. The Champagne itself made by Charles Orban, has finesse and intensity. Made with 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, there is good complexity with lots of citrus notes and hints of vanilla and brioche. A percentage of the price of each bottle goes to Teen Cancer America too so should you find yourself with your hands on a bottle, you can sip knowing you are doing good.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £95

Wild Idol

A little while ago I tried and very much liked the Wild Idol Rosé, and the white takes off where that left off. There is the same elegance of fruit and balanced acidity giving a satisfying drink, not too acidic like a lot of sparkling wine and not too sweet. Lots of floral aromas and delicate fruit give elegance. This is the second time I’ve tried a non-alcoholic sparkling and thought it benefited from not having any alcohol and the first time was its pink sibling. Bravo Wild Idol!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0.0%
Find here: £35

 

Santiago de Cuba 11 Years Old Extra Añejo

11 years old is old for a tropically aged rum. So when one comes along from one of the best Cuban brands one expects it to be very good, and this is certainly that. It’s rich with lots of fruity esters and brown sugar flavours which perfectly balance each other, there is huge complexity with pineapple, and spices including cinnamon and cumin. A little banana and caramel and a touch of black cracked pepper on the finish. A decadent rum perfect for decadent dads.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.83

Luigi Bosca | Malbec Selección de Vistalba 2020

This is a stonking wine for the price. Wines from Argentina are always good value as they are subsidised for the UK market but this wine punches way above its price mark. It’s a big rich wine with lots of red fruit and floral aromas and dark fruit flavours. There is some spice and liquorice too. It is drinking now but will certainly age for at least 5 years and is a perfect wine to serve up with a big steak or a hearty bean casserole. You might want to pick up two bottles though because once dad gets a taste we’re not sure he’ll want to share!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £16.99

MYXD Dad Box

A box full of cocktails! What’s not to like? Well, not a lot really. Finally, cocktail pouches are delivering very good cocktails akin to one you would receive from a good bartender, and in a lot of cases even better. I’ve been served some pretty dodgy cocktails in my time, and with these pouches not only do you get a good cocktail, but you also get them consistently. Super for sharing and easy to put together. Literally, chill add soda to some and pour. What could be easier?!

In the box:

Long Island Iced Tea where they have combined Flor de Caña 4 year old white rum with vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, sugar syrup, organic citric acid, lemon bitters and cola reduction.

Smoked Banana Colada combining coconut rum, single cream, banana syrup, coconut syrup and smoky Scotch whisky.

Pinapple & Jalapeno Mai Tai where Flor de Caña 7 Gran Reserva Rum is the star of the show, accompanied by triple sec, jalapeno syrup, orgeat, organic citric acid and pineapple juice.

Popcorn Old Fashioned mixing Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, popcorn syrup and fragrant Angostura bitters.

Penicillin combining Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with Smokehead peated single malt whisky, ginger and honey syrups, organic citric acid and lemon bitters.

If you wanted to you could add garnishes like orange for the Old Fashioned or Pineapple leaves for the Colada, they make them look pretty, but if you can’t be bothered, they are still going to taste great.

Size: 100ml - 150ml
ABV: 13.7% - 26.5%
Find here: £28.95

 

Bullards Pineapple, Ginger and Lime Gin

Pineapple is a flavour I would normally associate with rum rather than gin, but in this case, it works beautifully giving tropical sweetness to balance the lime and the ginger that comes through to give a little heat and spice. The gin is very smooth and makes a very good G&T, but where it shines for me is with ginger ale. Again, something I’d normally mix with rum or whisky, but with this gin, it makes a great spicy long drink and remains fresh which is perfect for this time of year.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40

Lind and Lime Gin

A gin with a very nautical feel. This is the first spirit to come from the Port of Leith distillery in Edinburgh and is inspired by Dr James Lind who came from Edinburgh. He noticed that patients who had scurvy and were eating citrus fruits were showing good signs, which explains the lime in the gin, and how we know how to cure scurvy today. Not that I think there is enough lime in the gin to cure scurvy! But it certainly tastes good. The cap label says there are flavours of lime, pink peppercorn and juniper, and that’s the perfect tasting note for this gin. It literally “does what it says on the tin”, and with 44% abv, those flavours are delivered effortlessly. My gin of the moment, and a perfect dad day present for a gin loving dad.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.95

If you still don’t feel like you’ve found the perfect present, have a browse through our wine and spirits pages as they’re packed full of delicious drinks to try!

Great Gins for the Jubilee

As the long bank holiday celebrating her Majesty's platinum jubilee rolls around, our thoughts turn to street parties and boozy celebrations. Will you be getting festive with fizz? Patriotic with Pimm’s or raising spirits with whisky, gin, rum and the rest? Of all the spirits, gin is the most quintessentially British, so we’ve picked out eight Jubilee-tastic gins to celebrate the Queen (and our extra time off work) this long weekend. 

