How Much Has Alcohol In The UK Changed Price?

We’re all used to seeing drinks price go up and down, be it inflation or market trends, but on August 1st something happened that will have an effect on all of our favourite tipples – alcohol duty changes. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was at the Great British Beer Festival promoting these changes, the most significant of their kind for over a century… so what’s the long and short of it?

Well, there are winners and losers but probably more in the latter camp, the biggest of which is sadly wine. Drinks Business have been running the numbers on this, and still wine will increase in duty by an average of 20% - that’s from £2.23 to £2.67 on a 12.5%ABV 750ml bottle.

Plenty of others failed to escape the hike too, with Sherry and Port up 44% (around a £1 increase on average bottles), vodka up 10%, canned beer up 10% and canned cider up 8%. Taking the average alcohol percentage and size of these drinks, the duty cost has increased from as much as £1.29 for port, to as little a 1p for canned cider.

Breweries are trying to dodge these changes however, in a process dubbed ‘drinkflation’. Essentially, various well-known beers like Foster’s (4% to 3.7%), Old Speckled Henn (5% to 4.85%) and Bishop Finger (5.4% to 5.2%) are cutting down on the booze to avoid the alcohol duty hit. Colin Angus of the University of Sheffield calculated that if all breweries cut alcohol content by 0.3% then the total saving would be £250 million, so expect to see more names following suit.

It isn’t all bad news, however. The increasingly popular RTDs (Ready to Drinks) like G&T have decreased by 14%, sparkling wine is down 7%, cream liqueur decreases 3% and the Chancellor’s draught relief means a 1p cut for draught cider, whilst beer stays the same.

On the whole, we’re talking about pennies here, but they do of course add up for both consumers and producers, and let’s not forget that if you’re a keen sherry, port, or wine drinker then the difference will be visible.

Seeking value has never been more important then, so check out the various guides across our website offering insight into bottles of your favourite drinks that punch above their price point.

Our Top 3 London Rooftop Bar Picks

We are in the peak of summer (and hopefully soon the weather will start to play along), so here are our top three rooftop bar picks for you and your friends to try! Whether it’s after work drinks or a date night, we’ve got you covered. While we’ve categorized each bar by it’s specialty, all these rooftop bars have a great selection of cocktails, beers and wines to choose from.

For the wine lover: Forza Wine

Situated in Peckham, opposite the Peckham Rye station, is one of our personal favourite wine bars, Forza Wine. The menu consists of over 30 different wines of different styles. The grape type, and the region that the wine was made is also listed, for all wine enthusiasts who want to know every detail about what they are drinking. The broad price range is great to accommodate every person's budget. The knowledgeable waiters will gladly bring you a few tasters if you are unsure which wine you would like to try! Forza is a north-facing bar, and has an unobstructed view of the city - the sunsets we have witnessed while drinking a glass of bubbles are simply breath-taking.

Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln, London SE15 4BQ
Website: https://forzawine.com/

For the beer lover: Kraft Dalston

Moving from South London to East London territory, you need to give Kraft Dalston a try. This impressive establishment has an on-site brewery ensuring your pint of choice is as fresh as can be. If freshly brewed beer isn’t already a good enough reason to visit KRAFT, because the beer doesn’t need to be packaged and transported, carbon emissions are reduced by 75%. They have recently opened up their rooftop bar as well just in time for summer with some amazing new cocktail choices using their own craft gin.

Address: Inside Kingsland Locke, 130a Kingsland High Street, Dalston, London E8 2LQ
Website: https://www.kraftdalston.com/

For the cocktail lover: Madison Rooftop Garden

This lively rooftop terrace is a must-see. The bar is at the top floor of the One New Change next to the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. Sipping on your Aperol Spritz while the sun sets with St Paul in the background is quite a surreal experience. The NYC inspired bar and restaurant has all the classic cocktails, some frozen cocktails for when the weather heats up, and some glorious signature cocktails. There are regularly in-house DJs that just amplify the ambience and are guaranteed to get the party started. 

