T HE VAULT
Where others saw fine spirits as a drink to be poured into a glass and sipped, Keshav Prakash could hear the murmurs of long forgotten tales that hung in wisps around every single bottle of fine spirit. The stories of its land, its culture, the artisans who had slipped in a little bit of themselves into the spirits they had crafted. This fascination of his for the untold and unsung histories led him on a journey to far off lands (Guyana, Guadalajara, Haiti, Kentucky, France, England and of course Scotland) in search of these fine spirits and their distillers. During his travels, he also met the ‘maestros of fine spirits’. Charles MacLean. Dave Broom. Tomas Estes. Considered as legends in their respective fields, they further fuelled Keshav’s passion by sharing with him their knowledge of the most boutique and rare spirits sourced from the remotest corners of the world. Back home when Keshav decided to share these experiences with other like minded people, it seemed destined that he would team up with these three wise men again. And thus The Vault was born. It offers a never before curated collection of artisanal whiskies, rums, tequilas, cognacs, gins and other spirits. Handcrafted. And handpicked.
Keshav Prakash Founder of The Vault
Men driven by liquid passions. Revered for their intimate knowledge of fine spirits and consummate tasting skills, Vault’s experiences are curated by these living gurus.
CHA RLES MACLEA N
In the hallowed world of whiskies, Charles MacLean’s name is spoken of in hushed whispers by those who worship at the altar of this amber liquid. To whisky lovers all over the world, MacLean’s word is akin to the gospel and his vast experience is the compass that guides them deeper and deeper into the secrets of the single malt. Such reverence is hardly surprising. With ten books on scotch whisky to his credit, Charles MacLean is known as the ultimate knowledge house of whiskies. He was elected a ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ in 1992 for his services to scotch over many years and has also been granted the rare honour of being elected ‘Master of the Quaich’, the industry’s highest accolade, in October 2009. A member of the Judging Panel (Spirits) of the International Wines & Spirits Competition, MacLean was trained in the sensory evaluation of potable spirits by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute in 1992 and has presented numerous tastings and talks in the United Kingdom and abroad for whisky companies, corporations, universities and clubs, and on radio and television. Charles MacLean’s master classes on the fine art of whisky appreciation are much awaited by whisky aficionados all across the globe.
DAV E BROOM
As the saying goes, what Dave doesn’t know about whisky, rum, cognac and other fine spirits is not worth knowing. This one–man–walking–encyclopaedia has been writing and teaching about fine spirits for over twenty years and is hailed as one of the world’s leading experts on the subject. A contributing editor to the Whisky Magazine UK, the editor of the Whisky Magazine Japan, columnist for Malt Advocate and many other esteemed international publications, Dave Broom’s passion for fine spirits has earned him a fan following in every corner of the world. He has written 10 books on this subject, the more recent of which, ‘The World Atlas of Whisky’ has been called a landmark publication. His other major accolades include multiple winner of the Glenfiddich Award for his writing and education, Harper’s Spirits Personality of the Year, Keeper of the Quaich, a Kentucky Colonel and IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition) Global Communicator of the Year 2013. Dave Broom is truly one of a kind connoisseur who straddles both the worlds of whisky as well as other fine spirits with equal ease.
TO MA S ES T ES
Even though his quiet demeanour is quite at odds with the flamboyant spirit that has become his soulmate, Tomas Estes is truly one of the best things to have happened to the world of tequila. What began as a boyhood curiosity for this enigmatic, fiery drink snowballed into an all consuming passion that led Tomas again and again to Mexico. To the heart of the agave region where he learnt everything that needed to be learnt about the making and appreciation of tequila. His love for tequila didn’t go unnoticed; Tomas is one of the two Tequila Ambassadors for the Mexican Government worldwide. In fact, he has the unique distinction of being recognised twice by the Mexican National Tequila Chamber with the title of ‘Ambassador to Europe for Tequila’. One of the most influential people in the tequila industry, Tomas Estes has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Theme Magazine for his work with tequila in the hospitality industry. This tequila messiah is also a veteran in the hospitality industry. Tomas Estes has opened 17 restaurants and/ or bars in Holland, England, France, Germany, Italy and Australia (he still owns his four flagship properties). He speaks four languages and continues to write articles about tequila in Europe and America. In 2008 Tomas Estes was given the award of ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Bar and Restaurant Industry’ in the United Kingdom and was voted the ‘Sixth Most Influential Person in the U.K. Bar Trade’ by the readers of Theme Magazine.
Artisanal, boutique spirits birthed by master artisans in the remotest of glens, deserts and caves. Vault’s curated fine spirit collection is a work of love and art.
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KILCHOM AN Region – Islay, Scotland
With an ambition to take whisky production back to its traditional roots, Anthony Wills founded and built Kilchoman (pronounced kil–ho–man) distillery in 2005 on a farm situated on the rugged west coast of Islay. Islay’s fertile soil is legendary; here barley can grow in abundance and it has plenty of water and peat for drying the malt. Today, housed on Rockside Farm, Kilchoman is one of the youngest and smallest of the eight distilleries in Islay with an annual production of approximately 100,000 litres of alcohol. Adhering to the concept of farm distilleries, Kilchoman grows a portion of its own malting barley on the farm and every single step of whisky production from traditional floor maltings to ageing is done on site and under detailed supervision. As of 2011, Kilchoman has even built their own bottling room on the farm thus making it a truly start– to–finish distillery. Much sought after by whisky aficionados across all the continents, Kilchoman Whiskies are a work of patience, craftsmanship and art. Kilchoman’s distiller, Anthony Wills, won the ‘Master Distiller of the Year 2013’ at the International Whisky Competition (IWC).
