CHAMPAGNE TAITTINGER
FOUNDED IN 1734
Champagne Taittinger
Founded in 1734, Champagne Taittinger, one of the greatest market leaders and most respected Champagne Houses, is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated Champagne Houses.
Taittinger owns a total of 280 hectares of vineyards, situated in the best villages in Champagne. This ensures the regular supply of high quality grapes for the production of its delicate, finely-balanced Champagnes, which has gained worldwide recognition amongst connoisseurs. Two thirds of Taittinger’s production is exported and can be found in more than 150 countries worldwide.
Taittinger Brut Réserve is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from over 35 different vineyards and vintages matured to perfection.
This high proportion of Chardonnay, unique amongst fine non-vintage champagnes, and a minimum ageing of 3 years in the cellars, where it reaches the peak of aromatic maturity, makes Taittinger Brut Réserve a delicately balanced champagne, known for its consistent excellent quality all over the world.
TASTING NOTES:
The brilliant body is golden yellow in colour. The bubbles are fine, while the foam is discreet yet lingering. The nose, very open and expressive, delivers aromas of fruit and brioche. It also gives off the fragrance of peach, white flowers and vanilla pod. The entry onto the palate is lively, fresh and in total harmony. This is a delicate wine with flavours of fresh fruit and honey. Taittinger Brut Réserve which acquires its maturity during 3-4 years ageing in the cellar, offers excellent aromatic potential.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
Taittinger Brut Réserve is the champagne for any occasion. A symbol of festivity, this wine is the ideal partner of celebration for the happiest milestones in a lifetime.
Taittinger Prestige Rosé immediately stands out for its intense, shimmering hue which secret lies in the fact that it’s a blend which is more complex and costly to produce. A quantity of still red wine (15%) produced from the best Pinot Noirs from Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys is in fact added to the final blend to give this cuvée its unmistakable colour and vibrant intensity on the palate.
The high proportion of Chardonnay (30%) that completes the blend brings the elegance and delicacy that underpins Taittinger’s signature style.
TASTING NOTES:
The intense and brilliant body is bright pink in colour. The bubbles are fine and the mousse persistent. The full nose, wonderfully expressive, is both fresh and young. It gives off aromas of red fruits (freshly crushed wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant). On the palate this wine strikes a fine balance of a velvety texture and full body taste. The flavours are reminiscent of fresh, crisp red fruits. The palate can be summed up in four words; lively, fruity, fresh and elegant … as only a rosé blend can be.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
An elegant wine, well-balanced and pleasant, to be enjoyed on every occasion. To be served cold on its own, as an aperitif or with desserts.
The Demi-Sec cuvée reflects the style and values of the Taittinger House. This seductive and complex champagne, is a delight to discover or rediscover. The Demi-Sec is made with 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. The grapes are sourced from 40 different vineyards and multiple harvests, and are matured to perfection. The wine is cellar-aged for over five years before being disgorged. With a dosage of 33g/litre of sugar, this differentiates it from the Brut Réserve, providing it with a specific sweetness to favour its pairing with desserts.
TASTING NOTES:
The colour of the wine is pale golden yellow. The bubbles are fine and the mousse is abundant and persistent. The nose is suggestive of delicate hints of honey and ripe fruit, with overtones of greengages and elderflowers. The first impression on the palate is lively, acidulated and soft, with citrus (mandarin) predominant, backed by peaches in syrup and dried figs. It has an end which is extraordinarily soft and notably full and long-lasting. All in all, a rounded, sweet and mellow wine of great charm and sensuality.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
Taittinger Demi Sec is a gourmet wine. Its sweetness and mellowness, combined with the dosage, make it an ideal accompaniment to most desserts, including chocolate cake, strawberry charlotte and warm madeleines.
Taittinger only produces a vintage Champagne when the harvest is of exceptional quality. In addition to this, several years of cellar ageing guarantees the slow maturing of the aromas as well as the development of the length and complexity of the wine. Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2012 consists exclusively of cuvées (first presses) of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in equal proportions. Some 15 villages are involved in the construction of this blend. The Grands Crus of Champagne make up a significant portion (over 70%) while the other villages selected are all certified Premier Crus.
TASTING NOTES:
Brut Millésimé 2012 is a fine, delicate, airy, elegant champagne that presents beautiful balance of aromatic intensity and freshness. The nose is defined by intense citrus fruit aromas of mandarin zest. Next there emerges floral and delicate aromas of lime flowers. In the mouth the attack is full of freshness and strength, dominated by citrus fruits. There then follows a certain fullness, with flavours of pear and raisins, then a complex finish with a beautiful length embellished with notes of liquorice.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
If this wine is the perfect companion for a pre-dinner drink, it can also marry with the flavours of certain dishes. It proves delicious with white fish seasoned with a delicately creamy sauce.
