Whisky Wanderlust: Crossing Oceans, Capturing Flavours

There are many whiskies that aren’t American that can be found in the USA. Now that the tariff war is long gone, the UK has left the EU, and many companies have increased their distribution, there are more whiskies than ever being offered to the US market from the traditional markets, such as Scotland, Ireland and Japan.

The following whiskies are some of my favourites which reach the US and don’t cost the earth. In the US there is the advantage of a larger bottle, and taxes aren’t quite so high, so there is great value to be had. So, with that said, let me introduce 8 bottles you are sure to love.

Mortlach 12 Year Old

The beast of Dufftown, Mortlach is one of the best sherry led whiskies in Speyside. It is big, oily and rich, but also has great finesse and depth of flavour with sweet honey and dates, with lots of fruit cake flavours and touches of spice, oak and chocolate. This is the most expensive whisky on my list, and it’s worth it. It’s great for gifting with its smart new branding brought in a few years ago. It is a decadent whisky which I would serve by itself, with a little water, or if you wanted a superior old fashioned, this single malt whisky would do the trick.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43.4%
Find it here: $53.99

Nikka Days

Japanese whisky prices seem to have gone through the roof lately, especially for single malts. However, the blended whiskies from Japan can be excellent as well. One has to be slightly careful in Japan with blended whisky as quite a lot of it is in fact Scotch! This one however is all Japanese with Coffey Grain, un-peated Miyagikyo single malt, Coffey malt and a touch of Yioichi malt, this is a complex and delicious blended whisky. There are sweet notes and bright floral notes mixing with fruits, vanilla and caramel giving a long finish. Like many things Japanese, this has precision and elegance.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $49.99

Tullibardine Artisan

This whisky is simply incredible value. Back in the 1980’s a single malt Scotch would have cost around $25, and this is the price of this single malt Scotch today! Matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon barrels, it is sweet and unctuous with honey, vanilla fudge and digestive biscuits. Whisky Advocate Magazine in the US rated this whisky a best buy at 91 point. If you wanted to try malt whisky from Scotland for the 1st time, I’d recommend this one.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $24.99

Speyburn Arranta

This single malt like the Tullibardine, uses ex-Bourbon barrels, but in this case they are all 1st fill barrels, meaning that no Scotch has been in them before this filling which gives them an extra sweetness and depth of flavour. This whisky also has a touch of spice and lots of orchard fruits giving it plenty of character but keeping it all smooth and easy to drink. For me this is best over ice on a hot day, or even with soda making a highball. It’s got enough oomph to handle being diluted yet still providing plenty of flavour.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: $44.99

Glenmorangie X

This expression from Glenmorangie has been made purely with mixing in mind. There is plenty of rich sweetness, but also spice and rich oaky flavours, It’ll make a great highball, but is best in cocktails like a whisky sour. It mixes extremely well with cola, especially diet cola as the sweetness in the whisky can really shine through and isn’t competing with a naturally sugary drink. My favourite way to drink it is simply with lots of ice, soda and a dash of lemon juice and bitters

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $39.99

Ballantine’s 12

This is one of the world’s best blends. If you are used to drinking Ballantine’s Finest, this will be a little different, Finest is lighter and more floral in nature, whilst Ballantine’s 12 year old is richer and has more honey, caramel and toffee notes. There is a touch of spice to keep things interesting, but ultimately this is a smooth easy sipping blended Scotch. With the youngest whisky in the bottle being 12 years old, there are older whiskies in the blend giving further depth and pleasure.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $37.99

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old

This is the quintessential sherry matured Speyside single malt scotch. There are lots of Christmas cake flavours of raisins, currants, dates and apricots with complex spices including nutmeg, cinnamon and anise. There are sweeter toffee flavours and orange marmalade as well. A touch over 40% abv gives the flavours that little extra boost and the finish lasts for ages. If you’re feeling decadent, this makes the perfect Old Fashioned especially if you make one the traditional way with a cube of brown sugar rather than syrup.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: $50.99

Jameson Black Barrel

Last and by no means least, I have an Irish whisky. If you’re used to Jameson’s regular whisky, this is a good step up and you’ll find it hard to go back! The barrels used to mature this spirit have had extra charring which concentrates the flavours giving extra richness and smoothness which also comes from a triple distillation process which is different from Scotch’s double distillation. There is lots of vanilla sweetness and caramel with orchard fruits, a touch of tropical banana typical of Irish whisky, and warming spices. Don’t wait for a winter fireside with this one, it’s fabulous on the rocks in the evening sun.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $42.99

All the above I have enjoyed many times over the years, and they have never disappointed. They have even kept my bank balance happy. I love sharing these with whisky lovers and those new to whisky alike and they have changed many people’s minds over the quality of blends over single malts and that Japanese whisky doesn’t have to break the bank. Find a flavour profile you like the look of, sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Words by Colin Hampden-White

One Drink Three Ways: Crazy Gin Clear Lassi Gin

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

---

The fusion of British Indian food is well known and widely loved, but why isn’t there a drinking equivalent? This was the question that the Singh’s pondered, and they decided to answer it themselves. Step up - Crazy Gin. Bringing together the refreshment of Indian yoghurt drink Lassi with classics from your spice drawer like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, Crazy Gin created the world’s first clear Lassi Gin. Balance it out with floral juniper and sweet pomegranate, and a fantastically unique and interesting gin was born. We’ve been wondering how Crazy Gin could breathe new life into cocktails and have listed the best ideas below. Have a try and let us know how you might build a cocktail around Lassi gin!

