The Best Ready-Made Garnishes for G&Ts

Say goodbye to the same-old lemon slivers, twists of orange, slices of cucumber – G&T garnishes just entered the 21st century. You heard us: a whole new world of unique, flavourful and (thank the heavens!) ready-made garnishes are out there to help up your G&T game with almost zero effort. They don’t only make drinks taste great, they let you customise them, making that Gin & Tonic one-of-a-kind… 

Rock Rose Gin Liquid Garnishes

Forgot to stock up on lemons? No problem: pop a few drops of Rock Rose’s ‘liquid garnish’ – a 41.5% ABV concoction akin to a cocktail bitter – into your G&T, and you’ve instantly got the bright, aromatic hit you’re craving. The four flavours are designed to go with Rock Rose’s own Highland-made gins, but in truth they enhance just about any G&T. Our go-to for summer? The slightly medicinal Lemon Thyme (a hint of gentian, popularly used in vermouth, gives it a gorgeous bitter edge). And, Coriander and Lime – one squeeze is as good as a wedge of fresh-cut citrus.

Size: 100ml
ABV: 41.5%
Fine here: £12

Hepple Douglas Fir Sherbet

Cocktail rims are just for margaritas: said no one ever. Bring the party to your G&Ts with this moreish Douglas Fir Sherbet powder from Hepple Gin, made with real fir tree needles. Sampled straight, it tastes a bit like a sugar-dusted Christmas tree. Applied sparingly to a glass, and paired with gin and tonic, it mellows, becomes tangier and boosts your drink’s resinous, piney juniper notes. It’s a no-brainer with Hepple Gin – it stars Douglar Fir as a botanical – but this should go with any rich, juniper-forward bottling. Note: we found it hard to resist snacking straight from the tin… you have been warned.

Find here: £12.50

Fruits for Drinks – Mixed Fruit Selection

When it comes to flavour concentration, freeze-dried fruits can often knock fresh ones out of the park. And – pop the celebration corks, folks – they don’t really go off, which means less waste. Plump for this set of six types of dried fruit (lime, orange, lemon, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry) and no matter which gin you’re serving, you’ll have a garnish to match the flavour profile. With an average of 120 portions in each set, it’s better value than fresh fruit too and should keep you going on the G&T front for months.

Find here: £39.50

Maddocks Farm Organics Budding Floral Cocktail Box

Not that you need a reason to treat yourself to a bouquet of blooms, but edible flower garnishes look fabulous in a G&T – floating delicately on the surface, or frozen into giant ice cubes. Of course, you can’t use just anything in that drink (some flowers are toxic, others don’t taste great). That’s where edible flower specialist Maddocks Farm comes in. They sell cocktail-perfect, 100% edible seasonal blooms in boxes of around 60, and they also throw in scrumptious edible foliage such as lemon verbena stalks or fennel fronds. That G&T has never looked more fabulous.

Find here: £20

DrinkStuff Juniper Berries

Gin plus juniper berries – a match made in heaven, right? If in doubt, a sprinkling of dried juniper berries not only adds flavour, it makes your G&Ts feel like they’ve been whipped up in a trendy bar. As you’d probably guess, the berries – which look similar to black peppercorns – give an extra lift to the resinous, piney flavour that this spirit is known for. In other words: it’s best left to those who really like classic gin profiles. Just be sure to sip with care; the aim is to leave the berries behind in the glass, not guzzle ‘em down with your G&T.

Find here: £2.80

Wondering which gin to pair with your garnishes? Then, take a look at The Best Flavoured Gins for your Money or these Stunning Scottish Gins.

Delicious No and Low Canned Drinks

Written by Helena & Aidy

Drinks in cans are set to be the big trend this summer as outdoor socialising will be the thing with the winding up of lockdown and local picnics will be the order of the day. Here are some great no and low canned drinks that we’ve discovered recently, from alcohol free, to CBD and even some good, old fashioned beer. Your favourite not on the list? Let us know! 

Hard Seltzers

Berczy Hard Seltzer, Passionfruit & Turmeric

Berczy was created by three friends who all wanted to create something delicious that would always use 100% natural ingredients, be low in calories and sugar and be made sustainably.  The result is a range of really delicious, fruity and natural tasting drinks. We particularly love the Passionfruit & Tumeric.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4%
Find here: £14.95 for 6

Luv Jus

Low-alcohol hard seltzers have become a bit of a thing lately but LuvJus being anything but basic has decided to put an evolutionary spin on the category. This LGBTQ+ venture offers two super refreshing flavours with a kick of personality; Bloody Orange & Pomegranate and Pineapple & Mint. The best part? A portion of profits from each and every can goes right back into supporting a variety of LGBTQIA charities and making a real difference. Drink well, support those in need, kinda sounds like a win/win to me. These beauties are PERFECT for picnic drinking or to wind down at the end of a long day. Only 4.8% alcohol and a fraction of the calories. Oo la la, baby.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.8%
Find here: £14.95 for 6



Mixed Drinks

Austin’s Summer Punch Lemonade

ALDI’s answer to Pimms has gone down very well with its customers (and us!) offering a very similar flavour profile to what would be a Pimms and lemonade. Pour over ice with a bit of fruit and cucumber for an even more authentic experience, even from a plastic glass in the park!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.4%
Find here: (and in store) for 85p!!!

Aperini Italian Style Spritz

Again, this is ALDI doing what ALDI does best and offering products very similar to ones we know and love. This is your Aperol Spritz in a can and we have to say, they’ve done a great job, with that quintessential tangy bitter orange flavour and the balance of booze with bubbles being spot on. Drink well chilled for a fabulous picnic tipple.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: (and in store) for 85p!!!

CleanCo Clean G & Tonic

Encouraged by the massive growth in the market for hard seltzers, TV personality and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews originally founded CleanGin and has just launched his canned range, including CleanRum & Cola and Clean G&T. While the ‘clean’ is always slightly misleading when it comes to drinks, at 0.5% alcohol, these feel like a decent alternative to a traditional hard seltzer, with just 0.5% alcohol and a low calorie count to boot. 