Beefeater London Garden Gin

This gin is so good, it needs its own royal security. Inspired by the famous botanical Chelsea Physic Gardens that were said to inspire Beefeater’s original recipe, this stunning sipper has all the citrus and zest of classic Beefeater with luscious, lemon verbena, basil and thyme notes. Classic and classy. A great garden gin for your garden party!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £25

Cotswolds Distillery Jubilee Gin

This limited edition, regal looking tipple tastes as good as it looks in its royal purple bottle. It’s gin with a British summer twist as bramble fruit bursts from the glass, buddying up with the juniper without being cloying. You can sip this alone thanks to its creamy mouthfeel and it's awesome with a rhubarb tonic. Garnish with blackberries for a right royal knees up.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £34

Windsor Great Park Gin

Distilled from Windsor Great Park Vineyard’s award-winning Chardonnay using herbs and flowers grown in the royal Savill Gardens just next door, this booze is bursting with botanical beauty. Think fresh herbs and elderflower in a shower of lemon citrus. Rich and creamy to boot, you could sip this alone. Very smart label too. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Buckingham Palace Gin

A more floral and savoury twist on a classic London Dry, this super refreshing sip is made with twelve botanicals foraged from the Queen’s own palace garden including hawthorn and mulberry. Flavoursome but subtle, this gin gets extra points for its posh, perfume-like bottle too! A great gifting option, though a tad pricey.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £40

Whitley Neill Gin, Jubilee Edition

If you’re looking for a brilliant, benchmark London Dry Gin, this is it. Pure spirit on those nose with gentle juniper and a slick of moreish saltiness. This is a gin for gin purists not keen on the extra bells and whistles. The iconic mirror and flags bottle will grab attention too. Well worth a place at the party. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £25

Hortus London Dry Gin

For the price, you can’t knock it. Hortus is Lidl’s own gin brand and this is a decent London Dry that’s pretty classic in an attractive bottle. Compared to some of the others it’s not as smooth or as complex but a punchy tonic will cover any sins. Throw in some fresh fruit and you’ll be laughing. A pocket friendly choice when you need a few for that street party! 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £15.99

Sainsbury's Limited Edition, Blackfriars Scottish Raspberry & Rhubarb Gin

Rhubarb crumble in spirit form! This limited edition sipper is a good choice for those not so keen on juniper who want to jump on the gin train. Not one for the purists, it’s very heavy on the rhubarb with a ripple of raspberry, but tastes bone dry and is terrific with tonic. Serve with a small stick of rhubarb or a handful of raspberries with lots of ice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £16

M&S Jubilee Gin  

This is a gin liqueur rather than a straight gin so as expected, it’s very sweet like strawberry candy and not very gin-like at all. In fact, you really can’t taste any juniper. Having said that, it’s gotta lotta bottle appeal. Pour it over your summer pudding or sip it cool over ice with a fruit tonic and it's a bit of a guilty pleasure.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £16

Pinkster pink Gin

Don’t let the colour put you off - Pinkster pink gin is well worth a try. It gets its pink hue from fresh raspberries which are steeped in the gin. The use of fresh fruit rather than flavourings leads to a subtle, smooth gin with just the right amount of raspberry making for a perfect G&T (or two!). Try it with fresh raspberries and mint as a garnish and you won’t look back!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £35

Beefeater London Dry Gin

First made by James Burroughs in 1820, Beefeater London Dry Gin is still made using exactly the same recipe today. It’s fresh with big juniper character and strong bursts of citrus, and for its price point, it is an exceptionally good gin. Try it with a good quality tonic and a slice of lemon or orange!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £16 // US $24.99

Crazy Lassi Gin

Inspired by the fusion of British and Indian cultures through food, Crazy gin follows the same idea and pushes flavours that people wouldn’t normally associate working together in their gin. Botanicals of turmeric, coriander and black pepper inspired by base ingredients of Punjabi cooking, along with the more British botanicals of juniper and pomegranate are harmoniously joined together before the whole gin is fat washed with ghee to make for a beautifully flavoursome, really smooth gin that does just what it intended.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £39.95

London No. 1 Gin

Whether sipping neat or mixing this gin into a cocktail, you will not be disappointed. It’s a quadruple-distilled, small batch gin flavoured with botanicals including cinnamon, angelica, bergamot and gardenia. Check out its subtle blue hue - that’s bound to be a conversation starter during your Jubilee party!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £29.77

For more gin-spiration, check out The Best Gins for a G&T or The Most Popular Gin Cocktails!

Have you tried the Queen's Gin?

Are you still looking for that perfect sip for the Jubilee weekend? Could there be a more fitting choice than sipping on a gin from the Queen’s very own garden?! We don’t think so!

It turns out that during the reign of James I, planting Mulberry trees became a very popular tradition in England that is still upheld today, and 40 different species of these trees can be found in the Palace gardens. It is these mulberry leaves, along with 11 other botanicals including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries and bay leaves that are used to produce this special gin with nearly every botanical being taken from the grounds of Buckingham Palace itself.

The gin is a premium small-batch London dry gin and can be found at the Royal Collection Trust shops for £40 a bottle. For those, who are lucky enough to be invited to the palace, you may be able to sip it while you socialise. For those of us still waiting for our invite to rock up in the post, try mixing the gin in a simple G&T. We’d recommend Franklin & Sons Natural Indian Tonic Water with a slice of lemon for the perfect thirst-quencher. 

Producer: The Queen (kind of)
Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £40