Gin Lovers: How Inclusive Is Your Gin Collection?

Every gin collector today is awash with choices when trying to decide which bottles to add to their collection next. The question is, how to choose? Do you follow gin trends, find brands personal to you or just close your eyes and pick at random?

The key is to find balance. First, who’s drinking? Are you planning a quiet night in with gin and tonic? Or cocktails with friends ahead of a night out? Are there any sweet-toothed gin drinkers coming who don’t like tonic? When picking out gins you’ve got to consider budget, style, versatility and flavour, as well mixers and garnishes for a diverse and balanced collection.

Practicality aside, always make room for romantic picks and select gins you fall in love with - that’s what drinks collections are all about after all! Attractive bottle design, colour, brand values and credentials matter. Perhaps you’re inspired to try gins from a specific country of the British Isles or you’ve heard stories of local botanicals being foraged or spring water bored from source, or maybe a gin’s on your wishlist ‘just because’.

A great way to start building your collection is to establish a balance between classic and contemporary gins, so let’s take a look at a few different options that will bring reliable flavours your guests and you will enjoy.

Three Classic British Gins you need to try

These iconic English gins are known for their traditional recipes, reliable quality and heritage, and will be a versatile addition to every collection.

Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin 

A citrus-rich, multi-award-winning premium gin with an aromatic nose and long, zesty finish. This gin makes a superb classic G&T paired with Mediterranean or Mallorcan Tonic, a sprig of rosemary and lime garnish. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47.3%
Find here: £34.21

Beefeater London Dry Gin

One of the world’s most awarded and popular gins on the market. It’s a benchmark, juniper-forward gin. Distilled in London since 1863, it’s traditional, classic, and often the bartender’s choice for iconic cocktails like the Martini and Negroni.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £18.25

Plymouth English Gin

Plymouth gin is often recognised as the favourite tipple of gin enthusiasts and bartenders around the globe. The Plymouth Distillery is powered by 100% renewable hydroelectricity and the bottles are created using elements of recycled glass. It has peppery and floral notes with hints of soft fruits and a long spicy finish. Perfect for a silky-textured Martini that starts mellow and ends strong. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47.3%
Find here: £20

Three Contemporary British Gins you need to try

From classic to contemporary, with a noticeable switch-up in taste. Although juniper must be present for the liquid to be gin, the predominant flavour emphasis is on other botanicals over juniper here. Brands innovate and experiment with flavour and process a lot more, leading to some very good results, such as the below:

Downpour Scottish Dry Gin

From North Uist Distillery Co, this gin packs a punch with citrus, spice and wild Hebridean heather, drenching you in big bold flavours. The Downpour brand has distinctive bottle designs inspired by rain, and their range of flavoured gins comes in different coloured glass bottles of the same design, including Sloe & Bramble Gin, Pink Grapefruit Gin and Coast and Croft Gin for a G&T drenched in island flavour.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £42.00

Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin

Built from award-winning Sipsmith’s London Dry Gin, but distilled with sun-dried lemon peel and lemon verbena to create a sweet, zesty citrus gin that really does taste of lemon cake. As well as enjoying this in a flute glass topped with prosecco and a lemon twist, why not try it in a lemon gin drizzle cake recipe? Yum.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40.4%
Find here: £25

Aber Falls Orange Marmalade Welsh Gin

A zippy orange-filled gin from North Wales, bottled with pure Snowdonia mountain rock filtered water. It’s well-balanced with layers of sweet and bitter orange on top of a spicy juniper core. A premium offering without the hefty price tag from a distillery that sits at the foot of the famous Aber Falls waterfall. It’s well worth a visit. This gin makes a zingy G&T - pair it with a premium tonic and garnish with a twist of orange.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £24.99

The Best fruity Gin to pair with lemonade/ginger ale

A fruity gin is just the ticket for the more sweet-toothed drinkers out there, especially paired with mixers such as ginger ale instead of tonic.

Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin

Rhubarb and Ginger has become one of the country’s most beloved flavours of gin thanks to this creation from Whitley Neill. Bringing together the hearty spice of ginger with the complex fruitiness of rhubarb, it pairs beautifully with Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale and plenty of ice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £29

Floral gins are an amazing addition to your collection and pairing perfectly with mixers such as rose lemonade, they are a great choice for those drinkers who don’t like the bitterness of quinine in tonic.

The Best floral Gin to pair with rose lemonade

Glendalough Wild Rose Irish Gin

From five friends founded Glendalough Distillery with a vision to revive craft distilling in Ireland, this gin won the Country Gold Award in the World Gin Awards in 2021 for the flavoured gins category. Three types of wild rose from the Wicklow mountains are foraged to create this fragrant gin. It pairs really well with lemonade or rose lemonade.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £31.62 (usually more!)