---

Helena’s Choice: Mad Negroni

---

I love a Negroni and because it’s so simple, it’s perfect to experiment with. The Mad Negroni is ever so slightly sweeter, fuller, and spicier and the result is totally moreish. Simply fill a mixing glass with ice, pour all the ingredients on top and stir well. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.

Mad Negroni

Recipe

25ml Crazy Gin Lassi

25ml Campari

25ml White Port

---

Aidy’s Choice: Crazy Gin Pina Colada

---

If you like piña coladas, and makin’ them more insane...

That would work better with music to be fair.

The extra flavour of the Lassi gin brings an interesting twist to this classic. The cream of the Crazy Gin works wonderfully with the coconut, and the subtle spice with the turmeric intertwines beautifully to add a whole new layer to proceedings. Fill a mixing glass with one scoop of crushed ice. No messing around with this, pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir until everything is chilled. Strain over fresh ice cubes into a hurricane glass and garnish with pineapple leaves, pineapple slice, umbrella, whatever you want! 

Crazy Gin Pina Colada

Recipe

50ml Crazy Gin Lassi

25 ml Coconut Cream

50ml Pineapple Juice

5ml Double Cream

10ml Sugar Syrup (2:1)

Pinch of Turmeric

Pinch salt

---

Colin’s Choice: Crazy Gin Old Fashioned

---

I love trying spin offs of my beloved Old Fashioned, and this quirky adaptation really works for a lighter and sweeter drink. The coconut and yoghurt flavours add an intriguing twist, filling the cocktail out. Stir all the ingredients together with ice, add a wedge of mango for complimentary garnish and enjoy on the rocks. 

Crazy Gin Old Fashioned

Recipe

50ml Crazy Gin Lassi

7.5ml Coconut Syrup (2.5g Demerara sugar, 5g Coconut water, mix until sugar has dissolved)

UK
ABV: 41%
Size: 500ml
Buy it now for £39.94

If you liked this, go and see what we recommend for Mandarin and Ginger Soda, Nouaison Gin Reserve, or Aloha 65!

The Best Whisky To Drink This Summer

In the UK we have a summer which, like last year can be very hot and last for weeks and weeks, but this is not the norm. The British summer is usually a lot more fickle and we may get the odd weekend of beautiful weather, but traditionally this won’t fall over the holiday weekend in August.

However, 2023 has been warm so far, in fact we have just had our warmest June on record, so in anticipation of another hot summer, I have put pen to paper to suggest some great whiskies for hot weather.

These may be heavier whiskies, but they make an astonishing highball, or sour cocktail, or lighter whiskies to sip over ice, or by themselves on a balmy summer evening in the sun.

Glen Moray Classic

I continue to come back and back to this whisky. It is such great quality versus what you have to pay for it. It can be found in so many shops, so is easily available, and is on offer reasonably frequently. A classic by name and a classic by nature. It is sweet with honey and fresh red apples, vanilla and a little lemon zest to keep things interesting. A great way to get the summer started. In a highball, over ice or sipped alone. This is a wonderful summer whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £23.44

Bankhall

This is an exciting new arrival from Bankhall distillery in Blackpool. A single cask to start with which includes some of the first liquid to come off the stills in March 2020. Made with English Barley and matured in a char 4 virgin oak cask for just over three years, only 225 bottles were produced. This would be the perfect whisky to sit on Blackpool beach and contemplate the growth in world whisky over the last five or six years. This whisky might be young, but it has plenty of vibrant flavours with vanilla and orange marmalade, butterscotch and mint leaves with tinned peaches. With a high abv, this drinks very well over ice on a hot day, and I’d be very happy if I was the head distiller Vince Olsen. Let’s just hope he makes more of the same.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.4%
Find it here: £99.95

Bushmills 10

From Scotland to England and now to Northern Ireland. Here we have a tropical dessert of a whisky. Lots of sweetness and freshness from a whisky which screams it’s from Ireland. This whisky is fabulous by itself, but with all the tropical fruit flavours and vanilla it is great in a whisky sour. Tart lemon and mangoes fizzing around the palate is brilliant on a summer’s day. Just don’t put too much sugar syrup in the cocktail as it hides all the delicate notes in the whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £34.69

