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!

The Best Whiskies to Watch Out for This Year

Every year seems to see even more releases of whisky, and this year one of the things I have noticed is the rise of blended whisky. In recent years with the likes of Woven whisky, more people are understanding the quality that can come from this category. There are also more whiskies being released from beyond the borders of Scotland all of which I will reveal below. So without further a do, here is bottle one…

Perpetuity Blended Scotch Whisky Batch 1

The Port of Leith distilling company has been inspired by one of my favourite concepts, the infinity bottle. They have created a constantly changing vat of single malt and single grain whiskies from the three largest areas in Scotland, the lowlands, highlands, and Speyside. They are bottling the whisky in batches as the whiskies evolve. We know that in batch 1, there is grain whisky from North British and Malts from Deanston and Glentauchers included. It’s complex with vanilla and red apples and a little marmalade. Ginger, popcorn, citrus and a zesty finish make this a very good blend.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45.7%
Find it here: £39.95 

Bushmills 25 and 30 year old

Bushmills has in recent years had a rebrand and some changes made to the blending of their single malt casks with fabulous results. Very recently they have added two much older to their range. A 25 and 30 year old. The 25-year-old is matured initially in ex-bourbon and sherry casks and then finished in a port pipe giving lots of red fruit flavours along with the typical Bushmills tropical fruit. The 30-year-old was also initially matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks but for the later 16 years of its life in casks first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks were used. It’s hugely rich and complex yet full of life and vigour, both are drams to savour.

Bushmills 25 Year Old
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £790// US $1099

Bushmills 30 Year Old
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £1900

Turntable

There are three blended whiskies to look out for from brothers Ally and Gordon Stevenson. With many years of experience, they wanted to help raise the appeal of blended whisky and have managed it in style. The three whiskies start with Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention which is a blend of a Knockdhu Chinkapin barrel, Linkwood Virgin oak barrel, and two grain whiskies, Girvan from a red wine barrel and Strathclyde from a Cognac barrel. Track 2 is Firestarter which uses a Caol Ila virgin oak cask, Benrinnes Chinkapin barrel and Cameronbridge and Invergordon grain whiskies from a virgin oak barrel. Finally, Track 3, Purple Haze, is from a blend of Balmenach from a PX sherry puncheon, Craigellachie from an Oloroso sherry but, and Invergordon from a sherry barrel. With each bottle, there is a predominant flavour; fruity, smoky and sherried. And all are excellent!

Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 2: Firestarter
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 3: Purple Haze
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Nikka Days

The whiskies on this list are mostly new, but I wanted to highlight a whisky one should always be on the lookout for. Japanese whisky these days can be quite expensive, and for good reason, the quality is very high and the quantities for each market are usually quite limited. However, there is a bottling that I think really stands out in the cost-to-value equation. Nikka Days, is a Japanese blended whisky using both the single malt distilleries Nikka own, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It is a carefully crafted blend with lots of fruit and some soft smoke in the background making it a great all-round Japanese blend at an affordable price.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £39.90 // US $49.99

Oban Young Teddy The Macleans

This is the second release in the series, the first being called Old Teddy, and both are inspired by father and son who both worked at Oban Distillery. This whisky is finished in Palo Cortado and Oloroso Sherry casks and although it is complex with lots of fruit it is extremely approachable and easy to drink. This can only be bought if you visit the distillery, and I know it’s a long way to go, but it will make the journey worth all the effort. The distillery is a great one to see as it’s one of the very few in the heart of a town, and Oban is stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.8%
Find it here: Only available at the distillery.

Morris Muscat Barrels

The Morris distillery can be found in the small town of Rutherglen. Not the one in Glasgow, but in Australia! The distillery is sited on the same site as the family winery, so there is a great source of interesting wine casks to use. This expression has been matured in both French and American oak but then finished in Morris Muscat Barrels giving loads of rich sweet fruit flavours and a spicy finish. Yum.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £74.70

Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition

This special edition Kentucky Owl combines the art of Japanese whisky blending and bourbon. Takumi means ‘Master’ in Japanese and this blend has been designed by the master blender from the Nagahama distillery, Yusuke Yahisa and John Rhea from Kentucky Owl. It is a blend of 4, 5, 6 and 13 year old bourbons and has complex flavours of rye bread, toffee, caramel, and soft spices with apples and pears and a touch of chocolate.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 50%
Find it here: UK £125 // US $149.99