Inclusivity in a gin collection is important. Try to balance the needs of both yourself and guests. Your collection of classic and contemporary gins should feel good to open up, you should love every bottle in there and know that all five senses are stimulated. By embracing the richness of gin diversity across the British Isles and beyond we can support the gin distillers, our ecosystem, and stimulate the economy in UK. Long may the success of gin continue!

By Robbie Jerram

Why Puerto de Indias Are Releasing An ‘Unfair’ Blackberry Gin

It’s not often that you’ll find us praising a bottle of booze being decreased in size, but on this occasion the point it’s making is well worth it.

Seville-based Puerto de Indias are rolling out special editions of their tasty Blackberry Gin, but with 14.3% less liquid inside than usual. Perhaps you’re wondering how they arrived at such a specific number? Well, it reflects the ONS figures that women earn, on average, 14.3% less than men per hour.

Set for a release on International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March, journalists, bartenders, and influencers will be sent these ‘unfair’ bottles to draw attention to the gender gap issue. Whether it’s the issue of women being paid less for the same work or not being given equal opportunities in various industries, this bottle and IWD is a reminder of the work still to be done.

To get people shouting about it, Puerto de Indias are encouraging #shakeforpayequality, where you can join in by making a cocktail and raising your glass to women.  Sticking with the blackberry gin as it was a women-led creation, you can whip up their delicious Black Mojito starring it.

As well as rolling up their sleeves when it comes to the big issues, their gin is award-winning for a reason. They’ve blazed a trail with premium berry gins, first with their renowned strawberry and now with this. If you want to join us with a Black Mojito this Friday, this is how you make it!

Ingredients
50ml Puerto de Indias Blackberry Gin
3 wedges of lime
2 or 3 good-sized blackberries
8 spearmint leaves
Sprinkling of sugar
Soda or sparkling water

Method
Take a fairly wide glass and drop your lime, spearmint, and blackberries into it, along with a teaspoon or so of sugar to let it macerate. Then the good stuff, pour in the beautiful Blackberry Gin and top up with some bubbles - soda or sparkling water. Cheers!

It doesn’t look like the special edition of the bottle is available to buy, but you can find the full-size bottle at a number of retailers including Master of Malt here, where it’s currently on offer for £26.95!

What Can I Mix With Gin Instead Of Tonic?

The only ever-present force in gin is juniper, with its earthy, piney flavour – everything else can and does change. Therefore, as long as your mixer pairs well with juniper, you should end up along the right lines. It does depend on the style and botanicals of the gin, however.

For example, is it pink with berries? Is it umami and marine? Is it floral and citrusy? There are all kinds of complex flavours floating around, and you want a mixer that enhances those qualities. Of course though, you want a gin mixer that you enjoy, and that’s really all that matters.

If you’re not into tonic for whatever reason, then try these popular suggestions instead – we think they’re the best way to go.

Is Lemonade a Good Mixer with Gin?

Particularly with younger drinkers, the polls show that this is the country’s favourite mixer with gin, ahead of even tonic. Be it pink lemonade with a little kick of red berries like raspberry and strawberry, or regular, it’s probably the best gin mixer for those with a sweeter tooth.

There’s more to this classic combo than just providing a sugar injection though. The tart, bright citrus that comes through with the lemonade contrasts beautifully with the rich, earthy juniper profile of gin. As long as the gin isn’t too sweet to begin with, lemonade will likely work.

Is Soda a Good Mixer with Gin?

If you just can’t get on board with tonic but really don’t want to overshadow the delicately poised botanicals in gin, then how about soda? It’s simply carbonated water (even more so than sparkling water), so it tastes just like water. Therefore, similar to whisky, it can actually open up the botanicals in gin and enhance your libation – without the bitterness that tonic water brings.

What you’ll get is what you expect, a diluted version of the gin which usually leads to a more savoury, zesty drink – one of the purists! Of course, with garnishes like lime, lemon or mint, syrup and cordial, you can take this in any direction you like.

Is Flavoured Tonic a Good Mixer with Gin?

Alright, alright, so this is still tonic but hear us out. The main reason some people don’t like tonic water with gin is the bitter taste, mostly from the quinine. However, where there used to be no variation with tonics, there is now a tonne of it, and these flavoured tonics don’t have high quinine content.

The great thing about a flavoured tonic is that by retaining the lightness of water with only subtle flavourings, it still very much lets the gin shine as the star of the show. So, if you’ve never clicked with original tonic but still want the gin front and centre, we urge you to try some flavoured tonics.

For example, a simple Mediterranean tonic with a little citrus and herbs is fantastic with citrus and herbaceous gins and an elderflower tonic really emphasises the florality in floral gins – you really would be surprised at the difference it can make.

