Spirits

Region: Italy

Grape variety: 50% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 10% tra Molinara, Oseleta & Turchetta

Background: The fermented and selected marc, after racking and a light pressing, are taken to the distillery still soaked with must and processed immediately. A full-bodied and fragrant grappa is guaranteed, with a higher alcohol content, suitable for a long ageing in barrique. The distillation takes places around February with discontinuous steam and low-pressure system.

Tasting notes: Blond yellow colour coming from the barrique ageing. Deep, concentrated aroma of dried fruits, while in the mouth the taste is harmoniously robust and warm.

Review: Wine Enthusiast 90-95 Points: Initial scent reminds me of walnuts and nougat; aeration and swirling encourage plumper, more candied/honeyed/minty aromas to emerge. Taste at entry is sensuous, sweet and like brown sugar; at midpalete there is a seductive smokiness that takes on a pipe-tobacco quality. Concludes moderately sweet, yet razor sharp and nicely acidic.

Region: Iceland

Background: Hafthor “The Mountain” Bjornsson, also known as Thor, is the spokesperson for the product and a co-owner as well. He holds many titles as a strongman but is also well known as Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) from the TV series Game of Thrones. The Icelandic Mountain Vodka by Icelandic Mountain Spirits. The product is handcrafted in Reykjavik Iceland, which means each detail is controlled, resulting in a high end luxury vodka. The vodka is gluten free and distilled seven times so it feels extra smooth while still standing strong at 40% ALC. Vol /80 Proof. Icelandic water is the key element in this super premium product.

The Vodka Specifications:

•        Distilled seven times

•        40% alcohol / 80 proof

•        Gluten free

•        Ph8.8

•        Made with pure Icelandic water believed to be the purest water in the world

Tasting notes: Clear colour. Creamy, confected aromas and flavours of spumoni, peach jam, and pistachio paste with a round, dryish medium-to-full body and a lychee and mint cream finish. A vodka full of character, body, a confection- balanced and unexpected.

Award: 92 Points Gold Medal Exceptional Tastings.com International Review of Spirits

Region: France

Background: Chateau de Pellhaut is situated at the heart of the Armagnac appellation, named La Tenareze. The XO La Fleur de L'age is rich and fruity with powerful flavours and this 20 year old shows the characteristic rancio associated with aged brandies.

Tasting notes: Amber hue with golden tints. Rancio aromas of hazelnut and gingerbread on nose. Palate generous, characterized by liquorice and toasty notes.

Region: Ireland, County Waterford

Background: The rum running island is only a short drive from the coastal location in Waterford, in the next-door county of Cork. Spike Island has an illustrious history of monks, military and prisons. With such a rich heritage it matched perfectly with our hedonistic blend of spiced rum. 

The rum is sourced from one of the finest distilleries in the Caribbean.  From Barbados, once it lands on Irish soil, it is mixed in the cask with soft Tipperary spring water to reduce it down to 40% ABV. Special spice are added and blended by hand which took more than two years to create. The spices were chosen and then toasted, baked, beaten and combined in several ways before the final blend was approved.  It’s largely a secret there are only five people in the world who know exactly what it is. Spike Island Spiced Rum is captivating, magically capturing the exotic in every sip.

Region: Ireland

Background: Made with more than 20 different botanicals, many of which are Irish grown and noticeable on the front palate including apple, wild thyme, elderflower, gorse and tansy. Mellow juniper, yellow apple and herb aromas with a hint of orange peel, crisp and fruity on the palate before the spice kicks in - lingering cardamom and coriander on the finish.  

Tasting notes: The distinctive juniper perfume mingles with strong citrus notes of orange, lemon and lime on the nose. It uses all Irish grown botanicals such as apple, wild thyme, elder flowers, white clover and tansy. A punchy complex gin.

Food pairing: Excellent with tonic, in a Tom Collins, or simply for sipping.  

Awards: Thin Gin is one of Ireland's most awarded gins. It holds 10 national and international medals for taste and quality. It is the only Irish Gin to have won three consecutive medals in the Gin category of the Irish Whiskey Awards.

Tasting notes: Combines a fabulous range of traditional botanicals such as juniper, coriander and angelica root along with a range of locally sourced botanicals from the Listoke estate. Listoke distillery also boasts the only Gin School in Ireland.

Region: Ireland

Tasting notes: The classic clean, fresh Thin Gin flavour with the added bonus of raspberries. Thin Gin Raspberry is a true deep pink raspberry gin. It is immensely flavourful, without being too overpoweringly sweet.

Food pairing: Perfect for sipping with tonic over ice, or shaken in a fruity cocktail.

ABV: 40%

Tasting notes: Blue Owl Vodka is a triple distilled, extremely smooth spirit and perfect with your favourite mixer and ice.  Fancy something different? Try a Moscow Mule cocktail with ginger beer, lime juice and a sprig of mint!

Region: France

Background: This delicious liqueur, produced according to a secret family recipe, which has reached perfection after many years, has, until now, only been drunk and enjoyed at Orignac by the Meyer family and those visitors lucky enough to share this wonderful nectar. The visitors have always been impressed by and have remarked on the high quality of this nectar, so much so that they have decided this year to produce a little more, in a distinctive and elegant bottle with an equally fine label, to share largely with all those people who already appreciate the Pineau and Cognacs that come from Château d’Orignac. 

Tasting notes: It is the fruit of a maceration with the Eaux de Vie of Orignac and the delicately hand-peeled orange skins (from certified organic agriculture), brought together in perfect balance with a drop of Martinique sugar-cane syrup. There is a perfect harmony between the exotic Orange flavours and the noble Orignac Cognac, with a unique, perfumed bouquet, an unctuous taste lifted by a burst of freshness at the end.

Food pairing: Drink chilled at the end of meal, just a small serving, it will give you an inimitable sensation of sun-ripened bitter oranges with a long finish on the palate.

Region: France

Background: This exceptional cuvee is the result of a blend of the most wonderful “Eaux de Vie” of Ugni blanc from Château d’Orignac. It has been patiently aged for a great many years in French oak and bottled in September 2014. Only 980 bottles of this rare nectar have been produced.

Tasting notes: Mahogany in colour, with hints of amber and bronze, this exceptional Cognac locks in all the memories of Château d’Orignac. The richness of its bouquet is so expressive, subtle nuances of candied fruits, spices, liquorice and leather accompanied by a noble rancio character, all the result of decades of maturation in the oak barrels of our cellars. On the palate, this Cognac is expressive and generous, delicate, with an elegant structure and layers of perfumed aromas. The final taste, which seems to go on forever, is one of refined oak, with hints of gingerbread, vanilla and cinnamon. The aromatic complexity, both subtle and powerful, makes this a rare Cognac indeed, which is certainly a great privilege to taste.