The Best Places To Drink English Sparkling Wine

Happy English Wine Week! Now in times gone by, this might not have been much of an occasion but with English fizz’s staggering rise in quality, popularity, and reputation, it is well worth getting out there and enjoying a glass. But where?

Well, for pretty much wherever you’re based, we’ve got a stellar establishment that’s championing fantastic fizz made right here in the rolling fields of England.

VINEYARDS

All over!

Now we’re not revealing anything too shocking here, but the best place to enjoy English sparkling wine is straight from the source, by visiting one of our many superb vineyards putting English fizz on the global stage. Getting up close and personal with the process from grape to glass is a special experience and it helps that they’re in glorious surroundings too. Check out the link below to find the best vineyard tours near you (and if you’re in the South West, you’re spoilt for choice!).

Find our guide here

LONDON

Oxeye Restaurant

Whilst it might not the cheapest option to sip on English fizz, Oxeye Restaurant in central London is a stunning establishment built around the very best of British ingredients. English bubbles dominated the huge wine list, from Nyetimber’s luxury Tillington, to Blackbook’s super silky Pinot Noir. When it comes to a premium dining experience to celebrate British food and wine, Oxeye is a treat you’ll never forget.

Find the website here

The George

Sister to the adored Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is The George, inhabiting a site that has hosted a pub since the 18th century. Stylish wherever you look, it’s upstairs that we’re interested in because it’s there that you’ll find it’s very own English Sparkling Wine bar. When the Wine List’s subheadings are, ‘London/Hampshire/Kent/Devon/East Sussex/West Sussex/Costwolds/Dorset’, you know you’ve got a great selection on your hands. If you want insight as you sip, keep your eyes peeled for their regular English wine tastings too!

Find the website here

The Coral Room

This beautiful, opulent bar sits in the heart of Bloomsbury, boasting striking art deco décor and a grand salon-style central bar from which you can order a superb selection of English sparklers. Curated by Master of Wine Anne McHale and sorted by county of origin, there are some 50 bottles to pick from, with house favourite being Ridgeview’s Bloomsbury Cuvee NV. Every style is represented here from award-winning Champagne varieties to quirky grapes you might never have tried, and there’s no better surroundings to sip them in.

Find the website here

MANCHESTER

Salut Wines

Like many others in Manchester, Salut is a wine shop doubling up as a dine-in venue. Slap bang in the city centre, over 400 bottles of wine surrounding you as well as a tapas restaurant, including stunning English Classic Cuvee from both Hambledon and Rathfinny. There’re also tapas if you like, stunning surroundings and all kinds of further afield wines from the familiar to the unusual.

Find the website here

NORFOLK

The White Horse

Coming in at Number 34 in the prestigious Estrella Top 50 Gastropubs list is The White Horse along the stunning marshes of Brancaster Staithe, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Top-notch gastropubs like this now rival swanky restaurants for their wine selections, and The White Horse provide a trio of English stunners from the masters at Nyetimber. Classic Cuvee NV, Rose NV, and Blanc de Blancs all feature, as well as locally made Cobble Hill Bacchus. English fizz and incredible seafood – what a pairing.

Find the website here

CORNWALL

The Idle Rocks

Cornish wine continues to go from strength to strength, and where better to celebrate it than the gorgeous coastal town of St Mawes where boutique hotel and restaurant The Idle Rocks sits. A personification of waterside comfort, the wine list is varied with options from across the globe, but it’s the Cornish and English Sparkling Wine Section that caught our eye. Again, Nyetimber provides tasty options alongside Knightor’s Classic Cuvée Brut and Sugrue’s The Trouble With Dreams. The wine list not only pairs with the dishes on offer but is also entirely sustainable – bravo!

Find the website here

BRIGHTON & HOVE

etch. By Steven Edwards

Winner of MasterChef the Professionals, Steven Edwards’s first restaurant, Etch in Hove showcases English wine’s cream of the crop brilliantly. Stocking wines from all over the South-East, there are dry Whites like Davenoport’s Horsmonden and Tickerage’s Chardonnay, but it’s the sparkling wine section that really celebrates the English Wine Revolution. Nyetimber, Wiston, Ridgeview, Rathfinny, Tickerage, Hoffman & Rathbone, Westwell... if you’re anywhere near Hove then this is the place to be.

Find the website here

If you want to get closer to England’s beautiful wines, then there are some incredible Winery Tours available here! Or, if you’d rather sip at home then these our are recommended bottles!

How Do You Store Wine Bottles Properly?

We love wine, but it’s sensitive and there’s nothing worse than putting time and money into buying a lovely bottle of wine only for it to be spoiled by not storing it correctly.

Whether it’s opened but unfinished, unopened but penned in for a pour, or you’re storing with no intentions of ever drinking, there are surprising pitfalls waiting for you at every turn. So, here is a comprehensive guide on how to store wine properly. Let’s begin with leftover wine…

How to store open wine bottles

Temperature & Light

As a number one priority, high temperatures and direct sunlight must be avoided. Wine deteriorates rapidly in these conditions, so cool and dark conditions are always best. For opened wine, refrigeration is the safest bet because it slows oxidation down and guarantees no high temperatures or sunlight.