MACHIR BAY 46% Abv Machir Bay, a heavily peated (50 PPM) whisky, is a vatting of 4 and 5 year old ex–bourbon casks, with the 4 year being finished in oloroso sherry butts for 4 weeks prior to bottling. Machir Bay was named ‘Whisky of the Year 2013’ at the International Whisky Competition. Tasting Notes: The Machir Bay starts with a nose of soft cooked fruits with strong peaty aromas which in turn leads to a palate of mixed fruits and vanilla with an intense sweetness before a long lingering finish.
100% ISLAY 50% Abv Mildly peated to about 15-20 PPM, the entire production process for the 100% Islay takes place at the farm distillery – from barley to the bottle. The barley is grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at Kilchoman. Tasting Notes: Soft peaty aromas and a blend of citrus, lemon and pear drops. The palate has an initial sweetness that is followed by soft peat smoke and mixed fruits. The finish is long, clean and fresh.
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ARR AN Region – Island, Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran with its picturesque mountains, lowlands, glens, lochs and royal castles is known as the ‘Scotland in Miniature’. Located in this naturally blessed region, the Arran distillery uses water that has been cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above, making it one of the purest water sources in all of Scotland. Shunning contemporary convenience for ancient wisdom, Arran distillery uses only the traditional methods of distilling, with wooden washbacks and copper stills designed to its exact specification in order to produce an award winning whisky. Non chill filtered and unpeated as it is, the final Arran Single Malt is dry and light, with hints of vanilla and ripe tropical fruit. The whisky has a beautiful golden hue which comes only from the casks used for maturation. No artificial colouring is used with any Arran Single Malt. Here again, nature has magnanimously lent its heft to the end process; washed by the warm waters of the gulf streams, the isle enjoys a fantastic microclimate that is truly ideal for maturing fine single malts.
10 YEAR OLD 46% Abv The classic expression of Arran – their fresh and unique island style is captured beautifully in their 10 Year Old Single Malt. It is without doubt a ‘must have’ in the collection of all single malt whisky enthusiasts. A combination of both ex–sherry and ex–bourbon casks are used for maturing the 10 Year Old to create a wonderfully balanced flavour profile. Tasting Notes: The initial rush of vanilla sweetness gives way to the fruits of slow distillation – kiwi, banana, cantaloupe melon – with just a dusting of cocoa powder. It is undoubtedly complex and yet the aromas are in complete harmony with the malt. The palate has a spicy cinnamon edge to the soft and sweet texture. The classic Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak. The Arran 10 Year Old drifts like golden syrup and fades ever so slowly to tempt another sip.
14 YEAR OLD 46% Abv The older sibling to the 10 Year Old – this edition of the Arran Malt has a true depth of character borne from the extra years in cask. A higher proportion of ex–bourbon casks is used with the 14 Year Old creating a rich, lush palate that allows the intrinsic sweet fruity characteristics of the Arran Malt to truly shine. Tasting Notes: Dried fruits, vanilla and toffee upfront. With a little water, a salty tang appears along with caramelised fruits indicating a depth of flavour. The palate has an initial burst of brine leading onto warming toffee apples and hazlenuts. This is followed by dates, chocolate orange and spiced tea cake. The mouth feel is overwhelmingly rich and weighty.
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EDR AD O U R Region – Highland
Edradour is a unique, single Highland malt whisky made in one of the smallest whisky distilleries in Scotland; possibly the last original ‘farm’ distillery in Perthshire. Nestling in a picturesque pocket glen, this charming cluster of white buildings with its distinctive red doors has an enviable 170 year history. Time truly seems to have stood still here. John Reid and his two assistants, David Ramsbottom and James Kennedy handcraft Edradour without any fuss and modern equipment, just like it was done a century ago. Even today they are just about capable of producing commercial quantities making them an anomaly in this mass production world order. This commitment to old world values has not been in vain; Edradour is revered among whisky connoisseurs for its exquisitely smooth and creamy texture, with just a hint of smokiness. The result of the region’s fine blend of altitude and mountain water, Edradour is truly the jewel in the Highland crown. Naturally then, given the emphasis on traditional methods, only 12 casks of whisky are produced in a week. This makes the Edradour Single Malt a much coveted but rarely acquired pleasure. Should you manage to find one, you will be one of the few people lucky enough to experience its magic.
CALEDONIA 12 YEAR OLD 46% Abv This 12 Year Old has spent the last four years of its maturation in oloroso sherry casks. Caledonia is a toast to songwriter Dougie MacLean who had selected a single oloroso cask from 1997 as part of the homecoming celebrations and named it after his most famous song, ‘Caledonia’. Its enthusiastic reception led to the adoption of the whisky’s name on a permanent basis. Tasting Notes: This full golden whisky starts off with a nose of peppermint, sugared almond, a hint of sherry, honey and spicy smoky notes. The palate is minty clean, malty and has a remarkable creamy texture for a relatively light malt. The finish is mellow and warming.
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SPRIN G B ANK Region – Campbeltown, Scotland
Springbank distillery, located in Campbeltown, is unique in more than one way. The only distillery in Scotland to carry out the entire production process on one site, this oldest independent family owned place was founded in 1828 on the very location where Archibald Mitchell’s illicit still stood. Today the Springbank distillery is proudly and legally run by his great great great grand son, Hedley G. Wright. It produces the most handmade single malt in Scotland with every step of the traditional floor malting, maturation and bottling being carried out at the distillery itself. No artificial colourings are added to a Springbank Whisky (distilled two and a half times) nor is it ever chill filtered. And as for the water source which is so crucial to the out come of a single malt, Springbank’s waters can be traced back to the pure, mineral laden springs that find their way down the northern slopes of the 1155 feet high Beinn Ghuilean mountain. And last but not the least, Springbank is probably the only distillery that produces three different single malts using three different production methods.
