The Most Popular Cocktails This Summer

Picture it: the sun is shining, your friends are round and improvised appetisers are on the table. A flash of silver - what’s that? “Would anyone like a cocktail?” a cool voice calls out from the kitchen. The crowd pricks up their ears, who’s that sexy mixologist? It’s you, you’re the sexy mixologist. Shaker in hand, you begin to feel like a God… until you realise you don’t know any cocktail recipes.

Aha! Fear no more! There’s still hope for you to become the God of cocktail parties. Once you’ve got down the crowd pleasers, you need never worry again about accidentally getting Grandma plastered on your botched version of a ‘martini’. We’re here, armed with the nation's favourite cocktails to help you out.

10. Sangria

In at Number 10 is a tasty Spanish contribution - the Sangria! Essentially a red wine punch (though it can be especially tasty with white wine), the key to a great Sangria is the personal touch. Taste test with your favourite fruits and put together a family recipe to be passed down through the generations.

Ingredients

2 oranges, chopped
2 pears, chopped
2 lemons, 1 chopped, 1 juiced
200g red berries, chopped
3 tbsp caster sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Ice
750ml bottle light red wine
100ml Spanish brandy
300ml sparkling water

Method

Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the chopped fruit in a large bowl. Stir to mix. Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for at least an hour, but ideally overnight.
Fill up a large jug with ice. Stir the fruit mixture to ensure the sugar is dissolved and tip into the jug. Add the wine and brandy. Stir, then top up with the sparkling water and serve.

9. Long Island Iced Tea

Fun fact: Long Island Iced Tea is claimed to have been invented by TGIFriday’s, but as all origin stories go, this is widely refuted. Oh well, let’s let them have it. Popular in the 1980s and still hugely successful now - the Long Island Iced Tea packs a PUNCH. If you’ve got a lot of leftover spirits around, why not put them to use and mix one up yourself?!

Ingredients

15ml vodka
15ml white rum
15ml silver tequila
15ml gin
15ml triple sec
15ml simple syrup
15ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Cola
Garnish: lemon wedge

Method

Add the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, simple syrup and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with ice. Top with the cola and briefly stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge and straw. Simple!

8. Old Fashioned

Making it into this list is proof that the Old Fashioned isn’t as musty as the name might make it sound. We Brits still love the combination of whisk(e)y, simple syrup and angostura bitters - as we should! Why not have a Mad Men (without the dodgy workplace environment) themed party and serve these up to your guests!

Ingredients

50 ml of Whisk(e)y or Bourbon
1 tbsp sugar syrup
2-3 dashes of angostura bitters
1 twist of orange peel to garnish

Method

Place the sugar syrup and bitters in a rocks glass. Add some of the whiskey and a few ice cubes and stir for 15-20 seconds to cool the alcohol and start the ice melting. Keep adding a little more whiskey, then a little more ice, and continue to stir. Sip as you go and stop when the dilution is to your taste.
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

7. Negroni

Bella Italia! Mamma Mia! Use your best Italian while creating this beautifully complex cocktail - it was invented by one after all (to be precise it was Count Camillio Negroni in 1919 who asked for gin to be added to his Americano cocktail in Florence - the more you know!). 

Ingredients

25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
orange slice, to garnish

Method

Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass with ice. Stir briefly. Garnish with a slice of orange.

6. Margarita

One of the most iconic (and delicious) cocktails to exist. Okay, maybe that was a bit biased - but the margarita is still a great cocktail to have under your belt! Close your eyes and transport yourself to Mexico/heaven. Also, if you’re using nice tequila for the love of the cocktail Gods DO NOT salt the rim - how are you going to taste that £50+ you just spent?

Ingredients

50m blanco tequila (or try a reposado if you’re feeling posh)
25ml lime juice
25ml Cointreau (or triple sec)
lime wedge for garnish

Method

Add tequila, lime juice and triple sec to a shaker with ice. Shake that baby until the sides feel icy. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a slice of lime. 

5. Pornstar Martini

Who knew passionfruit was so naughty? The real question here is what to do with that dastardly prosecco shot. Do you drink it first? Drink it last? Add it to the cocktail? Drink it while drinking the cocktail? Chuck it at the next table? Leave it because the anxiety over how to drink it has got too much? ...yeah.

Ingredients

1 ripe passion fruit, halved
30ml vanilla vodka
30ml passion fruit liqueur
10ml lime juice
10ml sugar syrup
Prosecco, to serve

Method

Scoop the seeds from half of the passion fruit into the tin of a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice and sugar syrup. Add a handful of ice and shake well, strain into a martini glass and add half a passion fruit to each. Serve with a shot of prosecco and a pint glass of prosecco shot anxiety.

4. Sex on the Beach

Another naughty name! Goodness me… make sure when you’re asking someone if they’d like this cocktail that you remember to say ‘A’ Sex on the Beach rather than just ‘Sex on the Beach’. That could go very wrong ;). 

Ingredients

45ml vodka
30ml peach schnapps
60ml orange juice
60ml cranberry juice
Orange wedge, for garnish

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice and add the vodka, peach schnapps and orange juice. Stir briefly. Pour over the cranberry juice for that all important ombre effect. Garnish with a juicy orange wedge.