Address:  Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF
Website: https://www.madisonlondon.net/

If you want some more London bar recommendations, read about Bandra Bhai here!

What is the Best Thing to Drink on Aeroplanes?

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment a holiday starts, but sipping on an in-flight drink whilst cruising above the clouds is a guaranteed way of getting into the mindset. But have you ever noticed any differences in how your favourite drinks taste at 35,000 feet?

Well, you’re not imagining it. The altitude lessens the ability of our senses to detect complexities in flavour, and the pressurised, dry air subdues taste buds, dries out the nose and de-intensifies aroma. It is easy to forget just how much our taste relies on our small, and in the cabin, you may well notice that your favourite aromatic wine on terra firma is unusually shy in the cabin. Did you know that even the loud engines compromise taste, for example!? So, bearing that in mind, how do we drinkers adapt to these conditions and avoid disappointment when the drinks cart comes around?

The key is to opt for bolder, fuller, and more intense flavours, whilst avoiding subtle, more nuances and fragrant drinks. Particularly when it comes to premium aged liquids like older whiskies and wines, the full sensory experience involved in enjoying these is best left till your feet are back on the ground!

When deciding in-flight white wine, you’ll get more out of powerful whites like Chardonnay, Rhone blends, and Viognier-based bottles. For reds, look out for punchy Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah.

Tomato juice is sold in surprisingly huge quantities by airlines, nearly as much as beer in the case of Lufthansa. Research shows that this umami flavour profile may not only avoid the compromise of other tastes, but actually may be enhanced! So, if a Bloody Mary is an option or perhaps savoury gins, then these may taste even better than usual.

One semi-myth of in-flight boozing is that you get drunk quicker. Some say that the pressure change thins the blood, strengthening the effects of any alcohol consumed. What’s more likely however is that the lack of oxygen, dehydration, fairly empty stomach (airports are expensive and plane food’s reputation isn’t the best), limited movement and vacation excitement contributes towards an intoxicated feeling – so there’s some truth to it we suppose. One thing to note; carbonated booze is very popular on flights, and these are absorbed by the body at a faster rate, so if you want to avoid any tipsiness until you reach your destination, maybe steer clear of these.

A New Twist on Tradition: Exploring the World of Beer Cocktails

When it comes to cocktails, beer definitely isn’t the first ingredient that comes to mind. However, the world of mixology has embraced the idea of blending beer with other spirits and flavours to create unique and refreshing concoctions, so don’t write it off just yet! It’s probably the most beloved drink of them all, so let’s dive into the delightful realm of beer cocktails, where traditional brews meet exciting twists.

Marbeerita

The Beer Margarita, the Beerita, the Beergarita, whatever you call it, it really works. The beer brings a refreshing twist to this classic putting a bubbly spin on the traditional mix of tequila, lime and aromatic orange... which marries with hops deliciously. Barbeques, laid-back afternoons, the Marbeerita is well worth a go.

Ingredients
50ml tequila (blanco or reposado)
30ml lime juice
25ml Cointreau
15ml triple sec
120ml chilled beer (go for lager, ideally Mexican)
Lime wedge (garnish)

Method
Add everything except the beer, stir to combine, add a little ice, and pour beer over the top. How’s that for simple?

Shandy

Cocktails do not get simpler than this. If you order a Shandy, you’ll almost always get beer and lemonade, usually in a 50:50 split. It’s ideal if you want something thirst quenching but not too boozy, and also adds some bright and juicy sweetness to the crisp beer. If you don’t fancy lemonade, then try fruit juice or ginger ale. A Radler is basically the same thing too, but uses lemon soda instead.

Ingredients
120ml beer
120ml lemonade

Method
To avoid chaotic fizz levels, pour the beer first and top up with lemonade. Shandy complete.