10 YEAR OLD 46% Abv The perfect introduction to the Springbank range, the 10 Year Old is matured mostly in bourbon casks, emphasising the distillery’s character; the 10 Year Old is considered by many to be Springbank in its purest form with its salty, briny flavour. Complexity is the key word here. Yet the combination of this Springbank matured in bourbon and sherry casks remains perfectly balanced from first sip to the full, rich finish. Tasting Notes: The experience starts with a nose of orchard fruit (pear) with a hint of peat, vanilla and malt, a palate of malt, oak, spice, nutmeg and cinnamon, vanilla essence and a finish that is sweet with a lingering salty tingle.
18 YEAR OLD 46% Abv Complex is a word which is often used to describe the whiskies from Springbank and never is this more appropriate than in the case of the 18 Year Old expression. Matured mainly in bourbon casks, but with an additional bit of sherry cask influence, Springbank 18 Year Old is a perfect balance between finely distilled spirit and a long maturation in high quality casks. Tasting Notes: Full of authority. Rich and creamy at first, the nose develops to reveal vanilla, ripe fruits and marzipan before hints of sherbet, almonds and strawberries tempt you onwards to the first mouthful. The whisky has a palate of a classic full bodied dram. Thick and oily in texture with an extremely fruity and mellow taste which gives way to a sweet liquorice and aniseed flavour as it opens up. The finish is sweet and chocolatey with some coconut, long and consistent with a pleasant smokey tingle.
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GL EN D RO NACH Region – Highlands, Scotland
Famous for their richly sherried single malt whiskies of inimitable character, the Glendronach distillery is situated in the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Highlands. Since 1826, under the watchful eye of James Allardice, Glendronach Single Malt Whiskies have been maturing patiently in superior quality sherry casks. Over the years of extended maturation, these carefully seasoned casks have helped create the unique sherried style that Glendronach is now synonymous with. Right from the germination of the barley to the flow of the purest middle cuts of distilled spirit, every single step in the Glendronach journey to the vat and onwards is taken with meticulous care and immaculate timing. The glistening copper mash tun and Oregon pine washbacks form part of a vigorous but carefully attended process. Lastly, four elegant copper pot stills distill and redistill the finest, richest spirit until the individual, idiosyncratic appearance and taste of the Glendronach Sherried Single Malt is achieved.
12 YEARS OLD ORIGINAL 43% Abv The Glendronach 12 Years Old Original has been matured inside the finest sherry casks. It is still doing James Allardice proud over 180 years later. Non chill filtered and of natural colour. Tasting Notes: Sweet, creamy vanilla with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear. Rich, creamy, silky smooth palate. A mouth feel that is warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness with raisins and soft fruits. The finish is spicy and is of a medium length.
15 YEARS OLD REVIVAL 46% Abv Revival, Glendronach’s 15 Years Old expression is a remarkable whisky, full of character. This world famous, iconic expression returned in 2009 under the new name of Revival and is fully matured in oloroso sherry casks. It is non chill filtered and of natural colour. Tasting Notes: The Revival has got an incredible concentration of aromas especially of treacle toffee and chocolate orange. The palate reveals a very dynamic and full bodied dram for its age. Chewy with coffee, chocolate and treacle scones. It finishes as a veritable feast to enliven the senses.
21 YEARS OLD PARLIAMENT 48% Abv This outstanding expression is named after the ‘parliament’ of rooks that have been nesting in the trees overlooking Glendronach distillery for almost 200 years. The Glendronach Parliament 21 Years Old offers an incredible concentration of aromas. Satisfyingly long, the complex flavours linger on the palate. It is a delightful whisky to be sipped and savoured. The 21 Years Old is matured in a combination of the finest oloroso and pedro ximenez sherry casks. Non chill filtered and of natural colour. Tasting Notes: The Parliament has a delicate nose of ripe autumnal fruits – notably blackberries and red plums. The palate has resolute flavours of fine oloroso sherry and bitter chocolate sauce, which has been spread liberally over homemade plum pudding. This is all infused with fabulous spicy notes – cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The finish is full bodied with smooth tannins, long and lingering.
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EL EM E NTS 8 Region – St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands
Elements Eight. Never has a name been more apt for this handcrafted molasses based rum from St. Lucia that is born of the confluence of eight vital elements which when in balance can create perfection in every sip. The ideal terroir (Guyana for the cane, St. Lucia for the water source and ageing). Perfectly ripened cane of the highest quality. Water that has been naturally filtered while flowing through underground volcanic rock formations of St. Lucia’s protected virgin rainforest. Batch fermentation involving three unique chill fermented yeast strains. A 3–still artisan distillation method. Superlative quality lightly charred American oak bourbon barrels for the tropical ageing process. Handblending by master blenders, with no concession spared to expense. And the last element of a light charcoal filtration process to remove any residual impurities. Indeed, when nature and man work together in harmony, the result is Elements Eight.