3. Espresso Martini

This one’s dropped in the ranks this year, it used to be the UK’s favourite cocktail! It’s still getting the bronze medal, however, and this is definitely a cocktail to master - for how easy it is, it looks really impressive!

Ingredients

50ml vodka
25ml freshly brewed espresso coffee
25ml coffee liqueur
10ml sugar syrup
3 coffee beans for garnish

Method

Pop your martini glass in the fridge to cool (or in the freezer if you want that pretty iced effect on the glass). Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice and shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with 3 perfectly placed coffee beans.

2. Piña Colada

Dreaming of beaches and pools, are we? Legend has it that if you take a sip of a Piña Colada, close your eyes and say coconut three times, you might hear the sea. Might is the key word there. If by some random occurrence you happen to have a spare hollowed out coconut, USE IT NOW! Oh and some of those cheesy tiny umbrellas.

Ingredients

120ml pineapple juice
60ml white rum
60ml cream of coconut
Wedge of pineapple to garnish

Method

Pulse all the ingredients along with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

1. Mojito

And the winner is….. A mojito! A mojito is a safe choice cocktail - you’re unlikely to mess it up (and if you do, just put on your sexy mixologist voice and drawl “that’s how it’s supposed to taste”). Not only that, but it’s delicious! 

Ingredients

Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp granulated sugar
Small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve
60ml white rum
Soda water

Method

Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice. Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.

Like what you see? Why not check out our other cocktail recipes to up your game!

The Best Japanese Whisky To Try

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Over the last decade, Japanese whisky has been growing in popularity all around the world to the extent that it would seem that it is a relatively new thing, but nothing could be further from the truth.

When was Japanese whisky first produced?

Japanese whisky distilling was started nearly one hundred years ago in 1923, by a man named Shinjiro Torri, and the whisky produced was called Yamazaki. Shinjiro had previously sent one of his employees, Masataka Taketsuru to Scotland to learn about distillation. He studied Chemistry at Glasgow University, and travelled in Scotland to distilleries, learning how to make whisky. One of these distilleries, which Helena, Aidy and I visited the former site of in episode five of The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky was Hazelburn in Campbeltown. Although Shinjiro Torri founded Yamazaki, it was Masataka’s skill that created the first Japanese whiskies.

What is the difference between Japanese and Scotch whisky?

Like Scotch, Japanese whisky has had its ups and downs, but over the years the quality of the spirit has become second to none. Although it is not Scotch, there are no differences in the basic principles in the production. There are some ambiguities over provenance though. Japanese whisky doesn’t by law have to be Japanese to be called Japanese. There has been a long history of blending whisky in Japan and one of the major components they use for blending is Scotch whisky. It is tricky therefore to know if you are buying true Japanese whisky or not. The simplest way to make sure is to buy single malt whisky from a named Japanese distillery, like Yamazaki, Yoichi or Hakushu. Here are some popular examples:

Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £68.95



Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £135 // US $199.99

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £795 // US $2,099

Yoichi Single Malt

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £64.94 // US $139.99

Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve

Size: UK 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £66.95

Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt

Size: US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: $199.99

Is Japanese whisky good?

The fact that Scotch whisky is used in some blends doesn’t mean to say the whiskies are not good whiskies, this is far from the truth, they can be very good, but you won’t be drinking Scotch. One of the most popular brands of blended Japanese whiskies is Hibiki, but this whisky only uses Japanese whisky in the blend and is of exceptional quality.

Why is Japanese whisky so expensive?

Like many Japanese whiskies, Hibiki used to be sold with an age statement, but with the huge popularity of Japanese whisky these days, they no longer have the aged stocks. For those brands that do, they have very little left which explains the prices. You will find that a traditional 12 year old Scotch can be bought for around £30 to £40 pounds, whilst a 12 year old Yamazaki is four times that. Some Japanese whiskies, although not old can command even higher prices and this can quite often be down to the oak which is used to mature the spirit in. Most whiskies are matured in ex bourbon barrels made of oak or ex Sherry barrels made of oak. In Japan, they sometimes use a rare and difficult to grow Japanese oak called Mizunara. A notable blended whisky that uses this wood is Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Hibiki uses single malt whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries and grain whisky from the Chita distillery. They use whiskies that have been matured in American oak, Sherry casks and also Mizunara oak. As the name suggests, the whisky is a harmony of many different flavours and is light and elegant with honey, oranges and a herbaceous element.

Hibiki Japnese Harmony

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £69.95 // US $99.99

I think the above whisky is the best value for money if buying true Japanese whisky. However, if you have a special birthday coming, or just simply fancy pushing the boat out then Hibiki 30 year old is one of the greatest blended whiskies I have ever tasted.

Hibiki 30 year old

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £5000

Like in Scotland there are closed distilleries in Japan and again, like in Scotland they have legendary status. None more so than Karuizawa distillery. Closed in the year 2000, bottles from this distillery will cost over £5,000 and in 2020 a bottle of 52 year old sold at auction for £363,000. If you fancy a bargain, you can find one over 30 years old here:

Karuizawa 34 Year Old Single Cask #6476

Size: 700ml
ABV: 63%
Find here: £6500

Whatever your budget, if you haven’t tried Japanese whisky before I strongly suggest you give it a go. It’s known, like the Japanese people, for its precision and elegance and is full of flavour. One of my favourite bottles is Nikka from the Barrel. A true Japanese whisky at a slightly higher than normal strength which packs in a lot of flavour. A great place to start a Japanese journey.

Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Size: UK 500ml // US 750ml
ABV: 51.4%
Find here: UK £43.95 // US $89.99

There is a lot of hype around Japanese whisky, but from my experience, the hype is completely justified, as whisky distilled in Japan is absolute heaven.

If you enjoyed this then how about checking out these Traditional Japanese Drinks You HAVE To Try or if you would prefer to read more about Scotch whisky then check out The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year.

The Best Japanese Alcohol You NEED To Try This Summer

Love or hate it, Japanese cuisine is undoubtedly classy - and this goes for their alcohol too! While known for their whisky, Japan offers a whole host of other refined alcoholic drinks, including sake, gin and plum liqueur! Now is the perfect time to explore the wide and wonderful world of Japanese drinks, so take a look over our top picks and try something out this summer!

Hibiki Japanese Harmony

A long time favourite of the Japanese whisky loving community, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a delicately blended whisky made with malt whisky from Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries and grain whisky from Chita distillery. It’s not just the beautiful cut glass bottle that makes this whisky so desirable, its tasting notes of honey, orange peel and dates make for a deliciously buttery, smooth sipping treat! With such a diverse range of flavours, this whisky certainly lives up to the ‘Harmony’ in its name and is light enough to be the perfect gift for a novice Japanese whisky drinker. 

Try with an orange rind and some soda water for a very harmonious highball!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £69.95 // US $99.99

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

Whisky? From a barrel? Never…

Though the name may seem to be a friendly reminder as to how the whisky was made, Nikka’s intention with ‘Whisky From The Barrel’ is actually to make you feel as if you are one of the blenders trying the whisky straight ‘from the barrel’. Even the bottle itself oozes luxury, its simple white label reminiscent of an expensive perfume bottle - but with a much less hefty price tag! More than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies are blended to create a very rich and flavourful whisky. The notes of dried fruits, spices and caramel are present alongside a heavy kick of alcohol - so you might want to give it a go with an ice cube. However you choose to drink it though, Nikka Whisky is one to pop in your basket ASAP.

Size: UK 500ml // US 750ml
ABV: 51.4%
Find here: UK £43.95 // US $89.99

Roku Gin

Another beautiful bottle containing another beautiful drink… In English, Roku translates to the number six - which is the same number of local botanicals used alongside eight gin botanicals in Roku Gin. The Japanese yuzu fruit is a standout flavour among the botanicals, and the delicate balance of flavours makes Roku a gin you’ll want to take neat. However, cocktails fans despair not - it’s also been known to make an extremely delicious martini! Get your hands on one of these flower engraved bottles today and transport yourself to Japan without having to pay for a plane ticket!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £28.84 // US $35.99

Aldi Shirayuki Japanese Sake

Yep, you’re not going mad - that’s Aldi making their own exclusive sake (and selling it for a fiver - which is more than three times cheaper than the same size bottle at Selfridges)! Launched for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Aldi’s sake from Japan’s Itami region is being marketed as ‘an adventurous alternative to dry white wine’. While sake is the perfect companion to traditional Asian cuisine - Aldi’s even promoting it to be drunk alongside a cheeky fish and chips and we couldn’t agree with this match more! Check out our beginners guide to sake link at the bottom of the article to see what else sake pairs well with!

Unfortunately for our international friends, the Shirayuki Japanese Sake is only available in Aldi stores across the UK - but you’re very welcome to hop on a plane and grab a bottle! This release has got us super excited to see what Aldi’s got up its sleeve in the future...

Size: 300ml
Find here: In an Aldi store near you!

Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu

Made from steeping plums in liquor and sugar, umeshu is often mislabelled as plum wine - it’s not wine made from fermented plums, it’s alcohol infused with plums. Umeshu is closer to a liqueur in how it's made, but in taste has been compared to a vermouth or a fortified wine. Though it’s pretty easy to make at home - Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu is a properly tasty pick if you don’t want to wait the three months or more that infusion takes. Shiraume has been made with premium sake as the base alcohol. Take it chilled in the garden this summer, but look forward to drinking it warm for a cozy winter treat.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: UK £19.25 // US $25.99

Whatever you’re looking to drink to end the summer, Japan can offer something a bit different to spice up your cocktails and diversify your collection. There are loads more to discover than just our top picks, so make sure you share some of your favourite finds over on our socials at @thethreedrinkers! 

If you’d like to read about sake in more detail including recommended bottles and what to pair them with then check out our Beginner’s Guide to Sake!

The Best Beer to Drink this Summer

As the summer pushes out one more month, we’re breaking down some of our favourite beers (some of which are a little strange) to drink on those warm sunny days. There’s even some non-alcoholic beer on the list, which is definitely worth checking out!

