SPIRITS A GUIDE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
FEATURING 40 EXCEPTIONAL SPIRITS AND THE STORIES THAT MAKE THEM SO SPECIAL
Village Wine & Spirits
WELCOME TO THE WEST AUCKLAND GUIDE TO SPIRITS
INTRODUCTION
The team at West Liquor and Village Wine & Spirits have carefully selected a range of 40 top quality Spirit products for your drinking enjoyment.
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This Spirits guide is designed to help you understand a little more about our spirit categories and then highlight these 40 popular drinks by exploring their rich and interesting histories, discovering where they are made, how they are made and the terminology used to describe them. Please take a copy of this Spirits guide so you can refer to tasting notes or review the background and history of your favourite drinks. It’s great conversation starter and we hope you enjoy reading this guide as much as we have enjoyed selecting the Spirits and writing about them. These Spirits will be featured in all of our stores all year round and may even be promoted at even lower prices than advertised in this booklet over that period. We look forward to seeing you instore soon. The Team at West Liquor and Village Wine & Spirits
WHISKY 4 The wonderful world of Whisky explained simply with product guides and intriguing tasting notes.
BOURBON 12 Come and explore American Whiskey as they like to do things differently in the United States.
RUM
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The drink of the Caribbean with a rich, sweet history.
VODKA
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This Eastern European icon may seem flavourless, but it mixes in the best of company.
GIN
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One of our favourite spirits, invented by the Dutch and made famous by the British.
TEQUILA 26 Everyone has had a Tequila moment, but there is more to this Mexican spirit than you might appreciate.
LIQUEURS 27
COGNAC
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Come and explore the sophistication of France’s special spirit.
CONTENTS
This range of indulgent liqueurs is brimming with big flavours and interesting back stories.
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AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITS
WHAT IS A SPIRIT? A Spirit is an alcoholic beverage produced by distillation where ethanol, which is commonly called alcohol, is separated following the biological process of fermentation of grain, fruit, or vegetables. The ingredients or base are made into a mash at the start of the spirit making process. The mash ingredients are important to the type of spirit being produced, for example, single malt Whisky is made from a mash of barley, while bourbon is made from corn. Then the work of fermentation begins, which is carried out by yeasts where simple sugars are converted to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Without yeasts in this world, we would not have bread, beer or brandy!
INTRODUCTION
MIXING IT UP
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Some spirits are commonly consumed neat (nothing added) or with minimal addition of mixers or accompaniments. Yet, since 1806 people have been combining spirits and a wonderfully wide range of ingredients in the pursuit of making cocktails.
The first known published bartender and cocktail guide was Jerry Thomas’ 1862 Bar-Tenders Guide or How to Mix Drinks.
In the distillation process, the alcohol is separated from water when heat is applied. In the still the alcohol turns into a vapour as it has a lower boiling point than water, it is collected separately and reverts back to liquid form as it cools. Some spirits are distilled several times, which is considered to make the spirit more pure. Then, to make the final product, the spirit maker adds additional ingredients to define their creation. Then they are stored, often in casks, until they are ready to be bottled. Generally speaking, distilled alcoholic beverages that have an alcohol content of at least 20% are called Spirits.
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You can’t buy happiness, but you can prepare a cocktail and that’s kind of the same thing. ANON
INTRODUCTION
Cocktails became less popular in the late 1960s and through the 1970s, until resurging in the 1980s with vodka often substituting the original gin in drinks such as the martini.
Traditional cocktails began to make a comeback in the 2000s, and over the last decade there has been a renaissance of cocktail culture in a style typically referred to as Mixology that draws on traditional cocktails for inspiration but utilises novel ingredients and often complex flavours.
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Cocktail history is filled with colourful legends. Noone is quite sure where the word “cocktail” comes from and there are many theories and interesting (and bogus) stories. One tale has it that the name comes from a drink called the “Coquetel” served to French soldiers during the American War of Independence from 1775 to 1783. Another talks about a female tavern owner who decorated her drinks with the tail feathers of her neighbour’s rooster!
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SCOTTISH WHISKY REGIONS
ISLANDS (ISLAY & SKYE) TASTE PROFILE: PEATY & MARITIME Sitting amongst the Inner Hebridean Scottish Isles, are the malt whisky producing islands of Islay and Skye. Rugged, windswept and barren, the island landscapes generally produce single malt whiskies with strong peaty, maritime aromas. The islands malts are powerful and bursting with flavour.
HIGHLANDS
THE WORLD OF WHISKY There’s a taste for everyone in the wonderful world of whisky. From the traditional home of Scotland where iconic brands and distilleries have produced whisky over the centuries, we now find new producers around the globe, including Ireland, Japan, America and New Zealand. It is a popular drink around the world with an ardent following.
WHAT IS A SINGLE MALT SCOTCH? To be a single malt the whisky must have been distilled at a single distillery in Scotland using a pot still distillation process and made from a mash of malted grain. The only grain allowed to be used in a single malt whisky is barley. A single malt must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years. So, to summarise, “single” refers to the whisky coming from only one distillery and “malt” indicates the whisky is distilled from malted barley.
TASTE PROFILE: SMOOTH & FLORAL Known as one of the most scenic regions in Scotland, this land of rugged peaks and heather covered moorland is geographically the largest of the whisky-producing regions. As such, there is a great variation and the malts range from dry to sweet, the distilleries in the West Highlands tend to exhibit a stronger maritime influence while the Central Highlands produces classic heather and honey influenced malts.
SPEYSIDE TASTE PROFILE: FRUITY & DELICATE Over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries can be found within this one region. Speyside, the lush, fertile valley of the River Spey, is undoubtedly the heart of single malt whisky distilling in Scotland. The region is known for producing sweeter whiskies, with mellow notes and fruity flavours that are both sophisticated and elegant.