We love Franklin & Son’s range for its creativity and quality, and they have so many flavoured tonics, lemonades and sodas that are dreamy mixers for all kinds of gin – like Rosemary and Black Olive, Sicilian Lemon Tonic and Rhubarb and Hibiscus. Check out a few we love here!

Is Ginger Beer a Good Mixer with Gin?

Topping up your gin with the warming fizz of ginger beer has become a bit of a trend in the world of gin. You might not put the two together straight away, but it’s surprisingly versatile. Sweeter Old Tom styles go well, and with spiced, wintery gins it really emphasises the botanicals like cardamom, orange, cinnamon, and it goes without saying, ginger.

It works really well with big-flavoured gins that might need tempering a little, and the spicy feel is brilliant for standing up to bolder gin notes.

Is Grapefruit Juice a Good Mixer with Gin?

You’re never too far from citrus when it comes to gin combos.  Grapefruit juice is really handy for gin too because it’s a very popular botanical. It has a bittersweet, tart freshness that makes for a delicious combination with gin. Pink or red juices are dryer and sweeter, but the white is more bitter and acidic, so it’s down to personal preference really.

If you’ve got a very sweet pink gin for example, white may cut through nicely but for most gins, a ruby red grapefruit juice adds a nice layer. It’s also a lovely way of making your drink summery without too much sugar. Any fruity, citrusy gins and it’s a winner.

If you want some stunning gins to try out these mixers with, then we compiled some special bottles recently for our guide here.

There are a lot of questions like this one that float around the drinks world, and another one we get asked a lot is, ‘Is there a correct way to drink whisky?’

8 Gins to Watch Out for in 2024

Alongside Dry January, there was also Ginuary for those of us still heartily sipping away. Gin has been massively popular for years now, with a steady stream of botanical beauties focusing on sustainability, local ingredients, unique terroir, and innovative, fresh flavours. It helps that the bottles tend to be easy on the eye too.

But, as with any drinks trend, there are some not so impressive bottles sneaking in. With another gincredible year ahead of us, these are some of the bottles we really enjoyed this Ginuary to look out for in 2024.

Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin

We’ve featured some of the Sassenach portfolio a few times because it really is one of the finest ‘celebrity drinks’ going. If you don’t know, it’s the passion project of Outlander star Sam Heughan (aka Jamie Fraser). It’s a London Dry style that brings together 8 Dumfries and Galloway botanicals for remarkable freshness with rhubarb, bramble leaf, crabapple, toasted oats, and heather to name a few. The juniper heart is stunning. From the bottle to the last sip, everything about this gin is stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £44.90

Greater Than Broken Bat Gin

The winner of the Gin Guide Awards for India last year, this is a really interesting London dry style gin because it’s infused with toasted Kashmir willow... sourced from broken cricket bats. The resulting notes of mellow, woody vanilla intertwine with a little sweet spice for a distinct sipper that, at 47%, won’t go unnoticed. More Asian botanical based gins are expected in 2024, and this could be one of the most popular.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £36.95

Sir Edmond Gin

This is an incredible smooth Dutch gin with that has picked up some of the most prestigious awards going. If you like vanilla, then you will love this because Réunion Island vanilla takes centre stage alongside prominent juniper. The fundamental botanical backdrop (angelica and cardamom) lay in the wings alongside the warmth of ginger and cinnamon for sweet and earthy gem.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38.82

Henstone Rosè Gin

There is so much going on with this gin, which goes some way to explaining its emphatic victory in the highly competitive British category at Gin Guide Awards last year. First off, and what hits you on the nose, the oak. It’s aged in American oak giving a richness normally associated with whisky. These earthy woody notes carry a little spice with coriander and cardamom, and in terms of Rosé, expect less berries and more vanilla florality.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.9%
Find here: £38.50

Blackeye Gin

Behind this gin are rugby legends Alex Payne, James Haskell, and Mike Tindall, and £1.50 from each sale goes to the Blackeye Rugby Fund to aid research and recovery. It’s citrus forward this one, with a scrum of botanicals from some of the world’s biggest rugby playing nations. It’s even got a secret ingredient don’t you know! For a citrussy G&T, there’s not much better.

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

Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin

If you’re into gin, then there’s a good chance you’re on board with Sky Wave already, but if not then 2024 is the year for it. A craft distillery from two adventures in Oxfordshire, they celebrate the places they’ve been as well as their home country. They’ve just had a premium rebrand that looks stunning, but more importantly the liquid inside is amazing. Winning gong after gong, their signature London Dry is zinging with crisp and tangy notes and balanced sweetness with locally foraged blackberries and raspberries. It used to be 500ml, but now it’s 700ml, which you will be very grateful for after that first sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £41.84 (usually more!)