Corona Extra

Undoubtedly the beer of the last one and a half years, Corona has become even more of a hit with thousands of people enjoying the ice cold irony of the name topped with a lime wedge. While brilliant straight out of the ice bucket with lime, we’re loving the Corona cocktails popping up all over the internet. Our personal favourite is the ‘Corona Sunrise’, which can be made in the bottle using tequila, orange juice, grenadine and lime juice and turns the beer a punchy grapefruit colour. Since we can’t go to Mexico, let’s make Mexico come to us!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5%
Find here: UK £12.60 for 12 // US $16.99 for 12

Snake Venom Beer

Are you looking for a challenge this summer? How about a 67.5% beer challenge? No, we haven’t put the decimal point in the wrong place - Scottish brewery Brewmeister’s ‘Snake Venom’ is officially the world’s strongest beer at 67.5% ABV, which is more than most vodkas! This beer isn’t meant to be chugged, however, as a bright yellow warning tag recommends you take it in 35ml portions. Even still, it’s an impressive feat and the beer is so alcoholic that it can’t carbonate! This one of a kind beer does come with a bit of a price tag, but then again, extracting venom from snakes is tricky work!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 67.5% (WOW)
Find here: UK £39.99 (on offer) // US $69.51

Damm Inedit Beer

From the packaging, this beer looks more like an expensive champagne than a Spanish wheat beer. It’s Estrella’s luxury makeover that happens halfway through the movie, Inedit’s gorgeous golden colour encased in a glossy dark bottle. Created by one of Spain’s top chefs, Ferran Adrià and a team of sommeliers, Inedit is flavoured with spices that create a complex aroma and expertly pair with many dishes. Whether sour, salty, bitter, spicy or buttery, Inedit compliments whatever you’re cooking with style and flair. While it may be an older creation, it is a luxury beer not to be missed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 4.8%
Find here: UK £4.89 // US Price differs, find your nearest supplier here.

Brewdog Punk AF (AF for alcohol-free, not AF for as f-)

Being teetotal in summer isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially when it seems everyone is out having a tipple in the sun. However, Brewdog has knee slid onto the scene with their new Punk AF beer and is making not drinking pretty damn sexy. Full of tropical flavours and pine but still tasting like beer, Punk AF is rocking our world with its funky houndstooth can. Never again fear feeling not cool when you’re not drinking - Punk AF is here. And it’s cool.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0-0.5%
Find here: UK £4.00 for 4 // US $7.99 for 4

BONUS BEER: Brains’ Bayside

This beer has been placed in its own special section as it might be a bit tricky to find at the moment, but is still worth the mention. Bayside Lager is Welsh Brewery Brains’ newest addition to their line of Welsh beers and is currently only available on tap at their pubs and B&Bs across Wales (sad face). If you do find yourself in a Brains pub, run to the bar and grab a pint (or three) of this crisp, light and very drinkable lager - it’s a perfect summer drink and a true tribute to Welsh living.

ABV: 4.3%
Find here: Available at Brains pubs and B&Bs. Find your nearest here.

Seen any summery beers you think we’d like? Give us a buzz on our social media channels at @thethreedrinkers - we can’t wait to hear from you. If you fancy drinking up some more delicious beer goodness on our website, then head over to our beer page for lots of more beer-iliant articles now!

The Top Celebrity Owned Tequilas

Tequila is, finally, becoming a more and more popular drink to enjoy on a night out. The image of salt and lime chasers is thankfully becoming a thing of the past as more people are getting wise to the fact that there are some exceptional sipping Tequilas out there to be enjoyed neat, in highballs or in fancier cocktails. It’s so popular in fact that we are also now seeing celebrities create their own tequila brands just as we have done with wine! From George Clooney (swoon - don’t judge) to The Rock, here is a list of the celebrity tequila you can get your hands on.

Sauza 901

The story goes that the celebrity behind Sauza 901, Justin Timberlake, first became interested in creating his own tequila after seeing the craftsmanship, culture and tradition that goes into cultivating fine tequila on a road trip to Jalisco, Mexico. This then saw the birth of his 901 tequila, which is now known as Sauza 901. Justin may be best known for his music but we have to say that with its piquant, fiery scent and delicious smoothness on the tongue, this is one tequila well worth a try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: Currently out of stock :(

Próspero

Another singer to dip their toes into the world of tequila is Rita Ora, who has joined forces with master distiller Stella Anguiano to create Próspero. This tequila is available in three styles: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Blanco is quite different from standard, un-aged tequila with its vibrant bouquet of dried and fresh floral aromas, which lead seamlessly through to the agave notes and and spice. This would be great tequila in a cocktail as it has enough character to shine through.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £40.95 // US $40.99
Reposado UK £45.45 // US $46.79
Añejo UK £51.99 // US $52.99

Casamigos  

Be still our beating hearts (and that goes for Aidy’s too) as we introduce the celebrity behind this next tequila: George Clooney! Partnering with his good friend Rande Gerber and their business partner Mike Meldman in 2013 to create Casamigos, Clooney’s brand has since become so popular that by the end of 2020, it hit the million case sales a year milestone! Little wonder when you taste the three versions; there’s the refreshing Blanco with its subtle hint of agave, a Reposado with notes of caramel, buttery vanilla and delicate oak spice and an Añejo, which is a gorgeous tequila brimming with toffee penny, roasted agave, dark chocolate and sweetly spiced oak notes. Every single sip tastes like Christmas!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £50.00 // US $41.99
Reposado UK £57.49 // US $83.99
Añejo UK £62.99 // US $59.99