WHISKY
LOWLANDS
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TASTE PROFILE: LIGHT & FRESH The terrain of the Lowlands is typically rolling fields which are ideally suited to growing grain for whisky. The softer landscape is mirrored in the region’s single malts that tend to be soft and light in character, with malty, grassy notes and subtle, delicate aromas.
The most common way to enjoy a single malt is to drink it neat to enjoy the flavour, then again some like to add a little water as it produces a chemical reaction that actually releases heat, and with it more of the spirit’s aroma. Really it comes down to personal preference, so explore a little to find the whisky and drinking style you enjoy the most.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINGLE MALT AND BLENDED WHISKY? A blended whisky is the product of blending different types of whisky. There are amazing premium blends of single malts and also blends of single malt with grain whisky. Blends are very popular and account for over 85% of all whisky sold globally. Blended whisky is more often consumed with mixers or used as a cocktail ingredient as generally they are priced more economically.
GLENMORANGIE FROM THE HIGHLANDS This iconic distillery was established in 1843. Glenmorangie is located in Tain, Ross-shire and produces single malt Scotch whisky. Distilling from the tallest stills in Scotland means that only the very lightest and purest vapours make it to the top, giving a smoother, more elegant whisky. Having pioneered extra maturation over 20 years, they continue to travel the world in their search for exceptional casks that will provide additional, intriguing layers of flavours. Expect to be impressed with this exceptional range of single malts.
GLENMORANGIE 10YO 700ML $69.99
GLENMORANGIE LASANTA 700ML AND GLENMORANGIE QUINTA RUBAN 700ML $91.99ea
GLENMORANGIE NECTAR D'OR 700ML $105.99
WHISKY
GLENMORANGIE 18YO WHISKY 700ML $139.99
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GLENFIDDICH 12YO 700ML $72.99 This single malt is light, fresh and fragrant with a touch of pear. Light bodied and smooth with a hint of peatiness it has very delicate harmony of flavours with characteristic sweet, fruity notes. It develops into elements of butterscotch, malt and subtle pine, oak and a hint of spice with a long, lingering, round finish.
GLENFIDDICH GLENFIDDICH 15YO 700ML $124.99 An intriguingly complex aroma. Sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits, silky smooth, revealing layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. A full-bodied single malt bursting with flavour and a satisfyingly rich lingering sweetness to finish.
WHISKY
GLENFIDDICH IS THE WORLD’S FIRST & BEST SELLING SINGLE MALT WHISKY.
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Made from the largest family owned distillery in the world, and located in the Scottish Highlands in Speyside. The Glenfiddich single malts are known for their distinctive pear undertones, a characteristic of its unique yeast strain. Being a single malt means that 100% of Glenfiddich Whisky is produced out of this single distillery. Glenfiddich was proudly the first single malt ever to be exported out of Scotland in 1963 and is considered by many to be the ‘original’ single malt.
Bruichladdich believe that Islay whisky should have an authenticity derived from where it is distilled and where it is matured; from the philosophies of those who distil it. A sense of place, of terroir that speaks of the land, the barley and water from which it was made, and of the human soul that gave it life.
BRUICHLADDICH CLASSIC LADDIE 700ML $99.99
The palate entry is so refined and refreshing, the sweet oak and the barley arriving together sending the taste buds into raptures. The fruits from distillation drift in on an Atlantic breeze and pop on the tongue like Champagne bubbles. A combination of ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt bring closure. A taste back in time, a realisation that not all single malts are equal and to achieve the absolute optimum, you must use barley that is made in Scotland.
WHISKY
This single malt Scotch whisky has been crafted by master distiller, Jim McEwan from individually selected casks to showcase the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style. Unpeated, it is their signature bottling and the definitive Bruichladdich. It’s made from 100% Scottish barley, trickle distilled, then matured for its entire life by the shores of Lochindaal in premium American oak, it is a testament to the quality of Bruichladdich’s ingredients. This is authenticity.
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MONKEY SHOULDER 700ML $72.99 The term 'monkey shoulder' harks back to our whisky making heritage. It's a reference to a condition that maltmen sometimes picked up while working long shifts, turning the barley by hand. It had a tendency to cause their arm to hang down a bit like a monkey's, so they nicknamed it 'monkey shoulder'. Whist these maltmen are among the few who still turn the barley manually, working conditions have changed which means this injury has been consigned to the past. Today, the name Monkey Shoulder lives on as an affectionate tribute, to honour the hard graft of all the maltmen past and present. Monkey Shoulder is a ‘triple’ malt, combining single malts from three of Speysides finest distilleries. These malts are blended together in a small marrying tun, which are carefully selected exbourbon casks, where they are kept for anything from three to six months. When it’s ready and tested by the Brian Kinsman the Malt Master, it is bottled and released to an eager world. It is very, very smooth with a mellow vanilla flavour and spicy hints.
BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY 1L $49.99 Established in 1608, Bushmills is Ireland’s oldest Whiskey when King James I granted Sir Thomas Phillips, landowner and Governor of County Antrim Ireland, a license to distil. Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey is a blend of triple distilled malt whiskey and a lighter grain whiskey and has picked up 36 awards over the last year, including Winner of Double Gold at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The nose is light and fruity with spicy aromas with a vanilla note, developing into crème brulée. The taste is gently warming‚ mouth coating texture with a touch of honey sweetness, then a fresh, crisp finish with a touch of spice.
WHISKY
You’ll notice it’s rich, smooth warming taste almost instantly. It’s an easy drinking, versatile whiskey that can be enjoyed neat, over ice or with your favourite mixer.
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NOW THAT’S INTERESTING!