Filey Bay

Back to England and we have another new kid on the block, this time from the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery. Using 100% home grown barley, and ex bourbon cask maturation, this is a sweet whisky which is great with simple ice and soda. To be able to make a good highball, the whisky has to be very good as any imperfections are brought out by the dilution, and this is certainly a well-made whisky. I’d suggest if you’re having a staycation in England this year, why not make the whisky English too?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £49.90

Masthouse Copper Rivet by Berry Bros & Rudd

Here we have yet another English whisky. This one is a little older than the other two at around 6 years old. Made in Kent, this is matured in the south of England and the warmer weather seems to have made a difference. There are complex fruit flavours and rich vanilla. This will stand up to cocktails, highballs, and at 59.7% pretty much anything you want to throw at it, it’ll handle well with its intensity of fruit and sweetness, a great young whisky from Berry Bros & Rudd. Very hard to find, I would suggest this is one for the serious whiskey fiends to find at auction. Expect it to fetch a lot more than the distillery’s own bottlings, and if you have no luck, maybe try a standard bottle and see if you like the flavours.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 59.7%
Find it here: At Auction

Orkney 2006 Berry Bros & Rudd

We finally make it back to Scotland in this round robin of the best summer whiskies the UK has to offer. Another dram from Berry Bros & Rudd and another big, intense whisky. This, like many Orkney whiskies before it has a lovely salinity which refreshes the palate on a hot day. But having been matured in an Oloroso Sherry butt, there is also richness and sweetness to balance out any cocktail. Although I would suggest this is a really good sipper. Perhaps with a little ice if wanted. With black cherries and black cracked pepper, this will liven up the pallet.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.1%
Find it here: £123.23

Glasgow Red Wine and Ruby Port Cask Finish

This is a whisky which I would drink as a sipping dram in the cooler months, with its big rich red fruit flavours, spice and sweetness coming from dark sugar and manuka honey. Added to that is a high abv, but with plenty of ice in a tall glass and add soda and it gives a glorious fruity summer fruits forward highball. Six casks were married and there were only 1925 bottles produced, but there is still a decent amount around for now. It’s not complicated, and it’s delicious. So, give it a go!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.5%
Find it here: £58.95

Glenglassaugh Sandend

Having been closed for 20 years, Glenglassaugh fired up its stills again in 2008. Finally, they have a new core range which is really worth shouting about. I have chosen for this article the Sandend expression. I’ve tried this on the beach in front of the distillery as two different cocktails, I’ve tried it straight up at 50.5%, and with soda, and I love it! It is created with ex bourbon, sherry, including Manzanilla casks which give a fresh sea breeze nature to the whisky. It is fruity, sweet, a touch of spice, and all these things combine to feel like you’re by the sea in the sun. So, head to a beach, or close your eyes with your feet in a bowl of water, and sip away!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.5%
Find it here: £52.20

There are so many great whiskies to drink during the summer months, these are my favourites at the moment, but if your lost for choice, then a good rule of thumb would be to try something from an ex bourbon cask, high strength for highballs, and a little richer in style for a sour. Happy summer drinking!

Four Whiskeys to Try This 4th of July!

There seems to be something to celebrate every day of the year these days, from World Whisky Day to World Knitting Day. Don’t get me wrong, any excuse to celebrate is a good thing, but some days are more meaningful than others. The 4th of July may have different meaning for different people, but it is a significant day of the year and gives me a chance to put my American tastes to the fore. This year for me has been a memorable year for American Whiskey, there has been more American whiskey launched in the UK than ever before and in the USA the proliferation of craft distilleries continues. Here are four bottles that I think are the best value bourbon of all time, the best release this year by a long shot, a classic and a curve ball - all of which you’re going to want to try!

The Best Value Whisky of all Time: Woodford Reserve

This is brilliant value and also brilliant quality. With rich caramel and vanilla flavours, the corn flavours really shine. There is still a touch of spice to keep things interesting and it is so smooth considering it is at 43.2%. This is on special offer frequently in the UK, so look out for it in Ocado and Sainsbury’s where it can be found for only £25 a bottle! Usually it is a little more than that, but I still think it represents great value. The Reserve makes a very good whiskey sour and old fashioned and if you’re looking for something a bit different then the Rye Woodford makes incredible Manhattans too.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43.2%
Find it Here: UK £36.94 // US $36.99

The Best Release This Year: Whistlepig Boss Hog VIII LapuLapu’s Pacific

This has been a long time coming. I first tasted this in November last year at the IWSC awards ceremony in London with a big bunch of Scotch whiskies and it really shone through. It has big bold flavours but at the same time there is finesse and elegance and great complexity. It is 17 years old and has quite a high abv, but the alcohol is so well integrated that the depth of flavour still shows well. Big, rich caramel and baked orchard fruits, caramelised banana and demerara sugar mix with dark chocolate and soft spice. It’s a blockbuster, but well worth it. 

