A while back I was on a press trip visiting Glenfiddich distillery when their malt master Brian Kinsman mentioned some dogs that work at the distillery. Of course, I’ve previously heard about famous cats like Towser the Mouser who keep distillery buildings mouse-free, but I never really encountered working dogs at distilleries. That gave me […]
Refreshing Paloma Recipes
Paloma is a simple drink made with tequila, fresh lime juice and pink grapefruit soda. An ideal long drink for the summer season. I have created a few twists on the classic, still keeping it very simple but adding a few new flavour elements into the mix. Which one of these Paloma recipes is your […]
Let’s Talk About Other Agave Spirits
Tequila sales are booming, so now that I’ve got your attention, it is a good time to talk about other agave spirits such as Bacanora and Raicilla. In theory, all agave spirits go under mezcal. The subtle differences are based on location and the types of agaves used. Tequila is by no means the only […]
Mezcal Categories Explained: Ancestral Mezcal vs Artisanal Mezcal
Mezcal is a spirit made from the heart of an agave plant. The agave, also known as maguey, takes many years to grow, which is why most mezcal is unaged to allow the taste of terroir to fully shine. For Mexicans, mezcal is an important part of their cultural heritage and therefore it is very […]
A Quick Guide to Mezcal
What is Mezcal? Mezcal is a spirit from Mexico made from the heart (piña) of an agave plant. It takes from six to 35 years for an agave plant to grow. No other raw materials used to make a spirit take as long to mature. Mexicans consider mezcal to be part of their cultural heritage […]
Destille Berlin – Celebrating Craft Spirits
Destille Berlin is a craft spirit festival where for two days distilleries showcase their unique artisanal spirits. Everything must be sustainably made with natural ingredients and independently produced. This year you could sample anything from gin, rum, whisky, mezcal, vodka, aquavit, and cognac to fruit brandies and much more. Destille is open to buyers, distillers, […]
What will we be drinking in 2018?
There is increasing interest in spirits – how they are made, where are they produced and how best to enjoy them. Location and sustainability are the growing concerns. Therefore 2018 will be a great year for spirits, especially for the crafty ones, but I am confident there will be room for some old classics as […]
How to Up Your ‘Tequila Game’?
Unfortunately, many people tend to view tequila simply as a throat-burning, eye-watering shot you’ve forced yourself to down many times at some nightclub or pub when you were trying to join the party. Oh, and there was salt and lime too, sometimes even a slice of lemon… We’ve all been there – taste horrible, doesn’t […]
Mezcal vs Tequila
Over recent years we have experienced a flurry of Mexican restaurants in the UK, introducing customers to the secrets of Mexican drinking trends, and bringing us a wider selection of agave spirits. Unfortunately, that is still not quite enough, and these spirits are not as well known as you would expect. Some may be able […]