Produced in the cellars of the former Saint-Nicaise Abbey (13th century) in Reims, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs receives all the lavish care and attention it needs to reach its peak. Every bottle of Comtes de Champagne strictly adheres to all of the following to make it such a rare luxury and the connoisseur’s choice.
The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnay from only the best vines in the prestigious Côte des Blancs. It is only produced when the harvest is of exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year. Only wine from the first press is used; a sure guarantee of finesse and 5% of the wines used in the production have been aged for 4 months in new oak barrels (a third of which are renewed every year), enhancing the intrinsic qualities and complexities of the final blend. Only after slow and patient ageing of 8-10 years in the Saint-Nicaise chalk pits (crayères) does this cuvée of exceptional quality come out into the light.
TASTING NOTES:
Very pale yellow colour. Fine, light bubbles rise steadily to form a delicate ring of foam. The nose initially presents a fresh, refined tangerine-like fruitiness. It then develops more mature notes of ripe fruit, raisin pastries and candied fruit. On the palate, the attack is both smooth and very lively. The mid-palate is supple, full-bodied and rich, with flavours of grapefruit. The finish is very long and refined with a hint of spice, reminiscent of liquorice sticks. Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2007 offers maturity and finesse. This champagne’s aromatic potential is just beginning to open up, suggesting a very good capacity to age.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
Perfect for a truly special celebration, this Champagne would also go very well with a starter based on seafood, shellfish or fish.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé Millésimé 2006 is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir (100% Grands Crus), part of which (12%) is red wine from the vineyards of Bouzy, and 30% Chardonnay.
The Chardonnay grapes from the vineyards of the Côte des Blancs (100% Grands Crus) bring refinement and freshness to the composition. Only juices from the first pressing are used to ensure the structure and the long ageing potential so essential to this exceptional champagne.
Cellar ageing allows the complexity of the aromas to develop and rounds off the structure of Comtes de Champagne Rosé.
TASTING NOTES:
Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2006 has a deep pink colour. The extremely fine bubbles rise in a lively style to form a superb ring of delicate foam. Initially, the nose offers intense aromas of citrus fruit, especially blood oranges. Then more mature aromas develop with candied red and black fruits, quince paste and blackcurrant liqueur. On the palate the attack is concentrated with a very intense cherries-in-syrup fruitiness. The mid-palate is rich, vinous and very structured. The finish is expressive with volume. Complexity and good length. Still young, but already showing great class, Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2006 is characterized by a mature, generous style, its rich, varied aromatic structure suggests an excellent capacity to age.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
A wine for celebrations and ceremonial occasions, the profile of this champagne is such that it can be enjoyed at any time. In the context of a meal it would go well with pigeon or lamb (cooked pink) or with a dessert such as baked pears or a red fruit gratin.
KAVALAN TAIWANESE WHISKY
PURE TAIWAN
Kavalan Taiwanese Whisky
Kavalan is the distillery that has put Taiwan whisky firmly on the map, and it has been wowing drinkers around the world since it launched its first whisky in 2008. Known for its tropical-fruit style, Kavalan has won a host of prestigious awards in a very short time.
Kavalan is aged in intense humidity and heat yet benefits from sea and mountain breezes and the spring water from Snow Mountain, which combine to create Kavalan’s signature creaminess.
The distillery takes its name from the indigenous name for Yilan County, where it is based, and is backed by 30 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. Since its launch less than 10 years ago, Kavalan has collected more than 250 gold awards and is available in more than 66 countries. Kavalan produced its first spirit in March 2006, opened the distillery to the public in 2008 and shortly thereafter released its first whisky, Kavalan Classic Single Malt.
Some of Kavalan’s noteworthy awards include:
- Kavalan distillery was named by Whisky Magazine as the World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” for 2011, and since then its products have won a plethora of sought after international awards.
- In 2012, Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Cask Malt whisky was named “new whisky of the year” by Jim Murray in his guide, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
- In 2015, Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique expression was named the “World’s best single Malt whisky” by World Whiskies Awards.
- Kavalan has won the IWSC’s Spirits Producer of the Year Award six times in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and again in 2017
- Kavalan was awarded “”Distiller of the Year” by the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the highest accolade a spirit producer can achieve.
This elegant, quintessential whisky celebrates the craftsmanship of Kavalan’s master blender, Ian Chang which was released after his hat trick of top prizes: the Icons of Whisky’s 2018 “Distillery of the Year” and its 2017 “World Whisky Brand Ambassador”, as well as the World Whiskies Awards’ 2015 “Distillery Manager and Master Distiller of the Year”.