Glenmorangie 15 Cadboll State, Single Estate Limited Release

This is an expression of Glenmorangie which couldn’t be a better representation of the whisky the distillery can create. Made with barley from the Cadboll estate, this is a blend of two harvests, matured in American oak and then finished in ex-Amontillado casks, which is master blender Dr. Bill’s favourite sherry. It is the third release of this 15-year-old whisky and is creamy and nutty with toffee notes and cloves. An elegant whisky, and a favourite of mine from Glenmorangie.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: UK £75 // US $84.99

Ardbeg BizarreBQ

Another very experimental bottling from the cult Ardbeg distillery. Using double charred casks and PX sherry casks, they also used unique BBQ casks which give lots of flavour of smoked meats and grilled, charred peppers and coffee. It’s big, it’s bold and it’s beautiful. As a limited edition, if you find one, I wouldn’t hang around thinking about it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.9%
Find it here: £159.95

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky - Release 35

Two brewers is made by Alan Hansen and Bob Baxter, who are two brewers in the Yukon area of Canada. In 2009 they extended their skills by buying a still and began to make whisky. This has been made with fourteen different mashes and matured in both ex bourbon barrels and virgin oak barrels for over eight years. Each of their releases is different and this one is exceptional. This is the first UK release and there are only 132 bottles.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £84.95

Wire Works Caduro 

This hails from the White Peak distillery in Derbyshire and is the first release from Max and Claire in 2023. It is a lightly peated malt whisky using ex bourbon barrels and STR casks (shaved, toasted, and re-charred). This is every bit as good as previous releases and the subtle use of peat gives extra interest. It’ll be interesting to see how their core range develops, and these limited releases are certainly worth trying.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find it here: £59.95 

Words by Colin Hampden-White

If you’re looking for more whiskey recommendations, then head over to 12 Of The Best Irish Whiskeys or have a look at The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie Irish Whiskey.

8 Stunning Gins Worth Seeking Out This Spring

We’ve selected a sumptuous selection of gins to awaken the senses like a spring day, with some glorious botanicals to gambol over your taste buds like a playful bunch of spring lambs!

Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin

In the world famous Speyside in the heart of the Scottish Highlands hails the Glenrinnes Distillery, home of the fabulous award winning Eight Lands Gin. Made with pure Scottish spring water and 11 botanicals including their own foraged Sorrel and Cowberry this gin is beautifully smooth, packed with juniper, wonderful sherbet citrus notes and a lasting warmth. It's the perfect gin to welcome in the longer days! Gorgeous as a classic G&T with premium tonic and a swirl of orange peel or in a spring sparkling French 75!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £36.94

Lind and Lime Gin

Packed with a punch of lime and the pizazz of pink peppercorn, this gorgeous gin is as exciting on the inside as the beautiful bottle it finds itself in (hold on to that for some fairy light sparkle in your upcoming summer gardens!) Using organic limes hand peeled in their Leith distillery in Edinburgh amongst their 7 botanicals, and perfect Juniper dryness, you get a superbly refreshing citrus burst, beautifully balanced with the warmth and fruitiness of the peppercorns. Serve your perfect G&T with light Fevertree tonic, lots of ice and a slice of lime. 
Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £36.85

Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin

What better way to celebrate not only the arrival of spring but the coronation of King Charles III.  This iconic gin from the masters of their craft, is the essence of the perfect London Dry gin bursting with juniper but with the gorgeous addition of the brightest grapefruit peel. Not only does this gin look sumptuously regal but it is the perfect size to celebrate with friends, but only if you want to share! Get it while you can because this edition makes appearances as rare as meeting royalty! So smooth, and perfectly balanced it holds its own in a perfect martini with a twist of lemon or as a gorgeous G&T with lots of ice, premium tonic,  juniper berries and a wedge of grapefruit.

Size: 1 L
ABV: 50%
Find here: £55.75

Ginepraio London Dry Gin

This is a wonderfully fragrant organic gin reminiscent of the eruption of floral life in the spring sunshine! All the way from Tuscany, using 7 locally sourced botanicals including dog-rose, helichrysum, orange and lemon, this gin will burst onto your palate. With those sweet florals, the warmth of light spices and such refreshing citrus, your taste buds will be begging for more so why not transport yourself to some Tuscan sunshine? If it’s a refreshing G&T you desire, serve with premium light tonic, loads of ice and a lemon wheel but it’s also absolutely perfect in a Negroni!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £38.94

Persie Herby and Aromatic Gin

With the herbs in the garden starting to make an appearance, what better way to celebrate than with this glorious award winning savoury offering from the Persie distillery in the stunning area of Perthshire in Scotland.  With wonderfully aromatic rosemary, basil and bay leaves it has an amazingly rich and smooth mouthfeel leaving it lingering on your palate like the long evenings to come! It’s so smooth it’s ideal on its own over ice with some smashed basil leaves or try it with a premium light tonic, lots of ice and some hibiscus flowers.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £26.66