Oxygen

Oxygen is initially a friend to wine, with many bottles improving after an hour or so of opening. However, it quickly becomes an enemy.

Re-corking is essential, and the same goes for checking that the cap is tightly secured. Basically, anything you can do to stop air from getting into the bottle will help preserve the wine so we’d recommend buying yourself a reusable cork if you haven’t got one already.

Once opened, you’ll need to store your bottle vertically to minimise the amount of wine coming into contact with the air. This won’t help to keep the cork moist but once opened, this shouldn’t have time to have much of an impact. You can always tip the bottle to moisten it, or add some water to it so that it remains a snug fit.

If you regularly find yourself with half a bottle leftover, then it might be worth buying some empty half bottles to decant into. If you want to really push the boat out, there are even wine pumps that remove the air. Remember, the less air in the bottle the better!

How to store wine bottles you will open

Temperature & Light

Even if you’re planning on cracking open a bottle of wine soon, don’t make the mistake of just leaving it anywhere. It’s easy to just pop it down somewhere and forget, and even an hour in direct sun can completely ruin a wine. White wine in particular can become ‘light struck’ which is why bottles are generally not clear!

There’s really no need to refrigerate a bottle you plan to open, but cool and dark conditions are best. No direct sun (avoid indirect if possible), and comfortably below 20 degrees Celsius.

Oxygen

Screwcaps don’t really need to rest on their side as that’s more relevant to corks and longer ageing. Just check that the cap is secure with no dents or anything letting in oxygen. As long as it’s not opened, there’s of course no harm in horizontal positioning, however.

Don’t disturb it

This isn’t likely to have a massive impact if you’re going to get round to drinking it sooner rather than later, but vibrations in the fridge will cause some degradation to the wine over time by disturbing sediment and altering the chemical structure slightly. There are other reasons to avoid the refrigeration too, like intense odours breathing through the cork and the likelihood of it being regularly moved and sloshed around to make room in the ridge.

How to store wine bottles you plan to keep

Temperature & Light

If you’re planning on storing wine bottles for longer periods of time, then it’s pretty much the same rules – cool and dark. Ensure there is no risk of the area climbing over 20 degrees Celsius, and ideally lower. Remember to make sure that no light comes through at any point of the day, and if there’s a risk of this simply cover the bottle with cloth or something similar.

Store horizontally

Wines that you’re storing for years will likely be corked, so store these wines horizontally. The cork might seem tight, but if it dries out completely then oxygen will seep in and gradually destroy the wine.

Avoid strong odours

As a rule of thumb, keep wine separate from any strong odours from foods, cleaning products and alike. As we mentioned before, wine breathes through the porous cork so just be aware of the nearby smells and make sure it’s neutral. The kitchen might initially make the most sense for wine storage in your home, or perhaps the garage, but both these locations have potential to surround your wine with strong aromas so be careful.

Don’t disturb it

Similarly, to bottles of wine you plan on opening soon, it’s important to leave wine alone. Any vibrations from a fridge or washing machine or movement from gym equipment will slowly affect the liquid. This is even more relevant for long-term storage because constant jolting of the bottle adds up over time. Like we say, the occasional removal of a bottle to look at it won’t be detrimental, but if you’re storing wine it’s likely to be of high quality or an investment, so keeping it still is best.

Humidity

Something people can forget about when it comes to storing wine you don’t plan on opening is humidity. Even if stored horizontally, very low humidity will dry out the cork which again, can lead to oxygenation issues.

On the other hand, higher humidity could begin peeling labels off bottles or at least damaging them, causing issues with re-sell or just aesthetic irritation. Luckily, no particularly special humidity conditions are required (it’s wine not some exotic frog!) but just make sure humidity isn’t much lower than 50, or above 70 – around 60 is perfect. Most homes will be around 55 but this obviously varies house to house and room to room!

If something’s gone wrong with storing your wine, or you just have leftover wine that is on the turn then hold your horses. A staggering amount of leftover wine gets poured down our sinks every year, and there’s actually loads you can do with it! Explore your wine’s second life here!

The Best Whisky Tasting Sets

Father’s day is just around the corner, and this always begs a question for me. My father, although not greatly knowledgeable about whisky, does like to drink it fairly regularly. There will always be a bottle or two in the house, and they are usually ones that are tried and tested. He know which ones he likes, and doesn’t vary very much. I know that there must be other whiskies out there that he would like, but I don’t want to splash out on a whole bottle just in case he doesn’t. So for this Father’s day I have been looking at whisky gift sets starting from under £10 which he might find fun, and also find other whiskies he might like without having to buy full bottles. These are some of the more interesting and fun ones I have found, so hopefully they will be useful for you too.