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 52.4%
Find it Here: UK £675 // US $899.99

The Classic: Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig were the first to char barrels in making their whisky, and it has become a classic over the years. So popular in fact that they have had to discontinue their 12 year old release as the pressure on stocks is so high. They replaced it with this brilliant expression. Made in very small batches is oozes smoothness at a reasonably high abv. With flavours of marmalade, honeycomb, baked apples and a dusting of cinnamon and charred oak on the finish, there is a lot to like here. It’s a great introduction to top end bourbon if you’re exploring American whisky, and not so pricy that it can’t find it’s way into the odd cocktail, and the cocktail would thank you for it.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 47%
Find it Here: UK £42.94 // US $33.99

The Curve Ball: Never Say Die

Never Say Die is a relatively new brand on our shelves. It is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon (meaning it has had more than 2 years aging). But what makes this different is it’s matured in the UK. The barrels are shipped from the USA, aged and bottled in the UK. It’s a belter of a whiskey, made up from 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, with a very high abv, the flavours of vanilla, citrus and spice with leather and caramel all shine through. It’s as close to an English Bourbon as we’ll see. Made in very small batches, there is still some of barrel number four left, but they only made 226 bottles! I suspect, that future releases will be as good as this one.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find it Here: £78.90

Words by Colin Hampden-White

For more whiskey content, click here!

The Best Whisky Tasting Sets

Father’s day is just around the corner, and this always begs a question for me. My father, although not greatly knowledgeable about whisky, does like to drink it fairly regularly. There will always be a bottle or two in the house, and they are usually ones that are tried and tested. He know which ones he likes, and doesn’t vary very much. I know that there must be other whiskies out there that he would like, but I don’t want to splash out on a whole bottle just in case he doesn’t. So for this Father’s day I have been looking at whisky gift sets starting from under £10 which he might find fun, and also find other whiskies he might like without having to buy full bottles. These are some of the more interesting and fun ones I have found, so hopefully they will be useful for you too.

Anthon Berg Single Malts Scotch Whisky Collection

My first selection, although not strictly pure whisky, will certainly let my father try a few flavours without him not liking them entirely. I know he loves chocolate, and chocolate is probably one of the best food pairings for whisky. So, a pack of whisky chocolates should go down a treat. And at under £10 it doesn’t break the bank. In this pack there are 5 whiskies including  sweet highland whiskies, classic Speyside whisky, coastal, island and even a smoky one from Islay. A great little gift box.

Size: 78gr
ABV: Unknown
Find it here: £6.84

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Gift Pack

This is a great way to start to get to know Irish whisky. A good value pack which packs a lot flavour. Bushmills is in Northern Ireland and if you’re ever wanting to visit a great distillery whilst seeing the Giants Causeway, then Bushmills is very close by. Very fruity, easy going whisky which typifies what Irish whisky is all about.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £13.95

Isle of Jura Gift Pack

Hailing from one of my favourite distilleries is a nifty little gift pack from the Isle of Jura. The three whiskies are from their core range, so if your father really likes one of them, then maybe there’s another present for the future sorted. With lots of orchard fruit flavours and honey, with a little whiff of the sea showing the whiskies Island heritage. These are great value.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £15.99

Teeling Trinity gift pack

Whisky doesn’t all have to be about scotch, and I have a few suggestions outside of Scotland. Teeling were the family to bring distilling back to the heart of Dublin and are producing some fabulous whiskey. With lots of fruity tropical flavours and a mix of grain, small batch and single malt, these Irish whiskies I think will be loved by any whisky drinker, and if they haven’t tried Irish whiskey before, they’ll be drinking more of it in the future after tasting this pack.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £19.95

The Discovery collection by the Lost Distillery Company

This is a gift pack with a difference. Over time many Scotch whisky distilleries have closed, never to reopen. The whiskies they made were a different style to today’s whiskies. The Lost Distillery Company have tried to recreate the style of whisky some of these closed distilleries would have been producing. With some history about the distilleries, and three very tasty whiskies, this little gift pack is bit more interesting than the usual brands.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £19.99

Chivas Regal Whisky Blending Kit

Here is a great gift for someone looking to experiment with the types of whisky they like. With a mix of six little bottles of whisky all with different flavour profiles, it allows the whisky lover to make their own special blend. The only fall back is that once they’ve found it, it will be the only one, and completely unreplaceable! But it will be fun. I am presuming however that as it’s a Chivas product, if they like the flavours they are creating, they will most likely find them in a Chivas blend in the shops!