PLATINUM 40% Abv Elements Eight Platinum Rum is a versatile and super premium rum that is a blend of over ten different tropically aged rums, making this one of the few artisanal white rums in the world. Labelled as ‘the only sipping white rum’ by top bartenders in the United Kingdom, Elements Eight Platinum has truly redefined the ‘white rum’ category. Elements Eight Platinum Rum can be enjoyed on the rocks or in one of your favourite long drinks and cocktails. Tasting Notes: Fresh and clean with hints of citrus and boiled sweets. Complex and balanced with fresh clean raisin fruit and a good soft finish.
GOLD 40% Abv Aged for 6 years in Buffalo Trace barrels, this is a sensuous, complex golden rum. The harmonious balance of the eight key elements renders this super premium rum exquisitely smooth and flavourful. Ideal in classic cocktails or straight over ice. Tasting Notes: Full bodied, complex and balanced with exceptionally long finish. Rounded complex nose of honeyed fruit, raisin, prunes, hints of spice with well integrated toasty oak aromas and a soft velvety texture.
‘BARREL INFUSED’ SPICED RUM 40% Abv Probably the most complex spiced rum to grace a bar, this rum is a handblend of pot and column still rums that have been infused with 10 natural, exotic St. Lucian fruits and spices. Enjoy the Elements Eight Spiced Rum straight or have it on the rocks with a zest of orange. Tasting Notes: Full bodied, complex and balanced with every spice clearly distinguishable. Rounded complex nose of honey, clove and chocolate, cut with sweet citrus and vibrant orange zest.
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CARON I 1 2 RU M Region –Trinidad, Caribbean Islands
Rum; the leitmotif of the Caribbean Islands has had a long tryst with the isles and her people. One such interesting history is that of the Caroni Rum from the island of Trinidad. Once there were 50 distilleries on Trinidad. By 1950 there were just eight, and today there is only one. But from 1923 till 2003 was the golden rule of the Caroni Rum distillery. Founded in the heart of the Caroni plain’s sugarcane plantations, this famed Trinidad distillery was renowned throughout the world for producing one of the finest heavy rums, receiving high praise from the British Navy. In 2003 though, disaster struck. The closing of the nearby state owned sugar refinery resulted in the gradual decline of the Trinidad sugarcane production and it was only a matter of time before the Caroni distillery was shut down shortly after.
100% TRINIDAD RUM 50% Abv The Caroni 12 Year Old bottling contains rum from the 2000 vintage, the last available barrels of 100% Trinidad Rum made from local molasses, distilled and matured for 12 years on the island. The tropical conditions result in a 60% loss of the distilled spirit due to evaporation; the angel’s share. To perfectly capture the unique heavy rum character of this closed distillery, the Caroni 12 Year Old has been bottled at 50%. Furthermore, the label reflects an original from 1940 to commemorate the golden age of Trinidad rum. This is indeed a limited stock. It would be prudent to own one even if you are not a regular rum drinker. Tasting Notes: This deep gold rum has an aroma of charred molasses, a barbeque in your neighbour’s garden, vanilla and caramelized ripe bananas. The palate is velvety, has hints of toasted nuts, smoked liquorice, vanilla infused honey, marzipan and delicate spices. It is a heavy bodied rum that has a balanced and harmonious palate, with a long finish. A Caribbean classic.
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COG N AC F E RR A N D Region – Cognac, France
In the heart of the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ in Grande Champagne lies the production of one of the world’s most venerated cognacs, Pierre Ferrand Cognac. The House of Ferrand is synonymous with award winning cognacs – aided part by the produce of the region’s chalky limestone soil and part by some of the best vintners in the industry. This complex, yet subtle, aromatic spirit is double distilled ‘on the lees’ which contributes both body and bouquet as well as rich, fruity aromas to the cognac. It takes from two to six years to blend different lots and make a reduction that achieves just the right structure before ageing; for some cognac producers, this process might take only a few days. Pierre Ferrand then nurtures the cognac in its cellars exclusively in 320 litres limousin oak barrels, whose small capacity and porous nature allows the cognac to ‘breathe’ thus providing the best conditions for harmonious exchanges between the eaux-de-vie, oak and the surrounding air.
PIERRE FERRAND AMBRE 40% Abv The ambre is pure warm comfort, mellow, rounded, aromatic and as its name implies, is a rich, glowing golden amber colour. Tasting Notes: It has surprisingly little wood evident. Instead there is light spicy cinnamon and a whisper of vanilla. There’s a distinct floral note of roses as well, and a wonderful whiff of fresh fruit pastries baking in the oven, with a wisp of almond paste or marzipan.
PIERRE FERRAND RESERVE 40% Abv The Reserve has depth and density. The fresh roses have transitioned to dried roses, and the bright citrus has softened and mellowed into something richer and more diffused. Tasting Notes: A distinct note of honey pervades the nose and the texture is dense, soft and silky. Subtle nuances of clove, burnt orange peel and cocoa begin to emerge, then a whiff of liquorice, tobacco leaf and toasted nuts.
PIERRE FERRAND SELECTION DES ANGES 40% Abv The Selection Des Anges (named after the ‘angel’s share’ – the liquid that vaporizes through the aging process) enters into an entirely new territory. Here the essential basic aromas, nuances of bouquet and flavours have transformed into different elements of age, maturation and the magic of the blender’s art. Tasting Notes: The dried roses of the Reserve have compacted and intensified into jasmine and violet. The soft cinnamon has become spicy warm ginger, laced with nutmeg. A fragrant suffusion of dried herbs has appeared, mingling with a distinct note of curry! And at the finish there is a cedar/methol tang.