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £11.94 for 6

Strykk Not G*n & Tonic and Not R*m & Cola

These Strykk cans are another great example of a zero alcohol alternative to your regular G&T and Rum & Cola. They work as perfect picnic accompaniment or a great sip when you want to taste something good but don’t want the alcohol. Aside from tasting great, they are 100% natural with no sugar or artificial flavours, vegan, gluten free and low calorie so really there’s really nothing not to like!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £12 for 6

Bloody Drinks Bloody Classic

Bloody Drinks have hit the nail on the head with their perfectly balanced Bloody Classic. The balance of ingredients means each can has just the right amount of spice and is packed full of delicious flavour. As if that wasn’t enough, you can now get your hands on ‘The Bloody Box’ which contains everything you need to make the perfect Bloody Mary, garnishes and all, and is bound to wow your garden party guests! They’re bloody fantastic if you ask us!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 6.3%
Find here: £19 for 6

INTUNE CBD Drinks & Mixers

INTUNE make all-natural, delicious CBD soft drinks and mixers, but we’ve been drinking the mixers by themselves as they are so lovely. Full of flavour and not overly sweet, these are all classy, CBD soft drinks in their own right with a punch 10mg of CBD in the ‘originals’ and 5mg in the mixers.  We particularly loved the pomegranate and hops CBD drinks and the ginger mixer. Moreish and yummy. 

Size: 200/250ml
CBD: 10mg or 5mg
Find here: £29.99 for 12

Beer

Adnams Earl Grey Lager

There’s something about Earl Grey and its characteristic bergamot flavour that works brilliantly with this lager’s citrussy, Galaxy beer hops. Adnams have smashed it with this fabulous lager. The tannins from both the tea and the hops are well balanced and the result is a gloriously crisp and refreshing, flavourful drink that’s light on its feet and easy to love. I’d take this with my afternoon tea any day. 

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £19.99 for 12

Adnams Dry Hopped Lager

Here’s a lager for foodies. Brewed with Pilsner malt with Australian, Galaxy hops, here’s a rich and fruity lager with layers of hoppy, malty and tropical fruit notes that is crisp with a bitter finish, preventing it from being cloying in any way. Adnams say it would make a great match for spicy food and we are looking forward to finding out.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 3.2%
Find here: £24.99 for 12

Looking for even more canned drinks? Then we’ve got more yummy treats for you here: 5 Cracking Canned Drinks. If it’s no and low you’re after though, head over to 6 Must-Try No and Low Drinks!

Hidden Spirit Gems from the Oldest of the New World

With bans on selling alcohol South Africa only just lifted, we asked our friend Tobias Gorn to write something in support of a fascinating, unique industry and shine a light on one of the most exciting spirits brands coming out of the country today: Copper Republic.

The oldest of the New World wine and spirit producing countries; the Mediterranean of the southern hemisphere with great subtropical areas, beautiful landscapes and stunning flora and fauna; a rich history and culture and over 300 year old Dutch colonial farmhouses; vineyards older than some modern European countries. As you’ve probably guessed by now, I am indeed talking about South Africa and one of its finest parts: the Cape. South African wine has a rich and long history as the oldest of the ‘New World’ winemaking regions, but few people know about the fantastically rich history and diversity of its spirits.

The Spirit of South Africa

Right now, you can find world class whiskies, some unique brandies and wonderful gins; the latter with their local fynbos typicity. I am very lucky to be invited regularly to judge and consult in South Africa, as it is one of my favourite wine and spirit countries. The landscape is breathtaking and the wineries and distilleries have often retained their historic Dutch farmhouses and great gardens. On top of that, every winery and distillery has a nice restaurant and is usually set among wonderful countryside. The service is good and the people are very polite, friendly, and great fun too. It’s one of my favourite holiday destinations, with so much to see, from the Table Mountain to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the wineries of Constantia. A detour to Boulders Beach to see the penguins, popping down to the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Point Lighthouse and a visit to the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary in Hout Bay on the way back to Cape Town is a wonderful journey with many unforgettable things to see.

Unfortunately the recent pandemic and some questionable political decisions by their leaders made the local drinks industry suffer as a result of consecutive bans on selling alcoholic drinks. But instead of moody political comments, it’s time to write about this amazing country, to show support and raise greater awareness of its wonderful spirits.

South African Brandy

‘Hold my glass, Monsieur Cognac…’

Brandy is perhaps the longest produced spirit locally, given that they’ve had wines since the early settlers of the 17th century. The records show that the first wines were dated 1659 and so, not unexpectedly, brandy distillation began soon after. The stills are a bit different but still similar to other big and famous brandy producing regions and the diversity of styles is great. It is hard to define a singular style but from what we tasted, South African brandy is usually a smooth, fresh and floral, zesty and aromatic spirit, different from the over-caramelised examples of some other European counterparts. Often underrated, South African brandies are sometimes aged in slightly more adventurous casks than just French oak and so with all this comes a great price point and a new field to discover.

Try: Copper Republic Honeybush Wood Finish Brandy.

Copper Republic is one of the smaller, more artisan producers and they have some stunning expressions in the Zula Cape Brandy range. They are clean and long-aged, fine examples that can stand up to any international brandies. The Honeybush Wood Finish Brandy from Copper Republic is a Cape Pot Still Brandy finished in the local honeybush wood, giving it a truly unique local twist. giving it almost a sense of ‘terroir’. It is clean and rich with floral and fresh grape notes followed by some peach and mango and plenty of spices. The honeybush wood has a nice soft influence, not overpowering but more of a complement to go along the main spirit aromas and flavours. It is a great brandy to have with a medium bodied cigar and it can be a brilliant base for a Sidecar, not to mention a good old brandy sour (actually, it is much better than just chucking some discounted VS cognac in there). There are plenty of cocktail options, but this is a spirit that is made to be enjoyed how it is and it will not disappoint a seasoned brandy or even whisky drinker. The alcohol is nicely integrated and the flavour elements are all in harmony. Expect beautiful oak spices, fresh, ripe apples, as well as toffee apples, white peach, and apricots. This is a great example of South African brandy with a real local twist. It won a well-deserved gold at the World Brandy Awards in 2020. It is also tremendous value for money.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.95

South African Whisky

‘Scotch or Bourbon? Neither, South African Single Grain, please!’

