In the glory days of the Royal Navy, rum was so beloved by sailors that they accepted it as payment for their service. Looking at the way they made rum in its heyday, it’s not hard to see why. High proofs, sweet spices and mouth-watering molasses made the drink taste as good as it made sailors feel. In […]
The Curious Trademark on The Dark ‘n’ Stormy®
How many cocktails do you know of which have their own trademark? The Dark ‘n’ Stormy®, that delicious combination of dark rum (the dark) and ginger beer (the stormy), is legally owned by Goslings Rum. Based in Bermuda, this centuries-old rum distributor was the first purveyor of alcoholic beverages on the island (and the first to make […]
Pairing Whiskey and Cheese
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 […]
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 […]