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L ÉO PO L D G O U R M E L Region – Cognac, France
When Pierre Voisin decided to start his cognac house along with Olivier Blanc in the year 1972, it was a foregone conclusion that it would be dedicated to and named after his grandfather, Léopold Gourmel, a man of his word and possessing great vision whose affinity to all things natural was legendary. Such a respect for the environment perfectly matched their vision of an extremely authentic cognac made entirely from nature’s benign resources without any additives or commercial shortcuts. All Léopold Cognacs are pure vintage and never ever blended. They are in fact, made from richer wines originating from Premier Cru Fins Bois, the oldest soil of the region, characterized by deeper roots, lower yield, older vines and a systematic parcellization. After each parcel has been harvested, vinified and distilled separately, the resulting distillation is ‘fat’ yielding an aromatic, rich, fat spirit which is then aged in unburnt, extra fine grain French oak casks. Needless to say, Léopold Cognacs are never chill filtered, never use any additives, artificial colour, wood extracts and no added sugar. It is therefore hardly surprising that most of the Michelin star restaurants in Paris and rest of Europe consider Léopold Cognac as the reference in quality cognac.
PREMIERES SAVEURS, 6 CARATS 40% Abv The perfect introduction into the world of natural cognacs. Because the wine is richer and stronger, the ‘fat’ distillation retains the beautiful aromas and concentrates the richness into the cognac. Enjoy this after lunch or early evening paired with an espresso. Tasting Notes: A fresh, supple nose of white fruits (pear, white peach), it is never aggressive but complements the palate that is clean and intensive with a refreshing long lasting finish.
AGE DU FRUIT, 10 YEARS 41% Abv Pleasant roundness of matured fruits with notes of citrus. This maturity with a hidden strength makes the cognac last and remain neat, clean and straight. This grand 10 year old cognac can well complement Asian cuisine. Tasting Notes: A delicate bitterness, fresh almond, richer, more mature notes starts the nose before a palate that is thicker, more oily, longer in the cheeks, all the way to the throat. A beautiful finish of preserved fruits, citrus, apricot, orange zest, lemon peel.
AGE DES EPICES, 20 YEARS 43% Abv Powerful, round, with a touch of pepper, enticingly rich in depth and length. The cognac penetrates slowly in the casks; it is imperative to respect this slow pace. After more than 20 years, the cognac naturally reaches the best part of the wood. This is the quintessential finish to any grand evening, to die for with pure dark chocolate. Tasting Notes: A nose that is round, with a sweetness from the wood, honey, old leather. A palate that is rich and powerful, it opens slowly revealing spices of pepper and coriander. Warm complexity in the finish – cloves, ginger, butterscotch.
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DEL AM AI N Region – Cognac, France
The uniqueness of the House of Delamain lies in its commitment to the craftsmanship involved in the crucial operations of cognac making – right from purchasing the eaux–de–vie, ageing, blending and reducing it. As befits the legendary lineage of James Delamain, its current descendants Patrick Peyrelongue and his cousin Charles Braastad, have remained faithful to the true spirit of the House of Delamain – all the preparatory methods are carried out by hand and commerce takes a backseat in the relentless quest for quality. After the finest eaux–de–vie has been selected from the terroirs of Grande Champagne, it is then aged in old 350 litres French oak barrels amidst the ideal conditions in the House of Delamain’s cellars on the banks of the Charente river. Such is the extraordinary consistency of a cognac from the House of Delamain that it continues to win appreciation and accolades from leading connoisseurs all over the world.
PALE & DRY XO (70 cl) 40% Abv This is a blend of various old Grande Champagne cognacs, appropriately aged and then matured in well seasoned Limousin oak casks. It is so named because in appearance it is much paler than other cognacs of this age and ‘dry’ because it has only its natural sweetness. Tasting Notes: Its bouquet is characterized by the powerfulness and length of the intensely floral aromas backed by the distinctive vanilla of its rancio. Its mellow roundness on the palate blossoms into a full bodied fruitiness with a slight, harmonious hint of liquorice.
TRIO PACK: PALE & DRY XO, VESPER XO, TRES VENERABLE (3 X 20 cl Bottles) A fantastic way to sample some of the finest cognacs from a Grande Cognac house, the Trio Pack makes an ideal gift for the connoisseur. Apart from the Pale & Dry, the Trio Pack contains: The Vesper, a full bodied Grande Champagne XO Cognac, crafted in a different, more classic style than the Pale & Dry. Tres Venerable, named for its venerable status (the maximum age to which cognac can improve). This blend of extremely old Grande Champagne cognacs has benefited from maximum barrel ageing.
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SIP SM I TH Region – United Kingdom
With the first copper pot still to launch in London over 200 years, the ‘sip–smiths’, as they call themselves, have rapidly garnered worldwide acclaim as one of the finest distillers leading the micro distilling renaissance. The Sipsmiths are so passionate about their craft that they even have a name for their still – Prudence, the only one of its kind in the world. The swan motif on the Sipsmith mark is a reference to the ‘swan–neck’ pipe where the spirit vapour turns above the still, and is a representation of the beautiful and elegant Prudence who is at the heart of everything the sip–smiths do.
SIPSMITH GIN 41.6% Abv Sipsmith is one of the only gins in the world made using the traditional ‘one shot’ method, rather than as a concentrate. This multi gold medal winning gin is bold, complex and aromatic thanks to the botanicals sourced from all over the world. Macedonian juniper berries, Bulgarian coriander seeds, French angelica root, Spanish liquorice root, Italian orris root, Spanish ground almonds, Chinese cassia bark, Madagascan cinnamon, Sevillian orange and Spanish lemon peels are artfully mixed to craft a classic, traditional London dry gin – smooth enough for a martini, but rich and balanced, perfect for a gin & tonic. Tasting Notes: This crystal bright and pure gin has floral, summer meadow notes, followed by mellow rounded juniper and zesty, citrus freshness. It confidently hits the palate with juniper, warms it with spice and then wrings it dry, begging you to take another sip.
