The most UNDERRATED Irish drinks

We all know the big brands from Ireland, for beer there is Guinness, the quintessential Irish stout, for whiskey there is no brand bigger than Jameson, and for a reason, Jameson is a fabulous whiskey, in the world of liqueurs there is Bailey’s Irish Cream, known the world over, and in the world of Cider, we know Bulmers, which is Magners to those of us outside of Ireland. But what of the brands we don’t know so well? Here I compile a short list of the smaller producers of drinks in Ireland that should be on your list to try.

Ballykeefe Irish Gin

There are lots of gin brands popping up all over the place, at the last count in the UK alone there were over 400 different brands, in Ireland there are two brands to really look out for. The fist on this list is from the Republic of Ireland and is Ballykeefe. This gin is not trying to be different; it is simply trying to be good, and it succeeds.  It is made in a classic style, but rather than using wheat it is made from potatoes which gives it a slightly earthy flavour. Great for a gin and tonic and excellent in a traditional martini, this is a great crisp yet flavoursome gin for all occations.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £39.95

The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey

Named after the legendary Silkie water spirits of legend which shapeshifted into irresistible beings, this whiskey is made in Donegal is on the North West coast if Ireland, it is about as far away from the capital Dublin as you can go. Here lies the Sliabbliag distillery, which is relatively new, and is tiny by comparison to most other whiskey distilleries, but the liquid it produces is wonderful. It is typically Irish being very fruity and very well balanced. Easy to drink and smooth enough to have by itself yet has enough character to go well with mixers. If you’d like to try something fairly unknown but tastes great, I’d give this a go.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £29.95

Waterford

Waterford distillery are producing its first bottle of whiskey this year, and it is going to be amazing whiskey, I have been to the distillery and tasted many of the samples. The distillery takes it’s grain for over 80 farms around Ireland and distils these grains separately. At Waterford they believe the flavour from different types of Barley and Barley from different farms tastes different. They distil all the grain in the same way and mature them in separate casks, and then take all these different whiskies to make a blend of giving a super smooth and flavoursome whiskey. In the future they are going to be creating single farm whiskies showing how different they can be and showing how the land effects the grain which in turn effects the flavour of their whiskies. Intriguing stuff!

For news of the release sign up here

Kilbeggan

This little distillery is owned by one of the largest whiskey companies in the world, Beam Suntory, and they know a thing or two about making good whiskey. However, the distillery has had a licence to distil since 1757, so Beam Suntory are continuing in a long tradition of whiskey being made in County Westmeath, the distillery closed between 1957 and 2007 because of the downturn in Irish whiskey. Kilbeggan is typically Irish by having a fruity, tropical Flavour profile. Double-distilled, the whiskey is produced from a mash of malt, barley, and about 30% rye, said to reflect the traditional practice of using rye, which was common at 19th century Irish distilleries, but has since virtually died out. So for a fruity whiskey with a peppery edge, give Kilbeggan a try.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £26.99

Coole Swan Irish Liqueur

Coole Swan is the only Irish Cream Liqueur that combines single malt Irish whiskey, Belgian white chocolate and fresh Irish cream to deliver a distinctive, balanced, subtly sweet taste and a smooth mouthfeel throughout.Gluten free,100% natural and a low ABV - Coole Swan explores a new side of Irish cream liqueurs. Serve Coole Swan neat or over ice, but always chilled. You can also add Coole Swan to you baking, your coffee and, notably, your cocktails - the possibilities are endless with Coole Swan. The bottle, based on the design of old Victorian milk bottles, is slimline and fits easily in the fridge. Unopened Coole Swan lasts 2 years on the shelf. However, once opened place in the fridge where Coole Swan lasts for 6 months. For a very tasty, but lower alcohol Irish liqueur, Coole Swan is my strong recommendation.

ABV: 16%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £24

Jawbox

Jawbox Gin comes to us from the Ards Peninsula, on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland. This small batch gin is made with a combination of 11 botanicals, including juniper, lemon, cubeb, angelica, coriander, cassia, orris root, grains of paradise, cardamom, liquorice root and Black Mountain heather. The distillers recommend trying this with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime. If you like gin with a peppery kick up front and soft spices on the palate, this also makes a good martini.