Anthon Berg Single Malts Scotch Whisky Collection

My first selection, although not strictly pure whisky, will certainly let my father try a few flavours without him not liking them entirely. I know he loves chocolate, and chocolate is probably one of the best food pairings for whisky. So, a pack of whisky chocolates should go down a treat. And at under £10 it doesn’t break the bank. In this pack there are 5 whiskies including  sweet highland whiskies, classic Speyside whisky, coastal, island and even a smoky one from Islay. A great little gift box.

Size: 78gr
ABV: Unknown
Find it here: £6.84

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Gift Pack

This is a great way to start to get to know Irish whisky. A good value pack which packs a lot flavour. Bushmills is in Northern Ireland and if you’re ever wanting to visit a great distillery whilst seeing the Giants Causeway, then Bushmills is very close by. Very fruity, easy going whisky which typifies what Irish whisky is all about.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £13.95

Isle of Jura Gift Pack

Hailing from one of my favourite distilleries is a nifty little gift pack from the Isle of Jura. The three whiskies are from their core range, so if your father really likes one of them, then maybe there’s another present for the future sorted. With lots of orchard fruit flavours and honey, with a little whiff of the sea showing the whiskies Island heritage. These are great value.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £15.99

Teeling Trinity gift pack

Whisky doesn’t all have to be about scotch, and I have a few suggestions outside of Scotland. Teeling were the family to bring distilling back to the heart of Dublin and are producing some fabulous whiskey. With lots of fruity tropical flavours and a mix of grain, small batch and single malt, these Irish whiskies I think will be loved by any whisky drinker, and if they haven’t tried Irish whiskey before, they’ll be drinking more of it in the future after tasting this pack.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £19.95

The Discovery collection by the Lost Distillery Company

This is a gift pack with a difference. Over time many Scotch whisky distilleries have closed, never to reopen. The whiskies they made were a different style to today’s whiskies. The Lost Distillery Company have tried to recreate the style of whisky some of these closed distilleries would have been producing. With some history about the distilleries, and three very tasty whiskies, this little gift pack is bit more interesting than the usual brands.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £19.99

Chivas Regal Whisky Blending Kit

Here is a great gift for someone looking to experiment with the types of whisky they like. With a mix of six little bottles of whisky all with different flavour profiles, it allows the whisky lover to make their own special blend. The only fall back is that once they’ve found it, it will be the only one, and completely unreplaceable! But it will be fun. I am presuming however that as it’s a Chivas product, if they like the flavours they are creating, they will most likely find them in a Chivas blend in the shops!

Size: 6 x 5cl
ABV: 40%
Find it here: £24.99

Father’s Day Whisky Tasting Set

Here the chaps at Drinks by the Dram have put together a special tasting pack for Father’s Day. Just in case we’d all forgotten what we’re celebrating. With a mix of smoky and non-smoky scotch, smooth Irish and even a bourbon, this pack has all the major flavour bases covered, and I think it’s the best overall package for someone who has found they like whisky but have no idea where to turn next.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 44.9%
Find it here: £25.95

Nikka Whisky tasting Set

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t include a gift pack with Japanese Whisky. Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, so they’ve been making whisky for rather a long time and have become very good at it. They have two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagiko and are making all sorts of whisky with some of the best single malts as well as blended malts and grain whiskies. All of which you will find in this fabulous tasting set.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 43.6%
Find it here: £31.95

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Gift Pack 

It isn’t surprising one of the best-known distilleries in Speyside have put this gift pack together. However, there is something very special about this pack. The Balvenie 17 year old (The whisky which got Aidy hooked), has been discontinued for some time, and it had a huge following with good reason. But here is it, in this exceptional tasting pack from The Balvenie. A great gift for any whisky lover, but unmissable if your dad’s a Balvenie fan.

Size: 3 x 5cl
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £39.99

The Character of Islay Whisky Company Premium Whisky Tasting Set

This is a gift pack for the man who you know loves smoky whisky. Inside the pack will give the drinker an experience of tasting whiskies which are normally very expensive to buy as single bottles, with nearly all of them costing well over £100 and the most expensive nearly £400. Beyond that, there is even one in the pack which has been sold out as a single bottle for a while. A set for the Islay aficionado, this is something very special.

Size: 5 x 3cl
ABV: 49.1%
Find it here: £54.95

Looking for more whisky recommendations? Look no further than 12 of the best Irish whiskeys and The best whiskies to watch out for this year!

Franklin & Sons: an icon of mixers, sodas, and tonics

Founded in Victorian London all the way back in 1886, Franklin & Sons are true pioneers in the soft drinks space, leading the way with natural ingredients and innovative flavourings to offer the most complete range of mixers, sodas, and tonics out there.

Within their remarkably diverse range, there will always be the perfect bottle to jazz up your drinks which is why we made the most of their offering throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, and if you’re a listener of our Bring a Bottle podcast, you may well have heard us merrily sipping our way through even more of them on there.