Whisky is a popular drink in South Africa. Maybe the Brits are to blame, or maybe it’s because it’s a great drink and South Africans have a taste for finer things. Regardless of that, there are more and more local whiskies produced here and some of them are outstanding. Given the climate, the angel’s share is a bit higher but maturation is also quicker than in Scotland so it is not necessarily a bad deal. Bains and Three Ships are the bigger brands and some won World’s Best at the World Whiskies Awards, showing that whisky from South Africa should be taken seriously.

Try: Copper Republic Single Grain Whisky

Single Grain whiskies have a reputation for only being good for bulking up blended Scotch, traditionally. It’s true that there are still many light, neutral grain whiskies out there worldwide, distilled to a remarkably high strength in continuous column stills and aged in 2nd or 3rd filled casks, which hardly impart anything except faint vanilla notes and a light-yellow hue. They are usually cut down to 40% ABV and are gentle at best, if not dull. This example is definitely not one of those. It is time to think again. The Copper Republic Single Grain Whisky is a small batch whisky with a premium aim at 43%. Distilled from local yellow maize (corn) and matured in freshly charred and second fill ex-bourbon casks, one could say it might be closer to a great Bourbon whiskey than a Scotch but I’d like to say that it is truly South African in its own right. Made to be sipped like a single malt, it is truly the best of its kind. The tasting note from the World Whiskies Awards describes it thus: "on the nose there is buttery fudge, caramel and freshly split vanilla. The soft, sweet, candied palate is instantly attractive, with a pleasant fudge and coconut hit. Earl Grey tea, sea salt caramel, tons of vanilla and ginger spice.” There is indeed a nice spicy edge to the wonderful, smooth but pretty pronounced palate of this beauty and it well deserved its award in 2020.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £39.95

South African Gin

‘Dutch settlers? The British Empire? Modern fashion? All of that!’

Gin is fashionable and it’s sad that some critics are shouting about a bubble about to burst, but we are happy that they are wrong. There are still many gin brands popping up globally and sales are still going up. However, the situation with South African gin is a bit more complex and it goes back in time a long way. Just think about the Dutch settlers and the British Empire; both were obsessed with gin and imported the idea of gins to South Africa centuries ago. Some of the modern gins are trying so hard to be different and we’ve tasted many weird and wonderful concoctions that claim they are from a different continent using some botanicals that are so unique to them that other distillers don’t even know about it. Desperate and sometimes boring. It is rather refreshing to see people using their locality and turning their indigenous herbs into parts of their botanical bill. Similar things happen in the Swiss and Austrian Alps, where they use local herbs and berries to create a genuinely local product. The local fynbos vegetation of the Cape is perfect to inspire some gins with a great local twist. These ‘fine-leaf’ plants love the local Mediterranean weather and there are over 8000 different types of them so there is plenty to pick from.

Try: Copper Republic African Dry Gin

The African Dry Gin is a lovely example of a modern dry gin with some traditional botanicals and a local twist. Eleven botanicals have been used, most grown in the rich red soils of the Western Cape. It is round and smooth and that 43% ABV is justified. The wild rosemary, confetti bush and local Buchu plant, which is reminiscent of blackcurrant, work together beautifully with the juniper, citrus, coriander and honeybush. A crisp dry gin with a nice long finish and a sense of locality. Brilliant in a classic G&T with the local Indian tonic water brand Fitch & Leedes and it is wonderful in a dry martini. It’s no surprise that it picked up World’s Best Signature Botanical Gin winner at the World Gin Awards 2020.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £29.95

Also try: Copper Republic Rooibos and Grapefruit Gin

The Rooibos and Grapefruit Gin is a harmonious fusion of South African Rooibos and Cape ruby grapefruit combined with rare fynbos botanicals and African ginger root. Some flavoured gins can end up being as sweet as a liqueur and infused with manmade flavourings, but not in this case. It is a natural, artisan small batch product with a great balance between the juniper and other spicy gin elements and the rooibos and grapefruit. This is a full-bodied example with a more earthy approach, a round and big texture and plenty of fruit, sweet root notes and a nice warming finish. Try it on the rocks with a wedge of grapefruit or with the Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic for a full citrus explosion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £35.95  

Local Tonic Water - Fitch & Leedes

Sometimes a bit of distance from the global buzz can help magical things happen to local brands. When the big tonic water boom was happening and a particularly successful brand was rising in the UK and beyond, Fitch & Leedes started to grow in South Africa. It is the local premium mixer brand with an amazingly crisp and well balanced Indian Tonic Water, a beautiful Bitter Lemon and a wide selection of other flavours including the aforementioned Grapefruit Tonic. It’s a brand to watch and I highly recommend trying their tonics, so you can decide for yourself how good they are, but we certainly love them.

Try: Fitch & Leedes Indian Tonic

Size: 500ml
Find here: £6.49 for 6

Also Try: Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic

Size: 500ml
Find here: £6.49 for 6

Copper Republic is a fascinating distillery with very high standards, represented around the world by Rusty Rabbit International. Alcohol bans have been lifted, but we still need to support South Africa’s incredible drinks industry and celebrate the beautiful drinks and culture of such a wonderful country. When all this is over and travel restrictions are lifted, why not plan a visit to enjoy the wonderful spirits of the Cape?

For more from Tobias, make sure you have a read of Tried & Tested: Tantalising Indian Tonics and for links of more companies in the hospitality industry you can support, check out Virtual Wine & Spirits Tastings.

A History of York Through the Medium of… Gin!

We recently discovered a Gin company that base their entire range on historical happenings and spooky stories from the fabulous city of York. As such a lovely base for some boozy stories, we invited Simon Henry from York Gin to write us this guest post, taking in some colourful characters from York’s past. 

Think of York and something historical will probably spring to mind: Romans, Vikings, a Gothic cathedral, Judy Dench ... 