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £27.99

Glendalough

Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey is a single grain Irish whiskey, initially matured in American bourbon barrels before enjoying a finishing period of six months in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks. This comes bottled at 42% ABV, brought down to this strength by Wicklow mountain water. A rather tasty release presented by Glendalough, rich in vanilla, caramel, Christmas spices and dried fruit notes. Founded in 2011, Glendalough produces whiskey and gin from a distillery in Newtownmountkennedy. It is the third-biggest premium gin brand in the country and recently signed a deal with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland to distribute its products, so we’ll be seeing more of this gin in the years to come.

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £33.45

Micil Poitín

This wouldn’t be a good list of the best of Irish drinks if we didn’t include a Poitín, and this is a brilliant example. The botanicals used in Micil Irish Gin are pot distilled rather than added after distillation, and include bog myrtle, hawberry, heather, and the very same locally-picked Connemara bogbean used in Micil Irish Poitín. If you like white spirits which are complex and herbal in nature, then this is going to be right up your street.

ABV: 44%
SIZE: 700ML
Buy it now for £29.95 

If you would like to learn a little more about Irish whisey, then this article on Waterford may give you a fascinating insight into modern Irish distilling.

The Best Scottish Gins To Explore

Guess what? The sun is out. Cue the rain and thunder to begin the second you read this line (hopefully not). No but seriously, having presented a TV Series all about Scotland I picked up a gin discovery or 2 (or 7) along the way – and in today’s guide that’s exactly what I’ll share with you. Simple really, some absolutely stunning Scottish gins. Alrighty, delve in.

Loch Ness Gin

I adore this gin. When your family have lived on the banks of Loch Ness for over give centuries, you naturally have a great understanding of the area. Kevin and Lorien Cameron-Ross decided to take their knowledge of the local plants and herbs, intertwining that with their favourite spirit, Gin. Suffice to say whatever those pure waters of Loch Ness are doing to the refining process is working. Each limited-edition handmade batch is created from their home and the small-scale operation allows them to maintain the quality they set out to achieve with their liquid. While the monster may remain a mystery, knowing I’ll enjoy this gin is not.

ABV: 43.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £46.95

Côtes Du Roussillon Firkin Gin

As wine and spirits are two of my favourite things, it’s no surprise at all to find a wine-cask finished gin on this list and Firkin are by far one of the best out there. Being a limited edition release, there’s not that many of them out there, so if it sounds like your thing, you may want to act now. The casks previously held some of the finest Mas Cristine Côtes Du Rousillion, the result of which imparts a stunning rich plum and blackberry into this gin. Honestly, well done folks – it’s gorgeous. We tasted this in Part 2 of The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky, as well. There was a Chardonnay finished gin too, but as you’d expect it was so popular… it is no more!

ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35

Rock Rose Gin Spring Edition

There’s something about Rock Rose’s bottle that I find so enticing. Maybe it’s the porcelain or the wax seal, or the vibrant colours, hell, I don’t know, but it tastes bloody amazing. The sun is shining and we’re in the heart of Spring, so this seemed like an obvious choice. Distilled with local ingredients like coltsfoot, dandelion and gorse flowers which only grow during Springtime this seasonal treat embodies a cool refreshing sweetness bound together by a soothing yet earthy liquorice backbone. Also, no need to ever throw these gorgeous bottles away – keep them as a vase of serving water when you’ve got friends over. See, look at that – added value. 

ABV: 41.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £34.00

Daffy’s Gin 

Produced in Edinburgh by a former winemaker and whisky distiller, the stunning illustration on each and every bottle was designed by none other than Robert McGinnis, the man behind the James Bond movie posters. Named after the goddess of gin, this wonder was designed to be served in its purest form over ice. But honestly, it tastes delicious regardless of the serve.

ABV: 43.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £32.95

Tanqueray No. 10

Would you believe it, this little gem has been around for over 20 years?! Launched in 2000 it was named after the number of the still in which it was produced, Number 10. Created in small batches with a plethora of fresh citrus fruits, this has become one of the iconic gins of the world so much so, it’s the only one to secure a spot in the San Francisco Wold Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. A mean burst of citrus and pepper spices is what you can expect upon tasting and quite frankly it makes a kick-ass martini or gin sour.