Ukiyo Yuzu Gin

Yuzu has been one of the botanicals blazing a trail for Asian gins, and we expect that to continue because it is delicious. This Japanese gin makes the most of it, delivering a citrus explosion (similar to grapefruit and mandarin). The base spirit uses distilled shochu, which is redistilled with juniper, mandarin and of course, yuzu. Expect aromatic zest and elegant tang. One for summer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.90

Broken Bones Old Tom Gin

This is one of the best Old Toms we’ve tried. Distilled in Ljublijana, Slovenia, it focuses on local juniper and a big hit of floral botanicals with rosehips and linden flowers. Slovenian honey is added for signature Old Tom sweetness, and it is just so difficult not to love the final expression. Serial award winner, bright with florality and citrus, a little juniper spice – nom. It costs a bit more than most at 500ml, but it is so worth it, honestly.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £44.49

These are the gins we think have a big year ahead of them, but of course there are many more that we loved last year. If a classic G&T is your go to, then what about these beauties?

8 Unusual Alcoholic Drinks That Actually Taste Good

These drinks may have eyebrow raising ingredients or concoctions, but when you take that first sip, you can expect enough eyebrow raise because they are delicious. Great drinks aren’t afraid to experiment and innovate, and these do just that. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but here it most definitely does. So, if you’re after a curious bottle to gift for someone’s birthday, or perhaps a Valentine’s Present, then explore these tasty creations below.

Ukiyo Blossom Gin

Produced in the shadow of the Sakurajima volcano, the outcome is a delicate, fantastically floral gin. Shōchū spirit is distilled again with juniper, local mandarin orange, and a host of Japanese botanicals, the most stand out of which is aromatic cherry blossom. It’s light and bright but has earth juniper and angelica root too. The Sakura flower inclusion is strong no doubt, and won’t please everyone, but if you love it, you’ll really love it. We can’t not mention this bottle too, which is absolutely stunning and 100% a must keep once you’ve drained it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £36.99 (usually more!)

Jaffa Cake Gin

This is one of those gins that will pique your curiosity, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be desperate to try. This timeless treat has been repurposed to flavour gin, but don’t go thinking it’s overly sweet and unnatural. Fresh orange peel is used, cocoa powder and get this, actual Jaffa cakes for that authentic, unmistakable taste. Far from being just a gimmick, this won the most prestigious award for flavoured gin in 2021, as well as other top awards, praised for its delicacy, balance and crowd-pleasing flavour. It’s become iconic for a Negroni so give it a go!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £29.95

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum - Roast Coffee

This is a really interesting sipper. It brings the sweetness of a cold brew Arabica coffee and therefore more of a liqueur vibe than a rum (though at 40%, be careful). If you’re into pure rums then this probably isn’t for you, but if you love coffee and sweeter rums, you have to try this. It’s unique in this space, with a dessert style to it. It’s smooth, the spice holds strong, particularly on the finish. The Kraken awakes!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £26.90

Captain Morgan Tiki Mango & Pineapple Spirit

This is a full, unashamed celebration of tropical rum. Inside the devilish tiki bottle is a much lighter but still punchy rum spirit compared with the original, but don’t be expecting a dark rum like that. The pineapple and mango are sweet and vibrant, but there’s enough bitterness for balance too with a little pepper for warmth. If someone is into cocktails, then this would be a great addition for a splash of sunshine.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Price: £19.95

Tequila Rose Strawberry Liqueur

Tequila Rose has icon status by now, providing many a tequila shot alternative that actually tastes nice. Tequila spirit is joined by strawberry cream liqueur, a mix that won’t please too many agave purists, but the results are splendid. It’s deliciously sweet and creamy like a grown-up strawberry milkshake. Yes it’s not the most complex and challenging drink in the world, far from it, but if you want a tasty boozy treat that is guaranteed to hit the spot, tequila rose is tailor made for it

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Price: £13.75

1800 Coconut Spirit

This is lighter, coconut spin on a silver Blanco Tequila, a flavour that you don’t usually associate with the Mexican spirit. Nonetheless, it works. The grassy agave still comes through, matching up with the natural coconut flavouring nicely. The smoothness is incredible, and there are all kinds of cocktails it would elevate. Imagine a less creamy Piña Colada and you’re getting there – curious and divine.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £39.49

Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Liqueur

How about this for an American delight? Whiskey with peanut butter. It’s nutty paradise and would be so good in cocktails. Imagine a peanut butter Old Fashioned? Creamy oak and vanilla come through as the nuttiness fades away on the finish, and it’s just so easy drinking. Don’t think of it as a flavoured whiskey, it’s very much its own thing, and if you like peanut butter and whiskey, it would be so difficult not to love this.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £21.95 (usually more!)