Sky Wave Liberation London Dry Gin

From the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, this Sky Wave edition has locked in some fabulous botanicals including raspberry, mallow, lemon verbena, lemon, lime and vanilla. Sounding like the perfect ice-cream this gin will bring joy to all who taste it! With that essential initial juniper dryness , complemented with warm spices it brightens like a beautiful spring day into that citrus from the lemon, lime and raspberry followed by that gorgeous sweetness from the vanilla. We can see why this gin has secured so many well deserved awards! Serve with a light premium tonic, lots of ice and a slice of red grapefruit. 

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £34.89

Barra Atlantic Gin

Born in the stunning Scottish island of Barra, this is an outstanding gin distilled at the family run distillery with 17 botanicals including the signature hand foraged Carrageen seaweed directly from the island’s breathtaking shores. It’s a wonderfully rich, deeply sumptuous gin with a spicy, salty, sweetness that will transport you from winter into the freshness of the island’s spring sea air. This gin is simply stunning in an equally stunning bottle! Each one is different and made from 78% recycled glass with a design reminiscent of the waves crashing on Barra’s beautiful shores. To make a great G&T, serve with a light premium tonic, plenty of ice and a wedge of pink grapefruit then sit back, relax and dream of the sea!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £32

Salcombe Start Point Gin

Distilled in Devon and as it states on the label this is an ‘Exceptional London Dry Gin’. We were fortunate enough to have a first bottling of this gin and it’s remained a gin-shelf staple ever since in the ‘third drinker’ household! Inspired by the exotic fruits brought into Devon in the 19th century this gin features fresh lemon, limes, and red grapefruit peel amongst more spicy offerings as well as classic juniper from Macedonia. It has everything you need to bounce you from the cold of winter into spring. Warming spices, piney juniper and that uplift of citrus will definitely bring you into the sunshine! This gin makes a marvellous dry martini, but works equally well with light premium tonic, lots of ice and a slice of red grapefruit.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £45

If you’re looking for other spirits to explore then have a read of our best sipping tequilas of 2023 recommendations!

What are the six Cognac growing areas and how do they differ?

Throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, Aidy and Helena explore the beautiful Cognac region in South-West France, nestled between Bordeaux to the South and the Loire Valley in the North.

But, within Cognac itself, there are six distinct growing areas called ‘Crus’, each with different terroir, which refers to the soil, geography, and climate of a vineyard. This is very important because it affects the grapes in subtle ways and therefore, the liquid!

What are the six Cognac growing areas?

From most lauded to most rustic, the six Cognac ‘cru’ areas are Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, and Bois Ordinaires.

Note: Even within each area, the terroir can change considerably over just a hundred metres. Also, Cognac houses often use eaux-de-vie from different areas, so the location of their production may not be the same region that their eaux-de-vie comes from. However, there are general characteristics you can expect to come across from each growing area:

Grande Champagne

If you look at a map of Cognac growing areas, this small, fairly hilly sub area will appear as the bullseye. The heart of the region, Grande Champagne has chalk soils and the liquids here are fine, light, saline, often floral on the nose and usually age for a long time.

Why do they call it Champagne? It’s worth pointing out that this has nothing to do with the more famous region of Champagne in Northern France; it’s just that the word ‘champagne’ comes from other old French word ‘campagne’ and refers to countryside with chalky soils.

Major villages: Cognac and Ségonzac

Petite Champagne

Confusingly, Petite Champagne is slightly larger than Grande Champagne but less hilly, though the eau-de-vie is similar in profile. Generally, the soil is more compact than its neighbour and as a result, the water flows very slowly retaining moisture even in dry summer periods. The blends are seen as slightly less prestigious and less finessed than Grande, but the cognac is still top-notch.

The eaux-de-vie created in the Grande and Petite Champagne regions are the most sought-after in the entire region, and usually command the highest prices, though it’s worth pointing out that increasingly, cognac lovers want to experiment with the distinct traits of all these areas.

Another term you may see is,‘Fine Champagne’, which is not a separate terroir, but a blend of eau-de-vie from Grande and Petite Champagnes.

Major cities: Jonzac and Barbezieux

Borderies

By far the smallest of the six crus, decomposed limestone results in a plateau of clay soil with flint stones which has a big impact on the grapes grown here. The Cognac is fine, rounded, and smooth, with violet, nutty and toffee aroma, and less ageing is required for the liquid to reach its most enjoyable form.