ABV: 47.3%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £28.59

Edinburgh Raspberry Gin

Based right in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh Gin has been distilling great liquid since 2010. They may be readily available across the country, but they still operate on a small-batch system. Gin purists may roll an eye at the ‘raspberry’ connection, but I have to say – at 40% the gin is there and the fresh Scottish raspberries and raspberry leaves really do add a refreshing fruity (but not sickly-sweet) burst making this a perfect contender for the warmer Spring and Summer days.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £24.95

Hendrick’s Gin 

Ahh Hendrick’s, we know you from your whimsical and slightly odd TV ads, but we also associate you as being a gin for the people with your rose and cucumber flavours, galore. Seriously, there’s a reason this is one of the UK’s top gins, distilled at their Gin Palace in Girvan by Lesley Gracie, one of the top names in gin innovation. Back to the gin, it’s versatile, smooth and creates a fabulous G&T alongside being a killer choice for cocktails.

ABV: 41.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £31.55

Liked this? Why not check out The Best Gins for a Martini?

The Three Best Whiskies To Invest In

Over the last few years whisky investment has become more and more lucrative. But as that whisky investment has evolved, the focus is broader than Macallan, Macallan, Macallan. In fact, there are many people who feel Macallan has reached the top of its investment potential. Like Karuizawa, prices have levelled off for all but the million-pound bottles. The question is what to invest in next.

Sherry cask whiskies still seem to do very well. The Asian markets have shown a preference for sherry cask whiskies and whiskies with a good age statement. Add to this limited bottlings, or even bottles from single casks, and this gives a clear path for investment. Single cask bottles over eighteen years old matured in ex-sherry casks would be a good bet. There are some popular brands already starting to emerge. 

Glendronach produces a run of single cask bottles every year. These increase slowly in value. This is because they may be single cask bottlings, but there are quite a few casks bottled, so they are not as rare as one might think. These would be bottles for the longer-term investor. There is one distillery producing very few single cask bottlings, and they bottle their whisky having only matured it in ex-sherry casks. That distillery is Tamdhu. Their single cask bottles are difficult to find and already have a loyal following.

Single malt whisky might be the mainstay of whisky investors, however there are blends worth considering. Johnnie Walker produces limited editions from time to time, most notably for their Blue Label range. They produce a limited bottle for the Chinese New Year under the animal for that year. They produce whisky for films occasionally, for example Blade Runner 2049 has a Blue Label limited release. Last year there was the Ghost and Rare range producing bottles with a good amount of Brora and Port Ellen in them. These two distilleries are now closed and very rare. 

This brings me onto the third whisky in which to invest: whisky bottles from closed distilleries. By nature, there will be no more of this whisky produced and therefore it will become more limited as time goes by and the bottles drunk. Some closed distilleries are more popular than others. For example, the aforementioned Port Ellen and Brora distilleries already command very high prices and have cult followings. However, lesser-known distilleries such as St Magdalene, which used to be in the lowlands or Caperdonach in the highlands, would be good bottles to look out for.

Finding the odd good bottle in which to invest can be tricky, and it’s not always clear whether it may be a good investment or not. The bottle market can be fickle, even if it is good overall. This brings me back to the subject of casks about which I have written before. I think casks are a good way of investing in whisky. If you can spend £1,500 or more it is possible and easy to manage. I advise a cask company called Cask Trade in London who are a great source of advice on everything to do with casks. The do not broker whisky so all the stock they hold they own, and you can buy direct from them.

Whether it be bottles or casks, I find hunting them down is always fun and exciting. For bottles, I would use two auction houses: Scotchwhiskyauctions.com and Whisky.auction to buy from and to call for advice. For buying new releases both the Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt are reliable and each has extensive stocks of new, and past, releases that find their way back onto the market. Happy hunting!

Here are more details If you are interested in more information on cask investment

One Minute Wine Ace: Chardonnay

Words by Helena Nicklin

Weren’t there always at least four people in your class with the same first name at school? In my year, it was Kate: fat ones; skinny ones; drippy ones; foreign ones, you name it! Variations on a theme of Kate were popular the world over.