818 Tequila

Founded by model and ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star Kendall Jenner, 818 Tequila was first launched in May this year and has since been rolled out across various states in the US (sorry UK!). So, if you are lucky enough to live stateside then you have a choice between the Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, which have racked up a combined total of 16 tasting awards between themselves already! We haven’t tasted this yet but if you have, get in touch and let us know what you thought.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco $42.99
Reposado $52.99
Añejo $69.99

Teremana

Teremana tequila, the brainchild of film star Dwayne Johnson aka ‘The Rock’, was launched at the beginning of this year after multiple exciting social media teasers. There are Blanco and Reposado styles available, the former being described as having notes of bright citrus with a fresh finish and the latter as having notes of oak and vanilla with a smooth, rich finish. Much like 818 Tequila, this too is only available in the USA right now but hopefully, it won’t be too long before everyone else can get sipping on it too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £47.99 // US $29.99
Reposado UK £47.69 // US $34.99

For more tequila deliciousness make sure you check out The World’s Best Sipping Tequilas and The 6 Tequilas You Need in Your Life Right Now!

The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year

Words by Colin Hampden-White

I find the days of the year which celebrate a particular spirit very useful. It allows one to contemplate the year gone by and what we have drunk. I particularly like international Scotch day as it goes one step further. Beyond the world of whisky (or Whiskey), international Scotch day makes me concentrate on the whiskies which first captured my imagination and spawned decades of pleasure in whisky. Scotch was my first love, and although there are many great whiskies around the world. Scotch still amazes me with its breadth of style and flavour.

Over the last year, my journey through Scotch has been pretty epic. I have tasted some superb very young whisky from new distilleries with great sustainable programs, to old and venerable whiskies which have passed their 50th birthday, and even their 60th in some cases!

I’d like to share the highlights with you, and should you ever get the chance to taste the following drams, I’d jump at the chance.

Nc’nean

The very first batch from newcomers Nc’Nean. Made from organic barley with a long fermentation, matured in three different cask types, and having a bottle completely made of recycled materials, this whisky really hit the mark. Ripe apricots and vanilla custard, oak spiciness and hints of lemon and orange give this whisky lots of character.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £46.95

Glenallachie 13 Wine Cask Finish Rioja

Under the new ownership of Billy Walker, Glenallachie has had some brilliant whiskies released. However, this 13 year old really stood out for me. The whisky was matured in ex-bourbon and extra matured for two years in Rioja wine barriques. These wine barriques gave a subtle summer berry flavour to the already honied whisky and the balance was fabulous. A very sophisticated whisky for its age.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £62

Lagavulin 13 Feis Lle 2021

Matured in ex bourbon casks and finished in high charred Port seasoned casks, this whsiky was rich and refined for its age. Only 6000 bottles were produced, and the flavours included oily mineral notes, linseed oil and fragrant smoke. An intense whisky bottled at full strength.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 56.1%

Bladnoch 14

This was a surprise whisky for me. I have never really been a fan of Bladnoch. I’ve had some good ones, but many have been not very good. However, under new ownership this 14 year old 2021 has been released and it’s a cracker. Matured exclusively in ex Oloroso Sherry casks, it is full of fruit cake, dark chocolate and cinnamon flavours which add a great deal to the Bladnoch lowland fruity style.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £99

Fettercairn 16

Like Bladnoch, Fettercain in years gone by has been very overlooked. Now under the eye of blender Greg Glass, the whole range has been re-released, and smaller batches released within the regular line up. This 16 year old was made with a percentage of chocolate malt (heavily roasted malted barley), and is super sumptuous and rich with lots of sweet dark dried fruits and dark chocolate with a touch of spice and maltiness. This was so good that once I had finished my bottle and it sold out in the UK, I found one for sale in Europe and bought it.

Size: 1L
ABV: 46.4%
Find here: £103.25

That Boutique-y Whisky Company Inchmurrin 20 Year Old

This was batch 3 of Inchmurrin from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Only 708 bottles where produced. With all the different style of whisky produced at the Loch Lomond distillery, there are different names ot the whisky. This style gives lots of marzipan and caramel aromas, sweet apples and gingerbread too. The palate brings in buttery notes and vanilla, soft spices and milk chocolate. Complex and very well balanced.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 51%

Glenburgie 1998 21 Year Old Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange

Distilled in 1998, this whisky was matured in a hogshead for 21 years with no finishing. Although bottled in 2019 I only tasted it in 2020 and loved it. With lots of tinned fruit and cocktail cherry aromas with a toasted oak, tropical fruit and brown sugar palate it was decadent and with a little water as waxy polish flavour came through which was particularly attractive.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 55.4%
Find here: £150

Ardbeg 25 Year Old

Whenever Ardbeg release a whisky with significant age there is always high expectation and a lot of excitement. With this 25 year old there was good reason to be excited. It was one of the best Ardbegs I had tasted in a long while. With the typical smoke still there, the intensity had be quelled with lots of tropical fruits and fine oaky flavours. Soft spices and white pepper come though on the finish. It’s a whisky to spend time getting to know as it changes in the glass and continues to develop with each sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find Here: US $1,199.99