York claims to be the most haunted city in Europe, wth ghost stories going back centuries. Even the city’s most famous chocolate companies are fairly aged;  Rowntrees were formed in 1862, while Terry’s goes back to 1767 and don’t get us started on the city’s premier gin company. Ok, maybe not the gin company (est. 2018), but York Gin’s motto is ‘History in the Tasting’ as it celebrates the city’s rich history and culture. Time for a little taste of history, perhaps?

The Romans

The Romans founded York - Eboracum in Latin - in 55AD. The most common varieties of apples and berries in Britain were introduced by the Romans, so it was only fitting for York Gin to take this inspiration for its fruit gin. They also asked Dame Professor Mary Beard for some help with their research and their Latin motto for the gin, ‘Veni, Vidi, Bibi’ (I came, I saw, I drank). Apparently, Mary likes a Roman Fruit Negroni. You can find the recipe for that and other gin cocktails on our website. 

The Vikings

The Vikings came next: Ivar the Boneless invaded the city on November 1, 866AD. 1118 years later, in 1984, the city opened its Jorvik Viking Centre (Jorvik was the invaders’ name for York) on the site of a famous archaeological dig. Today, its gift shop sells bottles of York Gin London Dry with garnish bags containing dried nettles and bilberries, both found on the site during the dig. Try this one for a little taste of Viking York.

Ghosts & Spirits

Ghosts have played a big part in York’s history - and they certainly play a large part in the lives of its many ghost tour guides today! The city’s Theatre Royal is home to one of the most famous of York’s spectres: the Grey Lady. Her ghost is said to haunt the site of the theatre since she died in tragic circumstances in the Middle Ages. In homage to this famous specture, The Grey Lady gin itself is distilled with Earl Grey tea and infused with blue pea flower to give it a haunting blue grey hue.

Outlaws

York has had its fair share of baddies, inspiring the dangerously strong (57% ABV) Outlaw Navy strength gin. The serving suggestion says: ‘Drink with ice, tonic … and care.’ Dick Turpin - horse rustler and highwayman - was hanged in the city and his grave lies within the city walls. Guy Fawkes, Gunpowder Plotter is an old boy of York’s St Peter’s School (which has never thrown a Guy on its annual bonfire out of respect for the former pupil). Mary Bateman, the ‘Yorkshire Witch’, was a swindler and poisoner from the 18th Century. After she was hanged, her skin was stripped from her body, dried and sold as lucky charms. The olden days, eh?

The Chocolate Orange

More tasteful than that previous bit of gore is York’s chocolate history - the story of the Terry's Chocolate Orange in particular. The Terry’s factory where the Chocolate Orange was invented and made from 1932 until 2005 is only a couple of miles from the York Gin distillery. A natural inspiration for our Chocolate & Orange Gin, we’ve made an unsweetened spirit with a rich chocolate and zesty orange character. The Terry family certainly won’t be turning in their graves. 

For more gin-tastic suggestions why not have a read of The Best Scottish Gins to Explore and 6 Perfectly Premixed Negronis?

Which Whiskies to Invest in - March Whisky Investment Index

By Colin Hampden-White 

Which whiskies should I invest in?

Once you have decided you would like to invest in whisky, the biggest question is going to be which distillery’s whiskies to invest in. Like the stock market, distilleries’ value and popularity go up and down, and this on-going set of articles aims to make the decision a little easier.

I am not a financial advisor, and I strongly suggest you also do your own research. That research may differ from mine and have a different result. There are also other rankings available and they will use a different formula from mine in determining a ranking.

I sort our ranking by looking at a few of the most popular whisky auction sites in the UK. Most whisky which is invested in is bought at auction and the results of auctions can tell us a great deal about the popularity and desirability of certain whiskies and brands. I look at the volume of whisky being sold from any particular distillery and also the average value from that distillery. Taking both these sets of data into account I then create a ranking which I will update once a month, as whisky auctions are generally held monthly.

For example, the most traded may be Macallan and at the highest prices. However, if the price increase is marginal over time, giving not much rise in price, then it will be lower down the ranking. I am looking for whiskies which are rising in price. It may be that a rarely traded distillery, which has had recent high increases in value, could be at the top of the rankings.

How can I invest in whisky?

In my experience whisky is a great investment and, like any investment portfolio, it should be varied. Rather than investing in one expensive bottle, I would suggest buying a few less expensive bottles from different distilleries and at different ages. This can make the process less daunting and a lot more fun. Some people collect certain vintages, or distilleries or regions, By doing this a portfolio can have a definite direction and hold more meaning.

I am including Japanese whisky in the rankings as the investment value in the right Japanese whiskies has become evident. I am not including bourbon, but lookout for a forthcoming article on bourbon about which are regularly the best to invest in. Bourbon has its own following, especially in America and some bottles rise in price quickly after release.

I think it is not useful to include expressions that are regular bottlings but are being auctioned as part of a collection, house clearance, and generally don’t fetch their retail price as they are very widely available. I understand this is subjective, but with my experience, I decided to cut off at around the £100 mark on most distilleries.

The rates below relate to how much of a percentage higher a distillery has been trading above the next. In the future, as we now have this index base mark, I will track the increase of each distillery over time as well as increase over each other.

Distillery Index

The Dalmore 9%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 4%
Bowmore 1%
Yamazaki 0.5%
Clynelish 5%
Springbank 1%
Karuizawa 1.5%
Bunnahabhain 1.5%
Glendronach (base)

To reiterate I am not a financial advisor, and please do your own research. I cannot be responsible for gains or losses. This is simply a guide that hopefully helps people in their whisky investment journey.

I would advise getting other expert advice and, if you are looking to invest in excess of £2,000, then looking at cask investment may be a good way to invest in whisky, and we suggest Cask Trade Ltd. Cask Trade helped us with sourcing for our 17 year old blended malt, and we know them to be a very professional outfit.

And always remember. At the end of the day, you can always drink it!