Featuring Kavalan’s signature fruity sweetness and full body, Distillery Select has been aged in quality malt neutral casks to showcase the showcase the fruitiness and sub-tropical characteristic of Taiwan’s climate without too much influence from the wood. Versatile and super smooth, enjoyed in cocktails or neat, this single malt is a hugely satisfying experience to savour again and again.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Midnight Amber.
Nose – Delicate and silky with scents of tropical fruits, fragrant floral notes and warm vanilla.
Palate – Elegant, perfectly balanced, and easy to drink. Rich and complex layers of butterscotch, creamy toffee, and vanilla create a soft multi-layered taste that is lingeringly long in the finish.
Using Portuguese ruby, tawny and vintage Port wine casks as the main flavour, Kavalan Concertmaster Single Malt Whisky is first matured in specially selected American oak casks and then finished in port barriques. Maturing in the barriques mellows the flavours and adds indefinable smoothness to the whisky. It is rich-bodied with natural sweetness and complexity.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Pleasant brownish red.
Nose – Tropical fruitiness with honey, vanilla, coconut and candy floss.
Palate – Rich bodied with natural sweetness and complexity.
Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a rare combination of three exquisite sherry- aged casks — Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel — with the dried fruits of Oloroso as its main character. Rich caramel and the sweetness of maltose are layered with the distillery's unique tropical fruits to create a delicate but distinct sherried whisky that can be enjoyed on easy-drinking occasions with friends.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Deep scarlet
Nose – Clean and complex with multi-layers of dried fruit, nuttiness and spices with some marzipan and vanilla touches.Ripe, mature berries and dried fruits fill the nose, with fresh scents of grapes and citrus interlaced with chocolate brownie and toffee sweetness. Hints of cinnamon, clover and spiciness, blending into pleasant oakiness and fragrant rosemary.
Palate – Rich, oily and full with pleasant dried fruit and spices that linger on in the mouth plus a hint of fine coffee.
Matured in Spanish top-quality Oloroso sherry casks in special editions, Kavalan Solist Sherry is bottled by hand at the distillery, without any colouring, chill-filtration. It is a naturally smooth and rich whisky with a complex character. It is clean and complex with multi-layers of dried fruit, nuttiness and spices with some marzipan and vanilla touches to it as well.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Dark and mouth-watering raisin.
Nose – Clean and complex with multi-layers of dried fruit, nuttiness and spices with some marzipan and vanilla touches.
Palate – Rich, oily and full with pleasant dried fruit and spices that linger on in the mouth plus a hint of fine coffee.
Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon is a delightfully complex, multi-dimensional Single Malt Whisky, with vanilla, fruit and coconut highlights. Matured in hand-selected American ex-Bourbon casks, the whisky is available at cask strength and non-chill-filtered hence retaining the fuller flavour of the natural single malt whisky.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Cattle egret.
Nose – Clean & fresh tropical fruitiness with pleasant vanilla, coconut and spices.
Palate – Well-balanced natural sweetness, vanilla and oak spices, round and complex with silky smoothness.
Port is a Portuguese fortified wine that is robust and sweet with a fuller and richer body. It is therefore usually served as a dessert wine or digestive. Kavalan Solist Port Cask is fully matured in Portuguese Port barriques under the subtropical climate to create the multiple fruity flavours such as plum, blueberry, blackberry and strawberry just to name a few, with chocolate as the main background note.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Deep ruby.
Nose – The rich, fruity and nutty flavours combined and enhanced by orange and citrus notes together with gentle and elegant wood spices of our American oakiness.
Palate – Satisfying fruitiness blended with quality chocolate aromas that melts delicately on your palate. A wonderful and long lasting after-taste.
Vinho is fully matured in used oak wine barrels that have been toasted and re-charred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the whisky and wood, overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness. The casks selected have been used to mature both red and white wines which eventually will contribute to the background complex fruitiness to Kavalan Solist Vinho. It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruit burst.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour – Deep autumn gold.
Nose – A rich fusion of vanilla and caramelised sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.
Palate – The taste ends with clean and complex flavours embodying all that is best in the finest malt whiskies enjoying a long aftertaste.
MILK AND HONEY
ISRAEL’S FIRST WHISKY DISTILLERY
MILK & HONEY ISRAELI WHISKY
Inspired by the city of Tel Aviv, the team at Milk & Honey Distillery fulfilled their dream and established Israel’s first whisky distillery.
Since 2012, the passionate and dedicated team, under the expert guidance of the late Dr. Jim Swan, has boldly crafted single malt spirits.
M&H whiskies are the result of innovative essence and meticulous cask selection, perfected by the hot and humid climate of vibrant Tel Aviv. Unwavering vision has shaped the whisky into a smooth, balanced and surprisingly complex spirit.