Puschkin Nuts & Nougat Liqueur

Forget chocolate bars, we’re talking about nuts and nougat in booze. More specifically, vodka. Puschkin make award-winning vodka, so the base spirit here is fantastically smooth, and now it’s got this ‘Kinder Bueno’ esque twist, it is to die for. The balance is spot on with this one, and it really is dangerously easy to drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 17.5%
Price: £12.94 (usually more!)

If you want to take a look as some weird but wonderful bottles, have a gander at these.

The Best Last Minute Boozy Gifts for All Drinks Lovers

It is the last week before Christmas, and if you’re anything like me, there are still presents to buy and bottles to bring to parties. There are plenty of new releases of spirits before Christmas and I’ve had a chance to try a few which are becoming new favourites. I have a few old favourites too. Below is a list of great spirits to suit all pockets should you need to buy something late before Christmas or are thinking of taking something different to a New Year party. Always make sure of the delivery times when it is this close to Christmas and look out for these if you’re in your favourite specialist retailer. I’m giving ideas from brandy to tequila, so I hope you find something you think you or a loved one might like.

Whisky

Dalmore 2005 and 2008 2023 Editions

The vintage releases from Dalmore are always very sought after. With Dalmore’s expert use of multiple types of sherry casks, their whiskies are known for complexity and depth of flavour and these two expressions are no different. They have slightly different profiles with the 2005 having a little more punch and the 2008 being more luxuriant, they are both worth seeking out and any whisky love would be more than pleased have either of them.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 49.3% & 45.8%
Find them here: £375 & £155

Busker Single Pot Still

Busker is new to the UK market and it’s about time this delicious whiskey has come to our shores. Beyond their Triple Cask range, the Royal Oak distillery as their Single Collection and my favourite is this Single Pot Still whiskey. Quintessentially Irish, this is made with both malted and unmalted barley which is unlike single malt whisky and gives the whisky a unique flavour profile of fruits and spices. It’s a great all-rounder with a difference.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.3%
Find them here: £29.95

Meikle Tòir The Sherry One

The Meikle Tòir whiskies have been created by Billy Walker at Glenallachie distillery. He set out to make the perfect peated whisky from Speyside, and in doing so has created four of them, The Original, The Sherry one, The Chinquapin One and The Turbo. No guessing what The Turbo is all about! The others have a ppm count of 35, and the Turbo is 71 ppm. My favourite was The Sherry One, with all its fruitcake and spice with an oily peaty smoke running though the core of the dram.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find them here: £52

Table Whisky 

I love this idea of crossing the wine world with the whisky world. Table whisky is a single grain whisky, traditionally a poorer cousin to single malt, but in this case that’s certainly not true. Distilled in Edinburgh, matured in virgin oak and sherry casks it tastes of popcorn, toffee and raspberry jam and I loved it! And at £35 it is certainly an affordable whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £35

The Long & Short of it WS:02

This great new blend hails from the new Boarders distillery. They mix fermentation times which are both long and short to give a complex flavour profile whilst remaining well balanced and fruity. It’s matured in first fill ex bourbon barrels giving plenty of sweetness and is so well integrated with the grain whisky. I’m a fan of blends and this one is yummy. And right now they are giving away glasses with every bottle.

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

Turntable Paradise Funk

Turntable are a new blending house in Scotland that have now produced a core range. There are six whiskies which are both peated and un-peated. My favourite was Paradise Funk which has flavours of caramelised pineapple, toffee and lots of vanilla. What I also really like about these whiskies is that they give the precise breakdown of the blend. This one is: - 30% unnamed Speyside whisky aged in a virgin oak barrel. - 20% Benrinnes matured in a Chinkapin oak barrel.- 18% Invergordon single grain aged in a Cognac cask.- 13% Knockdhu matured in a virgin oak barrel.- 11% North British single grain matured in a virgin oak barrel.- 8% Blair Athol aged in a first-fill bourbon cask. This openness gives a new way to discover flavour.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find them here: £52.95

Glendronach 12 Year Old

This is an absolute classic sherry styled 12 year old whisky. Full of fruitcake flavours and spice with sweetness and a plentiful mix of dried and fresh orchard fruits. There are a few contenders for a classic sherry style whisky, and most of them are 15 years old and more expensive. This is great value for what you get. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £45.50

Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old

This year saw the long-awaited new core range from Glenglassaugh, and I was blown away by the 12 year old. Of the three whiskies released, two were non age statement whiskies and were very good, this one was the least expensive and I though the most accomplished. The packaging is well thought out with lighter glass for sustainability and is stunning. The whisky has great depth of flavour, beyond its 12 years and there are also vibrant fruity notes too. For value versus flavour this is my whisky of the year. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find them here: £49.95