Bottles to Watch:

Bowmore Mizunara Cask Finish

Mostly sold out around the world.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 53.9%
Find here: UK £2250

Bowmore 25 year old 1969

Already historic and produced in tiny numbers.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £2750

Springbank 21

As an annual release, these become historic and collectable.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £439.99 // US $499.99

Springbank 21 That Boutique-ey Whisky Company

Small batch and from a collectable brand

Size: 50cl
ABV: 47.5%
Find here: UK £339.95

Dalmore 40 year old 2018

Top of the tree, and a vintage 2018

Size: 70cl
ABV: 42%
Find here: £6,736.50

Dalmore 40 year old 2017

From top of the tree Damore as above, but from the sold out 2017 vintage.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 42%
Find here: UK £6750

8 Year old Clynelish from Simply Whisky

If you’d like to invest at a lower level, then good independent bottlings are a good choice.

Size: 70cl
ABV: 51.6%
Find here: UK £58.95

If you want to find out more about Scotch whisky then don’t forget to watch The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky on Amazon Prime now!

Tried & Tested: Tantalising Indian Tonics

By Tobias Gorn

This week, we have been on a mission to find the best Indian tonic water for your drinking pleasure. You’re welcome! We picked some of the bigger and smaller players and tasted them against each other both neat and with a splash of gin. Before all of that, however, how about a brief history lesson? Let’s take a look at the very definition of ‘tonic’ and ‘tonic water’ before we start the fun bit of tasting them.

What is tonic water?

We all love the romantic idea of gin and tonic being an essential medicine to survive everyday life and maybe it is right? Or at least it was once. The story of fighting malaria and making gin a bit more palatable is all well and correct. Add a bit of lemon so scurvy is out of the way and we are all having a quinine, vitamin C and gin-fuelled, fun colonial party somewhere in India or so. They say the 6 o’clock cocktail hour started out in the colonies, given that the malaria carrying mosquitoes were getting active that time of the day. The history and definition is fairly simple: mix your bitter quinine antimalarial powder with soda, add a bit of sugar to make it more palatable and some citrus to garnish it. The very definition of Indian Tonic Water is based on that recipe.

Modern tonic waters today have lower quinine levels. The question is then, where is the line between some random mixer concoction and proper tonic water? If we put a conservative hat on we should say that quinine – or at least a similar bitter substitute – makes tonic water what it is. If it is sickly sweet and fruity or floral with no bitterness, it is not a tonic water anymore in the classic interpretation and it will also likely alter the flavour of the spirit too much. Perhaps we should follow gin’s example? No juniper, no gin, so why not ‘no quinine, no tonic’?

Not just Gin

It’s worth noting at this juncture that tonic is a popular soft drink on its own. It might sound peculiar but I can recall summer holidays where my dad was enjoying some cold tonic water and as a kid, I could not understand why this bitter nonsense was enjoyable. Now I understand the old man, especially as I sit here with dozens of different samples in front of me. With or without alcohol, we should always look further afield than gin. Vodka and tonic, brandy and tonic and even whisk(e)y or tequila with some of our favourite quinine goodness make a refreshing highball. Tonic water is also great with some wine, vermouth and white port. And don’t forget the many alcohol-free, botanical ‘spirits’ appearing on the market wanting to be the G in the G& alternative T. Recently, a sample of Pentire Adrift found the way to the office and it was delicious with tonic water and a couple drops of lemon bitters. Very loveable indeed.

The Great Tonic Taste-off

Back to the old faithful: the Gin & Tonic. Really, this is the ultimate test for a good tonic, so in this test, we tried the tonics chilled and neat first then with a dash of London Dry Gin - all of them in similar amounts (ratio 2:1) to keep it fair and accurate. 

The criteria for a good tonic are: intensity of flavour, balance between sweet, bitter and acidity and how it works with a juniper-lead, simple London Dry Gin. We need intensity but not so much to change or overpower the spirit too much. The main and most important factor is balance between the aromatics and flavour components. Effervescence is also thrown into the mix here; we want to know how fizzy the drink is initially and how long it keeps its bubbles. Some start lower but may go longer. Others might drop their fizz rapidly. The effervescence has to be in balance and in relation with the rest of the aromas and flavours to justify itself.

This is the time to mention the container design. One would think the design and branding of the glass or plastic bottles or cans is crucial as most customers pick with their eyes, but it is a tad more complicated than that. A good name or stunning branding does not affect the taste, and level of fizz but it will change the minimum and optimum CO2 pressure level. So, it matters if it’s a crown cap, a screw cap on a small glass container, a can or bigger plastic bottle as this ultimately will have an effect on the effervescence. Cans are lighter but ultimately, they can be more limited on fizz level than glass bottles. Here are our findings below. This is not an exhaustive list; we deliberately left out most of the bad examples and those that are currently unavailable. 

Harvey Nichols Orange & Lavender Tonic Water 

The lavender comes across first on the nose. Crisp and fresh on the palate with a bit of citrus - citric acid? All natural. It has a weight to it and the bitterness is pretty subtle. The lavender comes back in the end - retronasal, probably. It is effervescent enough on the gentle end but it keeps its fizz nicely. With the gin, it goes nicely. Balanced between the gin and the mixer aromatics and it is pretty on the palate with just enough bitterness. Very nice and it is a great mixer as a dry tonic water. The only little thing is that one must like lavender to enjoy it. It is a premium tonic in a beautiful neat packaging.

Size: 200ml
Score: 8.5/10
Find here: £1.50

Schweppes Indian Tonic Water

Crisp and balanced with medium intensity and a nice bitterness. Fizzy and keeps its effervescence for a long time. It is the classic tonic water and there’s a reason for it. I enjoy when bloggers and other self-proclaimed experts try to say it is not good. It is the definition of a good Indian Tonic Water. Great? Very nearly. 

Size: 150ml
Score: 8/10
Find here: £4 for 12

Schweppes Crisp Tonic Water- Signature Collection

Pronounced on the nose, big on the palate with a big, bitter and zesty finish. It is a classic that can take on a wide variety of spirits. Dry and crisp despite the sugar level. People like to dislike the big brands, but this is just a really good example of crisp Indian Tonic Water and there’s a reason why Schweppes is still around today.