The Scots spell it whisky and the Irish spell it whiskey, with an extra ‘e’. This difference in the spelling comes from the translations of the word from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic forms. Whiskey with the extra ‘e’ is also used when referring to American whiskies.
JAMESON WHISKEY Triple distilled whiskey like Jameson isn’t just born smooth and balanced. It takes a carefully crafted process used over hundreds of years to get it just right. This tradition began in 1780 with the great Master Distiller John Jameson who discovered that three distillations was best for his Jameson Irish Whiskey and they continue his legacy to this day.
JAMESON CASKMATES 700ML $54.99 Two heads are said to be better than one, and this whiskey adds serious weight to that argument. Emerging from a conversation between our head distiller and the head brewer of Cork’s Franciscan Well Brewery, Jameson Caskmates has been finished in stout-seasoned whiskey casks. While our triple-distilled smoothness is very much intact, notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch confirm the stout influence.
WHEAT BEER PAIRING Take 1 measure of Jameson Caskmates neat or on the rocks and 1 half pint of a cold Wheat Beer. First take a sip of your whiskey and then a sip of your beer. This allows the flavour of Jameson Caskmates to be fully appreciated both on its own and then as a pairing. Caskmates is all about the best of both worlds.
CANADIAN CLUB Canadian Club distillery was founded in 1858 by Hiram Walker, with stories of smugglers, gangsters and bootleggers painting the rich history behind the drop in your glass. Just across the Detroit River from Chicago, you find yourself in Ontario, Canada, the home of Canadian Club, the perfect location for Hiram to distribute his whisky, much smoother than any other at the time due to its longer maturation period. Today’s Canadian Club continues to be the choice of savvy drinkers who are looking for a refreshing alternative to beer, a classic cocktail, or simply a great tasting whisky served neat.
Get ready for a fabulous appearance of mahogany and chestnut colour. The multi-layered aroma features classic notes of vanilla extract, caramel, toasted marshmallow, and marzipan. Taste-wise, this is a big, expansive, generous flavour profile that combines elements of cake frosting, black pepper, candied walnut, dried figs and dark caramel. Superbly satiny with a bitter-sweet finish.
WHISKY
CANADIAN CLUB CLASSIC 12YO 700ML $54.99
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THE JOHNNIE WALKER STORY
A STORY ALWAYS STARTS SOMEWHERE AND FOR JOHNNIE WALKER IT BEGAN IN 1820. Johnnie Walker originated in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland and was a legacy left by John ‘Johnnie’ Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer’s shop. It was his son Alexander Walker who established the Scotch as a popular brand and took it global. In 1870 they introduced the iconic square bottle which meant fewer broken bottles and more bottles fitting the same space; and the slanting label which is applied at an angle of 24 degrees meaning bigger and more impactful branding. In the early 1900’s Johnnie Walker was expanded introducing new lines and the colour names along with the creation of the Striding Man, a figure integral to Johnnie Walker to this day. Johnnie Walker is the world’s leading Scotch whisky brand. Over 170 million bottles are sold every year in more than 200 countries. In the global International Wines and Spirits Research Awards 2014, Johnnie Walker won World’s No. 1 Premium Blended Scotch Whisky and World’s Fastest Growing Premium Blended Scotch Whisky. The Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, upholds the Walker family belief that the art of blending demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to the pursuit of flavour, by continuing to select whiskies from the four corners of Scotland and skillfully blending them to create the signature taste of Johnnie Walker whiskies.
SIGNATURE SERVE
WHISKY
JOHNNIE SODA
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F ill a tall glass with ice cubes Add 25ml Johnnie Walker Double Black Add 75ml soda water or fill to the top Garnish with a wedge of lime or top with honey syrup
JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE 700ML $99.99 To create such a versatile and popular blend, our master blender selected only casks matured to the point where their flavours are at their vibrant best. The flavour notes are rich, fruity and smoky as classic malt whiskies and creamy Lowland grain whiskies are expertly combined to create a perfectly balanced luxury Scotch whisky blend.
INTENSE & SMOKY JOHNNIE WALKER DOUBLE BLACK LABEL 700ML $69.99
Johnnie Walker Double Black Label delivers a full-bodied and complex taste experience in a supremely smooth blend. Flavours of apples, pears and orange zest bring freshness, creamy vanilla and spice add a softness and sweetness to the tongue while spicy oak tannins and lingering smoke deliver an exceptional finish.
WHISKY
The distinctive smoky character of Johnnie Walker Double Black Label is a bolder, richer and more intense taste than Johnnie Walker Black Label. Full bodied and rich with vanilla thanks to whiskies specially matured for the blend in deepcharred old, oak casks.
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BOURBON BOURBON WAS OFFICIALLY CROWNED AMERICA'S NATIVE SPIRIT IN 1964 Although 95% comes from the Bluegrass State, Kentuckians don't have an exclusive claim. It can be made in other states, but bourbon does need to be made in the United States. By official government mandate, these rules must be thumb-tacked to the corkboard of every distillery: bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, begin barrel-aging at no more than 125 proof, and be bottled between 80 and 160 proof.
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Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.
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BOURBON
The barrel staves that hold the glorious liquor are toasted to bring caramelised sugars out of the wood, fired to evenly charcoal the interior, and then rung together with metal. Lastly, they're plugged up with a top piece of wood called a bung. After the barrels have been used once they can no longer be used for bourbon again, and are often recycled to use for aging Scotch.
MARK TWAIN
JIM BEAM The success story of Jim Beam began when founder, Jacob Beam, son of a German immigrant started selling the cornwhiskey recipe created by his father. He sold his first barrel of Old Jake Beam in 1795, a milestone for today’s No.1 bourbon. Since then over seven generations, for more than 200 years and countless challenges along the way, the family still have one clear goal; to make the best bourbon in the world.