Michelada

Becoming more and more popular stateside is the Michelada, a brunch style cocktail like the Bloody Mary but usually without the tomato. Traditionally it’s simply light Mexican beer with a dash of hot sauce and a salted rim and lime, but Worcestershire sauce also makes a nice addition. To make a Chelada, just ditch the hot sauce and pepper and up the lime.

Ingredients
250ml beer (light lager)
Dash of Mexican hot sauce
Salt and pepper rim
Lime for juice and garnish

Method
Mix salt and pepper on a plate (chilli powder too if you want more heat). Rub the rim with the lime and roll in the seasoning. Then, squeeze the lime and add to the rim before adding hot sauce, and topping up with lager. Unless your beer is ice-cold, add ice because the Michelada really is best served super chilled.

Beermosa

The Beermosa is a delightfully simple twist on the classic Mimosa. By replacing the sparkling wine with beer, you get a malty bitterness that tames the sweet citrus nicely. This beer cocktail is perfect for any time you want a little citrusy goodness with a beer kick.

Ingredients
120ml beer (try and get one with citrus notes)
120ml orange juice
Orange wheel for garnish

Method
Pour equal parts of beer and orange juice into a glass (no ice if they’re both chilled). Stir gently to combine the two and keep the bubbles alive, before a wheel of orange to finish the sunny look. Nom.

Black Velvet

A famous stout cocktail this time, the gorgeous Black Velvet. Created during the national mourning of Prince Albert in Victorian Britain, Guinness is almost always used (or a very dark stout) for its bitter, silky richness to offset the fruity and fizzing lightness of the sparkling wine. Surprisingly moreish so give it a try!

 Ingredients
100ml Champagne (Crémant or Cava is fine)
100ml Guinness

Method
Champagne first, then pour the Guinness over a spoon to layer it up nicely. Enjoy!

Every cocktail we love today was discovered through experimentation so try stuff out! Need inspiration? Check out our recent Daiquiri Twists here!

What is Mead and What Should I Try?

What is Mead?

Mead is an alcohol drink made from fermented honey and water. Often referred to as ‘honey wine’, it is in fact unlike wine, or indeed beer or cider, and completely unique.

The history of Mead

If you’re not too familiar with mead, you might picture someone like Henry VII ‘quaffing an entire flagon’ and whilst he did absolutely love the stuff, as did medieval folk before him, evidence of mead goes as far back to China 7000BC. It thrived all over, but particularly in places where grapes couldn’t be grown as an alternative to wine.

The Ancient Greeks referred to it as ‘the nectar of the gods’, the Vikings celebrated voyages by guzzling the stuff, and in medieval England, it was adored for its health benefits. In fact, the term ‘honeymoon’ comes from mead, when a pair of newlyweds would drink it to boost fertility.

What is Mead made from?

The sourcing of the honey is a key part of mead production and the end product. The flowers the bees visit during the process of creating the honey makes a huge difference, and of course each hive visits different flowers in different amounts, so every sip of mead is traced back to thousands of different flowers!

Once this is acquired it is diluted with water with yeast converting the plentiful sugars into alcohol. Once this is complete, the mead moves to a separate vessel for more work to be done. At this stage, it can be left as it is, aged for complexity, or infused with fruit juices, spices, herbs, beer, caramels, and syrups.

What does Mead taste like?

Honey is inherently complex, right down to its chemical composition, so through the process of fermentation the character of honey (usually drowned out by sweetness) can be unveiled. Therefore, mead will often have floral notes, earthy notes, herbal notes, and a whole array of fruity notes… all depending on the honey’s background and the yeast strains used.

Generally, mead tastes somewhat like a sweeter, lighter white wine with distinct honey tones and often more intense flavours.

Because honey is used, you may be thinking of overbearing sweetness, but mead is brewed in a range of styles from dry to semi-sweet to sparkling, and with the type of flower pollen and terroir affecting the honey too, it can be just as complex and varied as wine. They can even develop complexities under ageing.