Size: 6 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £24.99

Father’s Day Whisky Tasting Set

Here the chaps at Drinks by the Dram have put together a special tasting pack for Father’s Day. Just in case we’d all forgotten what we’re celebrating. With a mix of smoky and non-smoky scotch, smooth Irish and even a bourbon, this pack has all the major flavour bases covered, and I think it’s the best overall package for someone who has found they like whisky but have no idea where to turn next.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 44.9%
Find it here: £25.95

Nikka Whisky tasting Set

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t include a gift pack with Japanese Whisky. Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, so they’ve been making whisky for rather a long time and have become very good at it. They have two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagiko and are making all sorts of whisky with some of the best single malts as well as blended malts and grain whiskies. All of which you will find in this fabulous tasting set.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 43.6%
Find it here: £31.95

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Gift Pack 

It isn’t surprising one of the best-known distilleries in Speyside have put this gift pack together. However, there is something very special about this pack. The Balvenie 17 year old (The whisky which got Aidy hooked), has been discontinued for some time, and it had a huge following with good reason. But here is it, in this exceptional tasting pack from The Balvenie. A great gift for any whisky lover, but unmissable if your dad’s a Balvenie fan.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £39.99

The Character of Islay Whisky Company Premium Whisky Tasting Set

This is a gift pack for the man who you know loves smoky whisky. Inside the pack will give the drinker an experience of tasting whiskies which are normally very expensive to buy as single bottles, with nearly all of them costing well over £100 and the most expensive nearly £400. Beyond that, there is even one in the pack which has been sold out as a single bottle for a while. A set for the Islay aficionado, this is something very special.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 49.1%
Find it here: £54.95

Looking for more whisky recommendations? Look no further than 12 of the best Irish whiskeys and The best whiskies to watch out for this year!

Father's Day Gifts for Drinks Lovers

Sunday 18th June is Father’s Day, but don’t panic if that’s caught you off guard! We’ve pulled together a list of our favourite drinks and gifts that we think are perfect for Father’s Day gifting.

There’s something here for every budget and every drink, so there’s really no excuse to be turning up on the big day with socks as a present again (unless they’re protecting one of these delicious bottles from getting damaged that is!). Let’s get stuck in.

WHISKY

The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie

If we can be so bold, we absolutely love our collaboration creation and think that whether your Dad is new to whiskey or a seasoned sipper, they will too. We’ve teamed up with the fantastic Sliabh Liag Distillers to produce Red Silkie, an Irish Whiskey that showcases the classic subtle and smoky style alongside classic fruitiness coming from our obsession with fine wine. Over in County Donegal, the blend is finished in red Pomerol barrels from Clos L’Eglise in Bordeaux creating a velvety, rich profile that is intense with red fruits, candied orange and gently smoked caramel. One last thing, £1 from every purchase goes towards the amazing mental health charity My Black Dog to support a variety of initiatives including free support for those struggling, so it’s for a good cause too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £49.99

Old Perth Original

A tribute to Perth in Scotland, this sweet Blended Malt Scotch is rich with raisins from ex-sherry cask ageing. The Christmas cake nose gives way to a buttery palate of a super comforting expression that provides a drinking experience far beyond its price point.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £36.75

Lochlea Our Barley

This Single Malt from Lochlea is matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, but also re-charred barriques for a pleasantly rounded smooth and fruity character. It carries complexity beyond its years, masterful smoothness and a light vibrance plush with honied orange, grassy malt, peppery barley, and toasted oak. And let’s not forget a rather lovely bottle perfect for gifting too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £44.95

GIN

Audemus Pink Pepper Gin

Any of you who have tuned in to The Three Drinkers in Cognac will know how much we love Audemus. Pure innovation, Audemus’ most famous creation is this, their incredible Pink Pepper Gin. Spicy pink peppercorns lead the botanical line with cardamom and juniper, followed by baking notes of tonka and vanilla, and a more floral side with tonic. There’s a touch of warmth, florality, spice and fruitiness to this well-rounded gin that really has that special feeling in bucketloads. A must-try for any gin loving Dad.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £38

Atlas Shichimi Gin

Atlas has established a stellar reputation for exotic gins, and if you’re familiar with Japanese cooking, you might recognise shichimi as the popular spice blend used in Japan for centuries. This unusual but moreish umami profile is expanded with nori seaweed, gyokuro green tea, Sichuan peppercorn and ginger, with juniper and citrus injecting some familiar freshness. Wonderfully aromatic and warming, this is an exciting gin to try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £48

RUM

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

This silky molasses-based Venezuelan blend uses exclusive rum reserves aged for up to 12 years before they come to rest in their charming vintage-style bottle. The mouthfeel will likely remind you of wine with a similar viscosity, with blossoming notes of toffee, orange chocolate and liquorice before an indulgent fudgy finish. Treat your Dad to the Gold Medal winner of the 2019 Rum Masters.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £40.95 // US $41.99

Sansho Spiced Rum

Completely eye-catching, this stand-out spirit dresses premium English rum in Japanese flavours. The rum is packed full of vibrant and rich layers; the sansho berries provide tongue tingling peppery citrus notes, the base rum made with 100% sugar cane molasses gives a Christmas cake sweetness, the Okinawan sugar provides rich treacly layers and there is smoky soy and sesame which gives the usual tobacco and oak flavours you would expect to find in an aged rum. It is absolutely exquisite and sings with a good ginger beer and ice.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £38

VODKA

Blacklion Vodka

How about Europe’s first sheep’s milk vodka for Father’s Day? After tasting a sip, you might wonder why it hasn’t been done before (the awards panels certainly are!). Unbelievably smooth, the sugars-rich whey left over from the cheesemaking process is triple-distilled and triple-filtered to produce this rare, visionary, small-batch, and eco-conscious British vodka.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £6