Major village: Burie

Fins Bois

Here in the largest of the vineyards, you will find very chalky, and extremely clayey soil, sometimes up to 60% clay and usually red too. The Fins Bois border the above three regions but generally take up an area in the North called ‘Pays-Bas’. The character of Fins Bois Cognac is rounded and smooth, again with less ageing required but a much fresher, more grape-forward aroma.

Major villages: Angouleme, Saintes and St-Jean d’Angely

Bons Bois

Forming a belt around Fins Bois in all directions is the Bons Bois crus, with some clay but mostly sandy soil towards the coast, as well as in the valleys and southern vineyards. Vines are often sparsely grown, entwined amongst other crops, and surrounded by forests.

Parts of the region boast very high-quality chalk and produce exceptional Cognac with great character, so this is list is by no means a case of, ‘best to worst’ – variety is the spice of life!

Major cities: Saujon, Montlieu-la-Garde

Bois Ordinaires

Apart from one tiny part towards the South of Cognac, Bois Ordinaires lies along the coast and includes the islands of Ré and Oléron. Relatively little of the land is designated for Cognac production, but of what there is, the extremely sandy soil produces eau-de-vie that ages the fastest and carries a distinct maritime flavour.

Major cities: La Rochelle and Rochefort

Age is another massive factor in the quality and flavour of Cognac but that can be a little more confusing so check out our comprehensive age statements guide here to get your head around it! For more general information, consult our Beginner’s Guide!

10 Recommendations for your Eurovision 2023 Drinks Party

On Saturday May 13th, the Grand Final of the year’s most flamboyant night of entertainment takes place. Hosted by the UK in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine, the almighty Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be broadcast to millions across the world.

The official drink is Invivo X Unity Prosecco Rosé which is a lovely expression of fresh strawberries and well worth getting in for the big night. However, if you want some drinks to properly represent each nation as they perform then look no further than these beauties! Let’s begin with the Big 5 who automatically qualify for the final…

UK

Winemaster's Lot English Sparkling Classic Cuvée Brut

There are a few options that celebrate the best of UK drinks, it could be a delicious Scotch or a quintessentially British gin, but we think that using the UK’s entry as a signal to pop open some fizz is best. British bubbles are building quite the prestigious reputation on the international stage, and one of the better value options is this Hampshire sparkler from Bowler & Brolly. The signature English trio of (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) round off the wine beautifully, with crunchy apple, fresh lime and toasted pistachio poised perfectly. It’s super food-friendly too, so pair it with any light seafood nibbles throughout the night or a slap-up fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Italy

Negroni Sbagliato

More popular than ever before thanks to a viral TikTok clip, this cocktail is Italy in a glass. The traditional gin is swapped out for Prosecco for a more refreshing and lighter twist on the Negroni... perfect if you’ve got a lot of different drinks and nibbles to get through from the first song to the last. Bellissimo! The distinct bitterness of the Campari requires intensely flavoured food pairings so consider Italy’s saltier foods like prosciutto.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice to garnish

Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a glass over ice. Top up with Prosecco and stir gently enough to combine everything without killing off those bubbles. Orange slice for the perfect garnish!

France

Château Tertre De Viaud Côtes De Bourg 2016

There are so many options for France but given Champagne’s price point, we’ve gone for a gorgeous Merlot instead. It’s a bit less robust and fruitier than the country’s other most famous red Cabernet Sauvignon and this Bordeaux blend, in particular, represents incredible value. Red currants and cherries, pleasant minerality and a touch of tobacco on the finish make this a very sophisticated sipper indeed. Bring out some caramelised roasted veg and even the notoriously difficult-to-pair tomatoes and this Merlot will sing. No chance of nil points here!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.92

Germany

Schneider Weisse Tap 7 Unser Original

If you want more wine on the cards then German Riesling is very tempting, but to break it up a little you can’t go wrong with a German wheat beer, something they’re known for across the world. This hearty Schneider Weisse is warm with clove and nutmeg, with lovely herbal notes of coriander and a standout lemony honey streak throughout. Very bubbly and with layers upon layers of flavour, it’s more robust than sweet so is also food friendly. Ever since the Romans introduced wheat flour to Germania, pretzels have been made in the area and they’ll provide a welcome switch up of textures as you chomp through Europe’s offerings.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 5.4%
Find here: £2.61

Spain

Sangria

It had to be, didn’t it? If you’re opening a few different red wines from Eurovision’s various entries, then you could use the leftovers of one of the bottles in this to make a small batch just for Spain’s performance! With so many fruits, plenty of ice and even a little brandy, wines take on a new lease of life in the sangria jug and it’s a sign of the summer to come!