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WIL LI AM S Region – United Kingdom
Proudly presented as the ‘the most complicated gin in the world’, Williams Gin is literally and figuratively made from scratch at the distillery on the family run Herefordshire farm. Unwilling to compromise on the quality of the base spirit from which gin is made, the Chase siblings decided to make a truly single estate from–field–to–bottle gin. Their farm grown organic cider apples are pressed, fermented into cider, distilled into vodka and then redistilled into gin.
WILLIAMS CHASE GIN 48% Abv Made from an infusion of eleven wild botanicals, this is a full bodied, sharp gin with aromatic complexity. Williams Gin makes a perfect gin martini and the ultimate British gin and tonic. Tasting Notes: Williams Gin has fresh aromas of juniper, citrus fruit and spices with an elegant palate that is crisp followed by warm spices and earthy undertones. The gin is full bodied, expressing aromatic complexity and a long finish.
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CITAD E L L E Region – France
Modelled after the French Royal distillery patented by King Louis XVI in 1775, the Citadelle Gin distillery has yet another visionary, albeit a modern one, at its helm. Alexander Gabriel of the Pierre Ferrand Cognac lineage along with his master distiller decided to revive the original style of gin making at their distillery in Cognac. Citadelle is painstakingly distilled from wheat the way gins were in the 18th century – in small Charentais copper pots and using a naked flame, the only remaining gin that is distilled this way.
CITADELLE GIN 44 % Abv The judicious selection and addition of nineteen botanicals, including cardamom from India, allows the flavours and aromas to intermingle in perfect balance complementing this gin that is distilled with time. The result is a gin with an unequalled taste and texture. Complex, refined and elegant, Citadelle Gin is a work of craft and infinite patience. Tasting Notes: Citadelle has a delicate and fragrant nose of fresh flowers, jasmine, honeysuckle and cinnamon. After a few moments, stronger, more herbaceous aromas of anise, grains of paradise and cinnamon develop in a most remarkable way. On the palate it is rich and oily with more floral and citrus notes, plus an interesting sweet and salty component with a subtle finish of delicate herbs and spices.
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CHAS E Region – United Kingdom
Chase is a single estate distillery, founded by William Chase in 2008. Favouring a unique handcrafted copper batch pot over the industry norm scale strippers, the Chase family makes innovative spirits from the produce grown on their farm in Herefordshire, 30 miles north west of Cheltenham. King Edward and Lady Claire potatoes, organically grown cider apples are handpicked, handcrafted and handbottled into world class vodkas and gins.
CHASE VODKA 40 % Abv A truly artisanal, single estate vodka. As the first and only British potato vodka on the market, Chase Vodka is made with full pedigree potatoes; grown, mashed, fermented and distilled on the Chase family farm. It is 3 times distilled in the bespoke copper pot still and twice through the 70ft column, before being chill filtered and bottled by hand, to create the finest smooth and creamy spirit with true provenance. Taste this vodka slightly chilled to enjoy the flavors or straight from the freezer for a subtle experience. Tasting Notes: The nose is very clean with light white pepper and a hint of freshly sliced potato. The palate is creamy with subtle black pepper, waxy oiliness and macadamia nuts. A rounded finish of actual tuber potato with mineral notes.
MARMALADE VODKA 40% Abv Chase Marmalade Vodka is made by marinating the original single estate vodka with deliciously rich English marmalade preserve and infusing it with fresh Seville orange peels in their bespoke alembic copper pot still. The result is a spirit that exudes zesty orange aromas, has a naturally rich bitter sweet flavour and a warm velvety mouth feel. It is perfect over ice and tonic or in fresh summer fruity cocktails. Try it neat, chilled or use it to make a classic breakfast martini. Tasting Notes: Tempting aromas of orange and lemon marmalades on rye toast. The palate is supple, fruity medium–to–full body and tangy. A naturally rich bitter sweet finish with hints of golden hue and orange zest.
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SIP SM I TH Region – United Kingdom
Inspired by over two hundred years of London distilling history, the Sipsmiths balance modern technology with traditional recipies and techniques to create extraordinary vodkas. The vodkas are made in both the copper and the five plates in the distillation column of the very versatile and unique still named Prudence. Copper is crucial to the purification process as it removes the impurities from the spirit. It is then cut, in a similar way to a single malt whisky, separating the heart from the heads and tails. The result is truly pure vodkas that retain natural flavours.
SIPSMITH BARLEY VODKA 40% Abv Produced in small batches of fewer than 400 bottles from an English barley, this limited production vodka is handmade from the best spirit from the heart of the run. This means there is no need to filter, add glycerine, fructose, or any artificial aromatisers. No compromises; just unadulterated smooth, pure vodka that derives its flavours from its essential grain base – barley. Tasting Notes: An aroma that is subtle but rounded nuttiness & barley notes, garnished by a hint of spice. Sipsmith Vodka has a palate of elegant texture, an underlying mellow barley note & gentle, luscious spices that emerge midway. It finishes with a sweet dry balance with nuttiness & a hint of pepper coming through.
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CITAD E L L E - 6 C Region – France
Sharing the same distinguished lineage as of Cognac Ferrand and Citadelle Gin, Citadelle 6C Vodka is the result of several centuries’ experience of the art of distilling. In an age of extreme industrialisation, Citadelle Vodka, distilled in the ancient craft tradition, truly belongs to another era.