High temperatures and humidity characterize the Israeli climate during most of the year. This allows the whisky to mature relatively quickly, so that even a 3 or 4-year old whisky feels more mature and complex than its age, surprising the world’s top experts.
M&H Classic Single Malt Whisky is made using the finest bourbon casks and our special red-wine STR casks, giving it a light and balanced character – Matured under the Tel Aviv sun.
NOSE:
Gentle vanilla sweetness, followed by light oak and floral notes
palate:
Light body. Vanilla, caramel and honey sweetness, balanced by woody notes and light black pepper spiciness
Finish:
Short but delicate. The oak notes linger in the palate for a while with a nice light spiciness
The Elements Sherry is the first ever single malt whisky that was matured in Kosher sherry casks. seasoned exclusively for Milk & Honey distillery straight from .Jerez. Bourbon, Oloroso and PX sherry casks characterized it’s fruity flavours, rich aromas with a special deep and natural colour – Matured under the Tel Aviv sun
AROMA:
Dominant rich red fruit notes covered by gentle oak, caramel scent and lemon freshness.
palate:
Medium bodied. Light fruity sherry sweetness, rich fruits and dark chocolate followed by gentle oaky notes.
Finish:
Long. The dark chocolate notes linger in the palate for a while, followed by tobacco and oak notes.
The Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. This whisky was matured in casks from Islay, that soaked in smoky aromas and salty flavors, and was then blended with ex-bourbon barrel-aged single malt. The Elements Peated integrates the fruity notes of the new make into the casks’ typical Islay peaty notes; the result is a delicate, rather mellow, and lightly peated whisky.
AROMA:
Delightfully fresh. A distinct smoky, earthy scent opens to a unique balance of vanilla and oak notes, with a final hint of lemon.
palate:
Medium bodied. Vanilla sweetness is followed by a delicate peat touch. A light spiciness accompanies ginger and lemon flavours.
Finish:
Long. The peat coats the mouth, with delicate oak and lemon flavours lingering on the tongue
speyburn
speyside single malt scotch whisky
Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky
In 1897 John Hopkins discovered a unique spot in the heart of Speyside, ideal for making exceptionally smooth whisky. Building a distillery in the steep, wooded glen by the Granty Burn was challenging. However with abundant pure water and the rich natural elements of this lush region of Scotland, it was worth the effort.
Over 120 years since distilling their first drop, Speyburn is now more than a whisky. While they are regularly recognised and awarded accolades by international competitions across the world, what is really exciting is the thought that through their whisky they can let everyone, everywhere enjoy the beautiful simplicity of Speyside.
Released in late-2017, matured in a combination of American and Spanish oak. Bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Hints of rich dark chocolate with spicy notes of raisins, zesty citrus fruits and vanilla.
palate:
Oranges, toffee, vanilla and leather, all wrapped together with a gentle spice.
Finish:
The long lasting finish has a warming spice which is sweet and creamy.
Released in mid-2018, matured in a combination of American and Spanish oak. Bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Sweet toffee, sugared almonds and chunky tropical fruit. Hints of caramelised sugar and candied apples give way to a very slight honeyed smokiness.
palate:
Creamy dark chocolate, toffee, a gently oak spiciness and a touch of citrus.
Finish:
A long, slightly smoky finish with an enticing bittersweet edge.
Matured exclusively in bourbon casks, this smooth single malt delivers a bright, refreshing character with a touch of gentle sweetness.
NOSE:
Fresh green apples, honey, lemon and a touch of vanilla
palate:
Smooth and subtle with hints of honey and vanilla, a delightful mix of gentle spices, brown sugar, and sweet cream; finishing off long and silky
Finish:
Soft notes of honey and vanilla, layered with delicate spices, brown sugar, and sweet cream. The finish is long, smooth, and satisfying
OLD PULTeNEy
EST.1826
Old Pulteney unique single malt whisky
Sir William Pulteney put Wick on the map as the man behind the town’s 19th Century fishing boom but today the Pulteney name is better known for its unique single malt whisky. Distilled and matured by the sea, the liquid in their casks is cocooned by salty air swept ashore on Arctic winds.
During Wick’s heyday as Europe’s herring capital, the vessels, adorned with their generous, sparkly hauls of silver darlings, also carried fisherman in their droves. Dog-tired after weeks of high seas hardship, the courageous seafarers who landed silver by the barrel were rewarded with liquid gold by the cask.
Since 1826, Pulteney Distillery has endured everything nature and man could throw at it, including 25 years of prohibition. Old Pulteney is inseparable from the spirit of the harbour town it calls home, which is why it will always be The Maritime Malt.
The entry-level malt for the distillery’s core range, Old Pulteney 12yo is matured exclusively in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks for 12 years. Bottled at 43%.