Glenmorangie Sonoma Cutrer 25

This expression of Glenmorangie was a one off. There were only 1000 bottles produced and this age of whisky having been matured for fifteen years of its life in Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay barrels will never be released again. Seek out and taste if you can. It is a rich sumptuous whisky with confected fruits like wine gums, vanilla and soft spice. Complex oak and white chocolate with white pepper on the finish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 55.7%

Jura 1989

This whisky is a great example of a single maturation with no finishing. It was matured in ex bourbon barrels for over 30 years and is very exotic with honeyed pears and ripe bananas. Vanilla holds everything together and soft spices like cinnamon and fresh apple hold the mid palate. Some sweet white chocolate lingers in the background and the finish is sweet. A great summer sipping whisky as the sun sets.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 53.5%
Find here: £650

The Glenturret Provenance 33 Year Old

This was the first release of the Trinity series and was a limited release of 320 lalique crystal decanters designed by Marc Larminaux. Now that is all very well, but the whisky also tastes as good as the bottle looks! With lots of dried fruits like raisins and sultanas with cherry red fruit and cinnamon the aromas are complex and rich. The palate brings dates and soft dried oak with a hint of fresh green apple. It is an elegant and refined whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43.7%
Find here: £9,800

Last Drop 50 Year Old Blend

This is a very complex whisky. Firstly, blended from over 50 different Scotch whiskies in 1995, and was then as a 30 year old married together in ex bourbon casks. A little of that original blend was held back and extra matured in Oloroso Sherry casks for 20 years! With only 898 bottles all coming with a 5cl miniature in a lovely leather case it made a great gift. It is an elegant whisky with cedar and lots of honey and a touch of sweet smoke on the nose. Red fruits and stewed autumn fruits like plumbs mix with cinnamon and dark chocolate and a little fennel. The finish has spice, waxy orange peel and a hint of aromatic oak.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 51.8%
Find here: £2,990

Singleton 54 Paragon of Times II

The oldest Dufftown whisky I have ever tasted, and it didn’t disappoint. Having spent over half a century in European oak barrels since distillation in 1966 it was then finished in a single Pedro Ximenez cask. There were only 235 bottles made. This had all the hallmarks of an old whisky with furniture polish, dusty books and a little beeswax with sandal wood, but also fresh and baked fruit with apple and a touch of peach. The spices are complex but not too dry and the finish is incredibly long.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.1%

Mr George 67 Years Old 1953 Legacy First Edition Gordon and MacPhail

Nearly the oldest whisky I tasted over the last year, but more on the oldest later. This whisky was certainly my most memorable. This was filled into a first fill Sherry butt on Christmas Eve 1953 and never left that cask until the 5th of January 2021. With a rich nose of dried fruits and manuka honey it is inviting. There is a soft smoke in the background. Higher notes of antique furniture polish and fresh meadow flowers keep it alive and interesting. The palate has cigar leaf as well as sweet leaf tobacco, some coffee and dark chocolate with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Nutmeg and sandalwood bring in the finish which is long with bitter chocolate and stem ginger finally finishing on dry but sweet oak.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 59.4%
Find here: £4,995

20 Whiskies That Changed The World, By The Whisky Exchange

Now, not all the whiskies in this tasting set are Scotch, but most of it is and it’s the best tasting set I have come across for learning and pleasure. From new world, to smoky. Islay and fruity highland whiskies. Blends and Blended malts. They are all there and are a great set of well-chosen drams to learn from or re-visit.

Size: 20 x 30ml
ABV: 45.4%
Find here: £160

I think it is always good to remember the whiskies one tastes over the year and having a day like International Scotch day helps to focus the mind and think back to some of the pleasures of the past year. 

Why Albariño from Rías Baixas is the Next Big Thing in White Wine

Celebrate Albariño Day on the 1st August!

Check out AlbarinoDay.co.uk for details of events and promos all around the UK.

We’ve seen various grape varieties take their place in the sun over the last few years especially in the UK market. With some, it’s because they are easy to say. With others, it’s because the wines from that region offer a clear, recognisable personality. Enter Albariño in this camp; the white wine grape taking the wine world by storm as consumers seek out whites with flavour and freshness as well as complexity and texture. Here’s everything you need to know about Spain’s flagship white wine grape from the country’s premium white wine region: Rías Baixas. 

The Mermaid of Wine Grapes

You know us and our penchant for describing grape varieties as personalities? Well in our minds, Albariño is the elegant mermaid of wine grapes, swimming in the stormy seas of Galicia. Imagine the scent of ripening lemons, wet granite rocks and sea spray as she calls us with her siren song, that pale and peachy complexion shining in the water. In a classic tasting note, Albariño is pale, dry, crisp and fresh with notes of lemon citrus, white peach and a cool, saline kick on the finish. 

Albariño from Rías Baixas 

The stunning region of Rías Baixas can be found on the southwestern coast of Galicia, which itself is located to the very northwest of Spain. It’s a beautiful location made up of lots of small fjords (known as rias) set out over four estuaries. Compared to the rest of Spain, Rías Baixas is particularly green thanks to its high rainfall and misty mornings. It does also however boast over 2,200 hours of sunshine per year, which together help vines produce healthy, ripe grapes. 