CITADELLE 6C VODKA 40% Abv Made exclusively from whole wheat grown on the plains of the Beauce, the vodka is initially distilled in a five–column still. Later on, it undergoes a sixth distillation in a small Charentais copper pot still under the expert eye of the master distiller who incorporates a few secret ingredients that gives the spirit its unique taste and style. This last distillation – the 6C (the sixth distillation using the Charentais method) is also the identity of this crystal clear vodka that is rich and pure as diamond. Tasting Notes: The nose is well balanced and pure with slight nuances of ripe wheat and lemon peel. The initial palate is sweet and savoury, then the taste develops with a fresh mid palate. Eventually, a vibrant clean finish with grain notes.
TEQUILA T
CAL L E 2 3 Region – Los Altos de Jalisco, Central Mexico
Calle 23 Tequila is the result of a journey started back in 2003 by master distiller Sophie Decobecq, whose patience and passion drove her to obtain a tequila that could satisfy first of all, her own palate and then the possible potential aficionados. Calle 23 is a 100% pure agave tequila produced in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, from fully mature blue agaves harvested from the ‘Los Altos de Jalisco’ area (the Highlands area) in Jalisco, Central Mexico. Calle 23 Tequila is double distilled in pot stills with copper streamer – the first distillation produces a low alcohol spirit called ‘ordinario’ but the second distillation ends with a clear, colorless liquid of a higher alcohol content, ‘El Tequila’. This then gets married with locally sourced pure spring water to reach 40% alc.vol and then and only then is a Calle 23 Tequila properly ready for handbottling.
CALLE 23 BLANCO 40 % Abv Small batch unaged 100% agave. The Blanco reflects the purest expression of the 100% pure agave flavour making it a perfect choice for the purist. It has been created with 2 specific yeasts allowing the agave flavour to express at its best.
Tasting Notes: The Blanco is crystalline clear, with a medium body with a nose of cooked agaves, hints of citrus and herbaceous notes. On the palate it is soft and gentle yet with much character. Full agave flavour, hints of fruit especially Granny Smith apples and pears in the long, lingering aftertaste.
TEQUILA T
TEQUI L A O CHO Region – Mexico
Made from an agave variety called tequilana weber azul, a noble plant from the lily family, Tequila Ocho is one of the few 100% agave tequilas which is still made in an old fashioned traditional way. Ocho is also the first tequila that embodies the spirit of the ‘terroir’ hitherto restricted to the world of wines. It is a known fact that the soil composition, altitude, temperature, rainfall, humidity and sunlight of a region yields a tremendous and distinctive influence on the final produce. Ocho explores this concept by distilling tequila from agaves harvested from its single estates such as Rancho El Refugio and El Carrizal. That means each batch produced from a different field or a ‘rancho’ shows its own distinctive characteristics such as masculine, earthy, peppery or more feminine, softer, fruity or floral. Ocho is not chill filtered.
OCHO BLANCO Single Estate–Rancho ‘El Refugio’ 40%Abv All the agaves used to create this tequila have come from one unique single ranch, in this case, Rancho ‘El Refugio’. It is well defined by the natural tree cactus enclosure that surrounds it. Refugio means refuge. Its red oxide earth with many undulating contours gives a variety of agave positions vis–à–vis its total terroir. Shake this with triple sec and lemon juice to make delicious margaritas. Tasting Notes: The Ocho Blanco Tequila starts with a bouquet of olives, guava, peppermint and elements of fresh nuts before leading to sweet agave, tree bark and hints of ginger. The Blanco finishes with fresh cut grass and sparks of spice.
OCHO REPOSADO Single Estate–Rancho ‘El Refugio’ 40% Abv Rested for 8 weeks, Ocho Reposado is one of the few tequilas made in the ‘slow food’ manner, using extra ripe agaves with high sugar content leading to smooth drinkability. Pairs very well with Indian food, try this as an alternative to wine. Tasting Notes: A nose of fresh mint, pine, sugar, christmas spice, raw oatmeal, almond, mandarin blossom, dry hay and butter. Mid palate opens with pepper, ends with spearmint, brown sugar, orange spice, white pepper and light cinnamon spice.
OCHO ANEJO Single Estate–Rancho ‘El Carrizal’ 40% Abv Rancho ‘El Carrizal’ was nicknamed ‘La Langacha’ by Don Felipe Camarena because it is a long thin strip of land which he joked could be jumped over. These agaves with a fine balance of sugar and acidity combined with artisanal slow distillation results in a tequila that is sublime. Ocho Anejo is aged 12 months and is best savoured at room temperature in a tasting glass or a snifter. Sip it as one would enjoy a fine single malt. Tasting Notes: A complex nose of Meyer lemon, smoke, earth and subtle saline seaweed note leads to a biggish mouth of sweet pea, mint, cocoa, a serious Arandas chew. Like other Ocho vintages, it is startlingly clear in its flavour, slicing across the palate like a jimador’s blade.
GLENCA IRN
Whisky, the world’s most complex spirit, is a drink to be sipped, nosed and slowly savoured.