Size: 150ml
Score: 9.5/10
Find here: £4.25 for 8

The London Essence Original Indian Tonic Water

Herbal, botanical nose. It is very complex with floral and herbal notes. Not very bitter but it is pleasant and enjoyable with a dry finish. It is perhaps a bit further away from the classic Indian Tonic Water beaten track. Good for those who prefer less bitter tonics.

Size: 150ml
Score: 7.5/10
Find here: £3.50 for 6

Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

Pretty shy on the nose and bittersweet on the palate. It has a sweet caramel note. The finish has lovely bitterness and some confectionery. It is popular and that is excellent but it could be made better. The burnt sugar taste is a bit overpowering. Not a winner for us this time but we can’t ignore its popularity.

Size: 150ml
Score: 7/10
Find here: £3.80 for 8

Fitch & Leedes Indian Tonic Water

Aromatic and focused on the nose. Zesty dry start on the palate with plenty of appetising quinine. The sugar is well integrated with the citrus zest and bitterness. It is the most pronounced of the Indian Tonic Waters and it makes it versatile enough to take a wide range of gins on. Another great example when the sugar level can be higher if it is balanced by citrus zest and bitterness.

Size: 200ml
Score: 9.5/10
Find here: £6.49 for 6

Yorkshire Tonic

A zesty, crisp, full flavour example that we really liked. It is pronounced enough to make a truly great tonic but balanced between sugar, acidity and bitterness to support the gin greatly. Well done God’s own country! A great example of well balanced ingredients working nicely together.

Size: 200ml
Score: 8.5/10
Find here: £5.50 for 6

San Pellegrino Tonica

Refreshing, crisp and citric acid-led. It is bitter enough to be great as a tonic water and it is pleasant on the palate. Great with gin as a supporting act and a nice soft drink on its own. One would expect a tad more bitter from one of the nations that excels in fine, appetising bitter flavours in drinks. The effervescence is appropriate and persistent.

Size: 200ml
Score: 8/10
Find here: £3.30 for 4

Something a bit different: Bitter Lemon

If one increases (or overdoes) the citrus it becomes a Bitter Lemon; the slightly old-fashioned lemon tonic cousin of our classic Indian Tonic Water. Bitter lemon is a great mixer to go with slightly sweeter and/or fruitier gins and we hope it will come back to fashion soon as a great classic mixer. Here’s a personal favourite of mine:

Fitch & Leedes Bitter Lemon

A cloudy bitter lemon with a great citrus definition, plenty of bitterness and a moderate sweetness to balance the beautiful lemon peel and pith notes. It is crisper and bolder than an average lemon tonic and that makes it great with modern, bolder gins with a touch of sweetness.

Size: 200ml
Score: 9/10
Find here: £6.49 for 6

There are many more tonics and some are great and special by being different but still good enough to be considered as a suitable alternative like the Archibald, where quinine was replaced by gentian and other botanicals, or the Artisan Drinks Co’s Classic London Tonic or the Llanllyr Source from Wales including their Light Tonic Water expression. There are modern takes on this genre trying to get back to the classic tonic syrup heritage with a darker ‘natural’ colour and maybe less emphasis on bitterness or effervescence.  These can be great examples for a niche expression that can be cherished by open minded connoisseurs but can be easily misunderstood by consumers looking for a classic, clear fizzy example. If you are after the best in classic Indian tonics, however, we hope this little article helps you find inspiration.

Looking for some gin to mix with these delicious tonics? Then, have a look at 6 Gins Perfect for any Occasion or The Best Scottish Gins to Explore!

The Best Chocolate-themed Alcoholic Drinks

Goodbye, chocolate eggs. This Easter we’re getting our cacao fix from scrummy chocolate liqueurs, spirits, no-lo drinks and choco-themed wines. Whether your bag is moreish milk, creamy white or bitter dark, read on for our list of the finest chocolatey tipples out there:

Bottle Bar and Shop Cacao Martini

Fancy a chocolate martini, but can’t be bothered to make it? Enter, this pre-bottled pour from Catford-based Bottle Bar & Shop. With minimal effort comes maximum taste – just chill the bottle in the freezer, pour into a frosted glass and voilà! Ready-made chocolate vodka martini, rich in silky chocolate tones, and with a balanced sweetness from pure sugar cane. For the final flourish, add a twist of orange, then serve up to a crowd of friends in awe of your newfound ‘bartending’ skills.  

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: UK £28.00

Elephant Gin Orange Cocoa Edition

Terry’s Chocolate Orange obsessives, mark the 26th of March in your diary – because that’s when this new gin, marrying chocolate and orange, hits the shelves. Smooth and intensely aromatic, with roasted cacao nib and orange peel notes, this London Dry is – of course – more sophisticated than the classic chocolate stocking stuffer. Besides the rare African botanicals that are always used in Elephant Gin, whole organic Spanish oranges have been vacuum distilled to produce a supremely fresh pour that celebrates fruit as much as chocolate. And if that’s not enough to convince you, 15% of profits go towards saving elephants in Africa.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £32.90

Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Liqueur

If you’ve had Hotel Chocolat’s salted caramel chocolate before, you’ll know that it’s so good it should be X-rated. Well, this drink from the premium chocolate brand raises the bar further, combining the sea salt-flecked caramel and chocolate with vodka and cream. The result? A velvety, decadent liqueur that isn’t overly sugary, and really sings when it’s poured over ice. Hotel Chocolat jokes on its website not to drink the whole bottle in one go, which sounds ridiculous… until you taste it. Definitely not for those with weak willpower.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: UK £22.00

Three Spirit Social Elixir

Technically this is not a spirit – because there’s not a drop of alcohol. What it is, however, is a drinkable ‘mood elevator’, made with natural ingredients such as yerba mate, lion’s mane mushroom, damiana and cocoa nibs, which combined are meant to get you feel relaxed, chatty and sociable. Unusually for a lot of non-alcoholic spirits, this one has real weight and taste: bitter notes of cacao blend with balsamic, Worcester sauce prune flavours, and a tea-like tannin. It’s interesting served over the rocks, but a splash of premium spicy ginger beer really brings out the subtle chocolatey character.