Alcohol wise, consider mead as nearer wine than beer, usually ranging above 10% but less than 20%.  

Which Mead should I try?

Lyme Bay Winery Mead

A benchmark traditional style mead from Lyme Bay in Devon, expect a dessert wine profile with a dry and refreshing feel, as well as a rich honey punch.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £12.99

Moniack Mead

Up at Moniack Castle in the Scottish Highlands, this is a dry mead with very prominent caramelly honey and pleasant touch of florality. Moreish smoothness and mouthwatering sweetness without the sickliness – stunning.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.6%
Find here: £15.68

Kinsale Wild Red Mead

This a melomel style mead, which refers to mead infused with fruit. In this case, that’s Spanish honey with Wexford blackcurrants and cherries. They give a gorgeous rich tang, and a touch of acidity to balance the honeyed sweetness on the finish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £22.37

Afon Mel Heather Mead

Three great taste award stars, now you don’t see that very often. Hailing from Afon Mêl in Wales, heather honey goes into this mead for a tasty but subtle floral smokiness. This would pair nicely with wintery stews, or just on its own as a neat sipper with plenty to explore.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28

If you’re always up for exploring drinks you might have heard about but never tried, check out our other guides on Baijiu and Pisco.

The Best Whisky to Gift For a 21st Birthday!

Throughout our lives there are birthdays which seem to have more meaning than others. The first big birthday arrives at 18, where in most of the world we become of drinking age. However, one would probably argue that our palates at that point in life are not very developed and we are at the stage of experimenting with what we like and dislike (though there are still loveable options for that milestone here!). Three years later is a different matter.

By our 21st birthdays we have probably worked out if we like whisky, and hopefully by that point haven’t had an experience which has put us off for some time. By the time whisky is 21 years old, many feel it is in a sweet spot. It has enough age to have great complexity, and yet not so old to still have verve and vigour. The oak hasn’t had the opportunity to overrun the spirit and the tannins are still supple and not yet dry. I have not yet found a bad 21 year old whisky. There are those that I like more than others, but that is all about personal preference. With such variation in flavour and with so many 21 year old whiskies on the market I think they make an ideal present for a 21st birthday.

Expensive enough to be very special, yet not so expensive to be completely out of reach for most of us. So in no order of preference, although I may point to some of my favourites along the way, I will offer up 16 of the best 21 year old whiskies to buy.

SCOTtish

Dewar’s 21

This 21 year old joins Dewar’s Double Double series which uses double methods of maturing and blending before finishing the whisky in oloroso sherry casks. It is a decadent whisky with dried pineapple, peach, honey and crunchy nut cornflakes. There are tropical fruits which come through the palate and gentle wood spice on the finish. Blended whisky is all about balance and this has great balance yet still character shines through with the dried fruits from the oloroso cask finishing. Just be aware that it might seem too inexpensive to be true, but it is 500ml not 700ml. Still worth every penny.

Size: UK 500ml // US 375ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £127.95 // US $49.99

Royal Salute

This is the quintessential 21 year old blended whisky. There are no younger age statements from Royal Salute. It was created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It honours the 21 gun salute which accompanies royal celebrations. It is a sophisticated whisky, so well balanced with a mix of sweet ex bourbon cask maturation and soft spicy notes from ex sherry casks. It is a masterclass in blended whisky. The fruits are complex with both fresh and dried fruits present and flavours which let you recognise its age. Light furniture polish and dark chocolate with elegant floral notes and orange blossom in the background. This might represent the establishment, but this established whisky feels open to all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £136.99 // US $209.99

BenRiach 21

From one great value 21 year old whisky to another! The last of my selection from Speyside and it’s a cracker. This whisky is matured in a complex mix of casks. Ex bourbon, sherry casks, virgin oak casks and Bordeaux red wine casks which deliver huge amounts of fruit seamlessly delivered to the palate. Lots of dried fruit flavours with citrus peel, nuts, dark chocolate and a wisp of smoke in the background. The blending of all these casks has been executed perfectly by Rachel Barrie the master blender for BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and Glendronach, which I will come on to next. As for this, I’d be surprised if it stays at this price for very much longer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £142.35