Ingredients (for a jug)
750ml good red wine
100ml brandy
200g berries
2 oranges
2 pears
2 lemons

Method:
Chop your fruits and along with your favourite red berries, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over them. Fill a jug with ice, your fruit, brandy, and red wine. Stir, taste, and add in some sparkling water if it’s a little strong.

Sweden

Flävar

Sweden enter Eurovision 2023 as the outright favourites so it’s only right to have a special drink to mark the most likely victors. Made beside the picturesque Lake Boren in the south of Sweden, Flävar is the smooth and stylish schnapps sweeping the nation. UK drinkers are loving the Swedish-inspired flavours which are currently served at Wetherspoons up and down the country. These should come out with any sweeter options you have like ice cream. Blueberry & Lemon, Lemon Pie, Raspberry & Liquorice, Salted Caramel, Strawberry & Lime… take your pick!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £19.99

Australia

Brookie’s Mac

‘Why are Australia in Eurovision?!’ This question echoes around Europe since they took part in 2015. Well, 2015 was supposed to be a one-off because Australia loves Eurovision and has loyally watched it for 30 years, as well as being part of the Commonwealth and having plenty of ties to Europe. They impressed so much though, that they’ve returned every year since as a mark of Eurovision’s bridge building. To represent their entry, we want to shout out Brookie’s Mac from the legendary Byron Bay. This is a macadamia liqueur using locally sourced ingredients with incredible velvet-smooth rich and nutty flavours that goes down a storm with anyone that tries it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £35.24

Greece

Manousakis Single Variety Tsikoudia

This is similar to grappa-style drinks if you’ve ever had those, but don’t be put off if it wasn’t a good experience because quality varies massively in this area. Hailing from Crete, Tsikoudia (sometimes referred to as Raki) is made from distilled pomace, which is the remains of the grapes after winemaking pressing. The grapes here are Rousanne which provide great creaminess, rich and intense grape flavour and touches of green apple and lime. Our very own Colin was blown away by Manousakis’ expression and as a historic drink of Greece, it’s well worth trying something different! After all, Eurovision is all about celebrating difference!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £20.79 (usually £31.99)

Croatia

Pelinkovac

Pelinkovac has been drunk in Croatia for centuries and even made its way into the court of Napoleon III of France. Best known for its use in absinthe, the key ingredient in this bittersweet liqueur is wormwood which when accompanied by aromatic herbs creates a very natural and distinct liquid indeed. If you like Jägermeister then this will be a winner. It’s best enjoyed when served extremely chilled with a little lemon and plenty of ice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 28%
Find here: £25.24

Netherlands

Jenever - Ketel 1 Graanjenever

Jenever distilling in Holland can be traced back to the 15th century making it one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world. It became hugely popular but fell into obscurity during the 20th century, however, in 2008 it gained an AOC like other spirits, limiting production areas massively. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength. Any of you Dutch speakers will know that jenever means juniper. Now, whilst Jenever is juniper led, botanically rich and clear, it includes whisky-like triple distillation and maltiness so it’s a fascinating hybrid of the two! Better known for vodka, Ketel actually began life as jenever produces and this malty expression is rich with spiced fruits.

Size: 1L
ABV: 35%
Find here: £25.94

If you’d rather have a gin for Mae Muller and the UK then check out these delicious Great British choices!

The Beginner’s Guide to Cognac

The Three Drinkers in Cognac takes you on a full-on and fabulous exploration of the spirit of cognac and the beautiful region itself, but we know that not everybody is au fait with it. So, we’ve pulled together a complete beginner’s guide to cognac to give cognac newbies the best start.

Whether you know nothing at all about the rich world of cognac or if you’d simply like a refresher on its resurgence and what it’s all about, read on…

What is Cognac?

Cognac is a brandy, which means it’s an aged spirit distilled from fruit. To be called cognac however, the spirit has to be made from specific wine grapes, be subject to stringent production laws and, most importantly, it must originate from its namesake region in South-West France. All cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac!

A BRIEF history of Cognac

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the Dutch slowly fell in love with French wine but when they tried to transport it home, they found it couldn’t withstand shipment. To combat this oxidation, they began distilling it into eau-de-vie and named it ‘brandewijn’, aka - ‘burnt wine’. With space on the ships at a premium, merchants started distilling it twice over to produce higher-strength spirit.

Around this time, the brandy emanating from the Cognac region in Charente proved to be the cream of the crop and so strict production rules came into play to maintain quality and the region’s reputation. By the 18th century, renowned cognac houses appeared with the first being Martell in 1715 and Rémy Martin a decade later. Today, the region is dominated by the Big Four: Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, Hennessy and Martell, with lots of smaller, boutique houses to also discover.