Beautifully bottled too, it really is well worth exploring all of their wonderful flavours for yourself to see which jump out, but below are just some of the Franklin & Sons that we have loved trying, and recommendations for what to enjoy them with!

FRANKLIN & SONS TO EXPLORE

Original Ginger Ale

Ultimate warmth and refreshment with a completely natural feel, Franklin & Son’s Original Ginger Ale blends natural root ginger extract with their pure sparkling spring water for classy and subtle flavouring. Celebrating the classic ginger and cognac combination, you can see it used as a Highball in Episode One where the spice of the two blend perfectly.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Ginger Ale
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour in your cognac over plenty of ice and top up with the fizzing ginger ale. Voila!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Sicilian Lemon

The first Franklin & Sons bottle to appear in the series, the Sicilian Lemon is used for the gorgeously simple and sunny Courvoisier Gala Highball below. Legendary Sicilian lemons and natural botanicals like cinchona bark blend with sparkling spring water to make this burst of citrus.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Sicilian Lemonade
Plenty of ice

Method:
Highballs are simple so let’s keep it that way – pour everything over ice and give it a little stir.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Mandarin & Ginger Soda

The Mandarin & Ginger featured in one of our One Drink, Three Ways segments where you can find three deliciously different serves it’s perfect for. With natural zest, warmth, vibrance and refreshment, this soda elevates all kinds of different drinks which is why it crops up again in Episode Two of the series emphasising the fruity spice of cognac.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac
80ml Mandarin & Ginger Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Super simple – cognac poured over ice and topped up with the soda! An orange wheel is the perfect garnish.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water

The Rosemary and Black Olive tonic is so distinct. Almost reminiscent of focaccia, this savoury mixer adds a stunning culinary dimension to cocktails. We pair it with Umami gin for an entirely unique herbaceous G&T that is just asking to be paired with some side dishes.

Ingredients:
30ml Umami gin
80ml Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water
Plenty of ice

Method:
Simply pour each over ice, stir well and sip away.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Guava & Lime Soda

A very light and lofty soda with natural guava and Tahitian lime as well as a sprinkling of ginger, this completely livens up what can be a dull vodka and soda combination. Refreshing, fruity and tropical!

Ingredients:
30ml guava vodka
80ml Guava & Lime Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour each over ice and stir well to combine thoroughly!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Natural Rose Lemonade

Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac shows our Helena using Natural Rose Lemonade to bring colour, natural sweetness and an inviting aroma to the wonderful cocktail below. The English rose petals, lemon juice and crisp sparkling water are a floral twist on the original 1886 lemonade and add so much summery elegance to almost any concoction – delicious.

Ingredients:
50ml gin (we used Audemus Pink Pepper Gin)
Splash of Champagne
Top up with Franklin & Sons Rose Lemonade

Method:
Stir gin and ice and add to your cocktail glass. Top up with a splash of Champagne and Rose Lemonade. For the garnish, cut thin strips of lemon skin and wrap them around a chopstick for an appetising spiral effect.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pink Grapefruit Soda

You can see Aidy takes this essential Pink Grapefruit soda for a spin in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, when partnered with Reposado Tequila, fresh lime and Grand Marnier in a Paloma/Margarita hybrid. The soda is amazing for adding fizz alongside bright and balanced citrus notes with a dash of bitterness.

Ingredients:
50ml reposado tequila
50ml Grand Marnier
25ml fresh lime juice
Pink Grapefruit Soda

Method:
Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice into a rocks glass over ice and stir. Top up with Pink grapefruit soda and stir very gently to combine.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pineapple & Almond Soda

This is another favourite of ours that you really need to try. To be honest, you could enjoy it flying solo as a soft drink, but it’s so versatile that it can be mixed with the nutty caramel notes of cognac, the profile of a tropical rum, or even earthy tequila/mezcal. Stewed caramelised pineapples shine through at first, but when mixed the marzipan almond notes flood the palate – this is what drinks innovation should look like.

Find here: £20 24 x 200m

If you want to see these delicious Franklin & Sons drinks in action, check out The Three Drinkers in Cognac! Or, if you’re curious as to their other flavours, have a flick through their range here!

What Should I Drink With Sushi?

With intense and varied seafood flavours, vinegary rice, and spice all in play, sushi has a reputation for being a nightmare to pair with. There are actually lots of really complimentary options out there, however, so let’s take a look at the possible drinks you could serve to elevate your sushi experience!

SAKE

Choya Sake

Sake is enjoying a surge in popularity in the West, where it’s often served alongside sushi. This isn’t something picked up from Japan, however, where traditionally drinks alongside meals served the purpose of being light, easy-drinking and cleansing the palate. Because sake is brewed from rice, serving ‘rice on rice’ in this way isn’t seen as the way forward. Having said that, sake is actually very food friendly, so a delicate, clean, and restrained sake like this might not be the traditional pairing, but the umami of both makes for a lovely marriage all the same.

