Bodegas Hispano + Suizas: The Spanish Winery You Need To Know

Nestled in the picturesque Utiel-Requena region of Spain, Bodegas Hispano+Suizas is a testament to the dreams and dedication of three passionate individuals. Marc Grin, Rafael Navarro, and Pablo Ossorio, having spent decades immersed in the world of wine, embarked on a journey to create a winery that would make the most of the interesting viticultural area surrounding them. Their shared vision of accessible masterpieces and complementary but different experiences gave birth to Bodegas Hispano+Suizas, a name that honours the Swiss and Spanish heritage of its founders. Armed with expertise spanning traditional viticulture, cutting-edge winemaking techniques, and extensive experience, they needed to set up shop somewhere.

DOP Utiel-Requena

The excitement truly began in 2006, when the three brothers-in-wine set their hearts on a 61-hectare site in DOP Utiel-Requena, Valencia. With two centuries of history and continued renovations, the winery is always improving with plenty of work put in to adapt it for modern winemaking.

The surrounding region is renowned for its exceptional winemaking conditions. At 750m above sea level and 50km from the Mediterranean, the site enjoys cool breezes to offset the hot summers – allowing the trio to pursue some interesting varietals which we’ll get to later. Under the ground, clay-limestone soils contribute to the complexity and richness of the wines produced with their fantastic water and nutrient retention. All of this combined with Spain’s ancient vino roots means Utiel-Requena is one of Spain's most historic wine regions.

Of course, the passionate care given to the vineyard extends into the winemaking process itself. Harvesting at Bodegas Hispano+Suizas is a precise, environmentally friendly operation, spanning almost three months from the early August picking of white grapes for Cava, to the late October harvest of red varieties. Grapes undergo a cold soak to enhance their aromatic and phenolic qualities before fermentation in 400L American oak barrels. The wines are then aged in either these barrels or 225L French oak barrels from Allier, adding layers of complexity and elegance.

The Wines of Bodegas Hispano + Suizas

Now, the good stuff – the result of all that expertise and hard work. Their variety of grapes shows the strength of their set up, featuring whites of Chardonnay, Albariño, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, and reds of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir (despite the heat), Petit Verdot and old vine Bobal. All the ingredients for unique and intricate flavour profiles are present, and that’s exactly what’s been bottled. Despite being a relatively young winery, they were honoured in 2016 as the "Spanish Winery with the Most Distinctions" by the Asociación Española de Periodistas y Escritores del Vino. As we’ve touched on, they have a broad selection but these are some favourites.

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Cava Tantum Ergo Chardonnay

Among their celebrated wines is the Cava Tantum Ergo, commended by Parker, Penin and Sevi with more than 90 points. If any of you are into your classical music, you may recognise that this, like all their wines, is inspired by classical music. This is a commitment to the founders' belief that a good wine must emerge like a symphony, each note in perfect harmony.  It’s a lauded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir mix pouring an intense golden yellow. Intense peaches and pastries hit the nose, before a powerful and creamy palate. The pairing with seafood is an obvious dream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £31.45

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Bobos Finca Casa La Borracha Bobal

Bobal is a local grape known for beautiful, flavoursome reds that retain their lightness, and the vines grown here are ancient. The notable French oak has matured the cherry and cassis into a full-bodied, velvety masterpiece, with an elegant toffee finish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £26.50 (usually more!)

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Impromptu

This is their modern Sauvignon Blanc, awarded a stunning 97/100 in the 2019 SEVI wine guide and 95/100 in the 2023 edition. The aroma has been praised for its intensity, delivering a seductive mix of minerality, compote and tropical fruits, and it’s those fruits that dominate the flavour with richness and great acidity.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28.09

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas has made quite the splash already, realising the dream and converging the talents of three friends who simply love wine. And with the aim of making exceptional wine that’s accessible also, more and more people will get to taste the rich tapestry that is Utiel-Requena's winemaking heritage – only a good thing.

How to Cool Wine and Beer Down Fast!

When everything else is sorted, is there anything more frustrating than a warm drink that should be chilled? If you find yourself with beer or wine that needs chilling pronto, then these tips will help. Now, there’s no magic involved here – if you want your drink colder, you’re gonna need to get the cold to the drink, either by putting something in it or around it.  Some require more effort than others, but all of them will make serving chilled drinks easier in the future. These are the best ways to cool down your wine and beer.