Cognac became extremely popular, particularly with smugglers who struggled to meet their demands for the stuff! Trademarking and provenance became more desirable, and by the 20th century, six traditional Cognac regions were enshrined in law. By 1980 though, cognac was being seen as an old man’s drink, and going into the 1990s, the region started to run into a bit of economic trouble. Cognac’s fortunes started to change however, when an unlikely combination came together – cognac and rap music!

Before and after the turn of the millennium, cognac started to become fashionable again. Can’t Knock The Hustle by Jay-Z, and more significantly, Busta Rhymes’ Pass The Courvoisier II, promoted the spirit’s qualities to a brand new audience, and it became a stalwart of American music videos and then thanks to that, bars and clubs. This relationship continues today, with Martell making the lead rapper of Migos called Quavo, a brand ambassador in 2018.

It's worth pointing out that in Japan and China, cognac’s popularity sustained throughout this period as a symbol of status and quality and to this day, China match the US in how much they import.

Cognac is now enjoying a new wave of popularity, boosted by the growing trend for home mixology that came out of the Covid lockdown. With this in mind, let’s dive a little deeper into this resurgent spirit and look at the various styles and terminology you can find:

What are the different types of Cognac?

Three different white grapes are used but the resilient Ugni Blanc is by far the dominant pick, making up 98% of production. The spirit must be distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged for at least two years in oak barrels. Cognac is all about blending different ages of singular spirits, or ‘eaux de vie’, which is what makes it so deliciously complex. Producer nuances aside, there are distinct quality levels of cognac that can be recognised by large letters on a label, which are essentially age statements. Here’s briefly what you need to know, but there’s a dedicated article on this here for you if you want a deep dive!

VS: Very Special and aged for at least two years. Often used in cocktails.

VSOP: Very Superior Old Pale where the youngest eau de vie is at least four years old. Another for cocktails

Beyond this, you will find variations of older cognac, most commonly, XO and XXO:

XO: Extra Old where the youngest eau de vie in the blend must be 10 years old or above.

XXO: Extra Extra Old using eaux de vie that is at least 14 years of age, but usually a lot older!

There is another term that you’re likely to come across if you’re into your cognac and that’s ‘Hors d’âge’:

Hors d’âge: Meaning ‘without age’. this is a term assigned by Cognac’s governing body for liquids that are particulalry old.

How do you drink Cognac?

Cognac might surprise you with how deliciously versatile it is. Quality nuanced blends in the XO area are often sipped neat, over ice or with a splash of soda or ginger ale for a gorgeous highball. However, as with so many spirits, cocktails make for a fantastic entry point, particularly for VS and VSOP bottles.

Which Cocktails Can You make with Cognac?

So many memorable cocktails appear throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, and you can find more recipes across our website including some delicious Grand Marnier cocktails that bring Cognac to life in a whole new way. However, for a beginner, we think the three below offer a good place to start:

Cognac Gala Highball

Highballs are simple and easy ways to get into a new spirit because they allow the essence of the liquid to breathe and not be overshadowed whilst taking any edge off that might put off a complete newcomer. You can use whatever your preference would be for a mixer, be that premium tonic water, ginger ale, or our choice in Episode One of The Three Drinkers in Cognac – Sicilian Lemonade.

Ingredients                          
30ml cognac
80ml Sicilian Lemonade (Franklin & Sons)
Plenty of ice

Method
Simply pour everything over ice and enjoy. Easy and delicious.

Sidecar

One of the most famous ways to enjoy cognac is the Sidecar. The combination of tangy lemon, orange liqueur and rich cognac is the perfect tart and sweet balance. You can check out Aidy making this in Episode Three!

Ingredients
30ml cognac
20ml orange liqueur (Grand Marnier)
10ml fresh lemon juice

Method
All you have to do is shake shake shake with plenty of ice, strain and pour. To be a bit extra, we learnt a trick on the show, which is to rub lemon over the outside of the glass so that you smell it before you taste it!

French 75

A classic that cemented its place in cocktail history when ordered in Casablanca, The French 75 is fantastically bittersweet and although gin is often used these days, cognac is the traditionalist’s choice and works incredibly well.

Ingredients
30ml cognac
10ml fresh lemon
10ml syrup
champagne to top up

Method
Shake everything apart from the fizz with ice, strain into your flute and top up with that gorgeous Champagne. Lemon twist for garnish! 

