There was some debate around a decade ago that this iconic Margaret River winery had lost a little of its glitter and that the wines were not what they once were. I was not quite as onboard with that as some. In fairness, it is not easy to remain at the pinnacle for a half […]
Malbec: a dark horse among Australian reds
If you ask most wine drinkers which country they associate with Malbec, they will probably say Argentina. This is not surprising, as Argentina has more than 75 per cent of the world’s plantings of Malbec. However, Malbec actually originates from France, where it is known by the rather unremarkable name of Côt. It is part […]
The new ‘little black dress’ of the spirits world
In a category formerly dominated by tradition and macho branding, Manly Spirits Co.’s Coastal Stone range of single malt whisky offers a breath of fresh air. Manly Spirits Co. is well known for its clear spirits range of vodkas and gins, but has now launched its ‘Dark Side’ with a fashionable, contemporary collection of Coastal […]
What drives the appeal of celebrity spirits brands?
In a time before social media stars helped shape our consumption habits, traditional celebrities were the original influencers. Actors and musicians have always appeared in advertising across any number of goods and services to tell us what to buy and why, being the face of campaigns spruiking anything and everything, including liquor. And today, there […]
Crystal Head Vodka Celebrates Pride With Limited-Edition Bottle
Crystal Head Vodka has announced its limited-edition Pride bottle in celebration of diversity and equality is back by popular demand with the addition of availability in the 1.75 L size. The bottle uses a one-of-a-kind proprietary decoration process unique to the brand. A true collector’s item, 2021 is the last year to purchase this Pride […]
WHAT IS A BUTTER WASH AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
To start with, it’s actually not even called a Butter Wash, it’s called a Fat Wash. A fat wash is essentially the process of infusing something oily or fatty into alcohol to impart desirable flavours, and then removing the main fat component. To do this for our Hot Cross Buttered Gin we gently heated our gin and […]
Johnnie Walker’s $35,500 48-Year-Old Scotch Unveiled
When Jim Beveridge took up a post as a flavour chemist at Johnnie Walker than in the early 1980s, he could scarcely have predicted the impact that move would make. Peering behind the curtain of the world’s best-loved blended whisky, Beveridge was invited to dive head-first into the deep intricacies of maturation, and it wasn’t […]
1907 Heidsieck Monopole Gout American: After Perfect ‘Cellaring’ In A Shipwreck, It’s The World’s Most Expensive Champagne
Heidsieck Monopole Gout American 1907 is the world’s most expensive champagne. Or so it is often touted. Well, that really depends on where you buy it. And, yes, it is still available, though in tiny quantities and rarely seen. A few special stores (a quick google will direct you) or the secondary market is the […]