In the fridge

Well, it might be stating the obvious but by the time you’ve looked elsewhere for cooling options, your fridge could be doing the job. Obviously, if you’re on the move this isn’t an option, but if you’ve got the time, a fridge is the safest and most reliable option. No effort is needed, you just plonk it in. Depending on your fridge, it’ll take between 30-60 minutes to reach the temperature of your fridge… which you can usually adjust easily by the way! Sure, this isn’t going to work if you want to get drinking straight away, but if you can wait then it’s perfect. Oh, and chill horizontally – it cools quicker!

In the freezer

The pros and cons of the freezer are somewhat obvious. Of course, your drinks will chill quickly, in fact, they’ll be refrigerated temperature in about 15-20 minutes. However, if you are forgetful in any way, avoid this method. Beyond 20 minutes, wine bottles, beer bottles and cans will become structurally unsound and leak, crack or even explode – particularly if there’s plenty of bubbles. Also, the aromas and flavours will likely be altered and possibly ruined.

With a wet paper towel

This is something you can add as an additional trick to refrigeration or freezing. Wrapping a wet paper towel or tea towel around your bottle or can will speed up the cooling process because the cold is transferred to the liquid more efficiently. For example, in the freezer, you can expect your drink to be chilled in 10-15 minutes. If the towel is stuck to it when you take it out the freezer, just run it under the warm water tap for a second and it will slide off easily. Quick and effective.

With frozen grapes

For wine, toss a few frozen grapes into your glass. They chill your drink without watering it down, getting it to the perfect temperature within minutes. Plus, they’re edible and add a fun twist to your drink! What a useful garnish.

With metal stones

Along a similar vein as frozen grapes but more versatile and reusable are metal stones or whisky stones, which are essentially ice cubes that don’t melt. They often have a freezing gel inside or just conduct the cold brilliantly and will cool your drink down at the same rate as ice cubes – but with zero dilution. They don’t stay cold for that long though, be aware.

In an ice bucket

The bar and restaurant classic. If you have ice and a bucket available to you, this one is practical because it will chill your drink in less than 10 minutes, and you can pop it next to you to keep your next pour a crisp one. Remember to add a good amount of water as well as ice, and also a little salt lowers the freezing point of the water to make the ice melt faster and chill your drink quicker. A bottle of wine in a bucket of ice also looks pretty cool too.

In an active cooler

Most coolers promise to maintain the temperature of the things you put in, but active coolers bring the temperature down. Of course, power is required, so if you’re at the beach or somewhere then this won’t be any good, but if you’re by a plug socket, you’re in business. We recently identified our favourite coolers here. Each one has different weights, volumes and power but should take about as long as a fridge to cool your drinks.

With a corkcicle

These are neat and fairly new invention under a few different brand names. As you can see from the image, you freeze your ‘corkcicle’ for at least 90 minutes so it’s ready to replace the cork, or lid, of the wine you’ve just opened. Except with the corkcicle, the chilled extender reaches to the bottom of the bottle, chilling the liquid within. You can even pour through a tiny hole in the top of the cork. There are a few different options available online, so we won’t link a specific brand, but they all do similar things.

If you want to avoid this issue all together than a cooler is always best, so check out our best suggestions whatever your situation.

The 8 Rudest Wines You Can Buy

We come across so many different drinks names that it’s a joy to find some that stand out, and these certainly do that. Craft beers have dominated the rude names niche, whereas the wine industry tends to use them less so… but not these beauties. Let’s not forget that you’re still spending hard-earned cash on these bottles, so the wine inside has to put a smile on your face too. These 8 cheeky bottles do just that. They’re perfect for light-hearted gifts, but just make sure you know the person you’re giving them to well enough! You’ll know what we mean as we go…

Ass Kisser Shiraz

Ass Kisser, a cheekily named South Australian red, boasts 100% Shiraz grapes aged 12 months in French oak. This robust wine offers smoky, woody spices and bramble berries on the nose, while the palate delights with chocolate, spiced plums, and cherry. It’s a mischievous name, but smooth tannins and bright finish, highlighted by peppery spice and vanilla mean the wine is serious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £11.50

Sweet Bitch Moscato Rosé Bubbly

Sweet Bitch Moscato Rosé Bubbly – now that’s a statement, and one you might want to be careful with when gifting someone. In terms of the liquid itself, there’s a lot to love here. It’s a delightful sparkling wine from Chile's Aconcagua Valley, bringing a fruity, bubbly and sweet profile that avoids being syrupy despite the ABV. The pretty silver-pink hue is matched by the crisp strawberries, applies and cherries, followed up by an orange tang. It is US only though, as far as we can tell!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 7%
Find here: $10.99