With all the incredible cocktails and discoveries made along the way, we’ve got a load more Cognac content across the website!

The Best Sipping Mezcals

Mezcal, and more famously tequila, are two spirits rising in popularity every year as more and more drinkers discover that there is so much more to them than a nasty throat-burning shot coming with salt, lime, and all manner of facial contortion.

Like every drink, there are low-quality bottles that will put you off for life, and premium liquids that allow you to see the light! Luckily for mezcal, it’s tequila that has more of the shot-slamming reputation to get over, and if you’re wondering what the difference is altogether, we answer that question here. Anyway, enough dilly-dallying; these are the best high-end mezcals for cherishing every sip!

The Best Mezcal BELOW £50

Pensador Ensamble Mezcal

Made by Don Atenogenes in Oaxaca, Pensador Mezcal is a celebration of the spirit’s heritage, following methods that are pretty much unchanged since the 16th century. This liquid won the most prestigious international award for mezcal in the joven category, which means young mezcal. In other words, the epsadín and madre-cuishe agave used here is roasted but the final distillation isn’t aged at all. The mineral-rich earthiness is prevalent, as is the smoke, and the notes of apricot, citrus and pepper feel fresh for a super well-rounded sipping mezcal.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £39.44

Del Maguey Mezcal Vida

One of the most eye-catching mezcal bottles on the shelf, this is another joven release this time roasting 8-year-old epsadín agave before twice distilling. It’s easy to see why bartenders across the world adore Del Maguey for cocktails because the smoky aromas and notes of rich tropical fruits (most noticeably pineapple) add so much depth to any mix. It’s far too complex to just be a cocktail ingredient though, with hints of hazelnuts and almonds and curious spices from nose to finish. Stunning inside and out.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: UK £44.45 // US $39.99

Dangerous Don Joven Mezcal Espadín

The gloriously named Dangerous Don Joven is a traditional artisanal 100% Espadín agave joven mezcal. Pit-roasted, fermented, distilled, and bottled (what a bottle by the way!), tangibly fresh agave sweetness is retained. Aromatic waves of smoke and citrus come and go in this easy-drinking silky smooth sipper. This tends to become many mezcal aficionado’s go-to and it’s built up quite a reputation as a Margarita elevator, but we love it in a Mezcal Old Fashioned! Try it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £44.94

The Best Mezcal Over £50

Corte Vetusto Espadín

Probably the best of Corte Vetusto’s three mezcal bottles, they manage to take the most common agave and make it completely stand out. Four days of pit-cooking with mesquite wood create not just a smoky aroma but taste also, with a distinct vanilla-sweetness and fresh orchard fruits adding complexity. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this blend is the texture, which is surprisingly creamy and incredibly smooth for a mezcal. A glass of class.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £58.94

Ilegal Reposado

Illegal is a fascinating brand churning out some of the most renowned mezcal in Mexico. Aged for four months in medium-charred American oak, their Reposado picked up the Gold Medal at the Tequila.net Awards. It’s smoky but bright and sweet but grassy, with rich agave, creamy mouthfeel, and notes of caramel butterscotch to keep you entertained. Interestingly, this gets compared to Scotch for its smoothness and depth so if you love your whisky and want to try high-end mezcal, try this!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £59.45 // US $59.99

Illegal Añejo

If there are two bottles from the same producer in a list, then you know they’re onto something. This añejo mezcal is aged in varying oaks for 13 months and the end result is elegance that rivals the world’s finest scotches and cognacs. Think honey, soft smoke, floral and herbal notes and a pleasing minerality throughout. Like most delicious luxury sippers, there is a lot going on, but it works. Winner of the ‘Best of the Best’ at the Tequila.net Awards, this truly is a mezcal worth sitting with for some time.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £86.95 // US $99.99

If you want to know more about the mezcal production process itself then head to our, ‘What is Mezcal?’ article!

The Best Sipping Tequilas in 2023

The enlightenment is in full swing as drinkers in their droves flock to tequila for high-quality sipping. The world’s fastest-growing spirit has had some prejudice to overcome, with memories of throat-burning shots, salt licking and lime sucking scorched into people’s minds. None of that should be anywhere near these sophisticated sippers.

So, if you want to try a smooth, burn-free, and flavoursome tequila that stands head and shoulders above the competition, we’ve got the best from each category for you. Vamos!