Size: 720ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.25

BEER

Asahi Super Dry

This might not be the most innovative pairing we’ll give you that, but a light and dry Asian lager like this that isn’t too malty, and overpowering is a really solid pairing. Japanese beers used to be thought of as bitter, but Asahi was at the forefront of changing that and their Super Dry is crisp and clean, allowing the sushi to shine.

Size: 620ml
ABV: 5.2%
Find here: £2.40

WHITE WINE

Reichsrat von Buhl - Riesling Trocken 2021

Both wine and sushi provide endless possibilities and hugely varied flavours and styles. One varietal that we always return to for intensely flavoured foods because it is so adaptable is Riesling. Crisp and highly acidic German Riesling like this is great for fighting spice, complementing fattier fish, and offsetting the bold flavours with bone dry refreshment. It’s as close as you can get to adding lemon juice to fish in a bottle of wine which is why it works so deliciously.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12

SPARKLING WINE

Sainsbury's Cremant d’Alsace, Taste the Difference

A delicious and velvety dry sparkler like this really enhances the zest in seafood, and rather than competing with the flavours of the food, it simply refreshes from the backseat and allows its fizzing texture to open up the raw fish. Champagne loves sushi too, but at a fraction of the price this is the wiser option with little compromise on quality whatsoever.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12

TEA

Green tea - Konacha

Tea is often traditionally served alongside sushi, and the high heat is surprisingly adept at refreshing the palate between bites, preserving the delicate textures and subtler flavours found in sushi. There are a few different teas you could serve. Genmaicha is a roasted rice tea that’s nutty and served warm, but green tea is probably the best match. Sencha and konacha are both popular types in sushi restaurants, and both wash down the fatty fish to reset the palate perfectly. They’re also a great way to include a non-drinker in the sushi experience with something more exciting than just water.

Size: 100g
Find here: £11

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea GRØN

Sparkling tea is more popular than ever, and if you don’t like the idea of warm tea with your sushi it’s a fantastic way to go. There are 6 Delicious Sparkling Teas here if you’re interested, but the one that we recommend with sushi is Copenhagen’s Green. It’s as fresh as any drink gets with a stunning green tea base, but also ginger to tie in with the dishes and fizz for resetting the palate.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £16.95

The right drinks accompaniment can truly make or break a meal, so check out other guides including Indian, Thai and Mexican!

What is VS Cognac and What Should I Try?

Helena and Aidy explore all kinds of cultural and gastronomic sites around the picturesque Cognac region in The Three Drinkers in Cognac, but it’s no surprise that the namesake spirit features heavily.

Probably the most common form of cognac available is VS cognac, so let’s break down exactly what this means, how to drink it, how it differs from other letters you might see and crucially, where to head to try some of the good stuff!

What is VS Cognac?

First off, just in case you haven’t consulted our Beginner’s Guide, cognac is a brandy that originates from the region of the same name in South-West France. This part of Charente quickly up a reputation for the best brandy in the 18th century, and since then heritage cognac houses have been perfecting the craft.

Within cognac production, you’re likely to find different letter combinations on the bottle. These letters signify the age statement. In the case of VS cognac, this stands for Very Special and means that the youngest eaux-de-vie in the blend will have been aged for at least two years. You might also see three stars instead which pretty much means the same thing!

Although VS stands for Very Special, this is actually the youngest cognac age statement and other letters signify higher minimum ages.

How Does VS Cognac differ to VSOP and XO Cognac?

In short, where VS Cognac must be at least two years old, VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) must be four and XO (Extra Old) ten! There are older categories too so if you want to know more about what the different letters on cognac bottles mean, head here for a full breakdown with bottles to try from each.

Generally, the more time cognac spends in the barrel the nuttier and richer it becomes. VS, on the other hand, tend to be more vibrant and fresher, so this isn’t a case of one being better than the other.

How is VS Cognac drunk?

Though still thought of as a luxury drink, VS cognac is most commonly used in an array of cognac cocktails. As you’ll see in the show, cognac cocktails are versatile and delicious and VS or VSOP is usually used because it often has less complexity than much older blends. Having said that, because every cognac is a blend of eaux-de-vie of various ages, there are no hard and fast rules!

Because Cognac is made up of different blends like this, it means that depending on the mixer, fruits or herbs used in the cocktail, different notes of the cognac will be drawn out – hence why bartenders love it.

You can find The Best Cocktails to Make with Cognac here, but VS bottles work great in long drinks with soda, ginger beer, lemonade, and mixers like that.

VS is far from ‘cocktail fodder’ though. With years of barrel ageing still under its belt, it has stunning depth and character so just a little ice or drop of water is also a common way to serve VS Cognac. Or just neat because some drinkers find cognac too bland with too much dilution. At the end of the day, exactly how VS cognac is drunk is totally up to you. If you enjoy it that’s all that matters, right?

Which VS Cognac should I try?