Jost 4 Skins

As seen on The Tonight Show, they definitely knew what they were doing with this one, but they do have a way out because this red Nova Scotia blend actually uses four hybrid grape varieties - Castel, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, and Lucie Kuhlmann. This full-bodied wine boasts a rich ruby hue with aromas of dark berries and mocha and a palate of sour cherry and dried fruits. This would be great with charred or roasted dark meats.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: $22.19

Fat Bastard Chenin Blanc

This is an in-your face Chenin Blanc from the sunlit vineyards of France, presenting a pale straw hue and a bouquet of lively citrus and tropical fruit notes. This wine embodies a perfect balance of freshness and vibrancy, with refreshing acidity and a crisp finish. Its juicy yellow peach and hint of vanilla complement a tangy citrus finish, making it a delightful companion for various occasions. It’s a bold and brash name, but there’s some lovely delicate character to the wine itself – a big softie.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £13.20

Fattoria Alois CUNTO Pallagrello Nero IGT

Fattoria Alois CUNTO Pallagrello Nero IGT is a concentrated Italian red wine made from the once-extinct Pallagrello grape, rediscovered in Campania. Named after the Neapolitan word for "short story," (so not anything else!), this wine offers floral aromas of violet and geranium, along with fruity and spicy notes of black pepper and juniper. With a medium structure, it features excellent tannins and a soft, enveloping flavour.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £34

Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon

Naked Winery, you have our attention. In fact, this Oregon has a cheeky lineup with other wines such as Take it Off Syrah, Foreplay Chardonnay and their Dominatrix Pinot Noir. This rich, smooth Cabernet isn't overly tannic, balancing black cherries with a smoky, barrel-toast finish. For all their light-hearted nudge and a wink names, the wine is serious, premium liquid. The nose is treated to notes of black currant, dark cherry, clove, and praline. Robust, oaky and elegant.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: $45

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon

Two Hands' Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon showcases why this Australian winery excels beyond Shiraz. This vintage, scoring an impressive 90 Parker Points, offers a rich blend of blackcurrant, mocha, mint, and graphite. Its deep magenta hue complements aromas of currants, cocoa dust, lavender, and bay leaf. On the palate, it’s soft yet powerful, with gentle tannins and flavours of black plum, chocolate, and smoke, all harmoniously balanced. What a package.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £35.50

Neleman Just Fucking Good Wine Red

Everything is stripped back here to what is simply, well, you can read the bottle. Derrick Neleman is a biodynamic farmer cooperating with nature to bring beautiful wines to the table. No pesticides. No additives. Just healthy and balanced soils for tasty grapes. For every 175 bottles produced, they also plant a tree! On top of that, upcoming artists and designers are behind their labels and packaging. What an operation. The wine itself uses the Marselan grape, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha, which is aged in French oak for over 14 months. Ripe, wild berries of all kinds, oaky vanilla and velvety tannins – it’s a simple and delicious Spanish red.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £20.99

If you want to surprise BBQ guests with any of these, then how about bringing out some of the food-friendly gems for the main dishes?

The Best Rum Cocktails for Summer

When it comes to kicking back, shutting your eyes and feeling the bliss of the sun on your skin, the cocktail most people want plonked in front of them involves rum. Nothing quite captures the essence of tropical paradise like it, and with a variety of styles, it’s easy to bring your own twist.

Pool lounging, garden parties, outdoor bars, picnics or simply sat by a sunny window, these rum cocktails get you in that easy-going sun-kissed mood. We’ve included some classic favourites that are tailor made for this time of year, as well as some playful twists.

Mojito

Sometimes the obvious choice is obvious for a reason. Cuba’s favourite serve might not be quite as simple as lumping ingredients together, but with only a touch of muddling required and simple ingredients, it’s well worth it. Rum, mint and lime create the ultimate refresher; a breezy, fresh timeless favourite to cool you down and unwind.

Ingredients
50ml white rum
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp sugar/ 15ml sugar syrup
A handful of mint leaves
Soda water
Garnish: mint

 Method
Crush mint leaves with lime juice and sugar syrup. Add ice and rum, then top with soda water. Stir gently, garnish with mint, and enjoy the essence of summer relaxation.

Top Tip: Never slice or dice the mint, always crush the leaves gently to unlock all those flavoursome oils.

