Spiced gins are very popular, and no wonder as the spices work beautifully in many cocktails, including our favourite Negroni. Spiced gin is often created with the ancient spice routes in mind. Ships sailed through various countries on their way to the UK to meet the high demand for a wide array of spices from […]
The growth of the no- and low-alcohol category has been steady for some time now, but it seems like it has really taken off in the last year during the pandemic. Now you can easily find a range of products including non-alcoholic vermouths, bitters and various botanical blends as well as the existing range of […]
Every year leading up to Valentine’s Day we team up with Pinkster Gin to give away some of their delicious pink gin and other goodies. I’m so pleased we can do this again this year as I’ve been a fan of Pinkster Gin from the first sip and it has remained one of the very […]
I haven’t written about grappa for a while, and my previous articles focus a lot on specific distilleries. I thought it might be helpful just to offer an all-rounder on the category, a beginner’s guide to grappa, if you wish. Let’s start with the basics. What is grappa? Grappa is a spirit made using what […]
We all have those bottles at the back of the bar or cupboard that are simply collecting dust. Perhaps you aren’t sure how to use them or maybe it was a gift. Or perhaps it’s an expensive bottle of whisky that you are savouring and only having a dram or two on special occasions. Over […]
When you are new to whisky, it can be a minefield to choose ones suitable for a beginner’s palate. There’s always the fear of not liking something and ruining the whole experience at the first few yards. You want something easy sipping, nothing overly complex, but with still enough oomph to make you want to […]
Green Chartreuse, the king of liqueurs, has a bright green colour and complex flavour. It is an ancient herbal liqueur produced by Chartreuse monks in France. The taste is unique, with sweet but herbal notes. A very enjoyable liqueur served on its own and in many cocktails. A brief history Back in 1605, the Chartreuse […]
I have teamed up with The Whisky Cellar to give away a bottle of their latest (very) limited edition single malt. The Whisky Cellar is a new Edinburgh-based independent bottler and their Private Cellars Selection is fully based on quality scoring rather than price point, age, colour or distillery name. They source unique casks from […]
These days you can find all sorts of Martini cocktails, ranging from the classic recipe to fruity versions, many of which are named merely on the basis of the cocktail glass used. In this article we will separate the Martini from the Martinis… What is in the Martini? The original Martini was, and still is, […]