It was hard to work out how to feel about Kates, because just as you had decided that you hated the name because of spotty-faced Kate who smelled of potato, you met supermodel-in-training Kate who had a perm and older friends who could get into nightclubs. Suddenly, you wanted to name all your future children Kate. Even the boys.

Well, Chardonnay is the wine version of Kate. The sheer number of styles you’ll find worldwide can make it difficult to pin down your thoughts on it.  After all, nearly every wine-producing region in the world has a go at growing it! And as styles of this wine go, Chardonnay moves from the sublime to the ridiculous, being responsible for some of the greatest white wines in the world. Climate and winemaking techniques may leave their mark, but the key elements will always be there somewhere: look for a golden colour, ripe melon flavour and a fuller body than many other white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc. Vanilla and buttery notes are also good indicators that the wine is a Chardonnay. Try it unoaked for a true reading of its merits. 

Tasting Tour

Wine regions all over the world are making wine with Chardonnay, but here are some keys styles to try first. Taste them together (in moderation, of course) and then go out and explore the world of Chardonnay! One thing to bear in mind with Chardonnay: what you pay for is very much what you get. 

Chardonnay 1: Chablis, France. Yes, Chablis is always made from Chardonnay. It’s just named after the region in northern France rather than the grape, as often happens in Europe. Don’t be that person who ‘loves Chablis but hates Chardonnay! Chablis has a particular style that’s lean, mineral and elegant, thanks to the very cool climate there and its famously chalky soil. If it were a Kate, it would be Kate Moss, the catwalk model. Start with a Petit Chablis, then a straight Chablis before working up to the Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chablis wines, which are fabulous, but a bit richer and often have a touch of oak - getting towards the classic ‘Burgundian’ style of Chardonnay (see below). Chablis, by the way, is technically part of the greater Burgundy region, but it’s slightly removed, just to the north west of Burgundy ‘proper’ and while it’s all still Chardonnay for the whites, the styles are distinctly different. 

Try: Chablis, Domaine Louis Moreau. £17.99 Ocado

A great producer making classic Chablis. Lean, chalky and refreshing. Excellent with seafood.

Chardonnay 2: Burgundy, France. The greater Burgundy region in France also has its own style that tends to be fuller-bodied, with more fruit and savoury oakiness than Chablis. Golden, complex and sophisticated, this is the Kate Winslet of wine. The oscar winner -  statuesque and structured, with a lot to say. Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) is one of the world’s most famous regions for Chardonnay. It’s also a region with many villages, the names of which will be shown on the label in large letters - villages you may have heard of like Puligny-Montrachet or Macon or Meursault. These still fall under the general umbrella style of Burgundy as I’ve described but each will have their own nuances thanks to their specific geography. 

Try: Domaine Carrette, Pouilly Fuissé 2017. £22.95 from CorneyandBarrow

A popular style from the Maconnais in southern Burgundy. Rich, ripe fruit and spice with refreshing acidity. 

Chardonnay 3: Mornington Peninsula, Australia. The country that put Chardonnay on the map for a new generation is doing incredible things with this grape, especially from the relatively cooler parts, like Mornington Peninsula in the south and Margaret River on the coast in the west. Think exotic, ripe fruit with a zingy freshness. It’s a million miles away from those cloying Chards of the early ‘90s.

Try: Ten Minutes by Tractor, Estate Chardonnay, 2015. £36 mix six price from Majestic.

The is the Cate Blanchett of wine styles: cool and restrained, this is an elegant Chardonnay with plenty of structure. Made in a Burgundian style with French oak but showcasing an extra dollop of pure fruit. 

Chardonnay 4: California, USA. The best Californian Chardonnays are like actress Kate Hudson: golden, curvy California girls with brains, capable of fun as well as complex roles, and everyone wants them at a party. Napa and Sonoma are the places that fly with it.

Try: Mannequin Chardonnay 2017, Orin Swift. £46 from winebuyers.com

Brilliant, mind-boggling label aside, this Chardonnay is multi-layered with notes of melon, honey and nectarine supported by a well-integrated oak spice. Velvety and mouth-filling, it’s a real head-turner.