Strawberry & Basil Mojito

This variation screams summer. We’re swapping the mint for basil and of course if we’re doing that, strawberry is getting involved. The best method for including strawberries is via a simple syrup – see the method. The lime remains to bring that vivid tang and the basil brings that fragrant herbal sweetness. If a cocktail is ever to put a smile on your face, it’s this one.

Ingredients
50ml white rum
5 basil leaves
15ml lime juice
20ml strawberry syrup
Soda water
Garnish: basil sprig and strawberry slices

 Method
It’s very easy to make the strawberry syrup by adding water, sugar and strawberries to a pan in the ratio 1:1:1/2. 12 or so minutes of medium cooking will dissolve and infuse everything, before straining into a jar. Use once cool or refrigerate for up to a month. Other than that, it’s a classic mojito method – muddle the basil gently with the syrup and lime juice, pour in your rum whilst adding ice and top up with soda water. Delish.

Piña Colada

Another icon that we just can’t leave out. This sunny serve also involves three bold flavours working together –coconut, pineapple and rum. The Piña Colada is a perfect summer companion, blending the rich flavours of aromatic coconut cream with the tangy sweetness of pineapple juice. It’s a drink that transports you straight to a sunny beach with every sip, making it a favourite for poolside lounging or any summer gathering. Use fresh juice if possible! A proper taste of tropical paradise in a glass.

Ingredients
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple wedge

Method
Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge, and serve. Just be aware that if your blender isn’t the best, you may need to use crushed ice.

Bushwacker

In a similar vein to the Colada is the Bushwacker. With its sweetness, the Piña Colada feels indulgent sure, but if you want even more of a dessert-style indulgent sipper, we’re gonna need chocolate. Crème de cacao, coconut cream and milk bring that boozy milkshake feel, and swapping out white for dark rum layers it up with those richer, caramelly notes. What a treat.

 Ingredients
30ml dark rum
30ml creme de cacao
60ml milk
60ml coconut cream
Garnish: chocolate shavings

Method
As long as you have a blender, this couldn’t be simpler. Blend everything with a small amount of ice and bring these out instead of (or alongside) dessert to delight guests.

Strawberry Daiquiri

The original is a classic, but with strawberries being such a symbol of the British Summer, we’re going for this much-loved berry riff. The key here is to avoid the cursed super sweet slush puppies some bars serve. If you use delicious, ripe strawberries then they bring natural sugars, so we can go easy on the syrup.

Ingredients
60ml light rum
50g strawberries
20ml lime juice
10ml syrup
Strawberry or lime (optional garnish)

Method
Add everything to a blender with ice but make sure to double strain over your glass when serving. Witness that enchanting red hue and dive in.

Dark ’n Stormy

This spicy and refreshing mix of dark rum and ginger beer is perfect for a summer evening as the sun sets. A splash of lime juice adds the perfect zing, and the background ginger tingles your tastebuds. The Dark ’n Stormy is known for its distinctive layering, where the dark rum floats atop the ginger beer, creating a dramatic appearance that’s as striking as its flavour. It’s a simple yet sophisticated cocktail that’s both bold and refreshing... and it cure seasickness... possibly.

 Ingredients
50ml dark rum (Goslings Black Seal for traditionalists)
80ml ginger beer
20ml lime juice (optional)
Lime wedge (garnish)

Method
Probably the easiest cocktail to make – add your ginger beer over ice and top up with dark rum! 

Zombie

Legend goes that one hungover man at a bar in 1934 ordered this and became zombified for the rest of the day – take a look at the ingredients and you’ll see why. It might be a tiki classic but it isn’t for the faint-hearted or for light summer sipping – though it certainly has its place. A trio of rums each bring a layer of complexity which is given an intense punch of complex spice from the falernum liqueur. Tropical juices and brandy complete a punch style cocktail with powerful flavours everywhere you look.

Ingredients
30ml dark rum
30ml light rum
20ml overproof rum
10ml falernum liqueur
30ml lime juice
20ml pink grapefruit juice
15ml apricot brandy
30ml pineapple juice
10ml grenadine
Pinch of salt (optional)
Garnish: orange slice/maraschino cherry/sprig of mint/pineapple wedge

Method
Shake all ingredients except the overproof rum with ice, strain over fresh ice, and float the overproof rum on top. Garnish as desired. Enjoy… with caution.

Mai Tai

Sticking with the tiki theme as it’s perfect for summer, this treasure traditionally involves tonnes of homemade creations but nowadays, you can make things easier for yourself. The warmth of the rum is perfectly complemented by the almond sweetness of orgeat syrup and the bright citrus notes of lime and orange liqueur, making it a sophisticated yet fun drink.