Tomatin 21

Moving further into the highlands now with Tomatin. This distillery produces whiskies which have lots of tropical fruits in the flavour profile and this expression is no exception. With fresh mango and papaya and dried passion fruit. Having been fully matured in 1st fill ex bourbon casks, the whisky is sweet with honey and vanilla fudge and fine oak to balance the sweetness. A whisky which is extremely easy to drink and if I were gifting a whisky to a first time whisky drinker, this would be the one, and I think they’d be bowled over by it. It is very hard to find in shops as it is distributed in the travel retail market, but there are a few websites which manage to find a few bottles.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £149.26

Aberfeldy 21

Some say that Aberfeldy is the real gateway to the highlands. Only a little over an hour from Stirling, the landscape changes dramatically from here on. The hills become higher as you pass with other great names just off the same road like Blair Athol and Edradour, in another 30 mins you are on the highest road in Scotland at the Drumochter pass, aptly named. Having passed Dalwhinnie distillery, the next stop is Speyside. The whisky from Aberfeldy is honied and this is no exception, yet there is a refinement and elegance in the 21 year old, with fine oak, soft spices and fresh and dried fruits. It’s a classic.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £156.99 // US $199.99

Glen Moray 21 Portwood Finish

Glen Moray is often seen as the best value for money, not just in Speyside, but is Scotland. And this expression is certainly showing this to be true. The quality of the whisky is incredible. Here, they have matured the whisky for most of its life in ex bourbon barrels, but for a few months before bottling they have finished the whisky in Port casks. This finishing gives darker fruit flavours of blueberry and a little strawberry tart among caramel, vanilla shortbread, dark chocolate, and some spicy ginger, this dies away to leave raisins and honey with a little milk chocolate. Complex and fruity, and incredible value for a 21 year old whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find it Here: £157.99

 Jura 21 Time

There are two 21 year old Jura whiskies on the market at the moment, one of them is very coastal and has an ashy style of smoke in its flavour character, and if you like that you can find it easily in quite a few shops and it’s call Tide. Time on the other hand can mostly only be found in global travel retail, so look out for it when you are on holiday abroad. For me it is the far better of the two, but then I like a sweet fruity style of smoke in whisky, and this certainly fulfils that wish. With Turkish delight, oranges and tropical fruits with sweet smoke, it’s a pity it’s harder to find, but when you do it’ll that little bit more special. As it should be for a 21st birthday.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47.2%
Find it Here: £159.99

Tobermory 21

Onto the islands we go with a trip to Mull, the home of Tobermory. This is a new expression in the Tobermory line up and they have a plan to keep only the 12 year old younger than this. It’s a great addition, having been finished in ex oloroso casks to create flavours of the foraged fruit found on Mull, it really does taste of red berries, nuts and a little salinity, as well as marzipan, toffee, raisins and ginger. It’s not so saline that it is competing with many of the other coastal whiskies for that big saltiness and iodine, this is a gentle dram, but non the less complex for it. If any of these drams were to accompany a summer party in the islands, then this would do the trick.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find it Here: £164.99

Glenfarclas 21

From one of only two family owned and family run distilleries in Scotland, I have started with Glenfarclas for a good reason. - It is about to be discontinued. Fortunately, not forever, they are simply having to lay down stocks for the future to make the age statement more sustainable. Find this if you can at under £200 and it’s going to represent good value. I am pretty sure that in four years time when it arrives back on the market it won’t be under £200. This is an elegant whisky but with that typical sherry cask style Glenfarclas is well known for. Lots of Christmas cake flavours, but still refined. The tannins and rounded and soft, and the dried fruits still present with some juicier fresh fruit too. There are notes of chocolate and fine spice and leather. This is a whisky with lots of finesse and is one of my all-time favourites.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £170 // US $219.99