Dimas Vodka

If you’ve never heard of Dima’s Vodka before then allow us the pleasure of introducing, you. Hailing from Ukraine, this multi-grain mix (wheat, rye, and barley) is brimming with spice and creamy character. To complete the experience, drink alongside pickles as is the tradition!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35

TEQUILA/MEZCAL

Ilegal Joven Mezcal

Illegal’s mezcal portfolio is stunning and we could really recommend any of them, but we’ve picked out this young Joven Mezcal. Traditionally produced with roasted agave in an earthen pit, delicious notes of dried fruits and herbs come through as well as smoky, peppery agave and some caramel sweetness. The perfect present for a tequila-loving Dad who wants to dip into the underappreciated world of mezcal!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £49.99 // US $36.99

Don Julio Tequila Blanco

When perusing quality agave concoctions, you’re never far from Don Julio. Their Blanco is bottled (and stylishly so) straight after distillation meaning it’s packed full of fresh agave flavour. There’s a subtle burst of bright citrus but overall, this is just a stunning Blanco that doesn’t shy away from agave and is one of the smoothest around.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: UK £49.99 // US $49.99

COGNAC

Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal

If your Dad is a cognac drinker then you’re in luck, because with The Three Drinkers in Cognac available to watch now on Amazon Prime, we are obsessed with the stuff. The ever-reliable Rémy Martin produced this delicious VSOP to celebrate Louis XV’S decision to let them plant new vines on their land back in 1738 (which was illegal at the time). Complex fruits swirl around with orange coming to the fore, as caramel and spice intertwine harmoniously – if that doesn’t sound delicious, I don’t know what does.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £55.74 // US $69.99

Courvoisier VSOP

The winner of the highly regarded Master award in the Super Premium category at the Luxury Masters, this VSOP from the iconic Courvoisier has aged for around 10 years (which is well beyond the legal minimum). The fruity citrus is deep and rich, but it’s the warm notes of coffee, brown sugar, buttery toast, cinnamon, and vanilla that stand out here.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £36.95 // US $45.99

Hermitage 10 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac

Hermitage is notable for doing things a little differently from most cognac houses, in that each of their bottles including this 10-year-old are single-estate and unblended. Most cognacs use eaux-de-vie from different growing areas, but sticking to one estate creates a bold and expressive mix. The roasted nuts have come through with age, as has the peppery spice and oakiness. This is the perfect present for someone who likes to take their time and sip their cognac neat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £59.95

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT

Grand Marnier Cuvee Louis Alexandre

Grand Marnier is another legendary creation from the cognac region, and it is in fact half cognac itself. The other half is bitter orange, and the expert blending of the two (which you can witness in our new show… hint hint ;) ) is what makes this a bartender’s favourite. Their Louis Alexandre is a little less sweet and instead drier than the original as it is in fact not a 50:50 mix but goes heavier on the cognac instead... a nod to Louis himself who liked his serve a little stronger. Pure luxury.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £48.99 // US $69.99

Aphro Palm

If you want to try something completely new, look no further. Aphro is made using alcohol distilled from Palm Wine (from Palm tree trunks). This Palm Spirit is widespread across parts of West Africa, and Aphro wants to refine it for us all to enjoy. Triple distilled, it’s wonderfully smooth and infused with tropical fruits, herbs, and spices from all over the continent. ‘The Nubi’ is flavoured with pineapple, passion fruit and honey, and ‘The Moor’ is ginger xylopia Ethiopia (fruit tree) and honey. With such gorgeous bottling too, Aphro is perfect for the curious drinker.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.99

BEST MIXERS

Franklin and Sons

Franklin and Sons are absolute pioneers of the soft drinks space, ever since their beginnings in Victorian London. They specialise in natural and innovative flavourings with tonics, mixers, and soft drinks to suit all kinds of serves. It’s totally worth checking out their full range here, but we really recommend their warm Original Ginger Ale, sunny Sicilian Lemon, and aromatic Natural Rose Lemonade. We use them all the time and boy can they elevate a drink to that next level.

Size: 200ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £20 24x200ml

AMAZING GLASSWARE

Glencairn Dad’s Wee Whisky Bundle

If your Dad loves whisky, then Father’s Day may well be the perfect opportunity to fit him out with some premium glassware to enhance the drinking experience. We use the Glencairn glass not just for whisky but cognac too because it opens up the nuances in quality liquids and feels great – it’s the world’s favourite whisky glass for a reason.

Includes: Two Wee Glencairn Glasses, a Wee Glencairn Jug and a Glencairn pipette
Find here: £35 (usually more!)

If your Dad prefers Dark Rums, then we just happen to have released our 2023 Guide here with top notch recommendations!