 Ingredients
60ml blended rum (like Appleton)
20ml lime juice
20ml orgeat syrup
15ml orange liqueur
Garnish: mint sprig

Method
Shake all ingredients with crushed ice until the shaker frosts. Strain over fresh crushed ice, garnish with a mint sprig, and serve. All tiki decorations welcome.

These are some summer specific rum serves, but if you’re after more and you don’t care what season they’re suited to, take a look at 7 Delicious Rum Cocktails.

How Absolut and Tomorrowland Are Tackling Loneliness

For many festival goers, it’s a time to forget about worries back home and experience something different, but when so many people are having fun around you, it can feel incredibly isolating if you’re not. After all, some issues can’t be left at the gate. But, with the right support and through embracing the universal power and connection of live music, a more connected and inclusive community can be built – this is the continued aim of Absolut and Tomorrowland’s partnership.

Taking place in Belgium each year, Tomorrowland is one of the world’s largest electronic dance music festivals, attracting 400,000 attendees with 16 stages and over 800 DJs. You’ll most likely know Absolut from their vodkas of course, but as part of the Pernod Ricard group they’re also responsible for brands like Beefeater, Malibu, Kahlua and more.  The two joined forces in 2017, and it was in 2022 when they started their United We Dance platform. Each year, the committee sit down and pick an issue that’s particularly relevant to the kind of people attending their festivals. This year, that issue is one that has increased massively in recent years – loneliness.

The World Health Organisation declared loneliness a ‘pressing health threat’, launching its own commission to try and tackle the problem. They’ve warned that people, no matter the age, who are lonely or feel isolated are 30% more likely to die early, which is staggering. Of course it’s not just life expectancy that’s affected, but quality of life too. Loneliness is a well-known problem amongst older people, but fewer people know just how much it is affecting younger generations too. Also, research shows that underrepresented groups are more vulnerable to loneliness. Social media, pandemic ramifications, cultural change and so on have all been cited as factors, and of course, a collaboration like this isn’t going to solve such a gigantic problem, but any effort to combat it is meaningful.

In this increasingly online and isolated world, music festivals are a rarity by the nature of festival goers’ open-mindedness to human connection and facilitating cross-cultural exchange, so it’s a great place to try and extinguish some of this loneliness. Onsite and online activities, resources and platforms have been organised, including The Community Booth for meeting people, live podcasts with artists discussing mental health and daily speed networking events. Also, the festival paper will feature columns by renowned DJ and committee member Sunnery James as well as performers, delving deeper into experiences with loneliness. The platform is also looking to use social media for good, by providing platforms to find connections for solo attendees. Tad Greenough, Global Chief Creative Officer at The Absolut Company, said, "We believe the dance floor should be a space where everyone feels welcome. By coming together, we can foster empathy and understanding to drive positive change."

For more details on the United We Dance initiative and how it's fostering connections, visit United We Dance. Through this collaborative effort, Absolut and Tomorrowland are not just offering a festival experience but are playing their small part in creating a more connected and compassionate world. Bravo.

Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre Bring Gin & Juice Cocktails to the UK

When you have a hit song called Gin & Juice, it’s surely only a matter of time before you join the pantheon of celebrity drinks. It’s been 30 years since Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg released the tune on their album Doggystyle, and after launching in the US, the ready-to-go cocktails inspired by it are making waves in the UK.

The new Gin & Juice comes in four refreshing flavours: Citrus, Melon, Passionfruit, and Apricot. Each flavour boasts an all-natural blend, ensuring a unique and delightful experience. The Citrus option is described as a citrus-forward blend, balanced by rose and other soft botanicals, while Melon offers a smooth melon taste, with complexity evoked via crisp citrus and lush hibiscus. Apricot presents a mellow flavour with a hint of honey and aromatic bergamot, and Passionfruit delivers a tropical punch with refreshing pineapple notes.

Each can of Gin & Juice is naturally low in sugar and calories, with only 2 grams of sugar and 95 calories per 250ml serving. Made with real fruit juice, the drinks contain no artificial colours or flavours and are subtly carbonated with a 5.9% ABV – perfect for light and breezy summer drinks.

The packaging, designed by the renowned artist and industrial designer Ini Archibong, reflects the West Coast lifestyle that Dre and Snoop are famous for. Fans can find these premium gin-based cocktails at nearly 1000 UK independent retailers, on-premises locations, summer music festivals, and online at www.bydreandsnoop.com and Amazon.