JIM BEAM® DOUBLE OAK 700ML $49.99
In the glass it has a golden amber hue with big, rich aromas of caramel and vanilla with hints of toasted wood on the nose. On the palate, the signature taste of Jim Beam's corn sweetness is balanced with creaminess. Intense caramel and toffee flavours take over with a distinctive level of spiced oakiness. The finish is long, warm and perfectly balanced, with a lingering spice.
BOURBON
Jim Beam® Double Oak is first aged in charred American white oak barrels, then poured into another freshly charred barrel to mature for a second time. The added interaction with the oak wood results in a liquid intense in flavour and smooth in taste.
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WILD TURKEY The story of Wild Turkey began in 1789 in Kentucky when the Reverend Elijah Craig, distilled a new whiskey formula using corn, rye and barley malt, or what we call bourbon today. However the name Wild Turkey only came about in 1940. On a wild turkey hunting trip with friends, a company executive, Thomas McCarthy took along a sample of undiluted 101 Proof. The following year it was requested that he bring some more of “that wild turkey bourbon”, and the name stuck. The motto “We take great care to make sure the Bird is at its best” is an important part of the Wild Turkey culture. Wild Turkey use the pure water filtered through natural limestone, the USAgrown grains are held to strict standards and the yeast used in the fermentation process is made using a top secret formula that’s been passed down for generations. Master distiller Jimmy Russell is the worlds longest tenured master distiller and has over 60 years experience. He was joined by his son Eddie in 2015, who was promoted after 35 years at Wild Turkey and they are the first father and son duo of master bourbon distillers. Kentucky’s cold winters and warm summers mature this bourbon more quickly and improve its quality. Aged in new white oak No. 4 alligator char barrels have the heaviest (and most expensive) deep-layer alligator char, which gives these bourbons extra depth of flavour and that deep auburn colour.
WILD TURKEY AMERICAN HONEY 700ML $44.99
BOURBON
An exceptionally smooth 71 proof (35.5% alcohol) liqueur blended with pure honey and real Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey. It’s perfect straight out of the bottle, chilled in the freezer, or on the rocks. It’s the sweeter, smoother side of Wild Turkey, with notes of sweet honey, caramel, and orange.
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WILD TURKEY 1L $54.99 Deep, yet soft aroma with classic bourbon characteristics of sweetness and corn. The nose is vanilla, oak and rich fruits - almonds, honey, and blackberries. The taste is caramel, oak, vanilla, mild nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Full bodied with a long, supple, clean finish.
THE SIGNATURE WILD TURKEY TOUCH Wild Turkey is distilled at a lower proof. This seals in its taste, and makes it possible to add very little water when the bourbon comes out of the warehouse. As a result, our full-flavoured bourbons taste like you’re drinking straight from the barrel.
WOODFORD RESERVE 700ML $64.99 Woodford Reserve is created at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Woodford County, the smallest and oldest operating distillery in Kentucky. The distillery itself has been in operation since 1812. Woodford Reserve is painstakingly hand-crafted, resulting in a whiskey of exceptional depth and character. The taste is elegant and creamy, with strong notes of vanilla that overlap a rich dark fruit medley, along with butterscotch, cinnamon and a dash of black pepper. The beautiful combination of spice, vanilla, caramel and fruit flavours fill your mouth, along with a touch of mint. The finish is long, smooth and clean, with slight spice and pepper. Very refreshing.
BEST SERVED NEAT OR ON THE ROCKS. In 2015 it won Excellent, Highly Recommended in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, a Gold Medal at the 2014 Whiskies of the World Awards, and Gold Medals in 2011, 2012, 2014 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
BUFFALO TRACE HONOR TRADITION, EMBRACE CHANGE™ Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery's rich tradition dates back to 1773. The title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” has been earned through the uncompromising dedication of craftsmen for over 200 years and defined by a dedication to make fine bourbon whiskey. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has won more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Most recently voted "Best Straight Bourbon" 2016 in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition amongst 1,889 entries.
On the nose there is an outstanding aroma, kicked off by a spicy prickle. Satisfyingly deep, gently vanilla-ed and molassed with even a sprig of sweet mint. The palate delights with a rip-roaring waxy sweetness checked by a big build-up of vanilla-rich oak. Corn is chewy, and rye offers a rich textured background. The finish dries at last as the oak takes command, but rye offers extra depth and a layer of bitterness, as does a lingering licorice. Best described as big, moody, uncompromising and complex beyond belief.
BOURBON
BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON 700ML $69.99
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RUM “
Rum is distilled from sugarcane by products, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels.
The first time I played the Masters, I was so nervous I drank a bottle of rum before I teed off. I shot the happiest 83 of my life.
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CHI CHI RODRIGUEZ, PUERTO RICAN GOLFER
Rum has some dark roots. Historically, the rum business was intrinsically tied to the Caribbean sugar trade, which, centuries ago, was part of a triangular trade route that also involved the exchange of molasses and slaves.
YO-HO-HO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM
Sailors and pirates didn’t just drink rum straight. To make it more palatable, they would mix it with a bit of water to make ‘grog’; or water, sugar, and nutmeg to make ‘bumbo’. Today, consumers tend to prefer Mojitos and Mai Tais. The majority of the world’s rum production still occurs in the Caribbean and Latin America. Rum is also produced in Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, India, Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
RUM
Until 1970 (1970!), the British Navy gave sailors a daily ration of rum, called a “tot”. The last tots were delivered on July 31, 1970 on a day known as Black Tot Day. To mourn the end of the ration, some sailors wore black arm bands.