Chardonnay 5: Blanc de Blancs Champagne or Sparkling Wine. ‘Blanc de Blancs’ with fizz usually means it’s made from 100% Chardonnay and the style is more ethereal, fine boned and delicate in its youth than the wines traditionally blended with the red Champagne grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). With age, it puts on weight and becomes deliciously creamy and rich. 

Try: Charles Palmer Blanc de Blancs 2014, £26.10 on offer from charlespalmer-vineyards.co.uk

Incredible value bubbles with some age on them. Deliciously creamy thanks to extra lees ageing. Would be lovely with seafood and anything umami, like parmesan cheese snacks. If it were a person it would be Kate Middleton. Elegant and English, with porcelain skin…

If you like this, try Helena’s One Minute Wine Ace features on Pinot Noir, Cotes du Rhone and Sauvignon Blanc

Côtes du Rhône: Boyband of wine

Words by Helena Nicklin

Côtes du Rhône wine is many people’s go-to, comforting red wine style but they are not all created equal. Here’s what you need to know with a tasting tour to help you discover...

Where?

The Rhône Valley is a large wine region in the south of France that runs for over 200Km, following the Rhône river, from Lyon to Avignon and beyond. Given the vastly different landscapes from North to South, Rhône Valley wines are split stylistically into two: 

• The North: from Vienne to Valence, focussing on mainly Syrah for the reds and Viognier for the whites. 

• The South: ostensibly from Montélimar to Avignon and much wider than the North, its focus is more on blends: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre largely for the reds and Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites.

Four quality levels

There are four quality levels of Rhône Valley wine, each naturally going up in price:  

Côtes du Rhône AOC: This first level is the largest and covers the whole of the Rhône valley, though around 90% of production comes from the South. It produces almost as much wine as Bordeaux and is focussed on red blends, though there are a few whites and pinks made (2 - 4% of production). Côte’ means ‘bank’, so these are wines made with grapes grown on the banks of the Rhône river.

Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC: Superior in quality to Côtes-du-Rhône AOC with stricter winemaking rules. It’s the second largest appellation in the Rhône.

Côtes du Rhônes Villages + named village AOC: A further step up in quality with even stricter rules and twenty villages have dispensation to write their names on the labels. These names are Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Valréas, Visan, Saint-Maurice, Rochegude, Roaix, Séguret, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Chusclan, Laudun, Massif d'Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Signargues, Gadagne, Sainte-Cécile, Suze-la-Rousse and Vaison-la-Romaine. 

The ‘Crus’: Recognised just by their village names, these ‘cru’ are allowed to miss off the ‘Côtes-du-Rhônes Villages’ bit on the label entirely. There are 8 cru AOCs in the North: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray. In the South, there are 9 and they are Vinsobres, Rasteau, Cairanne, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, Lirac. 

The Key Rhône Grapes - the Boyband of Wine styles

The star grapes of the Rhône Valley are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre for the reds and Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites. In the North, the reds are dominated by smoky, savoury Syrah, whereas in the South, wines are usually blends, led by juicy Grenache, then Syrah and Mourvedre, though there are several other red and white grapes permitted. 

Put another way, these Rhône blends are a bit like a boyband, where each key member has been carefully chosen for their particular qualities (and there may be some backing singers on certain tracks). Grenache comes first: the cute, approachable one. Think homemade strawberry jam and liquorice sticks. Syrah comes next: he’s the complex, brooding type who probably writes all the lyrics. Think grilled meat with fresh herbs, pepper and violets. Mourvedre is the party animal of the group. Full-on and full-bodied, he’s unsubtle, rugged and savoury but instantly fanciable. Put them together and the result is harmonious. #Vinalogy.

TASTING TOUR

Côtes du Rhône

Try: Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône, £8 from Tesco.

Classic, easy going style with juicy, summer fruits and a peppery kick. Excellent value.

Côtes du Rhône Villages

Try: Château de Ruth Côtes du Rhône Villages, Grande Sélection, £10 from COOP .

Available in store, this gorgeous, concentrated, brambly and wild strawberry scented red has had a fabulous label upgrade too so it looks as good as it tastes. 

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages + village name

Terroir Daronton Seguret, Côtes du Rhône Villages. £9.75 Waitrose

A seriously decent, easy drinking CDR with a cool salinity that makes it a great match for cold cuts. 