Snoop and Dr. Dre have both mentioned how they’ve been involved from the ground up, taking their passion and friendship in music and applying it to drinks, but they also had help from Patrick Halbert, Andrew Gill, and Rocco Milano, the creators of On The Rocks Cocktails.

As you might expect, the launch party was quite the event. Hosted at Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace in London on July 18, 2024, all the founders and team were present alongside a host of stars such as Idris Elba, footballers Jude Bellingham and Virgil van Dijk and many more stars, including a surprise performance from Eminem.

Ready-to-drink cocktails are increasingly competitive, but with two of the biggest names in hip-hop behind it, as well as a legendary song and some delicious flavours, Gin & Juice looks set to be another hit for the iconic duo.

One Drink, Three Ways: El Mayor Reposado

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join us as we take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, we help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

Up in the Jalisco Highlands, Destiladora Gonzales has been in production for more than 150 years, producing hand-made premium tequila under the esteemed El Mayor name.

Aged in white oak for a minimum of nine months, their reposado has developed an elegant structure, deep, balanced taste and divine smoothness. Baking spices, rich caramel and a herbal kiss layer up for a benchmark creation. It’s absolutely worth exploring it solo, but of course when it comes to tequila, the thought of a cocktail is never too far away. So, without further ado, let us introduce three simple yet stunning El Mayor reposado cocktails for you to try…

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El Mayor Paloma

Ingredients:
50ml El Mayor Tequila Reposado
25ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
15ml Lime Juice
10ml Agave Syrup
50ml Pink Grapefruit Soda

Super refreshing with a citrus and agave burst! A perfect summertime sipper. Method: Shake the tequila, pink grapefruit juice, lime and agave in a shaker with ice. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top up with grapefruit soda. Give a gentle stir to integrate the flavours. Cheers.

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El Mayor Spicy Margarita

Ingredients:
50ml El Mayor Tequila Reposado
25ml Orange Liqueur
25ml Lime Juice
5ml Agave Syrup
2 Sprigs of Coriander
1 Slice of Red Chilli 

Incredibly moreish with a mouth-watering spice, agave nectar and chipotle tequila flavour. Method: Muddle the chilli and coriander in the base of a shaker before adding all of the other ingredients. Shake with ice and fine strain into a tumbler glass filled with ice. Sip with a kick!

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El Mayor Negroni

Ingredients:
60ml El Mayor Tequila Reposado
30ml Campari
30ml Sweet Vermouth
15ml Orange Zest Simple Syrup

For something more brooding, try this dark, bitter and intense Tequila Negroni. It’s the perfect end of night serve that is super simple to make. Method: Fill your cocktail glass with ice and stir together the Campari, El Mayor, vermouth, and syrup until chilled. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with ice, garnish with an orange wheel or slice, and you’re ready to go.

Like this? Check our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces here.

A New Original Glenmorangie

The regular expressions created by the big names in Scotch distilling rarely change. There might be differences in packaging over the years, but the liquid is as consistent as possible with most brands starting their age statement ranges with a 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

One brand has bucked this trend to create a whisky they feel is an improvement on their existing lowest age statement, and that brand is Glenmorangie. The Glenmorangie Original was a 10 year old whisky, and over the years, Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks has tried to improve it. How to improve on perfection was always the conundrum.  

Incredibly, over the last year, Dr Bill has managed to do just that, and he’s done so not by improving the 10 year old, but by creating a 12 year old. Now this might seem an obvious move, however, when they had such a great expression of Glenmorangie in the 10 year old, the 12 year old would need to reflect its predecessor’s character and increase in quality. There are plenty of The Original drinkers who would be very upset if their favourite flavours in a whisky were taken from them.

The new Original 12 year old has all the elements of the 10 year old, but with more. More richness and fruitiness, it is as if they have taken the 10 year old and turned the volume up past 10. To 12 shall we say?! There are heightened creamy notes, and the fruits are that little bit more intense. There are elements which were incredibly subtle in the 10 year old that now come through with more prominence. For example, there are some delicate spicy notes which develop on the palate that were not there before.

There are also subtle changes to the packaging. A slightly darker orange is used, and the swirls on the packaging have also been darkened, these small changes reflecting the difference in the liquid. But the biggest difference is the age statement. The price is almost the same with an increase of just £1, which for the improvements in flavour is an absolute bargain.

ABV: 40%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £40

Words by Colin Hampden-White