NOSE:
Medium to high intensity, dry with a briny hint of sea air.
palate:
Dry, medium bodied and smooth, redolent of honey and cream, faintly salty with a slight spicy note.
Finish:
A sweet long-lasting finish.
Released in mid-2018 when the Old Pulteney range received an overhaul. Matured in ex-bourbon and Spanish oak casks. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Balanced and bursting with rich dried fruit, ripe apples and citrus, with honey sweetness and creamy vanilla. Slightly chocolaty and floral.
palate:
Fragrant spices and Christmas cake, with layers of chocolate and a distinct dark toffee sweetness.
Finish:
There is a hint of salty sea air on the finish, a clear connection to the influence of the sea on this single malt.
Launched in 2018 as part of Old Pulteney's extension of their core range. Double matured in ex-bourbon and Spanish oak casks. Bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Intense and warming. Indulgent chocolate and creamy vanilla, with rich honey sweetness tempered by vibrant spices. A whisper of flowery fruitiness yields to crisp bursts of citrus and apple.
palate:
Chocolaty indulgence layered with honeyed spices and Christmas cake. Floral notes lend a dash of finesse with zesty hints of citrus and green apple.
Finish:
A lovely long finish.
Released in late 2017, the 25yo replaced the now discontinued 21yo in the standard Old Pulteney range. Matured for 22 years in American oak casks and then transferred to ex-Oloroso sherry butts for the remainder of its time for finishing. Bottled at 46%. (Bottle size 750ml)
Nose:
Mature and fragrant with heavy spices and dark chocolate notes.
palate:
Bitter chocolate and creamy vanilla with hints of toffee, baked apple and orange zest.
Finish:
Long and spicy lingering finish.
anCnoc
EST.1894
Knockdhu - Home of anCnoc Highland Single Malt
In 1892 John Morrison bought the Knock estate. When springs of pure, clear water were found, he saw a golden opportunity and the Knockdhu Distillery opened its doors in October 1894. It was regarded as the perfect embodiment of a modern distillery, something that it's been ever since. The name itself (pronounced 'a-nock') is Gaelic for the nearby Knock Hill.
To create anCnoc, they still use their original style copper pot stills and worm tubs to condense the vaporised alcohol. It's these traditional techniques which help to create the distinctive, modern flavour. The whisky is aged in American and Spanish oak barrels and the casks are rested quietly in traditional dunnage warehouses; it's a simple process but one which demands perfection.
Thankfully, the Distillery Manager, Gordon Bruce, and the 'Men of Knock' are perfectly suited to this task. They are dedicated, skilled and proud to be one of the smallest distillery work forces in Scotland.
The entry expression malt in the anCnoc range, produced at the Knockdhu distillery, is the 12yo matured in a combination of first-fill and refill ex-bourbon casks. Bottled at 43%. (Bottle size 750ml)
NOSE:
Aromatic, quite robust. Honeysuckle, fresh flowers, cereals, barley.
palate:
Medium, good sweetness. Madeira, winter spices, mocha, Crème de Cacao, herbal hints and toasted granary bread.
Finish:
Medium length, great interplay between oak and barley.
balblair
EST.1826
Balblair. True Highland Spirit.
Tucked away in the ancient heart of the Highlands you’ll find the Balblair distillery. A place where you’ll be warmly welcomed.
The whisky reflects the place and the people who have been here for generations. It is measured, yet open, under- stated yet self-assured. It has a unique appeal; a quality that speaks for itself.
It is created with pride and a dedication to excellence. They honour century-old traditions, but also continue to look forward in our pursuit of perfection.
A gentle, hands-on approach is what gives the whisky its distinctive character. A character you won’t find anywhere else.
Balblair 12yo is matured in American oak ex-bourbon and "double-fired" (heavily charred) American oak cask. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%.
NOSE:
Elegant bright lemon peel layered with creamy vanilla and crisp green apples.
palate:
Ground spices and dried orange slices enveloped in intense set honey sweetness.
Finish:
Creamy and leathery with notes of sweet vanilla.
The Balblair 15yo is matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by a finishing period in first-fill, Spanish oak butts. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Leatherwood honey and spicy gingerbread followed by juicy prunes and fresh lemon peel.
palate:
Velvety in texture, bursting with dark chocolate, tropical fruit and spices.
Finish:
Long and mellow, with notes of creamy vanilla and citrus.
The Balblair 18yo is matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by a finishing period in first-fill, Spanish oak butts. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%.
Nose:
Rich toffee and baked pears against a backdrop of new leather.
palate:
A balance of juicy apricots, seasoned oak and vanilla custard.
Finish:
Chords of fresh spices and raisins.
The Balblair 25yo, the oldest in the range, is matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, and then transferred to Spanish oak casks for further maturation. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%.