Cru Red

Arc du Rhône Gigondas, £16.95 from Ocado

Grenache-led with some Syrah and Mourvedre, this is inky and rich with spicy, grilled meat notes and ripe, red fruit that balances it all up. Needs food! 

Cru White

Condrieu, Tardieu-Laurent 2016, £39.95 from Corney and Barrow

Whites don’t get more creamy and luscious than this. Beautifully floral and unctuous with notes of caramelised apricots and white chocolate. Heaven!

If you liked this, try One Minute Wine Ace: Pinot Noir, One Minute Wine Ace: Sauvignon Blanc,

7 Rums That Scream Luxury

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Oak aged spirits are having their hay day at the moment and with good reason. There are very few other drinks which have such depth of flavour, smoothness of texture, history and expertise in their making and passion in their drinking. We wanted to compile a few here which we are particularly fond of and can be found easily. These are luxury rums, exhibiting the best characteristics of a spirit coming into its prime.

Old Man Rum Expression 1

A genuine world first in terms of its taste, age, provenance and character, this rum has been created by an exquisite union of seven peerless rums from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica. The youngest rum in this exceptional, cask-strength blend is 25 years - the remaining six rums range from 26 to 33 years of age. If you’re into the best of the best, then this one is definitely for you.

ABV: 57%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £3500

Black tot 40 year old rum

Following on from the Black Tot Last Consignment, this range continues to shine a spotlight on extraordinarily old rums with the Black Tot 40 Year Old. A Demerara rum distilled back in 1975 in Guyana, matured for four decades and bottled at 44.2% ABV. Safe to say that this ought to be astonishing, and with rich flavours of liquorish, black olives, black treacle, cigar box and spices we know it is. For those who like a little savoury with their sweet, tuck into this.

ABV: 44.2%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £1495

Dictador 2 Masters 1972 Glenfarclas

The folks at Dictador teamed up with Glenfarclas over in Scotland for this 2 Masters release! The rum itself was distilled in 1972, and after a few decades of ageing was transferred to Port casks for its first finishing period. Its second finishing period was spent in Scotland, where it rested for seven months in a single third fill sherry cask which previously held 2002 vintage Glenfarclas. It was finally bottled at 45% ABV in a release of 378 bottles, each of which bears the fingerprints of both Dictador master blender Hernan Parra, and Glenfarclas production manager Callum Fraser. A special rum for Scotch lovers, this hits the spot.

ABV: 45%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £850

Havana Club Triuto 2019

It's the 2019 release of the wonderful Havana Club Tributo! This is the fourth release of the special rum, and which was launched at the 2019 Habanos Festival in Cuba. Created by three generations of maestros del ron Cubano, with each master selecting a rare aged rum base from various decades. Finally, these three rums were then blended with a rum which spent many moons in French oak, and bottled at 40% ABV. Only 2,500 limited bottles were released, handsomely presented with wooden presentation box. For a perfectly balanced rum from Cuba, this is hard to beat, so if smooth is what you dig, then grab a shovel.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £350

The Last Caroni 23 Year Old 1996 Full Proof

Here we have a very special release of Caroni rum, dubbed The Last Caroni because it's made from Velier's last remaining stocks from the distillery. The expression is made up exclusively of heavy rums, a vatting of 24 casks matured in both Guyana as well as Trinidad and Tobago. It's all been bottled up at full proof, a burly 61.9% ABV. Old for the bold and those who like it big and bold.

ABV: 61.9%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £390

Malecon Seleccion Esplendida 1976

A 1976 vintage rum from Panama's Malecon and its Seleccion Esplendida range. Malecon take plenty of influence from Cuban rum production methods, so don't be surprised to find similarities between this ones and your favourite Cuban rums. Intensely flavoursome stuff, as you'd expect from such a lengthy maturation with flavours of Roast chestnuts, honey, tobacco leaf, old oak and new leather, waxy orange. Mellow is this rums middle name, and we love mellow rums, if you do to, then this one will slide down nicely.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £434.96

Hampden 17 Year old Berry Brothers

With a surname like mine, I couldn’t resist including a rum made on an estate named after my own family. Hampden estate rum is well known for its fruity estery flavour profile and this expression is no different. There are more expensive Hampden Rums on the market, but this is one of my favourites. The Hampden Estate on Jamaica was around at the same time as Berry Brothers in the 1700s, so it only seems fit that the rum comes from Berry Brothers. I’m passionate about fruity rums and if you are too, then this is one not to miss.