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SIGNATURE SERVE
THE KRAKEN PERFECT STORM F ill a glass with ice cubes Add 30ml The Kraken Black Spiced Rum and 60ml Ginger Beer Garnish with a wedge of lime
KRAKEN 700ML $59.99 The Kraken is a black-spiced rum produced in Trinidad and Tobago. The Kraken takes its name from a legendary sea monster of gigantic proportions. A Kraken was known to feed on whales, ships and men. It is said that a ship carrying a large consignment of black-spiced Caribbean rum was attacked and taken down by a Kraken. Barrels of dark rum drifted from the ship and were renamed ‘The Kraken’ as a tribute to the beasts power and might. This dry-style rum smells like allspice and cola, and tastes dark and spicy, like overdone gingerbread, with loads of vanilla, plus ginger and pepper notes on the finish.
EXCEPTIONAL SPIRITS TRAVEL THE WORLD BUT NEVER FORGET WHERE THEY CAME FROM. Jamaica is renowned around the world for producing wonderfully rich, aromatic and flavoured rums. The Appleton Estate is nestled in the Nassau Valley and has the distinct honour of being Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and distillery in continuous production. The first known documentation of rum production on the Appleton Estate is dated 1749. However, it is believed that the origins of the Estate date back to Sir Francis Dickenson in 1655. The Estate may have changed hands over the years, but since 1749 all Appleton Estate rum has been produced with a passion for rum and a love of the land from which it is produced.
APPLETON’S ESTATE SIGNATURE BLEND 1L $58.99 APPLETON’S ESTATE RESERVE BLEND 700ML $59.99
RUM
This rum has perfectly balanced complex citrus, fruity and sweet notes, with subtle orange peel, dried apricot, fresh peach, and a hint of molasses and woody notes.
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VODKA “
I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… and try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.
The name ‘vodka’ is a diminutive form of the Slavic word voda (water), interpreted as little water. Vodka is typically a colourless liquor, usually distilled from fermented grain, with the classic Russian or Polish vodka at 40% proof. Adding to the popularity of vodka is its ability to remain liquid even in the coldest regions of northern Siberia. Scholars debate the beginnings of vodka and it is a contentious issue because very little historical material is available. One story dates back to the 14th century. According to legend, a monk called Isidore from the Chudov Monastery in Kremlin made the first recipe for Russian vodka. Using his knowledge of distillation, he created the drink that became very popular.
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RON WHITE
Vodka is traditionally drunk neat (not mixed with any water, ice, or other mixer), though it is often served chilled in the vodka belt countries - Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. It is also commonly used in cocktails and mixed drinks such as the Vodka Martini, Cosmopolitan, Screwdriver, Black or White Russian, Moscow Mule, and the Bloody Mary.
DID YOU KNOW....
That Vodka is lighter than water. 1 litre of water weighs 1,000 grams, while 1 litre of vodka weighs 953 grams. And a teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of vodka helps keep cut flowers fresher, longer.
VODKA
NOW THAT’S INTERESTING! 20
Vodka was and is, an excellent disinfectant and was used for a long time for treating soldiers in many wars. Medical staff often gave large quantities of vodka to the wounded soldiers as an anaesthetic.
ROYAL DRAGON ROYAL DRAGON ELITE CLASSIC PREMIUM 700ML $59.99 Royal Dragon is the ultimate expression of Superior Vodka. A smaller batch vodka, exclusively distilled with a Russian formula from the finest winter harvest rye. To achieve the elemental softness and purity, this vodka is five times distilled using a century old copper pot still, and the Master Distiller guides the filtration through a vast charcoal chamber. Royal Dragon vodka ELITE is outstanding on the rocks, neat and in the mix with your favourite cocktail. Neutrally smooth after taste.
SIGNATURE SERVE
Royal Dragon’s Flavoured Collection is elegant and sumptuous. The vodka’s unique and tantalising flavoured collection includes Passionfruit, Lychee, Chocolate, Watermelon and Green Apple. Enjoy neat, on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail. 700ML $59.99ea
45ml Royal Dragon Watermelon Vodka 30ml Watermelon Juice 7.5ml Cranberry Juice 7.5ml Simple Syrup 7.5ml Lime Juice Garnish with Watermelon
VODKA
THE PICASSO MARTINI
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GREY GOOSE
THE WORLD’S BEST TASTING VODKA Grey Goose Vodka was the first vodka built from the ground up to express the true essence of the flavour and character of its ingredients and not remove them. This is the result of an absolute determination to create a vodka unlike any other. Expressed in every bottle of Grey Goose Vodka is the essence of the finest ingredients from France: soft winter wheat from Picardy and surrounding regions plus pure spring water from Gensac in the Cognac region, nurtured, isolated and captured from field to bottle in an exclusive process designed and controlled by the extraordinary skills and commitment of our Maitre de Chai, Francois Thibault.
GREY GOOSE ORIGINAL 700ML $74.99
This vodka is clear, fresh with an elegant floral aroma accented by a subtle citrus note. Initially soft with a gentle sweetness that gradually envelops the mouth, smooth and rounded texture with a hint of almond. The finish is fresh and bright throughout.
SIGNATURE SERVE
VODKA
GREY GOOSE LE FIZZ
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Add 35ml Grey Goose vodka, 25ml St-Germain and 20ml freshly squeezed lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Then top with cubed ice and shake vigorously. Fine strain into a chilled flute and charge with 75ml chilled soda water. Finally, garnish with a Grey Goose stirrer.
42 BELOW It started out with a guy called Geoff Ross sitting on a plane reading a magazine. In the magazine is an ad for some vodka from somewhere claiming they come from a pure country. Geoff thinks this is stupid as the country he came from, New Zealand, was 100 times purer. So Geoff decides to make vodka in New Zealand because he was too stupid to realise that it was probably impossible. So from little old New Zealand is where 42BELOW all started and was made famous winning awards and getting attention on the world stage.