The Best Whiskies to Watch Out for This Year

Every year seems to see even more releases of whisky, and this year one of the things I have noticed is the rise of blended whisky. In recent years with the likes of Woven whisky, more people are understanding the quality that can come from this category. There are also more whiskies being released from beyond the borders of Scotland all of which I will reveal below. So without further a do, here is bottle one…

Perpetuity Blended Scotch Whisky Batch 1

The Port of Leith distilling company has been inspired by one of my favourite concepts, the infinity bottle. They have created a constantly changing vat of single malt and single grain whiskies from the three largest areas in Scotland, the lowlands, highlands, and Speyside. They are bottling the whisky in batches as the whiskies evolve. We know that in batch 1, there is grain whisky from North British and Malts from Deanston and Glentauchers included. It’s complex with vanilla and red apples and a little marmalade. Ginger, popcorn, citrus and a zesty finish make this a very good blend.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45.7%
Find it here: £39.95 

Bushmills 25 and 30 year old

Bushmills has in recent years had a rebrand and some changes made to the blending of their single malt casks with fabulous results. Very recently they have added two much older to their range. A 25 and 30 year old. The 25-year-old is matured initially in ex-bourbon and sherry casks and then finished in a port pipe giving lots of red fruit flavours along with the typical Bushmills tropical fruit. The 30-year-old was also initially matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks but for the later 16 years of its life in casks first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks were used. It’s hugely rich and complex yet full of life and vigour, both are drams to savour.

Bushmills 25 Year Old
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £790// US $1099

Bushmills 30 Year Old
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £1900

Turntable

There are three blended whiskies to look out for from brothers Ally and Gordon Stevenson. With many years of experience, they wanted to help raise the appeal of blended whisky and have managed it in style. The three whiskies start with Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention which is a blend of a Knockdhu Chinkapin barrel, Linkwood Virgin oak barrel, and two grain whiskies, Girvan from a red wine barrel and Strathclyde from a Cognac barrel. Track 2 is Firestarter which uses a Caol Ila virgin oak cask, Benrinnes Chinkapin barrel and Cameronbridge and Invergordon grain whiskies from a virgin oak barrel. Finally, Track 3, Purple Haze, is from a blend of Balmenach from a PX sherry puncheon, Craigellachie from an Oloroso sherry but, and Invergordon from a sherry barrel. With each bottle, there is a predominant flavour; fruity, smoky and sherried. And all are excellent!

Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 2: Firestarter
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 3: Purple Haze
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Nikka Days

The whiskies on this list are mostly new, but I wanted to highlight a whisky one should always be on the lookout for. Japanese whisky these days can be quite expensive, and for good reason, the quality is very high and the quantities for each market are usually quite limited. However, there is a bottling that I think really stands out in the cost-to-value equation. Nikka Days, is a Japanese blended whisky using both the single malt distilleries Nikka own, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It is a carefully crafted blend with lots of fruit and some soft smoke in the background making it a great all-round Japanese blend at an affordable price.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £39.90 // US $49.99

Oban Young Teddy The Macleans

This is the second release in the series, the first being called Old Teddy, and both are inspired by father and son who both worked at Oban Distillery. This whisky is finished in Palo Cortado and Oloroso Sherry casks and although it is complex with lots of fruit it is extremely approachable and easy to drink. This can only be bought if you visit the distillery, and I know it’s a long way to go, but it will make the journey worth all the effort. The distillery is a great one to see as it’s one of the very few in the heart of a town, and Oban is stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.8%
Find it here: Only available at the distillery.

Morris Muscat Barrels

The Morris distillery can be found in the small town of Rutherglen. Not the one in Glasgow, but in Australia! The distillery is sited on the same site as the family winery, so there is a great source of interesting wine casks to use. This expression has been matured in both French and American oak but then finished in Morris Muscat Barrels giving loads of rich sweet fruit flavours and a spicy finish. Yum.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £74.70

Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition

This special edition Kentucky Owl combines the art of Japanese whisky blending and bourbon. Takumi means ‘Master’ in Japanese and this blend has been designed by the master blender from the Nagahama distillery, Yusuke Yahisa and John Rhea from Kentucky Owl. It is a blend of 4, 5, 6 and 13 year old bourbons and has complex flavours of rye bread, toffee, caramel, and soft spices with apples and pears and a touch of chocolate.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 50%
Find it here: UK £125 // US $149.99

Glenmorangie 15 Cadboll State, Single Estate Limited Release

This is an expression of Glenmorangie which couldn’t be a better representation of the whisky the distillery can create. Made with barley from the Cadboll estate, this is a blend of two harvests, matured in American oak and then finished in ex-Amontillado casks, which is master blender Dr. Bill’s favourite sherry. It is the third release of this 15-year-old whisky and is creamy and nutty with toffee notes and cloves. An elegant whisky, and a favourite of mine from Glenmorangie.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: UK £75 // US $84.99

Ardbeg BizarreBQ

Another very experimental bottling from the cult Ardbeg distillery. Using double charred casks and PX sherry casks, they also used unique BBQ casks which give lots of flavour of smoked meats and grilled, charred peppers and coffee. It’s big, it’s bold and it’s beautiful. As a limited edition, if you find one, I wouldn’t hang around thinking about it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.9%
Find it here: £159.95