Kavalan Vinho Barrique

This is a whisky which covers the exotic side of things. Hailing from Taiwan, it has a maturation which firstly doesn’t have to be as long as in Scotland as the climate in Taiwan is sub-tropical, but that climate also turbo charges the whisky with flavour. This Vinho Barrique matured expression has so much red fruit and spice it has become unctuous and decadent. With flavours of dark chocolate, plumbs, kiwi, orange, raspberries and red apples this is, like so many whiskies from Kavalan an expressive, exciting whisky. All this complexity and development, and the fact it’s a single cask at cask strength, completely justifies spending more on that special person for Christmas.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 56.3%
Find them here: £198

Yellow Rose Outlaw

Moving over to the other side of the world, I was excited to try some American whiskies from Texas. Made from Texan yellow corn, this is rich and sweet and having been matured in smaller than normal barrels in Houston, the flavours are intense and rich. If you wanted to take a huge step up from drinking bourbons which are readily available in our supermarkets, then this would be a great place to start.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find them here: £63.70

Gin

Melifera Gin

This is an organically produced Gin from France with many different hand-picked botanicals and preserves the biodiversity of the area and supporting the Black Bee Conservatory in Oléron. It is a very herbal gin with floral aromas and flavours mixing in well too. If you like a dry gin without much sweetness, this is certainly going to be up your street.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £39.75

Nordés Gin

Occationally I come across a gin which manages to hit all the bases. A great cocktail base, a good gin for a martini, and fabulous in a gin and tonic. Nordes does exactly that. It comes from Galicia in northwest Spain and is made from Albariño-grape-based spirit. It has great balance of floral, herbal, juniper and also has just the right amount of sweetness in its fruit profile to make this one of best contemporary gins I have tasted in a long while. And you can find it in 3 Litre bottles! Bravo Nordes.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £31.99

Micil Irish Poitín

This is something a little different from Ireland. Made in Galway from grain, it is flavoured with bogbean which gives a spicy kick, and some softer floral notes. It’s super over ice and makes great cocktails. If you’d like to try something a little different, or don’t need yet another bottle of gin on your drinks table, then this is definitely worth trying.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find them here: £33.94

Vodka

Nine Tines

Nine Tines is an English vodka made in Yorkshire. The potatoes it’s made from come from their own farm and from within nine miles of where it is made and bottled. 20 varieties of potato give a rich viscous vodka which has nice sweetness and balance. A great addition to the world of vodka.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £39

Dima’s Vodka

Here at The Three Drinkers, we are a huge fan of Dima’s Vodka. If you buy vodka, then this is the one we would advocate every time. Apart from being delicious, viscous, and versatile, it is made in the Ukraine and owned by Ukrainian Dima. From every bottle bought, Dima donates £5 to the plight of Ukraine. What more reason do you need to buy a bottle!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £35

Brandy

Bardinet Inspirations

A new brandy from Bardinet! This is made with mixing in mind, and it is a great brandy for mixing. There is plenty of flavour to stand up to all sorts of mixers and other spirits. Drink it long with ginger ale or lemonade, in a Sidecar or Brandy Alexander. This brandy handles them all, it’s amazing value and can easily be found in most supermarkets. Perfect for Christmas, and adding a little to mulled wine.

 Size: 700ml
ABV: 36%
Find them here: £17

Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot XO

For something more upmarket, I would always trust in Frapin. The Cognac they produce is refined and delicate in flavour. There are signature floral and orange aromas and flavours which will please anyone who is a Cognac lover. The Chateau de Fontpinot XO is my favourite, but their VSOP at under half the price is also excellent. This is a Cognac for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find them here: £135

Tequila

For my last suggestions, I wanted to come to the world of aged Tequila. In our youth, I am sure we all remember salt on our hands and lemon segments in our teeth, but as we move on we sought out Tequila which was smooth, flavoursome and deserving of our cocktails. From there, is the world of sipping Tequila which has been aged in barrels and has extra flavour and sweetness. These Tequilas may not be the cheapest in the world, but they are definitely worth seeking out if you haven’t tried one before.