ABV: 58.1%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £87.32

If you enjoy rum, but are looking for a more reasonable price point, Aidy can point you in the right direction with his Four Stunning Rums From Around the World.

What you Should be Drinking with Curry

Words by Helena Nicklin

If, like us, you’re feeling brave enough to try takeaways again, you may be in the mood for a proper Indian takeaway after all that home cooking. Here’s your need-to know guide to the best drinks to have with Britain's most popular curry dishes:

BEER

First thing’s first: spice is not a huge fan of wine, which is why beer (lager specifically), is a great ‘catch-all’ drink to quench a thirst. Why is this? Served cold, the bubbles freshen the palate instantly and importantly, the alcohol is not very high when compared to wine or spirits, so it doesn't fan the flames of the chilli. You don’t want one that’s too gassy though. Here are three that we love:

The Not-Too-Gassy BEER: Cobra Extra Smooth

Stomachs get full pretty quickly with a big takeaway curry and Cobra comes top of the charts when it comes to lager that’s not too gassy. It’s also smooth with enough flavour to complement the food without getting lost. Perfect for lovers of lager and ale alike as it’s somewhere between the two. You can get 12 x 330ml for £32.95 here.

The Gluten Free, Fruit Beer: Jubel Beer

Made in a ‘demi-peche’ style, these ‘dangerously refreshing’ beers are low in alcohol (4%), vegan and infused with natural fruit. They come in peach, elderflower and grapefruit and are good for those who don’t normally drink beer as they’re quite heavy on the sweet fruit. They’re ridiculously drinkable though, non-gassy and those fruity notes that will help balance some of that heat. They’re excellent value too. Stock up with a case of 12 x 330ml for £25 here and here.

The Alcohol Free Beer: Heineken Alcohol Free (0.0%)

More fruity and gently malty than the alcohol version, this lager is exceptionally easy drinking and actually tastes like beer rather than cardboard- something that many other brands cannot say about their de-alcoholised drinks! £29.95 for 24 x 330ml here and most supermarkets.

WINE

When it comes to wine and curry, you have to be a little careful as tannin and high alcohol can jar with the food horribly, exacerbating heat and clashing with the flavours, but there are some matches that work well. Ripe and off-dry styles of wine will help fan the flames of all sorts of curries and the lower in alcohol they are, the better. Here are some to try...

Best All-Rounder

You need: Fruity Rosé

For a reliable style of wine with curry, make it pink and uber juicy, so the sweetness in the fruit counterbalances any heat. It works for most styles of curry, especially Lamb Bhuna. You could find any French Rosé d’Anjou, which will always have a touch of residual sugar and tonnes of ripe, red fruit. If you are after something a bit different and more sophisticated however, try this little number from Lyme Bay winery in Devon. It’s packed full of ripe cherry and strawberry aromas and flavours, with a quintessentially English, redcurrant twist. Technically off-dry, though you won’t notice it because the high acidity will refresh your palate while the fruit sweetness balances the spice. 

Find it: Lyme Block English Rosé, £9.99 from ALDI. 

Best for: Aloo Gobi, Jalfrezi, Green Curries, Dhal

You need: Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde is a famous style of wine from northern Portugal that is traditionally light in alcohol and has a slight spritz. They can be dangerous in the summer for lunchtime drinking as you can find yourself cracking into a second bottle without a thought. This one by Varzea is just 9.5%, slightly off dry and with zingy, limey flavours and a crisp, green apple skin nose. A great one for green curries and anything with lots of vegetables.

Find it: Varzea Vinho Verde, £7.99 (£6.99 mix six price) from Majestic.

Best for: Korma, Butter Chicken and mild, creamy curries

You need: Chardonnay 

Find a Chardonnay that’s particularly fruity as opposed to a more Chablis-esque style. Chardonnay can be famously buttery and a small touch of oak here could work wonders with the umami notes from the curry. New Zealand or Chile are good places to go for this sort of style and we love this one by The King’s Legacy as it has a rich creaminess thanks to lees ageing, a touch of savoury oak and a gorgeous dollop of fruit.