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky - Release 35

Two brewers is made by Alan Hansen and Bob Baxter, who are two brewers in the Yukon area of Canada. In 2009 they extended their skills by buying a still and began to make whisky. This has been made with fourteen different mashes and matured in both ex bourbon barrels and virgin oak barrels for over eight years. Each of their releases is different and this one is exceptional. This is the first UK release and there are only 132 bottles.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £84.95

Wire Works Caduro 

This hails from the White Peak distillery in Derbyshire and is the first release from Max and Claire in 2023. It is a lightly peated malt whisky using ex bourbon barrels and STR casks (shaved, toasted, and re-charred). This is every bit as good as previous releases and the subtle use of peat gives extra interest. It’ll be interesting to see how their core range develops, and these limited releases are certainly worth trying.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find it here: £59.95 

Words by Colin Hampden-White

If you’re looking for more whiskey recommendations, then head over to 12 Of The Best Irish Whiskeys or have a look at The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie Irish Whiskey.

Heavenly Chocolate and Drinks Pairings

We love drinks, and we love chocolate (who doesn’t), but just lumping together two delicious things in their own right doesn’t guarantee a hit. There are lots of strong flavours involved here, but if you get it right then it’s magical.

Don’t get us wrong, ‘getting it right’ is whatever tastes good for you, but these matchups below are ones we love. White, fruit and nut, dark, truffles, mint, orange... all of these chocolates will be made even better when washed down with these delicious drinks.

WHITE CHOCOLATE

Martini - Asti Spumante

A sweet and bubbly Italian Asti like this is the perfect complement to the creamy richness of white chocolate, which can become sickly disappointingly quickly. The wine's light, fruity notes and refreshing effervescence help cut through the sweetness of the chocolate, creating a perfectly balanced pairing. Plus, the wine's crisp acidity helps cleanse the palate between bites, making for an indulgence experience that can go on that bit longer!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 7.5%
Find here: UK £7.49 (usually more!) // US $15.99

Fruit & Nut Milk Chocolate

Kopke Tawny Port

A glass of Tawny Port to wash down fruit and nut milk chocolate is sublime. From the oldest port house around, this is quite light as ports go, with those gorgeous, dried fruits notes brought to the fore by the chocolate flavouring. It’s also richer and less sweet relative to similar styles, which is ideal because that milk chocolate will still bring plenty of sweetness on its own. The chocolatey, vanilla character subtly running through Kopke’s velvety smooth texture really enriches the creaminess of the chocolate too. An elegant combination if ever there was one.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

Fruit & Nut Dark Chocolate

Croft 'Quinta Da Roeda' Vintage Port 2004

For a darker fruit and nut choc, we go from one Portuguese port master to another in Croft. Elegantly structured, this decade-old ruby red has opulent notes of raisin, black cherry, vanilla, and crucially, dark chocolate. Not only do the fruits play into the chocolate perfectly, but they’re also just sweet enough to offset any dark choc bitterness. Ports also get nuttier with age, so after 10 years of aging those nutty notes will only be elevated even further here. Delicious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20.5%
Find here: £24.99 (£21.99 Mix Six Price)

Dark Chocolate & Truffles

Fonseca Reserve Ruby Port

Dark Chocolate, Truffles and Ruby Port – the nights that dreams are made of, right? Again, there’s a sophisticated sweetness here that suits the bittersweet chocolate perfectly and the same goes for the truffles. The full-bodied complexity and luxurious depth of purple fruits suit dark chocolate and truffles so indulgently well. This is a world away from easter eggs now (not that there’s anything wrong with them either).

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: UK £13.99 // US $19.99

Orange Chocolate

Courvoisier VSOP Cognac

With its incredibly rich history, Courvoisier has had years to perfect its style and as a result, they have a gorgeous VSOP that is a benchmark in the region. Around a decade of aging gives amazing depth with fragrant oakiness, soft warmth from coffee, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and most relevant of all, delicate vanilla and citrus. A glass of chilled Courvoisier in one hand, and a chocolate orange ball in the other, oh, yes.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £36.95 // US $45.99

Mint Chocolate

Ardbeg An Oa Scotch Whisky

Mint chocolate is a more challenging pairing. As anyone who’s made the mistake of mixing mint choc with other flavours knows, it’s a dominant force. Therefore, we need a whisky that isn’t for the faint of heart. Islay Scotch is known for its power, and Ardbeg is no exception. Smooth sweetness sits under bold smoke and peat which creates an extremely memorable menthol profile with the mint, and the dark chocolate notes obviously pair well too. A glass of An Oa Scotch and some mint chocolate? Now that’s how you end a meal.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46.6%
Find here: UK £43.90 // US $68.99

There’s more to Easter feasting than just chocolate though, so if you want more amazing flavour marriages for the rest of your Easter grub go here!