As a wine region, Rías Baixas comprises of five distinct subregions, which each offer subtle variations on the classic Albariño style thanks to differences in their geography, though there tends to be granite-heavy, mineral-rich soils throughout. These sub regions are Ribeira do Ulla, Val do Salnés, Soutomaior, Condado do Tea and O Rosal. You will currently see these on the label as Rías Baixas Salnés, Rías Baixas Condado and Rías Baixas Rosal only. If the wines are simply labelled ‘Rías Baixas Albariño’, it means they are made with 100% Albariño grapes from any sub-zone.

Unusual vines 

Due to the humidity in the region, vines are often planted up to seven feet high to allow air to circulate (thus preventing mildew) and helping the grapes to ripen evenly. The vines are supported by granite posts called ‘parras’ where they form canopies and the bunches are harvested in the Autumn by pickers from below.  If you drive around the region, you will see lots of small vineyards with these parras, all owned by single families. There is a long history of artisan families passing down their vines through the generations and this is why hand harvesting has also always been important as this is how it was always done. Combine this with the unique terroir in Rías Baixas and wines that so beautifully express their sense of place and you have real fine wines in your hands. 

More than just a white wine

Unusually for a Spanish wine region, 99% of all wines made in Rías Baixas are white and of these, 96% of the grapes used are Albariño! Of the remaining 4%, there are 13 other local grapes allowed in the DO; most of which are blended with Albariño, though you will occasionally see some of them standing alone. The most important ‘other’ grapes are Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, Torrontes, Loureiro and Godello. Red wine is made in Rías Baixas (Rías Baixas Tinto) but it’s rare at under 1%. Sparkling wines (Rías Baixas Espumoso) are also still very rare, but we are starting to see some well-known producers experimenting - and to great effect. 

Albariño wine style trends in Rías Baixas

Here’s the geeky part! Producers of Albariño in Rías Baixas have been experimenting over the last few years, finding ways to make their wines age for longer, to create more food friendly styles and generally put this grape through its paces to see what it is capable of. As a result, we are seeing producers try more maceration of the grapes with their skins before fermentation, which increases the aromatics and gives more structure. They're opting for native yeasts to kick off this ferment too as they've noticed that it gives the wine a more authentic, less generic flavour. In very ripe years, some barrel ageing (Rías Baixas Barrica) is now starting to be used to tone down the overt fruit and balance things up, offering a more robust texture. One particularly exciting development however, is seeing producers let the wine sit on its lees for longer (the dead yeast cells left after fermentation). This gives body, weight and structure to the wines and means they can age for a bit longer. It also means that these wines can take a bit more on the food matching front, from nutty cheese to creamy, chicken and rich fish dishes. 

What to eat with Albariño

Albariño was born by the sea so naturally, it should be a top choice for fish and seafood. The lighter, more zesty styles are great by themselves or make a fantastic aperitif with salmon blinis or fresh sheep cheese. The weightier, more lees-aged or barrel-aged wines can take some heavier textures and flavours, be that nuttier cheese or grilled, smoky flavours. Creamy pork and potato dishes work well here too. All in all, it’s a very versatile grape variety!

Try these Albariño Wines

We’re seeing more and more Albariño from Rías Baixas in the UK every year, with exports having increased by twenty five times in the last nine years alone. Many supermarkets now stock their own label Albariño wines as well as carrying key brands and more gastronomic styles of wines can also be found in independent shops, bars and restaurants. Here are some to try.

You & Me Albariño

With grapes harvested from Salnés Valley, which is the most northern and coolest subzone of Rías Baixas, this wine is perky and fresh with floral notes and a touch of peach. Very easy drinking.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.99

Serra da Estrela Albariño, Adegas Valmiñor 2020

Another refreshing Albariño with a touch more body and great salinity. Think peaches, lemon peel and white flowers. So pretty!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £13

Lagar de Cervera Albariño

A creamier, weightier drop this thanks to some extended lees ageing, making it a perfect match for food such as white fish and seafood. Grapes harvested in O Rosal and Condado.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

Linar de Vides Albarino, Bodegas Coto Redondo

Another elegant white with the perfect balance of citrussy freshness and creamy texture. This is the wine to take home to meet the parents. A great all-rounder, with or without food.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

For more wine content make sure you check out these articles next.

Vermouth and Tonic: Your New Go-To Summer Drink

Move over G&Ts – there’s a new summer cocktail staple in town, and it blends tonic with a less-likely partner: vermouth.

You might think it sounds unusual, but this mix is taking a leaf out of the book of long-established Italian aperitivo culture. These savoury drinks not only pair great with nibbles such as charcuterie, crisps or tapas; V&Ts pack big flavour minus the standard knee-wobbling alcoholic punch of gin (most vermouths, which are classified as an aromatized fortified wine, come in at around 15-18% ABV). That means you can enjoy a lighter, lower-alcohol drink that still tastes great, without the effects going straight to your head.