Volcan De Mi Tierra XA 

If a whole bottle is a little too much to stomach on your budget at the moment, then this will be found in nightclubs and bars. The elegant bottle has a little party trick. The base which is shaped like a volcano lights up and will certainly be noticed. I’d try it neat before mixing it to experience the full flavour. After that, mix away or put it over ice and enjoy.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £196

Enemigo 00 Zero Zero

Aged for three years in oak, this looks like a rum or whisky in the glass. It is fruity with lots of agave flavour, but also sweet and incredibly well balanced. Superb over ice, it is a great entry into the super-premium world of oak aged Tequila. Flavours of Vanilla, charred oak, green apple and nuttiness mix with plentiful vanilla and honey.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £137.70

Mijenta Anejo

This tequila is aged for eighteen months in oak and is created in small batches., The wood used for aging is French oak, French acacia and cherry wood which gives a great deal of complexity to the tequila with fruits, spices and sweet notes of butterscotch and butter mixing with tobacco and nuts. A great all-round aged tequila which if you’ve not tried, but have tried aged Tequila before, I would seek out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £152

And there we have it. My suggestions for a very merry Christmas and new year. It’s great time of year to experiment and try something you’ve not had before. I always find the best times to do that, are times I’m with others, and this is a time of year where we get together and share. I always feel drinks are to be shared.

For more last minute gift guides, check out these distillery and winery tours!

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Drinks Lovers: Distillery Tours in the UK & Ireland

Distillery and winery tours make for amazing gifts for anyone who’s into their drinks, and they’re usually not as expensive as you might think. Getting up close and personal with whisky, gin or wine production really brings the drink to life, and these tours from across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland do exactly that, each with rave reviews and in spectacular locations.

Whisky Distillery Tours

Jameson Distillery Bow Street, Dublin

This place is an absolute monument to Irish Whiskey. If you didn’t know, then Jameson is the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world, so it’s no surprise that they have a top notch set up to explore it. Conveniently, it’s also in Dublin so easy to get to. John Jameson founded this former factory in 1780, and you can tailor your experience there by budget and activities. Options include all kinds of tasting sessions at the Jameson centrepiece bar, how to blend your own whiskey, a big focus on whiskey cocktails, and all the rich history too.

Find more info here

Glenfiddich, Dufftown

William Grant laid the first stones to this distillery in 1886, making it one of the oldest family-owned Scotch whisky distilleries going. It’s world-renowned, and the 35-hectare site in the Valley of the Deer (between Aberdeen and Inverness) is one of the most impressive distilleries to explore. Explore picturesque pagodas, a traditional aging warehouse, giant stillhouses and bottling lines, with rich details every step of the way, that only come with so much heritage and experience. The guides have a great reputation, opening up the world of Glenfiddich for you, and all before a generous taste of the good stuff – golden Speyside Scotch. There are so many wonderful distilleries, but if we have to pick one, this is probably the one to visit.

Find more info here

Penderyn, Brecon Beacons

Though they have two other distilleries in Swansea and Llandudno, Brecon Beacons is the original 2004 site for Penderyn, the distillery that brought whisky back to Wales. This award-winning 1-hour tour welcomes more than 40,000 visitors a year to the easy-on-the-eye Brecon Beacons. Visitors see everything – the mill, the mash turn, the state-of-the-art stills, and it’s all finished with a sample of the acclaimed whisky itself. It’s not got centuries behind it like some distilleries in the UK, but it’s making history all the same.

Find more info here

The English Distillery, Norfolk

Just like Wales, whisky distilleries have been popping up in England over the last two decades, and the more relaxed manufacturing rules and warmer climate allow for different, experimental whiskies. When King (then Prince) Charles opened The English Distillery in rural Norfolk in 2005, it was the first of its kind in a century. A prolific and acclaimed malt whisky producer, the tour operates 7 days a week, showcasing the magnificent distilling floor, barrel warehouse and more. The tour is known for devilish detail whilst also being easy to follow, and those that don’t wish to take part can take a stroll by the stunning nearby river.

Find more info here

Gin Distillery Tours

Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire

World-famous, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire is a must for any gin lover. The site once housed a Victorian paper mill, and the derelict redbrick has been intertwined with modern architectural beauty, like the glasshouse centrepiece, which contains all the Bombay botanicals. The reviews are impressive, the pictures are stunning, and a recent 2021 upgrade brought in a cinema room and refreshed cocktail menu to match the interactive cocktail bar. It’s a botanical paradise, exploring the masterful details of how the ingredients become the liquid, as well as fascinating ecology and sustainability tricks. There are plenty of tour options too for flexibility.

Find more info here

Edinburgh Gin, Edinburgh

This is the place to go for insight into the Scottish capital’s rich history with juniper, and you also get to visit one of the most stunning cities in Europe. The working distillery has such an atmosphere that its one of the top ranked attractions a city full of them. The bar and visitor centre is subterranean enhancing the vibe, where you can taste their award-winning gins (the Rhubarb is a favourite of ours), and exactly what you try (or your giftee if you’re still feeling selfless) is up to you – there’s chocolate pairings, mixology adventures, or the classic distillery tasting experience.