42 BELOW PURE 700ML $42.99
The popular flavour range includes Feijoa, Honey, Kiwi and Passion. 700ML $42.99ea
VODKA
42 Below Pure delivers flavour without heat; lovely aniseed and vanilla on the nose, with wonderful weight in the mouth and a touch of sweetness, and a lingering finish.
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GIN “
The proper union of gin and vermouth is a great and sudden glory; it is one of the happiest marriages on earth, and one of the shortest lived.
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BERNARD DEVOTO ON THE MARTINI
Though there’s nothing more English than a G&T, it originally comes from Holland. The English came across it while fighting the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century. The Dutch soldiers were drinking ‘Jenever’, a medicinal drink to boost morale before heading into battle. That’s where the term ‘Dutch Courage’ comes from. In Victorian times, quinine was given to troops in India as an anti-malarial medicine. Despite being made into a tonic water it still tasted vile so, to mask the flavour, soldiers added a tot of gin – and the G&T was born. Gin shouldn’t be drunk on its own. It’s made to be mixed with tonic, or into fancier cocktails such as Tom Collins, Negroni, Gimlet, and of course the Martini.
In fact, there are more gin based cocktails than any other spirit.
GIN & TONIC Fill a tall glass with ice, add 45ml of your favourite gin and top with 100ml premium tonic water. Squeeze the juice from a wedge of fresh lime and finish by adding the lime as a garnish.
DRY MARTINI
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The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.
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GIN BOURBON
Pour 1 part dry vermouth, 6 parts gin into mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain in chilled martini cocktail glass. Squeeze oil from lemon peel onto the drink, or garnish with olive.
WINSTON CHURCHILL
ROGUE SOCIETY
AN ARTISAN DRY GIN WITH A NEW ZEALAND SLANT. COMBINING CRAFT WITH CONVIVIALITY 12 botanicals, natures wild apostles.
Water, torn from the earth 80 years after it was hurled down on New Zealand’s Southern Alps. A whiskey still, 19th century, stumbled upon in a long abandoned shed. These are the ingredients. This is how Rogue Society signs its name around the world. Velvet profile. Citrus forward. Clean finish. A product of New Zealand. ROGUE SOCIETY 750ML $79.99
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Back in the day, the Royal Navy gave their men gin mixed with lime cordial to stop scurvy, hence the term for Brits as ‘limey’s’.
GIN BOURBON
A big gin, expect a fresh nose with pronounced aromatic intensity. A place where juniper, orange peel and deep spice dominate. Vibrant in the mouth. Citrus and juniper enjoy dominance. Smooth but crisp on the palate. Long and flavour filled finish.
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SIMPLY EXQUISITE FULLER FLAVOUR GIN BROKER'S GIN 1L $49.99 Broker’s Gin does not follow the modern trend of using weird and wonderful spirits and botanicals. There are no oddball ingredients in Broker’s Gin. We believe our forefathers did an unbeatable job perfecting gin recipes over many hundreds of years. Broker’s Gin has won more top awards in international competitions over the last ten years than any other gin. Broker’s truly is … THE WORLD’S BEST GIN! Broker’s Gin has a rich aromatic nose and taste, without the pungent juniper smell of some gins. It is smooth and well-rounded.
The fuller flavour of Broker’s Gin creates an exquisite Gin & Tonic.
THE BOTANIST 700ML $74.99
GIN
The Botanist is a gin of layered complexity. A progressive exploration of the botanical heritage of the Isle of Islay. Nine classic gin botanicals are augmented by 22 local herbs and flowers, foraged responsibly and by hand from the hills, shores and bogs of this fertile Hebridean island by a team of botanical scientists. The result is a gin as much for the mind as the palate; a thinking person’s gin. A roller coaster botanical odyssey in a glass.
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The taste is rich and mellow; cool on entry then as it reaches the back palate you can feel the warmth and absolute purity of slow unhurried distillation. This is a bewitching, delectable and luxurious gin; its citrus freshness excites and stimulates the taste buds allowing you to experience a starburst of flavours as they explode across the palate.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE 1L $54.99 The uniqueness of Bombay Sapphire can be attributed to the passion to produce the finest gin possible. Based on a traditional recipe Bombay Sapphire was first launched in 1987 by Michael Roux. Whilst ordinary gins boil their botanicals directly in the spirit to achieve their flavour, the taste of Bombay Sapphire is created through the vapour infusion process. The 10 precious botanicals used in Bombay Sapphire are held separate from the spirit in perforated copper baskets, and when the heated vapours rise, the distinctive flavour of the botanicals are released. The result, a complex aromatic liquid that delivers a broader, more balanced flavour. Bombay Sapphire is so proud of the provenance of each of its botanicals that it names the source of each on the side of the bottle, guaranteeing quality will not be compromised. The luscious texture delivers lemon zest and medium sweetness, followed by lively juniper and richer lemon tart sweetness, backed up by liquorice and coriander top notes, balanced by deeper, spicier notes that define the base of the palate. Sweet-dry balance with an integrated lemon-spice character, and underlying lightly woody notes.
World's No. 1 premium gin and World's Top Valued Premium Gin for Four Consecutive Years. Recently, it was awarded a score of 92/100 from the Beverage Testing Institute.
GIN
SUBLIME... 27
TEQUILA
TO BE CALLED TEQUILA, IT MUST BE PRODUCED IN MEXICO. The beloved Mexican pick-me-up conjures visions of oversized sombreros, mariachi bands, and salt-rimmed margaritas. But it is also one of the most misunderstood drinks, surrounded by years of myths and legends. Tequila is made from the blue agave, or agave tequilana. The core of the plant produces ‘honey water’ which is used for syrup (and tequila) production. Once you open a bottle, you have about one to two months before oxidization and evaporation lower the quality of the tequila and destroys the agave profile. So, you want to drink up within 3 to 6 months, at which point it becomes more like bourbon. Perhaps even more popular than the actual tequila is the worm crawling around the bottom of the bottle. But the worm, or gusano, actually originated with tequila’s “lowerquality” cousin, mezcal, largely as a marketing ploy. The gusano is the larvae of a type of moth that lives on the agave plant.
