Five new drinks to get you in the festive mood. Woop, hello December – the month where it’s acceptable to drink over the advised 14 units a week right? Here are five faves we’ve spotted of late, to assist you in sipping your way through December.
The GlenAllachie Distillery, Launches Meikle Tòir
Independent Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie has launched a peated single malt Scotch range Meikle Tòir (pronounced mee-kuhl tor). Spearheaded by Master Distiller Billy Walker, the peated production runs for around six weeks in the making of this distinct new range of spirits. There are four different blends to choose from: The Original, The Sherry One, The Chinquapin One, and The Turbo 2023 Edition. Each expression has been subjected to a lengthy fermentation time of 160 hours – nearly triple the industry average.
From £50
Bar Manager of The Hand & Flowers Launches Fr’um
Anthony Peart, Bar Manager at Tom Kerridge's two-Michelin starred pub The Hand & Flowers has created his own rum. Inspired by a lack of premium spiced rum offerings on the market that weren't overly sweet, Anthony embarked on a mission to do it himself! Taking inspiration from the sandy shores of Jamaica, Fr’um, has tasting notes of rich muscovado, pineapple and smokey scotch bonnet. The Muscovado is used to extract the juice from ripe pineapples before the smoked scotch bonnet pepper is added and steeped, using a gentle heat. Drink it on the rocks, neat, or paired with a quality ginger ale.
£45
Burnt Faith Brandy Batch 001
If you’re menu planning for Christmas Day, you’ll likely need some brandy to set the pudding alight. This new British brandy Burnt Faith has been created in Walthamstow and distilled from four grape varieties: Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Blanc. It's then aged in a combination of four different barrels. Fruity notes of caramel, marmalade and cherry make for a perfect pairing for your festive feasting.
40% | £36 |
Mirror Margarita launches into Sainsbury’s
Hands down THE best margarita you’ll come across IOP (in our opinion). Created by Deano Moncrieffe at Hacha bar in Dalston, this winning elixir is a blend of 100% premium agave blanco Cazcabel tequila and citrus oils. The pre-mix has been picking up accolades since it launched. Time Out called it the ‘7th best cocktail in the world’. And new this autumn, Mirror Margarita is now exclusively stocked at Sainsbury’s. Each Mirror Margarita bottle contains five cocktails serves. Simply add ice, no slice.
£25
Ferg & Harris
Edinburgh whisky brand Ferg & Harris has released a second batch of its whisky. The brand is the brainchild and passion project of John Ferguson and Alex Harrison, founders of the Edinburgh bottling company, Young Spirits. Each release is boutique, made from a limited run of between 150 and 400 bottles. We sampled the 12-year-old Speyside single malt which was treated to six months in a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask resulting in this light, fruity single malt with a deep umber colour. Offering scents of toffee, baked figs, rich raisins and a quick hit of sherry sweetness on the palate, if you’re considering a winter spirit, this is a lovely choice to get you in the mood for the festive season.
£69.99