Courvoisier VS

Situated in Jarnac, Courvoisier dates back to 1835 and as the star of Busta Rhymes’ ‘Pass the Courvoisier’ song, it was at the forefront of making cognac cool again. Though a VS, Courvoisier VS is a blend of youthful and aged cognacs so has a balanced profile featuring fresh apple and citrus and subtle florality. This is the cognac Napoleon took away with him during his years of exile too, so it must be good!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.95

Remy Martin VS 1980s

This is a piece of history, hence the hiked VS price. Dating back to 1724, Rémy Martin are cognac legends, and this is a charming bottling of their VS release from the 1980s. Unfortunately, unlike wine, once cognac has been bottled it stops maturing but this is still a rarity that few will ever get to try.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £150

Seignette VS Cognac

The swan on the bottle is taken from the coat of arms of the Seignette family, whose roots go right back to the 1600s in and around Cognac. This is a much more contemporary release with notes of candied apricot and ginger, soft vanilla and an unusual spicy complexity for a VS.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.89

Martel VS Single Distillery

Unlike most VS bottles, Martel VS uses eaux-de-vie from only one distillery, so this is a richer, more intense spirit than most. Zesty citrus and sweet juicy plum play off against one another in a stand-out smooth texture.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.99

Hennessey VS

Over 40 different eaux-de-vie are blended for Hennessey VS which spends 2 years in French oak for a superbly full-bodied cognac carrying notes of dried fruits, subtle spice, and mellow vanilla. In fact, the entire age statement grading system was created by Maurice Hennessey so in a way, this is the definitive VS cognac!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.44

For more information about the rich world of cognac, check out the Beginner’s Guide. And if you want some delicious cocktails to make these VS bottles sing, go here!

10 Amazing Drinks to Celebrate Pride 2023 and Beyond!

Whoop whoop! Pride Month is here! Now, whilst there are a tonne of companies plastering rainbows on drinks, we want to shout out those that have been going the extra mile and those that have been there from the start. This is how you toast Pride in style...

GIN

Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin

Fresh from sunny Seville comes Puerto de Indias with their naturally flavoured Strawberry Gin. They’re one of the main brands flying the flag for not only Pride but Spanish gin also, becoming a worldwide name. Rather than being a limited run for Pride, this is an unlimited edition, flying the rainbow flag 365 days a year!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £26.63

Spirit of Stonewall Gin

We love giving Stonewall a shout-out because they do so much for the LGBTQIA+ community all year round. Family run from Skegness, their retelling of the Stonewall Riots history weaved throughout their branding as well as donating £1 from every bottle all year is what we like to see. Oh, and did we mention their gins are delicious too?! This London Dry is so well put together with juniper-forward elegance, supported by cardamom, orange, liquorice, tangy coastal berries, and buckthorn.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38

VODKA

Crystal Head Pride Edition

Without a doubt the most theatrical bottle on the market, this is Crystal Head’s Pride edition. As well as being its own rainbow painted décor piece, part of the sales also goes to the Kaleidoscope Trust which does great work human rights work across the world. Inside the skull you’ll find four times distilled Canadian corn vodka using pure local waters and Herkimer diamond filtration. The complete package.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £48.49 // US $39.99

Absolut Rainbow 2.0

Absolut have long been involved in Pride, and this year they’re celebrating the ‘families you choose’ – the people we share our lives with who often play pivotal and supporting roles in LGBTQ+ journeys. The striking rainbow bottle is a permanent part of the Absolut collection showcasing their original vodka which also picked up huge praise against much more expensive rivals at recent Vodka Awards.

Size: UK 700ml // US 1L
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £19.95 // US $26.98

WHISKEY

Still Austin Whiskey Company

One for our American readers, Still Austin Whiskey Co hold a Pride pop up each year in association with the Austin Flea LGBTQ market. The event not only offers up incredible whiskey cocktails, but also supports over 30 local businesses in a day of shopping, fundraising, drinking, and partying. Their beautifully packaged offerings include Straight Bourbon, Straight rye whiskey, Cask Strength Bourbon and even an American Gin!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 49.2%
Find here: $46.99

WINE

Digby Fine English

Jason Humphries and Trevor Clough were exploring Seattle wineries when they decided to return to the UK and bring English fizz to the luxury market. Years later and Digby is one of the finest examples of English bubbles around, outperforming Champagne in blind tastings. What better way to raise a glass to diversity?

Size: 500ml
ABV: Various
Find here: From £35

Madame F

Madame F is a creative collaboration with Queer Britain who are a charity organisation aiming to create the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum. The entire collections are inspired by the community they represent, full of pride, passion, and pizazz. We want to shout out their Rosé this time, which is stunningly fresh, light, and juicy.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £9

CANNED DRINKS

LUV JUS

Inspired by the magic of Tel Aviv Pride 2016, George and Owen went from housemates to business partners by launching this healthy vodka craft-pop. The Great Taste awards have already lauded them for their natural, healthy vegan-friendly and gluten-free expressions, of which there are three! Pineapple, mint, jasmine and Korean ginseng, as well as blood orange, pomegranate and Korean ginseng both with a splash of vodka, and finally, raspberry, cucumber, lime, Korean ginseng and gin!

