The Spirit World

Show date: Wednesday 15th July
Show  time: 15:00 UK Time
One of the world’s most versatile drinks, rum is also intrinsically linked with the history and culture of its origins in the Caribbean. The earliest references to sugarcane spirit production in the region date back to 1647, and through innovative techniques like oak barrel ageing, rum quickly […]

Over on Spittoon I’ve just posted some tasting notes on the value-packed Griffith Park sparkling wines. Both the pink and the white versions are excellent value for not-too-complicated fizz. Nicely frothy, not too dry, which means they make for excellent party wines.
And excellent bases for cocktails, as these two recipes demonstrate. More cocktail recipes are […]

Not long ago, I was trading emails with someone from Flor de Caña about the company’s Nicaraguan rum. She sent me a recipe for what sounded like a delightful summer cocktail called the Flip Flop. Even more delightful, the recipe called for a Chamomile tea infusion. I agreed to give it a try and post […]

Spend any time touring bourbon country, or reading its history, and you’ll quickly learn that distilleries and brands, long-lived though they may be, do not operate under constant ownership. A brand with a historic tie to a distillery might move to another company, or a conglomerate might acquire or sell a famous brand. And all […]

According to the World Whiskies Awards, Highland Park 21 year old is the World’s Best Single Malt.
“An irresistible mix of dark grungey smoke and light sweet fruit. If you could barbeque a tin of Del Monte exotic fruits this is what it would taste like. Stunning.” Dominic Roskrow
“Big, fruity nose, dried fruits, dried herbs; waxy […]

Does your almanac include International Cachaça Day. Honestly, mine doesn’t either, but if you embrace the current enthusiasm or Cachaça, and have been wondering how to use it when you’re not in the mood for a caipirinha, an update might be in order.
Sure, International Cachaça Day is a promotional vehicle for Brazil’s national beverage, but […]

To kick off its new line of specialty tequilas, Gran Centenario is serving up a selection of summer cocktails. Gran Centenario’s new tequilas are: Azul Reposado and Rosangel. And while we’re talking about exoctic new tequilas, Maestro Dobel, which bills itself as the world’s first “diamond” tequila, offers up a cocktail of its own.”
First up, […]

A new premium 18 Years Old Islay Single Malt Whisky, SMOKEHEAD EXTRA BLACK is launching in the UK.
Building on the success of the multi award-winning Smokehead Single Malt which launched in 2006, Extra Black takes the DNA of the core brand to the next level, reflecting the luxury and limited edition status of this 18 […]

For the first time in its 175 year history, award-winning Glengoyne Distillery is to release its oldest, most valuable, and very best, Highland Single Malt: the Glengoyne 40 Years Old. 
The embodiment of Glengoyne’s famed unpeated and authentic ‘Real Taste of Malt’, the natural strength 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt is regarded by the distillery […]

Most rum aficionados have heard of Chairman’s Reserve rum from St Lucia. This fabulous golden rum is now sold in most of the UK’s top cocktail bars, either for sipping with ice or as a key ingredient in many sensational cocktails (see recipes below).
Chairman’s Reserve is the first rum to carry the WIRSPA (West Indies […]