Size: 500ml
ABV: None
Find here: UK £24.95

Coole Swan

White chocolate lovers, we haven’t forgotten about you. Basically the Milkybar version of Baileys (shhhh – whisper it), this Irish-made cream liqueur blends single malt whiskey and Belgian white chocolate in one decadent bottle. Sweet, smooth and creamy, it’s also genuinely delicious, especially when served as you would a Bailey’s, over ice. Though we wouldn’t judge if you also drizzled this over vanilla or chocolate ice cream; poured it over a raspberry cheesecake; splashed some in your morning coffee…

Size: 700ml
ABV: 16%
Find here: UK £23.25

Bicerin Chocolate Liqueur

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This Italian chocolate liqueur, made in the northern Italian city of Turin, has been produced since the 19th century. And much like that iconic Italian chocolate – the Ferrero Rocher – it is a heady mix of chocolate and hazelnut (a combo known as giandujiotto). A winner for vegans as it doesn’t contain dairy, Bicerin is still thick and creamy, and flavourful. Many reserve this liqueur for chocolate martinis, but we are happy drinking it as the Ambassador himself would: simply chilled, with a pile of Rochers to hand. Look out for other versions too, such as white chocolate, chocolate orange, or – in what we call the unofficial ‘After Eight’ edition – chocolate peppermint.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: UK £20.99

The Chocolate Block 2019, Boekenhoutskloof

No, it hasn’t actually got chocolate in it. But with such an evocative name, we couldn’t resist including this popular South African wine in our list. With its rich, dark berry character – all blackberries, plums and cherries – liquorice notes and smooth tannins, it kind of feels like the vinous equivalent of smooth dark chocolate. The Mediterranean varietals, including Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon are mostly to thank, though a wee splash of Viognier gives it lift. Just the stand-out match you need for your slap-up Easter feast.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.69%
Find here: UK £21.99 // US $29.99

For some great no-low suggestions take a look at these 6 delicious drinks and don’t forget to check out the perfect red wine to pair with roast beef!

Lockdown List: Companies running virtual wine & spirits tastings

With Lockdown not ending again for a while, we may as well try to see friends online over a glass or six. If you’ve been thinking about doing any form of online tasting, check out my tips for running your own wine tasting here. If you’d like a pro to lead you through the process and sort all your drinks for you, then here are some companies to support. Email me at helena@thethreedrinkers.com if you want to be listed!

If you’re a company looking for a private online tasting, please click here to get in touch. We are constantly updating this list.

Here are some other companies that offer mix of tastings you can join in with and private tastings you can do at home, online with your mates.

** 8th April - tasting tour of Stauning Distillery. **

Guests will be led on a tour of the beautiful state of the art, premium whisky distillery on Denmark's west coast as they uncover the unique and curious ways Stauning makes its wonderful whiskies - think floor malting, 24 small (and gorgeous) copper pot stills - resulting in truly special spirits. Stauning's very own storyteller Pernille Nielson, will guide guests through the tasting, as they explore the distillery and discover the world of this innovative Danish spirit. It's a super exciting and rare opportunity to see this Danish distillery, particularly with the travel bans at the moment, as well as enjoying some delicious drams. Each tasting kit includes three 50ml samples - one of each of Stauning's whiskies, Rye, Kaos and Peat - and a special Stauning tasting glass. Tickets are £35 and are available to purchase on Design My Night. The tour will start at 6:30pm.

Online Wine Tasting Club

Brand new venture, Online Wine Tasting Club send you five incredible wine samples every month through your letterbox, in their unique mini bag-in-box packaging. You can join a live wine tasting show / masterclass where they introduce you to the stories behind the wines, explain winemaking to you and take you on virtual tours of the vineyards and wine regions. Great fun and jargon-free, it is enjoyed by more than 1000 people every month. Prices start from £20 a month or £32 for a couple. Winner of a 2021 Drinks Retailing Award. Support a new, lockdown-born business!

onlinewinetasting.club

Feel Good Grapes

Run by the brilliant Mike Turner, Feel Good Grapes runs relaxed, private tastings for you, your friends and colleagues. Ideal for groups of 8-25, they can theme the tasting for you and send out all the wines based on your budget.

feelgoodgrapes.com

Huxley's Bar

Huxley's Bar UK, provide fun wine tasting and whisky tasting events in a virtual format. Our beautifully presented boxes delivered to your door are great as a group tasting or as a gift. You will receive our professionally made videos for each of your drinks or you can make your experience V.I.P and one of our experts will attend your Zoom Call. Huxley's Bar UK also provide pre-made cocktails delivered to your door.

Huxleysbar.co.uk

FORTIFY

FORTIFY is a wine & spirits appreciation and education company founded by Ali Finch, Drinks Director for the Angela Hartnett restaurant group. Hosting bespoke group tastings as well as one-off special events, these virtual masterclasses combine Sommelier insight and hospitality. Open discussion and questions are actively encouraged, from myth-busting & revealing insider knowledge, to offering pairing suggestions and getting downright nerdy when required.

fortifyws.com

Plonk Wine Co.

Join us for an exclusive, unforgettable, bespoke, virtual wine tasting event — tailored to impress, surprise and delight your clients, colleagues and customers. What sets us apart from the competition? Well, it’s simple. No one else offers the kind of wines that we do. 

plonkwine.co

The English Vine

You, your family, friends or colleagues, some amazing English wines and us. These aren't your usual stuffy wine tastings. We'll bring our best chat and let you really discover what our wines are about in a way that everyone can understand, even your Auntie Dora. We’ll even ask you to bring a beer (you’ll find out why on the day).

theenglishvine.co.uk

VineDrops

VineDrops is a virtual wine tasting platform that partners with independent vineyards to offer virtual events directly with the vineyards. Explore the history and heritage of these vineyards as you enjoy their wines in these interactive sessions.

www.vinedrops.co.uk

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

Get Tasting

Get Tasting started almost 18 months ago (pre-lockdown) listing wine tasting experiences both virtual and in-person. We also list online and on-demand courses and have over a thousand wine tasting resources.

gettasting.com/virtual-wine-tasting-events

The Vine Untangled

Join experienced wine & spirit educator Tim Haslam for customised online tastings for you and your friends, relatives and work colleagues. Fun and informal, Tim will take you behind the scenes of the wine trade to understand some of the factors professional wine buyers take into account to bring the world's finest wines & spirits to your door!

thevineuntangled.com

Manchester Wine School

Owned by the wine writer and presenter Simon Woods, the Manchester wine school offers a range of online sessions, some in partnership with independent wine merchants, some “byo” style on a theme, specialist courses and masterclasses as well as WSET qualifications. We also offer private sessions for corporate clients and virtual private parties at home.