Lead free whisky glass
And yet ironically, while much is made of brandy, champagne, wine and beer to the extent that they all have their own distinct glasses, whisky ended up getting the short shrift and could be found served in anything from tumblers to goblets. Until of course, Raymond Davidson, the founder of Glencairn decided it was about time someone designed a proper whisky glass; he envisioned a glass that would encourage the user to appreciate the nose of the whisky as well as the palate but would be robust and functional in a bar environment. So he designed the perfect glass for whisky and then forgot all about it for 20 years till his sons, Paul and Scott, found the design and decided to take it to the master blenders for their suggestions. With their help and support, the Davidson family revived the whisky glass and the rest, as they say, is history. Today the Glencairn Glass is unequivocally known as the ‘official glass’ for whisky, developed by the whisky industry for the whisky industry. The roots of the Glencairn Glass lie in the traditional nosing glasses used by blenders and distillers around the world when analysing their casks and blends – the sherry ‘copita’. But termed as too fragile and awkward for general consumer use, Glencairn made several pertinent changes and additions to the copita’s design which allowed for a better and richer whisky savouring experience. The mouth was tapered to allow an ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses whilst capturing the aromas on the nose. The bowl was widened to allow for the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base was designed to be easy on the hand. Its size and shape was perfected to accommodate a 35ml pour, allowing for addition of water but keeping an optimum amount of liquid in contact with air to allow the aromas to develop. The Glencairn Glass has won accolades from around the world including the Queens Award, the highest award for business in the UK and is accepted as the only glass a true whisky connoisseur will consider pouring his single malt in.
TA S T ING S ES S IO NS Poised between an inhale, an exhale and a sip, lies the ancient art of summoning the spirits and rousing long forgotten memories. At Vault’s tasting sessions, magic happens.
Whether as part of our master class or as stand alone sessions, Vault’s tasting sessions can open up a whole new world for you. Discover, why despite being termed as ‘tasting’ sessions, your tastebuds are only of secondary importance when it comes to the sensory evaluation of any fine spirits be it whisky, cognac, gin or tequila. Or why you might want to not reach out for your perfume on the day of the tasting session. Did you know that though there are only four primary tastes (sweet, sour, salty and bitter), yet there are 32 primary aromas from which we build our sensory universe. And from therein, springs an entire new vocabulary of fine spirit tasting – winey, woody, sulphury, oaky, feinty, peaty, floral, fruity, cereal. So come, attend a Vault tasting session and expand your knowledge about the infinite world of fine spirits.* Vault can also arrange personalised tasting sessions centred around your particular area of interest at your home, office or venue of your choice. And if you wish for a higher, more sublime level of tasting, why not consider inviting one of our curators – Charles MacLean, Dave Broom, Tomas Estes for an exclusive session that can open a whole new world of fine spirits experiences!
GIFT ING A sigh. A gleam in the eye. And a rush of eternal gratitude. Vault’s curated collection possesses the rare ability to transport the receiver into a realm of ecstasy.
When you choose a curated Vault fine spirit as a gift, it speaks as much of your discerning taste as it does about the unique distillery it has been sourced from. Of course, with over thirty artisanal labels to choose from, you can always rely on our experience and expert advice to help pair the perfect fine spirit with your perfectionist husband or a maverick business associate or the newly wedded couple or even a potential father in law. Once chosen, all you need to do is get in touch with our Concierge. Then sit back and revel in the heartfelt appreciation that will soon be coming your way; the nitty gritties are to be left to us. Right from choosing the elegant gift wrapping to inscribing your personalised message to making a call to confirm that the receiver is at home, we will handdeliver your gift in such a dignified style that it will do you proud.
CELEB RAT IO NS Smoke and mirrors. Fire and ice. A sleight of hand, an implosion of senses and voila! Vault conjures up a liquid extravaganza.
Vault is proud to offer its most high end ‘Celebrations’ service in partnership with Fluid Movement – the legends of mixology and bartending. Be it a wedding or a business night or a reunion, we can now help you take your celebration to an international level by flying in acclaimed bartenders and mixologists to helm the show. Conceptualised and executed by the same team of talented mixologists who own and run London’s most talked about cocktail bars – Purl and The Worship Street Whistling Shop (which incidentally, often find a mention in Conde Nast’s World’s Best Bars), Fluid Movement is known the world over for using the finest ingredients, harnessing the art of rotary evaporation and utilising techniques including spherification, cryogenics and the ageing of cocktails. No wonder then that Fluid Movement is always in the news for managing the bars at the most happening playgrounds across the globe.
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I believe that when people familiarise themselves with the craft and history that surrounds fine spirits, it always makes for a finer, richer and more intimate experience. Thus, I conceptualised The Vault as not just an exclusive curated collection of boutique, award winning brands from all across the world but also as a mind space to acquaint connoisseurs and seekers alike to the culture and appreciation of fine spirits. The Vault and I are both based in Mumbai, India.
Keshav Prakash Founder-The Vault The Vault Fine Spirits Pvt. Ltd. #5, 2nd Floor, Modern House 15, Dr.V.B.Gandhi Marg, Fort Mumbai 400001, India Ph: +91 22-22028811, 22028822 e-mail: info@vaultfinespirits.com www.vaultfinespirits.com
Our Concierge offers you exclusive access to all our brands. For purchases, please call or email us and we will facilitate the order. This service is also ideal for those requiring more information on our fine spirits or assistance in choosing a gift or pairing fine spirits with menus or planning an event. email: concierge@vaultfinespirits.com Ph: +91 22-22028811/ 22028822 (Monday to Friday: 11.00am – 6.00pm, Saturday: 11.00am – 3.00pm) *The tasting sessions will only be open to those who satisfy all legal requirements for participating in such sessions as may be prescribed by the applicable local laws. To ascertain the legal requirements and whether you satisfy the conditions or not, please write to us on info@vaultfinespirits.com or speak to our Concierge at +91 22 22028811
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