BEHIND THE LEGEND OF THE MARGARITA
TEQUILA
In 1938, in a Los Angeles restaurant, a head bartender Johnny Durlesser noticed a pretty lady at the bar one night, and then again another night. The third time he saw her at his bar, he wanted to make a drink to impress her. He grabbed the Cuervo Tequila, added a touch of sweet… and the rest is history.
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JOSE CUERVO AGAVERO 750ML $94.99 Agavero Tequila Liqueur is bottled at Los Camachines Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico where the Blue Agave plant is grown. This region includes the state of Jalisco and the town of Tequila for which the spirit is named. This is New Zealand's number one tequila liqueur and it contains 100% agave reposado and anejo tequilas (aged in barrels) blended with Damiana flower essence. This liqueur is quite different to a general Tequila. It is amber in colour, the nose has herbs and essences of fruits, paired with the typical smell of blue agave. The taste is aromatic and floral with a discreet note of honey. The finish is long with rich, luscious, raisiny-caramel notes.
LOVER’S MARGARITA
A romantic margarita for two to enjoy with your sweetheart. We recommend doubling the recipe and using two straws! Mix 1 part Agavero, 1 part 1800 Reposado and a splash of fresh lime juice. Pour over ice and garnish with lime wedge. Salt rim if desired.
DOS GUSANOS THE NUMBER ONE PREMIUM MEZCAL
DOS GUSANOS 500ML $49.99
Dos Gusanos is the number one premium brand of mezcal, and the only brand of mezcal bottled with two worms. The worm, or worms, commonly seen in bottles of mezcal are considered a delicacy in Mexico and are often found on restaurant menus. Mezcal, by law, must contain no less than 80% agave, making it a very pure spirit that has a higher agave content and more premium taste than most mass produced tequilas.
TEQUILA
Smooth on the palate with a pleasing amber colour, this mezcal is a great introduction to the style of this spirit and will be a welcome treat for those who cherish the exciting taste of fine tequilas.
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LIQUEURS
Liqueurs are alcoholic beverages that are bottled with added sugar and have added flavours that are usually derived from fruits, herbs, or nuts. Most liqueurs range between 15% and 55% alcohol by volume. Liqueurs can be made from any type of spirit, whether neutral or finished. For instance, a rum liqueur must be made with the "predominant characteristic flavour" of rum and be bottled at not less than 30% proof. Gin and Bourbon liqueurs have their own, similar, definitions. When not specified on the label, it is safe to assume a liqueur is made from a neutral spirit. Crèmes are generally the sweetest, having up to twice as much sugar as other liqueurs. They are also heavier and denser. A crème also tends to get its flavour from just one ingredient. Creams should not be confused with crèmes. Creams really do contain cream, which has been stabilized into an emulsion. They tend to be the thickest and mildest liqueurs. It is best to keep them refrigerated after opening. Bailey's Irish Cream is a familiar example, and perhaps the most popular, and another being Amarula.
Patron XO Café is made from Patron Silver Tequila and the pure natural essence of fine coffee. PATRON XO CAFÉ 750ML $63.99
LIQUEURS
The colour is deep, rich brown. Expect an aroma of fresh coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Taste fresh roasted coffee with notes of chocolate and light tequila, to a smooth, yet dry finish.
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This Tequila-based liqueur works especially nicely with tequila based cocktails, or with hot coffee in the evening. Excellent sipped neat, or with ice and a hint of milk or cream.
GLAYVA 500ML $49.99 In Edinburgh in 1947 a local wine and whisky merchant named Ronald Morrison wanted to create a drink which would warm and comfort his loyal customers in the cold, dark Scottish winters. When it came to naming the spirit, it was simple. Upon tasting the blend for the first time, one of Morrison’s warehousemen uttered the Gaelic words ‘Gle Mhath’, translated as ‘Very Good’. Then this great drink named Glayva. Glayva combines the finest blended Scotch whisky, exotic Mediterranean tangerines, cinnamon and spices, and most importantly, honey. It is a rich and balanced spirit quite unlike any other.
This award winning liqueur won Gold Medals at International Spirits Challenge in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
THE ORIGINAL BLACK SAMBUCA OPAL NERA 500ML $34.99 Founded in Piemonte, Northern Italy in 1951 by Luigi Francoli, the Francoli Distillery has a rich history of grappa production spanning five generations. Opal Nera - the original black Sambuca was created by Alessandro Francoli in 1989, while on his honeymoon, and launched in the same year in the USA and Italy. The brand has since spread to over 30 countries around the world. Opal Nera rose quickly to prominence as a respected quality liqueur that reflected the earliest traditions of Italian distilling. Following the success of Opal Nera, Francoli have launched Opal Bianca and Opal Rossa. Both of these extensions reflect the exceptional smooth delivery and finish of the original Opal Nera. The nose is complex with notes of earthy spice and licorice. The taste is rich, plush with a thick mouth-feel and excellent concentration of flavours of licorice, blueberry and lemon. Expect a clean, deep finish with an anise and sugar fade.
OPAL SOUR Pour 60ml Opal Nera, 30ml lemon juice and ½ an egg white into a shaker. Shake, strain into a Rocks/old fashioned glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.