NOSE:
Indulgent overripe apricots and dark liquorice stand out against polished oak and a touch of saddle wax.
palate:
Full-bodied with oily citrus, chocolate praline and a faint note of fresh tobacco leaf.
Finish:
Warming with smooth chocolate and blood oranges.
penderyn
a Welsh whisky
Penderyn Distillery is the home of Welsh Whisky
Distilling in Wales was a lost art, but in the late 1990s, in a Hirwaun pub in the Welsh valleys, a group of friends chatted about establishing the first whisky distillery in Wales in over a century. They dreamt of creating a whisky as pure and precious as Welsh gold, represented today by Penderyn’s ‘gold seam’. The village of Penderyn was chosen because of the site’s own supply of fresh natural spring water.
A unique copper single-pot still designed by Dr David Faraday, a relative of the great 19th-century scientist Michael Faraday, was installed in 2000, which produces a spirit at an industry high draw of 92%, meaning Penderyn's whiskies are light, fruity and flavoursome.
This business seemed a curiosity - a Welsh whisky? - but when the Scottish whisky expert, Dr Jim Swan, became the Master Distiller, things got serious. Dr Swan got involved because he said the still created a world class spirit. He said we should finish in Madeira casks, so this became their house style. This quickly advanced to sherry casks, peated casks, port casks, and a number of other casks used for finishing.
With inspiration, hard work, attention to detail, the finest barley, expert female distillers and the best American oak bourbon casks, Penderyn Whisky has quickly gained a worldwide reputation for its range of whiskies.
Launched in 2004 as part of Welsh Penderyn distillery's Gold range of single malt whiskies. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%. (Bottle size 750ml)
NOSE:
Aromas of dark fruit and rich toffee mingle with green apples and hazelnuts to create a deeper mystery.
palate:
Rich sweetness gives way to refreshing dryness.
Finish:
Sweet notes of toffee and sultana persist in the long finish.
Launched in 2004 as part of Welsh Penderyn distillery's Gold range of single malt whiskies. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Madeira wine casks. Non-chillfiltered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%. (Bottle size 750ml)
Nose:
A classic freshness with aromas of cream toffee, rich fruit and raisins.
palate:
Crisp and finely rounded, with the sweetness to balance an appetising dryness.
Finish:
Notes of tropical fruit, raisins and vanilla persist.
The Balblair 18yo is matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by a fiLaunched in 2004 as part of Welsh Penderyn distillery's Gold range of single malt whiskies. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-peated quarter casks from Islay. Non-chillfiltered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%. (Bottle size 750ml)nishing period in first-fill, Spanish oak butts. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%.
Nose:
It introduces itself with sweet, aromatic smoke. Under this, there are signature notes of vanilla, green apple and refreshing citrus.
palate:
An array of gentle flavours tempts even the most sophisticated palate.
Finish:
Smoke and vanilla linger on the attractive medium-length finish.
Launched in 2004 as part of Welsh Penderyn distillery's Gold range of single malt whiskies. Double-matured, initially in ex-bourbon barrels, then in hand-selected ex-Ruby Port casks. Non-chill filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 46%. (Bottle size 750ml)
NOSE:
Aromas of rich dried fruits with dark chocolate and cranberries; a hint of toasty oak mingles with a baked nutty dryness.
palate:
creamy richness with some honey and spiced notes emerging.
Finish:
Smooth with a soft oak and honey sweetness lingering gently on the tongue.
Veuve Du Vernay
FOUNDED IN 1960
Veuve Du Vernay
Founded in 1960 by Robert Charmat, the son of scientist, Eugene Charmat who patented the Charmat Method of producing sparkling wines. He named his sparkling wines for a widow in Vernay who helped his father during his early winemaking days. Veuve in French means widow.
Veuve du Vernay is produced by Patriarche, a leading wine producer in France founded in 1780 in Beaune, the heart of Burgundy, where they focus on two areas of winemaking, Burgundy appellation wines and fine sparkling wines.
The grapes come from the most beautiful vineyards, and the base wines are carefully chosen and assembled before the liqueur de tirage is added triggering the second fermentation and foam creation.
Today Veuve du Vernay is the leading French Sparkling wine brand with a distribution in over 70 markets.
Veuve du Vernay Ice, is the ultimate festive drink! A Demi Sec, slightly sweet, crafted to be enjoyed over ice. Veuve du Vernay Ice Demi Sec is a blend of Ungi Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Folle Blanche, It’s all about modernity and embody fragrant freshness and finesse.
TASTING NOTES:
Pale yellow colour with green tints, fresh and delicate on the nose, numerous fine bubbles display the floral aromas and citrus fruits notes followed by a sweet honey and vinous flavours
Well-balanced, mellow and fine.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
An elegant wine, well-balanced and pleasant, to be enjoyed on every occasion. To be served cold on its own, as an aperitif or with desserts.