Find it: The King’s Legacy Chardonnay, £15.99 (£11.99 mix 6 price) from Majestic.

Best for: Madras, Tikka Masala and tomato-rich curries

You need: Soft, tangy, juicy reds

A few grapes could do this job, Merlot, Shiraz/Syrah and Carmenère being right up there as long as they are not oaked too much or too high in alcohol. I am a particular fan of the Sangiovese grape with tomato-based curries. Tomatoes are a tricky wine match but the Italians have overcome this with pizzas and ragus thanks to this native Italian grape. High acidity, low tannin and a rustic earthiness make this a great match here. I’d avoid Chianti (Sangiovese is the Chianti grape) and go for a straight up, youthful wine like this little Sangiovese blend, ‘Il Caretto’ from Puglia. Bright fruit, refreshing, light on its feet and tangy. 

Find it: Il Caretto, IGT Rosso di Puglia, £8.25 from Corney and Barrow

SPIRITS

Spirits alone would be a no-no with curry until you want to set your mouth on fire, but diluted with a mixer and a handful of ice  - it’s a whole other story. Try these combinations.

Best for: Rogan Josh or Biriyani

You need: Cognac + Ginger Ale

A classic VS or VSOP cognac with a 150ml of ginger ale and ice is just perfect with a medium to hot, meaty curry like a Rogan Josh or a rice dish with mince meat and spice, like a Biryani. Avoid ginger beer as it will be too sweet, so ale is the way forward. The rich citrus tones from the cognac marry perfectly with ginger and complement the warm spices of the dish.

Find this: Frapin VS Cognac, £40 from here.

Drink it with this: Schweppes Ginger Ale. 12 x 150ml for £4.09 from Waitrose.

Best for: Vindaloo

You need: Vodka & Lemonade

This famously hot curry won’t leave much room for flavour in drinks, so go clear for the spirits and clear for the mixer, preferably a sweet one. With lots of ice! Vodka and lemonade is your answer, with a twist of real lemon to add to the acidity and freshness. We love Grey Goose original for its creamy, smooth texture with classic, Schweppes lemonade.

Find this: Grey Goose Original Vodka, £32.99 from here.

Drink it with this: Schweppes lemonade, 12 x 150ml, £10.99 from here. 

Would You Bathe in a Porn Star Martini?!

You can bathe in beer in China, relax in red wine in Japan and now for the first time ever, you can also lay back and chill in one of the world’s most favoured cocktails! If you’re wondering how this is possible, it’s because Spaseekers and Brooklands Hotel and Spa in Surrey, the UK, have teamed up to bring you the ‘porn spa martini’ spa experience!

The Porn Star Martini is one of the UK’s favourite cocktails, and whilst the idea of a day full of them sounds like a dream, do you actually get to lay back and relax in the famous cocktail?! Well, the long and short of it is, yes. Alongside an overnight stay + breakfast, a three-course meal and two passion fruit-themed treatments, you get a three hour period to go soak in a carefully blended, PH-neutral pool full of the good stuff itself! If that doesn’t swing you we’re sure this next bit will…

Is A Porn Star Martini Spa Good For You?!

A classic porn star martini is mixed up with passionfruit, vodka and lime juice with a glass of prosecco on the side. It turns out that not only is the drinkable version great, but this carefully blended spa version is just as good too with its multiple health benefits. Passion fruit contains high levels of antioxidants and magnesium which are perfect for relieving stress and reducing inflammation. It also has high levels of Vitamin A and C that help your skin retain moisture and improve blood flow - both perfect for anti-aging. The bubbly properties of the prosecco help keep your lung tissue healthy and the lime juice helps to lower high blood pressure and reduce several heart disease risk factors!

“How do I sign up??” we hear you shout! If the idea of an afternoon splashing around in your favourite cocktail sounds right up your street this summer, then look no further – you can book here!

Looking for other fun places to visit? How about having a look at Brewdog Beer Hotel or The Best UK Vineyard Stays?!