Size: 150ml
ABV: 4.6%-4.8%
Find here: 6 for £14.95

BEER

PROUD

Simply put, every time you choose PROUD, 20p goes to an LGBTQI+ charity partner, raising over £20,000 so far. Bravo! A dedicated beer brand to support charities all year long rather than, “slapping a rainbow flag on their brand once a year and pretending they cared” as founders Ethan and Sören put it. PROUD LGBTQIPA is a charming citrus and elderflower IPA that tastes stunningly fresh and dreamy, and if you want more cases of gems like this you can join their Loyal Hunny group to get top-notch discounts.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.1%
Find here: £28 for 12

COCKTAILS

Tom Savano

Tom Savano cocktails do some really great work, not just in the masterful creation of their artisanal small-batch cocktails, but also in organic sourcing, Fairtrade ingredients and this Cosmopolitan Pride mix. Not only does the cocktail have its roots in the 1980s Cleveland gay scene, but it also starts Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, which is named after the gay icon and artist. Chill it and it’s ready to go!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £27

Want some ready-to-drink cocktails to celebrate more? Check out our favourites here!

Father's Day Gifts for Drinks Lovers

Sunday 18th June is Father’s Day, but don’t panic if that’s caught you off guard! We’ve pulled together a list of our favourite drinks and gifts that we think are perfect for Father’s Day gifting.

There’s something here for every budget and every drink, so there’s really no excuse to be turning up on the big day with socks as a present again (unless they’re protecting one of these delicious bottles from getting damaged that is!). Let’s get stuck in.

WHISKY

The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie

If we can be so bold, we absolutely love our collaboration creation and think that whether your Dad is new to whiskey or a seasoned sipper, they will too. We’ve teamed up with the fantastic Sliabh Liag Distillers to produce Red Silkie, an Irish Whiskey that showcases the classic subtle and smoky style alongside classic fruitiness coming from our obsession with fine wine. Over in County Donegal, the blend is finished in red Pomerol barrels from Clos L’Eglise in Bordeaux creating a velvety, rich profile that is intense with red fruits, candied orange and gently smoked caramel. One last thing, £1 from every purchase goes towards the amazing mental health charity My Black Dog to support a variety of initiatives including free support for those struggling, so it’s for a good cause too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £49.99

Old Perth Original

A tribute to Perth in Scotland, this sweet Blended Malt Scotch is rich with raisins from ex-sherry cask ageing. The Christmas cake nose gives way to a buttery palate of a super comforting expression that provides a drinking experience far beyond its price point.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £36.75

Lochlea Our Barley

This Single Malt from Lochlea is matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, but also re-charred barriques for a pleasantly rounded smooth and fruity character. It carries complexity beyond its years, masterful smoothness and a light vibrance plush with honied orange, grassy malt, peppery barley, and toasted oak. And let’s not forget a rather lovely bottle perfect for gifting too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £44.95

GIN

Audemus Pink Pepper Gin

Any of you who have tuned in to The Three Drinkers in Cognac will know how much we love Audemus. Pure innovation, Audemus’ most famous creation is this, their incredible Pink Pepper Gin. Spicy pink peppercorns lead the botanical line with cardamom and juniper, followed by baking notes of tonka and vanilla, and a more floral side with tonic. There’s a touch of warmth, florality, spice and fruitiness to this well-rounded gin that really has that special feeling in bucketloads. A must-try for any gin loving Dad.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £38

Atlas Shichimi Gin

Atlas has established a stellar reputation for exotic gins, and if you’re familiar with Japanese cooking, you might recognise shichimi as the popular spice blend used in Japan for centuries. This unusual but moreish umami profile is expanded with nori seaweed, gyokuro green tea, Sichuan peppercorn and ginger, with juniper and citrus injecting some familiar freshness. Wonderfully aromatic and warming, this is an exciting gin to try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £48

RUM

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

This silky molasses-based Venezuelan blend uses exclusive rum reserves aged for up to 12 years before they come to rest in their charming vintage-style bottle. The mouthfeel will likely remind you of wine with a similar viscosity, with blossoming notes of toffee, orange chocolate and liquorice before an indulgent fudgy finish. Treat your Dad to the Gold Medal winner of the 2019 Rum Masters.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £40.95 // US $41.99

Sansho Spiced Rum

Completely eye-catching, this stand-out spirit dresses premium English rum in Japanese flavours. The rum is packed full of vibrant and rich layers; the sansho berries provide tongue tingling peppery citrus notes, the base rum made with 100% sugar cane molasses gives a Christmas cake sweetness, the Okinawan sugar provides rich treacly layers and there is smoky soy and sesame which gives the usual tobacco and oak flavours you would expect to find in an aged rum. It is absolutely exquisite and sings with a good ginger beer and ice.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £38