Veuve du Vernay Ice Rose, is the ultimate festive drink! A Demi Sec, slightly sweet, Crafted to be enjoyed over ice. Veuve du Vernay Ice Rosé is a blend of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache, an elegant wine, well-balanced and pleasant, to be enjoyed on every occasion. To be served cold on its own, as an aperitif or with desserts.
TASTING NOTES:
Veuve Du Vernay Ice Rose has a Beautiful bright and vivid rosé colour with numerous, fine, sparkling bubbles. On the nose, it is fruity with prominent notes of wild berries. Ice Rose is well-balanced, full-bodied with good fruit and a fine acidic aftertaste which gives a lovely freshness.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
An elegant wine, well-balanced and pleasant, to be enjoyed on every occasion. To be served cold on its own, as an aperitif or with desserts.
Veuve Du Vernay Ice Blanc & Ice Rose 200 ml Minis
Veuve Du Vernay Ice Blanc & Ice Rose 200 ml Minis
Tres French and lively on the nose, Veuve du Vernay Brut Limited Edition it is a unique blend of chardonnay, colombard, and ugni blanc, light and just off-dry.
TASTING NOTES:
Classic and refined, it exhibits a light yellow hue and gives off aromas of yellow fruits and sweet floral notes.
On the palate crisp apple and nectarine flavours, heightened by hints of yeasty brioche and almond characters with complexities of confectioned citrus and vanilla.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
Did you say chic and essential? I’d make the perfect partner when snacking on appetizers or indulging in a yummy dessert.
Elegant and well-balanced sparkling wine, Veuve du Vernay Brut Rose is a well balanced blend of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache.
TASTING NOTES:
Fresh and delicate, a vivid pink colour giving off an expressive bouquet of red fruits complemented by smooth, velvety bubbles and raspberry and red fruit flavours on the palate.
DRINKING SUGGESTION:
Did you say chic and delicate?.
A great companion for a brunch or an instantly accessible rosé for an aperitif or dessert.
NO.3 LONDON DRY GIN
created in 2010
No. 3 London Dry Gin
No. 3 is the London Dry Gin distilled to a proprietary recipe of Berry Bros. & Rudd, London’s oldest wine and spirit merchant. With over 300 years of heritage, tradition and expertise that allow BBR to make this claim, and a reputation as a business that is trusted to offer the finest products.
Overlooking St James’s Palace in the heart of London, No.3 St. James’ Street has been home to Berry Bros. & Rudd since 1698. Holding two Royal Warrants, Berry Bros. & Rudd continues to supply the royal family, as it has done since the reign of King George III.
It is this historic address that inspired the name for No.3 London Dry Gin, a gin born of the merchant’s three centuries of experience. The key on the bottle was inspired by the key to the lock in the door of the parlour at the heart of the shop of No.3. Just as the liquid itself is steeped in tradition, so too is the high shouldered green bottle in which No.3 finds itself, inspiration being drawn from the open pontil gin bottles that date back to the 17th century.
As Simon Berry recounts; “The aim was simple. To create the perfect gin, with juniper at its heart, for making the Classic Dry Martini. Because if a gin can make a dry Martini it’s going to be extremely good however else you want to mix it.”
“On the nose there’s an instant and welcome hit of piney juniper with citrus and coriander very evident. In the mouth the juniper develops into a crispness nicely balanced by a soft spiciness. A classic.”
Geraldine Coates – Author: The Mixellany Guide to Gin
TASTING NOTES:
Nose:
Bright, crisp and fresh with an uplifting welcome of juniper.
Palate:
Juniper to the fore, supported by floral notes and spicy, warm cardamom. Plenty of citrus “zing” complemented by the gingery spiciness of coriander.
Finish:
The earthy dryness of angelica kicks in.
FERNET-BRANCA
FOUNDED IN 1845
About Fernet-Branca
Founded in 1845, Fernet-Branca maintains throughout time its personality and originality. Its secret formula, passed from generation to generation, is a great example of experience and passion of “doing”, which has guaranteed over time the excellent quality of Fernet-Branca.
Fernet-Branca is an all-natural aromatic bitter (amaro). Sourced from 4 continents, the 27 herbs, roots and spices are the basis which gives the typical brown colour of the liquid, then infused in alcohol, extracted and slowly matured in Slavonian oak barrels for a year. To drink Fernet-Branca is not only an experience of the palate but also of the mind, an authentic cognitive journey across the tastes of 4 continents.
The discovery of Fernet-Branca is an adventurous journey amidst flavours and emotions. It is a unique journey that is bound to establish a new and intense relationship that will last a lifetime. Three sips to get to know each other and be together forever.