Find more info here

Gower Gin, Swansea

We love Gower’s GWYR gin for its pure feel, and it turns out that their tour experience is just as good. A far cry form giant distillery tours, this is intimate. The husband-and-wife team behind this Welsh gin started in a ‘bike shed’ at the end of their garden, and still do things on a small scale at their charming micro-distillery. Foraged botanicals like gorse flower, sea buckthorn and linen meet quirky additions such as teas and cubeb pepper, and everything is inspired by the seaside or Welsh influences. They now have their peaceful tasting garden available… and you get all of that for free! Yep, free. So if you’re gifting it, maybe you can give them money to buy a bottle at the end… because they’ll definitely want to.

Find more info here

Dingle Distillery, County Kerry

The great thing about Dingle Distillery in Ireland is that it’s not just award-winning gin produced there, but whiskey and vodka too, so you get a unique insight into what it takes to master different spirits up close. The generous guided tour covers the entire production process, from working with local farms to finessing the final product… which you will get to sample of course. It’s a really well put together enthusiastic and informative experience, and the local port town of Dingle is well worth a visit too.

Find more info here

Winery and Vineyard Tours

Simpsons Estate, Kent

If anywhere is the home of English wine, it has to be Kent. Nestled covertly amongst the North Downs slopes, not far from Canterbury, lies the Simpsons Estate, headed up by Charles and Ruth, veterans of the English wine revival. The area itself is already an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and that’s before the vineyard, where you’ll walk the iconic Roman Road and learn everything from in the vine to wine process. To finish, the Glass House Tasting Room looks out over the winery, where visitors can try the traditional method fizz or innovative 100% Pinot Meunier. The sunset session is very memorable indeed, if it’s available.

Find more info here

Camel Valley, Cornwall

This stunning Cornish vineyard was the first in the UK to be awarded a PDO (Protected Designation Origin) from the EU for its Darnibole vineyard, so it really is special and unique. It’s been refined since the 80s, when English wine was dismissed by many… but they are one of the wineries that have blazed a trail for it. Their Cornwall Brut is famous, they produce a range of red, white, and sparkling wines. Different tastings and tours can be booked, from Daily Guides which cover the fascinating fundamentals of winemaking, to the special Grand Tour.

Find more info here

Glyndwr Vineyard, Wales

In the utterly beautiful Vale of Glenmorgan is Wales’ oldest vineyard, Glyndwr Vineyard, family run since 1979. Their production portfolio is expansive, and features wines that have been picked for the Parliament, the Ryder Cup and NATO. The quaint setting would make for a delightful walk even without the vineyard, but the tour is such good value. The owner does the tour, so knows the place inside out, from the history to the vines to the lamas also on site! The reviews speak for themselves – the tour is so informative, personal and generous, and the setting couldn’t be prettier.

Find more info here

Wicklow Wines, Ireland

You might not think of Ireland when you think of wineries, but Wicklow Wines are the exception. They’ve been lauded over by TripAdvisor, Vogue, Lonely Planet and Michelin star restaurants, offering a behind-the-scenes tour of their small, working winery. They make incredible berried wines, which will be tasted alongside Irish cheeses and chocolates. It was even voted the 2nd best food and drink experience in Ireland!

Find more info here

Of course, this is just a taste of some of the best wineries, vineyards and distilleries in the UK and Ireland, but there are more offering fabulous experiences, many of which we visited in previous series of The Three Drinkers! You can find more Scotch Whisky tours here, more Irish Whiskey tours here, and more English wineries here!

The Sloe Gin Fizz

How about this for a merry elixir? A Sloe Gin Fizz is perfect at Christmastime, and though it usually uses sparkling water for the bubbles, this is the season of going over the top, so we’re swapping in sparkling wine. It balances the sweet against the tart wonderfully, with so much fruity refreshment and brightness. Sloe gin (a liqueur, not a gin), brings a warm berry richness perfect for winter, sparkling wine lightens the mood and cuts through with effervescence, lemon juice brings some sour vibrance, and a little syrup just rounds off the balanced profile. A proper Christmas cocktail.

If you’re not into sloe gin then you are seriously missing out, so if you want more info on it and some recommendations, go here!

Ingredients (for 1)
50ml sloe gin
25ml lemon juice
10ml syrup
sparkling wine to top up
Optional garnishes: maraschino cherry or lemon slice

Method
1.      Shake everything but the wine with plenty of ice until it feels cold to the touch.
2.      Strain into your glass (highball or flute preferably).
3.    Top up with your choice of sparkling wine, be that Champagne, Cava, Prosecco etc.
4.      Garnish with a slice of lemon or cherries and voila!

For a cosier Christmas cocktail, how about The Spiced Clementine Mulled Whisky?