The good news, too, is that vermouth brands have been seriously upping their game – and there are some delicious new pours out there to try. Here’s our pick of the best vermouths for V&Ts, from dry whites to sweet reds. Happy summer drinking…

Azaline Saffron Vermouth

With its bold, distinct nose and flavour profile – heady saffron, fruity blackcurrant, earthy cardamom, bitter gentian – this newly launched French brand, produced by Dijon’s Gabriel Boudier (of Crème de Cassis fame) is exactly the kind of vermouth that shines when mixed with tonic. The idea is that it’s the flavours of the Silk Road, all laid over a base of cherried, Burgundian Pinot Noir. Compared to many red vermouths Azaline is on the drier side, which means it doesn’t taste overbearing even when paired with a sweeter tonic such as Fever-Tree. Bravo!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £24.95

Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth

With all those fragrant botanicals vying for attention, sometimes it’s easy to forget vermouth is made with wine. That’s not the case with Regal Rogue. All four of its vermouths – which range from an extra-dry white to semi-dry white, red and rosé – let their Australian wine bases shine, whether that’s Chardonnay, Cabernet or organic Shiraz. They’re all tasty, but our favourite for V&T purposes is the Daring Dry, made with citrussy Sauvignon Blanc and white pepper, resinous juniper, thyme and olive leaf. Think of it as a complex, savoury white wine spritzer perfectly on-point for 2021.

Size: 50cl
ABV: 18%
Find here: £19.50

Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino

There are a lot of funky new vermouth start up brands out there – but Cocchi is not one of them. Smooth, silky and very gently medicinal, this Italian Vermouth di Torino has been made to the same recipe since 1891. And as the saying goes, why fix what ain’t broke? Whether you’re drinking it straight, mixing it into a Manhattan or lengthening it out with a V&T, this syrup-hued red vermouth is a stunner. The rooty, fruity and bright character from the combination of wormwood, rhubarb and citrus makes it delicious with a small slug of lighter, understated mixer – try, perhaps, London Essence’s Original Tonic.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16%
Find here: UK £24.45 // US $19.99

La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Extra Dry

With a botanical roll-call of 27 different plants, this French white vermouth – made in the Charentais vineyard at Maison Villevert, and fortified with local Pineau des Charentes – is seriously complex. The Extra Dry is exceptional in a martini, but we also love it in a V&T where its floral, citrus and herbaceous notes can really shine. Fancy a bit more sweetness? The generous, stone-fruity palate of the Royal White is also a worthy partner for tonic. Fun fact: the vermouth is named after the botanist who was commissioned by King Louis XIV to create the epic kitchen gardens at the world-famous Palace of Versailles.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £21.45

Seven Sisters Dry White Vermouth

This Sussex-made vermouth is produced by Rathfinny Wine Estate, so you know real care has gone into the grapes – the winery even goes as far as distilling its own spirit using estate-grown bounty. Seven Sisters is rich and fruity-floral on the nose thanks to a base of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, but when you sip the palate is bone-dry – with savoury notes of bitter gentian, wormwood and angelica creeping in along with a zesty kick of pink grapefruit and bitter orange. This is a brilliant pick in a V&T for anyone who wants flavour but shies away from sweeter styles; you’ll get complexity and a rounded mouth-feel without losing out on taste.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £25

El Bandarra Vermut White

The bottle is, of course, fantastic. But even if it wasn’t such a looker we’d love this vermouth – fruity and gently spiced, with a creamy, rich undertone of vanilla custard. It’s made from white Garnacha and Xarel-lo grapes that have been infused with a whopping 40 botanicals, but despite that big flavour El Bandarra still feels delicate and light in the mouth, and comes in at a pretty low 15% ABV. It just goes to show the Spanish – who have been in the throes of a serious vermouth trend for several years now – really know what they’re doing when it comes to this fortified wine.

Size: 100cl
ABV: 15%
Find here: £22

Hotel Starlino Rosso

The USP of this Italian red vermouth? It’s aged in bourbon barrels, imparting a deep golden hue, honeyed character and spiced oak notes. It’s on the sweeter scale of vermouths, but if you’re into dry don’t let that put you off; use a light tonic such as Navas (or even a soda water) and you’ll lengthen out all that sweetness while still enjoying that tawny-esque flavour. Or sod the V&T and just sip it in a rock glass over a theatrically large ice cube.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: UK £19.84 // US $29.99

CUCIELO Vermouth Di Torino Rosso

CUCIELO makes two vermouths – one red, one white – and they’re both pretty knock-out in a V&T. The Rosso follows the classic style of Vermouth di Torino – complex, rich and fresh – but the company is firmly 21st-century when it comes to environment outlook. The plastic-free bottle is 100% recyclable, with even the Art Deco-style labelling being printed on natural cotton paper. We’d keep measures of tonic short with this one; just a splash is all you need, to pull out the orange, rhubarb and pomegranate notes of the vermouth and let it shine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16.8%
Find here: £22.70

Lustau

It’s sweet, it’s pink, it’s irresistible. Pink vermouth is a relatively new phenomenon and while it’s not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that on the right occasion (read: glorious sunshine) it can be dangerously drinkable. Lustau’s version is smooth, generous and balances fruitiness with a tawny-like savoury character to make it feel grown-up. We like it served with a slug of Double Dutch Indian Tonic – and, obviously, cloudless blue skies.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £18.95

Looking for more vermouth cocktail recipes? Then how about checking out our Cocchi Vermouth One Drink Three Ways article, or, if premixed cocktails are more up your street then have a look at these Perfectly Premixed Negronis!