Sip 1 … The first sip is rapture and the sudden discovery of something unexpected; truth reveals itself. The natural bitter taste of Fernet-Branca and its herbs presents itself firmly to the palate, and like the beginning of a great novel reveals its quality while concealing its secrets. Just when you start to think that it might be best to give up, you are drawn by the curiosity to have another sip.
Sip 2 … The start of an engaging journey, where you discover the wide range of spices that interact harmoniously and secretly. The palate senses the depth of the flavour from the botanical herbs and spices and begins, on its own, to recompose the structure of the Fernet-Branca taste. The nose picks up the myrrh and its unexpected softness, while the bitter taste becomes sophisticated, tannic and pleasantly balsamic.
Sip 3 … As you take the 3rd sip, the pleasure remains, and is emboldened by the challenges of your journey thus far. The pleasure highlights the most reassuring aromas of the spices and freshness of the herbs, and finally reveals the exotic side of Fernet-Branca. The experience has now transformed and the sweeter and more delicate notes of the plants and flowers come to the fore, leaving the bitter taste in the background. The olfactory perception is completed and the palate is ready to welcome new discoveries from all future sips.
BRANCA-MENTA
founded in 1962
About Branca Menta
Brancamenta is born in the 1960s, a time period characterized by great changes, from the economic boom, to a new way of life – more individualistic and less conformist and therefor of great desires for new experiences, even in tastes and flavours.
Fratelli Branca Distillerie, thanks to the great and special intuition that has always characterized it, decides to study and embark on a production project of a drink perfect for all seasons and creates Brancamenta, a product that surprises its consumers and aficionados through its “thrill of intense pleasure”.
It is also ideal in the irresistible Mintonic cocktail. The recipe is extremely simple: crushed lime, a spoonful of brown sugar and some mint leaves, add some crushed ice, add ⅕ Brancamenta and ⅘ tonic water and garnish with mint leaves.
At 60% proof, the secret formula consisting of herbs and spices is enriched by the essential oil of peppermint from Piedmont, the finest in the world. The result is a bitter liqueur of high quality, natural and very refreshing.The notes of mint combined with herbs and spices give the drink a unique scent and taste of extreme pleasantness, consistency and balance, characterized by the freshness of mint.
Brancamenta, perfect in every season, is an icon when drunk frozen either as an aperitif or during a long night of taste and style.
ANTICA FORMULA
CREATED IN 1786
About Antica Formula
The Italian Vermouth par excellence, sweet and with a slight vanilla aroma.
A unique and incomparable taste with rich and structured body, this product was created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, the inventor of the Vermouth Category back in 1786 in Turin.
Antica Formula still today maintains the authentic, one of a kind recipe mainly because of the passion and ability of Fratelli Branca Distillerie. Characterized by its taste and aroma from a selected infusion of mountain herbs and spices, such as saffron.
Produced in limited quantities, packaged in prestigious blown glass bottles and sealed with a cork. The label is the reproduction of the 1786 original label.
From its brilliant colour with highlights of amber, to the nose where a bouquet of vanilla emerges, coming together with notes of spices, citrus and dried fruits like raisins and cloves. To the palate a rich vanilla taste emerges, with hints of bitter orange, dates, cocoa beans, cherries and saffron.
Ideal to drink on ice with an orange peel, as an aperitif or after dinner. It’s the main ingredient in cocktails such as Negroni, Americano or Hanky Panky, offered in the most exclusive restaurants and bars in Italy and worldwide
FIJI WATER
EARTH’S FINEST WATER
About FIJI WATER
On a remote Pacific island, 1,600 miles from the nearest continent, equatorial trade winds purify the clouds that begin FIJI® Water’s journey through one of the world’s last virgin ecosystems. As tropical rain falls on a pristine rain forest, it filters through layers of volcanic rock, slowly gathering the natural minerals and electrolytes that give FIJI Water its soft, smooth taste.
The water collects in a natural artesian aquifer, deep below the Earth’s surface, shielded from external elements by confining layers of rock. Natural pressure forces the water towards the surface, where it’s bottled at the source, free from human contact until you unscrew the cap.
Untouched by man™. Earth’s Finest Water®.
Earth’s Finest Water®
FIJI Water was founded in 1996 out of the desire to share the earth’s finest water with the world. Today, it is available in leading hotels, fine restaurants, retail locations, as well as by direct delivery. As a leading export of the Fiji Islands, FIJI Water is now the number one imported bottled water in the United States and is enjoyed in over 60 countries across the globe.
FIJI Water is committed to doing business responsibly and seeking opportunities to make a difference. That means investing in its communities and the environment and focusing its efforts around meaningful issues with like-minded partners to enable positive change.