BEST BLANCO SIPPING TEQUILA

Fortaleza Blanco

Once somewhat written off as old-fashioned, the family-run Fortaleza is now known for some of the finest tequila in production. Their Blanco is the benchmark, and what so many agave aficionados settle on as the best. It uses exclusively stone crushed agave and is bursting with fresh vegetal agave, exactly what you want from a Blanco. Floral notes and spice lead into bursts of olive butter, earthy pepper, and citrus swirling throughout. Add in one of the most aesthetically pleasing bottles we’ve seen, and it’s the complete package.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £57.45 // US $149.99

BEST REPOSADO SIPPING TEQUILA

Panchos Datos Tequila Reposado

Another beautiful bottle to keep, Panchos Datos Reposado rests for 6 months in oak barrels once used to mature bourbon whiskey, imparting inviting caramel and vanilla into the blend. Rounded out by green vegetal notes from start to finish, this is one of the fullest-flavoured and smoothest feeling reposados out there. If you want to convert someone to tequila, go for this.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £50.53

BEST AÑEJO SIPPING TEQUILA

VIVIR Tequila Añejo

12-year-old double distilled agave is blended with volcanic spring water from the region and aged for 18 months in American Oak bourbon casks. Once you pop the bottle open and pour, you will see for yourself the success of the process. The agave roots aren’t lost, but joining them is a waft of smoky oak, roasted banana, butterscotch vanilla, and silky chocolate to make a wonderfully rich sipping tequila. The fullness and depth of flavour are why this Añejo has picked up not only international best tequila awards and Great Taste stars but also best overall spirit gongs too. It’s simply out of this world!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £52.95

BEST EXTRA AÑEJO SIPPING TEQUILA

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo Tequila

Tapatio is the flagship brand of the prestigious La Alteña Distillery, founded in Jalisco in the 30s by Don Felipe Camarena. These days, his grandson Carlos is presiding over the same pristine nectar. Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo Tequila is a mouthful in more ways than one; four years of aging in a combination of casks imparts layer upon layer upon layer of flavour. Intense peppery agave is joined by buttery vegetal notes, mellow oak, toasted brown sugar and traditional spice weaving in and out. Rich, elegant and classy, if you’re a seasoned tequila sipper and want something new, treat yourself (you get a litre after all!)

Size: UK 1L // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £203 // US $249.99

BEST BLENDED SIPPING TEQUILA

Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

This tequila is pure master craftsmanship. It contains blends of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo which would usually result in colouring, but Maestro Dobel has filtered it out while keeping the beautiful creaminess and complexity from the process. This ‘Cristalino’ expression carries much more vibrance and spice than similar projects, with a palate that represents both the characterful agave and ageing. Think maple, honey and earthy nuttiness all wrapped up in luxurious mouthfeel. The agave isn’t front and centre like some blends, but with the depth of flavour, you won’t mind one bit!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £54.90 // US $57.99

BEST SIPPING TEQUILA FOR WHISKEY LOVERS

Storywood Tequila Double Cask Añejo

Luis and Michael melded their expert knowledge of agave and oak ageing to create a super innovative tequila/whisky crossover that we love. Each one beautifully bottled, we’ve praised their Speyside Reposados and Añejo before, and now we want to draw your attention to this globetrotting number – the Storywood Tequila Double Cask Añejo. Mexican Añejo spends 14 months in both Scotch whisky barrels and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at a lip-smacking 53% ABV. Sweet, honeyed agave is prominent, flanked by jammy dark fruits and figgy, oaky spice. If you love scotch and tequila, don’t be precious about keeping them separate, try this! And if you just want to try something inventive and tasty, this is your bottle too. Tequila innovation done right.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 53%
Find here: £57.95

BEST SUMMER SIPPING TEQUILA

Código 1530 Rosa

That’s right, pink tequila! This is very different from the rest of the list because that inviting rose tint is there due to one month resting in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. Sometimes, bottles like these can be nothing more than a gimmick designed to look good on the shelf, but not in this case. The finish brings a tantalising brightness and vibrance through floral aromas and notes of red fruits that lift the earthy agave wonderfully. This really makes those summery tequila cocktails that bit more sun-kissed, but to be honest, we’d serve it just over ice.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: UK £49.45 // US $59.99

BEST CELEBRITY SIPPING TEQUILA

Casamigos Blanco

Famously fronted by George Clooney with a mystery master distiller behind it, Casamigos needs no introduction. This is one of those fantastic liquids that pleases most card-carrying tequila heads whilst remaining completely approachable to newbies. The softness, the rich vanilla, the citrus, the herbal undertones – it’s easy to sip through but interesting at the same time. 

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £52 // US $42.99

If you’re into your tequila but have for some reason dismissed or never tried mezcal then you’re missing out, especially if you’re searching for new flavours because the variety is incredible. Check out our Top Sipping Mezcals if nothing on this list tickles your fancy!