The Singleton of Dufftown 21

Staying in Speyside and a distillery not known to many. The brand is one of the world’s biggest with different distilleries being used for it in different countries. The brand is The Singleton, and in the UK the 21 year old comes from the Dufftown distillery. Three different cask types are used, Oloroso, Pedro-Ximenez and ex bourbon casks are blended together and married in American oak giving a hugely rich dram with exceptional balance. Rich baked orchard fruits mix with fresh pears and creamy vanilla fudge, with a little soft spice in the background. There are delicate floral notes, white chocolate and white pepper keeping the whisky elegant and showing that although there are youthful elements in the whisky it isn’t in its youth any more.  Perfect for a 21st birthday present.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find it Here: £179.95

Glengoyne 21

Glengoyne is unique. It is classed as a highland distillery yet is in the lowlands as well. It sits right on the Highland Line, and although its stills are in the highlands, the warehousing on the site in in the lowlands, but it is the stills that matter when naming a whisky’s region, so highland it is. And highland it is in character as well. It is a very fruity whisky with plenty of white fruits, both orchard and stone fruit. Yet ex sherry casks are predominantly used in the maturation so there is a refined spiciness as well with tangy molasses and cranberries and cider vinegar. A complex and exciting dram.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it Here: UK £195 // US £239.99

Aultmore 21

Aultmore is a whisky not seen in many shops, but it is certainly worth tracking down, now that we are all traveling again, the best place to find it is in travel retail. There is a balance in this whisky between herbal flavours and fruity flavours which are rarely experienced in other whiskies. The fruits are complex with melons, peaches and pears mingling together with a little tropical dried mango. These fruity flavours are bound together by rosemary flavours and a little note of olive oil. The finish is spicy, with fine oak and cracked black pepper which stays on the palate for a long time.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £199

Glendronach 21 Parliament

Glendronach 21 is so called because the collective name for rooks, is Parliament and there is a Parliament of rooks living in the trees by the distillery. Matured in sherry casks, both Oloroso and Predro Ximenez, this whisky is the epitome of a refined sherry matured whisky. It is released by vintage, so there will be tiny variations, but all on the same theme giving plenty of fruit cake flavours, along with lemon zest, dates, coffee, raisins, dark honey, coco nibs, and complex spices. The oak, fruit and spice all mix perfectly with a tiny touch of smoke in the background. If you haven’t tried a sherry matured whisky before, then this is a top notch dram to start with, and if you’re an experienced sherry cask whisky drinker, then you’ll certainly see the quality in Glendronach.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 48%
Find it Here: UK £215 // US $349.99

Royal Brackla 21

Heading into the highlands, the Royal Brackla distillery is found near Inverness on the Cawdor estate of Macbeth fame and unfortunately doesn’t have a visitors centre, which is a great pity. Although it was re-built in the 1960’s like many distilleries, this distillery is beautiful to look at. With a lake in front of the distillery perfectly reflecting its white walls. The whisky is pretty spectacular too. Having been matured in Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and Palo Cortado casks, this is an indulgent whisky with honey, lots of dried fruits inclusing apricots, raisins and dates. The spices are complex and so well balanced allowing the sweeter flavours to come through. truly worthy of a 21st birthday. Although it may spoil the recipient’s palate and make it harder to stomach the less finer things in life. Royal Brackla is only one of two distilleries which have Royal in the name, and it is definitely worthy of it.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £231.99 // US $691.99

irish

Bushmills 21

I couldn’t write an article about 21 year old whiskies without traveling across the Irish sea. We start in Northern Ireland where there has been a resurgence in a very old brand. It was not long ago that Bushmills had a rebranding and the liquids blended with even greater precision than ever before. There are classic tropical fruits in this 21 year old, which are typical of older Irish whiskies, but also some soft spice from oloroso casks and then also red fruit complexity from finishing in Madeira casks. There are also flavours of toffee, dates, damp tobacco leaves and a hint of mint. An exquisite whiskey.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £194.99 // US $272.99