LIQUEURS BOURBON
SIGNATURE SERVE
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SWIRL, SIP AND SAVOUR
BAILEYS BAILEYS 700ML $34.99
Baileys was the brainchild of R&A Bailey. They combined the great Irish tradition of distilling with the other great Irish tradition of dairy farming. Sold in over 160 markets globally it's ranked as the world's most popular cream liqueur and the second most popular flavoured spirit brand of any kind in the world. Best enjoyed when served over three cubes of ice in a spirits tumbler (50ml serving). The ice chills the cream, so it takes the cream a little longer to melt on your tongue and release the warming glow of the whiskey and fine spirits. Baileys with milk is always popular. Try pouring fresh coffee or hot chocolate into a large glass, add 35ml Baileys and top up with hot steamed milk for a Baileys coffee or Baileys hot chocolate.
DECADENT PARTY PLEASER
SALTED CHOCOLATE BAILEYS TRUFFLE SQUARES
LIQUEURS
200g dark chocolate, chopped 200g sweet condensed milk 50g icing sugar 150g almonds, toasted and chopped 4 tbsp (1 unit) Baileys Original Irish Cream 1 tbsp unsalted butter Sea salt, for dusting Edible gold glitter or gold leaf, for dusting
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1. Put the dark chocolate in a glass bowl. Microwave for one minute, stir, and then add the milk, sugar, almonds, Baileys Original Irish Cream and the butter. Continue to microwave in 30 second intervals until completely melted and smooth. 2. Beat the mixture vigorously for 3 - 4 minutes. Pour into a 15cm x15cm tin lined with non-stick baking paper. Refrigerate overnight. 3. Cut into squares, dust with the sea salt and gold glitter and serve.
SANTA MARTA LIMONCELLO 500ML $33.99 Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur first developed in convents, with production dating back to the 1600’s. Santa Marta is produced by the Francoli family distillery in Northern Italy using Sicilian lemons. Italy is the world’s largest producer of lemons so, naturally, they developed a delicious way to use the plentiful fruit. Lemon zest (peels without the pith), is steeped in grain alcohol until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with a simple syrup. No artificial flavours or colours are added to Santa Marta Limoncello. Limoncello is cloudy pale-lemon colour. The aroma is of sweet lemon zest, the taste is rich lemon zest initially, then balanced with acidic and sweet notes, finishing with a lovely flavour depth and slightly astringent finish.
SIGNATURE SERVE
VENETIA Mix 30ml Santa Marta Limoncello, 15ml vodka and tonic water over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
AMARULA 700ML $30.99
Apart from making a beautifully natural wedding canopy, it’s also said to have aphrodisiac properties and features in tribal fertility rites. The ripening of the Marula fruit in summer coincides with great celebrations in many parts of Southern Africa. In Swaziland, for example, the annual Marula Festival is celebrated at the king’s royal residence, sustaining the belief that the Marula fruit is fit for kings and queens. Light brown to caramel. Fresh, smooth and well rounded. Full creamy taste with nuances of the exotic marula fruit, in taste and after taste. A distinctive flavour, round and soft in taste, versatile in terms of mixability.
LIQUEURS
Storytelling has always been central to African life. The Marula tree, as the source of several fascinating legends, has become a sacred and intricate part of ancient African culture. Locals have revered these trees for centuries and refer to them fondly by various names. Because elephants travel for miles to feast on the wild fruit, locals call it ‘The Elephant Tree’. African folklore also refers to it as ‘The Marriage Tree’.
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COGNAC
Cognac, named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the regions of Charente and Charente-Maritime. For a brandy to bear the name Cognac its production methods must meet certain legal requirements. In particular, it must be made from specified grapes of which Ugni blanc, known locally as Saint-Emilion, is the one most widely used. The brandy must be twice distilled in copper pot stills and aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais. Cognac matures in the same way as whiskies and wine when aged in barrels, and most cognacs are aged considerably longer than the minimum legal requirement. There are three main classifications for Cognac: VS, or Very Special, has been aged at least two years (Cognacs marked with three stars are also VS); VSOP, or Very Superior Old Pale, has been aged at least four years; XO, or Extra Old, has been aged at least six years (though as of next April, Cognac will need 10 years of aging to qualify as XO). Younger cognacs tend to be lighter and more honeyed in colour; older cognacs take on a rich amber hue thanks to the tannins of the oak barrels in which they’re aged.
COGNAC
HENNESSY VSOP 700ML $89.99
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In 1817, the future King George IV of England asked Hennessy to supply him a ‘Very Superior, Old and Pale cognac’. By the end of the 19th century, V.S.O.P , as it had become known, had firmly established its reputation among the nobility. Hennessy V.S.O.P comprises of a gradual blend of over 60 ‘eaux-de-vie’, aged up top 15 years old. Taken from the four leading vineyards in the Cognac region, V.S.O.P is slowly matured in old barrels, from which most of the tannin has been extracted.
HENNESSY Hennessy V.S.O.P offers a delicate blend of wood notes and spices, punctuated by the scent of cloves and cinnamon. Discreet, subtle and harmonious, it is characterised by a fragrance of honey and a suggestion of liquorice.
CROIZET
Originally licensed by Napoleon in 1805 , Croizet has continued to be appreciated by the elite through history, from Russian Tsars to Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower. This tradition continues today! Cognac Croizet was served on the Titanic in 1912 on its fateful maiden voyage.
CROIZET COGNAC XO 700ML $219.99 A beautifully crafted, award winning XO reputed for its elegance and complex floral notes. Aged much longer than the minimum requirement, it has a delicate, restrained complexity on the nose and palate, revealing a delicious fruitiness, combined with light spicy notes of cinnamon and tobacco.
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Although cognac is primarily enjoyed as a beverage, it is also used in cooking for sauces, marinades, fruit preserves, and chocolates.
COGNAC
Croizet Cognac holds the Guinness world record for the most expensive cognac and also the most expensive cocktail ever sold.
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