Manchester Wine School

Jackson and Seddon

Jackson and Seddon wine tastings are run by Rob the business owner and focus on the stories behind the wines and his experiences in finding each one personally and the people that put their heart and soul into producing them.

www.jacksonandseddon.com

Brixton Wine Club

This is not your Mum and Dad’s wine club. Brixton Wine Club sells premium wines, but in cans. Choose from a one off box or a monthly subscription and wine delivered straight to your door with tasting notes.

www.brixtonwineclub.com

VINGIN

Wine and gin cocktail tastings for private parties, corporate business and charitable tastings. We also run a weekly wine and gin club, which is currently a BYO format related to a theme, but soon moving to a postal service whereby we supply the wines and gin samples.

www.vingin.co.uk

Bolney Wine Estates

Bolney are offering a range of virtual tasting experiences including Classic & Luxury virtual tastings and private virtual wine tastings.  Afterwards, you can compete to become wine champion as your guide puts your newfound knowledge to the test with a fun quiz to finish! Bookable tastings as well as virtual tasting vouchers are available.

BolneyWineEstate.com

Rose Murray Brown MW

Regular online wine tastings (sometimes with winemaker as guest host) on some classics, such as Tuscan Reds, Christmas wines, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Small French Growers etc.

Rosemurraybrown.com

ThirtyFifty

This events team is hosting a series of virtual wine tastings via Zoom which are educational yet fun and a great way to socialise while increasing your wine knowledge during the current lockdown period. Vouchers available too!

www.thirtyfifty.co.uk

BiB Wine Company

BIB Wine Co are offering tasting boxes with 6 x 100ml samples as well as online tastings in December. One coming up on the 3rd Dec!

www.bibwine.co.uk

Brianne Cohen

Brianne runs a monthly public #virtualvino class as well as individual tastings. Her signature is a small-format tasting set sent to each attendees home for the class.

Briannecohen.com

Newcastle Wine School

Newcastle Wine School regular online tastings with local wine merchants and winemakers. 

Newcastlewineschool.com

Winebound

Entertaining wine tasting classes with wines delivered. led by Fabio Adler and his company.

winebound.designmynight.com

Caviste

Wine, spirits and festive tastings from this merchant based in Hampshire.

caviste.co.uk

Tipple-Talk

Tipple Talk is a virtual wine club covering a new region each month. 6 mini bottles delivered in advance of a webinar zoom. No subscription needed. Run by Katrina; an award-winning wine professional with over 8 years experience in the industry.

tipple-talk.com

Vineyards Wine Shop

Dorset wine shop running Instagram Live tastings and private tastings. Coming up: a Sherry tasting in a with Gonzalez Byass, plus ‘drinks cabinet staples’ in Dec and more!

Vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

Virtual Tastings

Offering private tastings showcasing our collection of unique, lesser-known wines (as well as ciders and gin!)

virtualtastings.co.uk

Enjoy Discovering Wine

Tastings for fun and WSET courses online! Open to all in the UK & Europe. WSET Diploma worldwide.

enjoydiscoveringwine.com

Unicorn & The Vine / Wine At Home

Luisa is a certified WSET Wine Educator who runs interactive virtual tastings for corporates or to connect friends and family. Wines and cheeses delivered to the door! Wine from Wine at Home.

Unicornandthevine.com / wineathome.org

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

Occitanie Wine School

An 11-episode series that’s easy to catch-up with on YouTube. offering and insight into the wine regions of Occitanie, bringing to life its top performing, distinctive appellations. 

suddefrance.co.uk

Online Spirits Tastings and Masterclasses

Sky Wave Gin

Sky Wave Gin create bespoke gin themed corporate virtual events for you and your clients or friends through the magic of the internet. Our virtual events can run for 1 hour as a stand alone event or can  incorporate a new product demo or corporate announcement followed by a 45 minute Virtual Gin Tasting session – both are led by Sky Wave Gin’s Master Distiller with a curated gin tasting, quiz, fun facts and a Q&A section. Follow them on Instagram @SKYWAVEGIN and see more on the web address below.

skywavegin.com/virtual-gin-tasting

York Gin

York Gin are running regular events on Zoom featuring all six of our gins, mixers and garnishes, snacks and surprises. Hosted by two of our experts who normally do the tastings in our beautiful Tudor shop in York.
yorkgin.com/product/york-gin-night-in-tasting-zoom

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

Liberated Liquid

Fine Whisky, Gin & Rum masterclasses by @LiberatedLiquid using stocks from their city bars. Liberatedliquid.com

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

Virtual Tastings

Offering private tastings showcasing our collection of unique, lesser-known wines (as well as ciders and gin!)

virtualtastings.co.uk

Online Beer Masterclasses

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

not an online virtual whisky tasting as such, I still think it is relevant to the lockdown list considering the product was developed during and for the purposes of lockdown!

Angel Share Artworks

We are reinventing the whisky flavour chart to enhance the whisky tasting experience at home. Whether you are looking to train your senses or display unique whisky wall art, an Angel Share Artwork is a fantastic addition to the enthusiasts’ collection. While not an online tasting, it will enhance any that you do!

www.AngelShare.Art

For a list of tastings you can join in with, Spitbucket.net have compiled a huge database of tastings that are happening online, with over 7400 tasting listed since May! Check out VirtualWineEvents.com. Another list to peruse is grapegathering.com