Redbreast 21

Finally, my GOAT. Yes, it is this brilliant Irish whisky which is my greatest 21 year old of all time. There will be times I am going to prefer any of the other whiskies from time to time over this one, but the majority of the time if I saw this line up, this is the bottle I would reach for. If my wife hasn’t hidden it. It is also her favourite 21 year old whisky. In fact, Redbreast is her favourite whisky overall, so I have to fight for it! This is a spicy pot still Irish whisky exclusively matured in first-fill Sherry and ex bourbon casks, it is a masterpiece of blending from Billy Leighton with typical tropical Irish whisky flavours with menthol, leather, chocolate and leather. Figs, and a touch of guava hang in the background, and then the finish has dark honey and fine oak.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £230 // US $399.99

There we have it. Now you may say there are some notable absences from this list, and I agree there are some other great 21 year old whiskies from other distilleries and brands, but there are expressions from them at different age statements which I find even more notable, so you’ll likely see them in other listings from me. If I were turning twenty one again, any whiskies in the selection would make me feel special, and for such an important milestone in one’s life, it deserves an important dram.

One Minute Wine Ace: Albariño

The 1st August is Albariño Day! If you haven’t tried Albariño before, listen up as this is going to be your new, go-to, all rounder, white wine. Trust me…

What is Albariño wine and where is it from?

Albariño is a white wine grape whose spiritual home is the naturally beautiful region of Rías Baixas in Galicia, northwestern Spain; a place characterised by its wet and wild,coastal climate given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and a lot of granite in the soils. 90% of wine grapes planted here are Albariño; it is the white, fine wine region of Spain.

If you think of stormy seas, ripening lemons, wet rocks and sea spray, you’ll have an instant feel for these wines. 

Albariño vineyards in Rias Baixas with their characteristic vine training system and granite poles to keep air circulating.

What does Albariño wine taste like?

Albariño has thick skin and ripens slowly. This contributes to its famously vibrant acidity and elegantly intense aromatics of citrus and peach. It also has a deliciously cool minerality, which makes it a wonderful pairing for fish and seafood. 

Styles of Albariño 

Winemakers in Rías Baixas have been experimenting with Albariño in recent years in order to offer varying styles of wine. Traditionally, the wine has been fermented in stainless steel and is made to be drunk young to preserve its super fresh character. We are however, seeing more and more wines that have seen some oak ageing and /or time spent on the lees (dead yeast cells from fermentation), which give the wines a creamier texture and more complexity of flavour. Wines made like this are more gastronomic, meaning they can handle richer flavours and textures when it comes to food pairing. 

A classic fish dish made to go with Albariño

There are also some subtle differences in the wines from each of the five sub regions of Rías Baixas:

Val do Salnés: This is the largest sub-region, famous for its sandy soils and traditional vineyards and style of Albariño. 

O Rosal: This subregion is near the Portuguese border where soils are more granitic. Other white grapes such as Loureiro and Treixadura are also grown here, so it’s a good place to try blends. 

Condado do Tea: Located inland along the Tea River, Albariño here is a little more floral, thanks largely to the alluvial soils.

Ribeira do Ulla: Towards the north and along the Ulla River, this small subregion has a mix of granite, schist and alluvial soils and a slightly milder microclimate thanks to the river. Wines here are floral and vibrant with a particular tropical note.

Soutomaior: The smallest sub-region near the town of Soutomaior with granite soils and vines on steeper, terraced slopes, which help bring more minerality and salinity to the wines as well as a pronounced white blossom note.  

More Albariño vineyards with granite buildings and supports.

Where to taste Albariño in the UK?

