While wine is the first pick for pairing with cheese, whiskey can complement the complex flavours of everything from gruyere to gorgonzola. Here are a few simple tips for pairing cheese with whiskey. Save the strongest for last While whiskey which tastes like a campfire can be quite enjoyable, peated high-proof whiskey can overwhelm any flavours […]
Spirits
The World’s Finest Chile Liqueur
Crafted for ninety years from a traditional Mexican recipe, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur is a unique and intricately crafted addition to any liquor collection. At the heart of this peculiar liqueur are precious Poblano chilies, which are dried for weeks in the sun to deliver the full force of their spicy, sugary flavour. After being […]
Vermouth Who Cares?
Well anyone who makes a cocktail should care. Vermouth is an essential cocktail ingredient, underpinning the Martini, Manhattan and Negroni. But actually Vermouth can be a great Aperitif or pre-dinner drink. Vermouth is actually a fortified wine with an ABV that can range from a minimum of 14.5 per cent to a maximum of 22 per cent, and a wine […]
Deconstructing digestifs
While the ideal after-dinner drink is the one you most enjoy, digestifs were specifically made to aid digestion and excite your taste-buds after a meal. As opposed to aperitifs, which are light on sweetness and strength, digestifs are full-bodied desert drinks. As digestifs vary enormously among different cultures, it is hard to define their character. Some are sweet and smooth, […]
The First Chicago Distillery Since Prohibition
In less than ten years, a distillery established by two ex-academics has come to dominate the domain of spirits. More impressive, theirs was the firs legal distillery to be opened in Chicago since Prohibition. So what is the secret of success at the heart of Koval Distillery? At the heart of their success is the heart of their distillate, […]
What Makes Mezcal Different From Tequila?
Mezcal is an umbrella term for any spirit distilled from Mexican agave plants, technically making tequila a mezcal. However, the drink we know as ‘mezcal’ is differs from tequila in three main ways: It is made from a wide variety of agave plants While tequila is made exclusively from cultivated blue agave, Mezcal can be made from all sorts of […]
Ironbark Dry Gin Wins Best Traditional Style Gin
Ironbark 313 Dry Gin has been awarded the Best Traditional Style Gin in Australia at the World Drinks Awards for 2017. This Dry Gin has taken a step back from the trendy, floral and herbaceous gin style and followed the traditional ‘dry and peppery’ variety. The unique finish is reminiscent of pencil shavings – there is […]
Exploring Spain’s First Urban Distillery
SANTAMANÍA is Spain’s only urban distillery, and one of only a few Spanish distilleries focused exclusively on producing quality spirits. With an aim to use only the finest Spanish grapes, this small outfit has crafted some incredible artisan gin and vodka. Notably, none of their releases are in batches any greater than 800. The small outfit is […]