VODKA

Blacklion Vodka

How about Europe’s first sheep’s milk vodka for Father’s Day? After tasting a sip, you might wonder why it hasn’t been done before (the awards panels certainly are!). Unbelievably smooth, the sugars-rich whey left over from the cheesemaking process is triple-distilled and triple-filtered to produce this rare, visionary, small-batch, and eco-conscious British vodka.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £6

Dimas Vodka

If you’ve never heard of Dima’s Vodka before then allow us the pleasure of introducing, you. Hailing from Ukraine, this multi-grain mix (wheat, rye, and barley) is brimming with spice and creamy character. To complete the experience, drink alongside pickles as is the tradition!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35

TEQUILA/MEZCAL

Ilegal Joven Mezcal

Illegal’s mezcal portfolio is stunning and we could really recommend any of them, but we’ve picked out this young Joven Mezcal. Traditionally produced with roasted agave in an earthen pit, delicious notes of dried fruits and herbs come through as well as smoky, peppery agave and some caramel sweetness. The perfect present for a tequila-loving Dad who wants to dip into the underappreciated world of mezcal!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £49.99 // US $36.99

Don Julio Tequila Blanco

When perusing quality agave concoctions, you’re never far from Don Julio. Their Blanco is bottled (and stylishly so) straight after distillation meaning it’s packed full of fresh agave flavour. There’s a subtle burst of bright citrus but overall, this is just a stunning Blanco that doesn’t shy away from agave and is one of the smoothest around.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: UK £49.99 // US $49.99

COGNAC

Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal

If your Dad is a cognac drinker then you’re in luck, because with The Three Drinkers in Cognac available to watch now on Amazon Prime, we are obsessed with the stuff. The ever-reliable Rémy Martin produced this delicious VSOP to celebrate Louis XV’S decision to let them plant new vines on their land back in 1738 (which was illegal at the time). Complex fruits swirl around with orange coming to the fore, as caramel and spice intertwine harmoniously – if that doesn’t sound delicious, I don’t know what does.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £55.74 // US $69.99

Courvoisier VSOP

The winner of the highly regarded Master award in the Super Premium category at the Luxury Masters, this VSOP from the iconic Courvoisier has aged for around 10 years (which is well beyond the legal minimum). The fruity citrus is deep and rich, but it’s the warm notes of coffee, brown sugar, buttery toast, cinnamon, and vanilla that stand out here.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £36.95 // US $45.99

Hermitage 10 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac

Hermitage is notable for doing things a little differently from most cognac houses, in that each of their bottles including this 10-year-old are single-estate and unblended. Most cognacs use eaux-de-vie from different growing areas, but sticking to one estate creates a bold and expressive mix. The roasted nuts have come through with age, as has the peppery spice and oakiness. This is the perfect present for someone who likes to take their time and sip their cognac neat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £59.95

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT

Grand Marnier Cuvee Louis Alexandre

Grand Marnier is another legendary creation from the cognac region, and it is in fact half cognac itself. The other half is bitter orange, and the expert blending of the two (which you can witness in our new show… hint hint ;) ) is what makes this a bartender’s favourite. Their Louis Alexandre is a little less sweet and instead drier than the original as it is in fact not a 50:50 mix but goes heavier on the cognac instead... a nod to Louis himself who liked his serve a little stronger. Pure luxury.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £48.99 // US $69.99

Aphro Palm

If you want to try something completely new, look no further. Aphro is made using alcohol distilled from Palm Wine (from Palm tree trunks). This Palm Spirit is widespread across parts of West Africa, and Aphro wants to refine it for us all to enjoy. Triple distilled, it’s wonderfully smooth and infused with tropical fruits, herbs, and spices from all over the continent. ‘The Nubi’ is flavoured with pineapple, passion fruit and honey, and ‘The Moor’ is ginger xylopia Ethiopia (fruit tree) and honey. With such gorgeous bottling too, Aphro is perfect for the curious drinker.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.99

BEST MIXERS

Franklin and Sons

Franklin and Sons are absolute pioneers of the soft drinks space, ever since their beginnings in Victorian London. They specialise in natural and innovative flavourings with tonics, mixers, and soft drinks to suit all kinds of serves. It’s totally worth checking out their full range here, but we really recommend their warm Original Ginger Ale, sunny Sicilian Lemon, and aromatic Natural Rose Lemonade. We use them all the time and boy can they elevate a drink to that next level.

Size: 200ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £20 24x200ml

AMAZING GLASSWARE

Glencairn Dad’s Wee Whisky Bundle

If your Dad loves whisky, then Father’s Day may well be the perfect opportunity to fit him out with some premium glassware to enhance the drinking experience. We use the Glencairn glass not just for whisky but cognac too because it opens up the nuances in quality liquids and feels great – it’s the world’s favourite whisky glass for a reason.

Includes: Two Wee Glencairn Glasses, a Wee Glencairn Jug and a Glencairn pipette
Find here: £35 (usually more!)

If your Dad prefers Dark Rums, then we just happen to have released our 2023 Guide here with top notch recommendations!