Head over to www.albarinoday.co.uk to find stockists as well as venues for tasting Albariño wine. Here are some of my favourites:

PLANET OF THE GRAPES

Leadenhall, Bull's Head Passage, London.

Planetofthegrapes.co.uk

THE TAPAS ROOM TOOTING

Broadway Market Tooting, Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RJ.

thetapasroom.co.uk

EVUNA NORTHERN QUARTER

Evuna NQ, Thomas Street, Manchester.

evuna.com/restaurant/manchester-northern-quarter

THE ELM TREE INN

Shop Lane, Langton Herring, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4HU.

theelmtreeinn.co.uk

Six Albariño wines to try:

Condes de Albarei 2022, Val do Salnés

Made by Adega Condes de Albarei, this is a super fresh, zesty white with delicate flavours of apricot and white peach.

£14.99 from The Wine Flyer

@condes_de_albarei

Torre la Moreira 2022, Condado do Tea

Made by Bodegas Marques de Vizhoja, this is a cracking, youthful Albariño with a soft texture and a pretty, floral character. 

£13.40 from Vinissimus

@bodegasmarquesdevizhoja

Albariño Martin Codax 2022, Val do Salnés

Made by Bodegas Martin Codax, this is a brilliant introduction to Salnés Albariño with its lemon citrus acidity and salty kick. 

£14.58 from The Great Wine Co

@bodmartincodax @martincodax_uk

Santiago Ruiz 2022, O Rosal

Made by Bodega Santiago Ruiz who are considered to be the fathers of Albariño, being the first to sell these wines from Galicia. This particular bottle is a blend of Albariño with Loureiro, Treixadura, Godello and Caíño Blanco.

£22.25 from DrinkFinder

@bodegasantiagoruiz

Turonia 2021, O Rosal

Made by Quinta Couselo with a touch of oak and 4 months on lees, this is a zesty, concentrated, lemony white with refreshing acidity. 

£21 from Bottle Apostle

@quinta_couselo

Silandeiro Sobre Lías 2022, Val do Salnés

Made by Bodegas Gallegas, this lees aged Albariño has a gorgeous, lemon peel, white peach and honeysuckle nose and a deliciously silky mouthfeel.

£23.95 from Mothervine

For more in depth information on the delicious wines of Rias Baixas, visit www.riasbaixaswines.com

Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo: The Art of Tequila

Introducing the Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo, a fine example of how to age gracefully. The epitome of tequila sophistication and craftsmanship, this limited-edition bottle is a true marvel, carefully sourced and selected from the personal collection of the brand's founder, Juan Domingo "Dobel" Beckmann. With a mere 50 bottles available in the UK, we’re talking about a rare gem that will make any agave connoisseur's heart skip a beat.

Aged in French Oak casks, meticulously chosen from Dobel's private cellar, it underwent the comprehensive three-year ageing process that all Extra Añejo liquids go through, but of course the journey doesn’t end there. Off to Italy it goes, where it finds its perfect match in Amarone wine casks, infusing the tequila with sumptuous notes of rich chocolate, coffee, nuts, and dried fruits. The result is a dark and velvety spirit that promises an unforgettable tasting experience, all that mouthwatering infusion as well as tropical undertones and sweet vanilla and cinnamon running through.

The Maestro Dobel 50 limited edition series is a true testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation. Starting in 2017, these collectable editions pay tribute to inspiring events from fifty years ago, adding a touch of historical charm to every sip. Poetry has never been more delicious.

With its iconic apothecary-style bottle, inspired by vintage laboratory sample bottles, Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo stands out as a work of art, outside and in.

If you’re lucky enough to be in a position to pursue a bottle, then be quick because as mentioned, there are only 50! It retails for over £2000 so check out places like Hedonism Wines, House of Spirits and Master of Malt for availability. Alternatively, if you just want a taste of the nectar then it is available at some bars such as The Connaught, Mandarin Oriental, Annabel’s and Lyaness… but for how long, it’s difficult to say.