Tod & Vixen
If you are after a gin that has been specially created by bartenders (lead by the late Gary (gaz) Regan and including Leo Robitschek and Jeffery Morganthaler), then this gin could be the ticket. A lively mix of British Sensibility and American Mischief, Tod & Vixen has been specifically designed to enhance the flavours of gin cocktails. With macerating botanicals and non-chill filtering to retain the unearthed profile, the resulting sip is bold on the entry, giving way to a well-balanced, vibrant gin with a weighty mouthfeel.
For more information on Tod & Vixen, go to thevalefox.com
Hayman’s Small Gin
As we all look to drink less but better, Hayman’s have introduced a full-strength gin with stronger botanical flavours which they have designed to reduce the amount of spirit required to serve a Gin & Tonic. With just 5ml of Hayman’s Small Gin is required to make a balanced G&T, the theory is that it can reduce alcohol consumption by 80%. With a little thimble (which is provided) able to measure you 5mls exactly, this is the perfect solution if you want to mix a true G&T but with just a fraction of the alcohol.
For more information on Hayman’s Small Gin, go to haymansgin.com – to buy go to masterofmalt.com
Gospel Whiskey
If you’ve never experimented with a solera system aged whiskey, then this is not a bad place to start. Made with Australian Rye grown in the Mallee, the whiskey goes through a double distillation before being matured in a two-story-tall bespoke solera system composed of new American oak and Australian wine barrels. The result is a sweeter-styled rye with hints of toffee apple, buttered Ryvita, light caramel fudge and low-key muddled mint. It’s silky and very accessible rye with a winey twist. Try it with dry ginger ale and a slice of orange.
For more information the The Gospel’s Solera Rye, go to thegospelwhiskey.com – to buy go to nicks.com
Bottled NOgroni
Seedlips NOgroni first debuted at The World’s Best Bar Awards in 2017, where it proved popular and appeared on several bar lists around the world as a result. The concoction is a blend of Seedlip Spice 94, Æcorn Bitters and Æcorn Aromatic. Seedlip Drinks has now launched a bottled version of its non-alcoholic Negroni to celebrate the original cocktail’s 100th anniversary year. Available in 20cl (or 200mls) bottles (which serves two), this ready-to-drink is as complex, bitter and citrusy as you would expect, with hints of chinotto orange, grapefruit, allspice and gentian.
For more information on the bottled NOgroni, go to seedlipdrinks.com
Curatif Negroni
If on the other hand, you are after a boozier original version of the Negroni in a ready-to-drink, then Curatif’s canned version has all the flavour with the added convenience of being able to be enjoyed where and when you choose. Using only the finest spirits and liqueurs from the world’s best brands, the brand aims to reduce our environmental footprint with a product that holds sustainability at it heart. Using the award-winning Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin, this Negroni has the classic Campari taste followed by the sweet, fruity notes of Vermouth.
For more information on Curatif, go to curatif.com
Dos Hombres
When Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul aren’t Breaking Bad, the pair are travelling the agave route with a new mezcal brand called Dos Hombres. A unique blend of the finest Espadin agave, hand-selected from the hillsides of a small village in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Mezcal is touted as being “so damn good even people who don’t think they like mezcal will love it”. The Mezcal has a nose of apple aromas followed by fresh fruity notes. Those fruity notes extend to the taste with hints of mango and sapote, followed by a soft hint of wood.
For more information on Dos Hombres, go to doshombres.com
Schofield’s Dry Vermouth
A complex blend of botanicals infused in English white wine, Schofield’s Dry Vermouth is crisp, dry and aromatic. Created by acclaimed bartender brothers, Joe & Daniel Schofield, this is the perfect Vermouth for a Martini. A criminally neglected category, the brothers wanted to create a Vermouth that was packed with aromatic, bitterness, vibrant citrus notes and some intense floral aromas. Using a secret blend of 28 botanicals, the Vermouth is quite floral with strong notes of elderflower and jasmine.
For more information on Schofield’s Dry Vermouth, go to asterleybros.com
Scapegrace Black Gin
If you want to add a little dark magic to your gin cocktails, the Scapegrace has created the world’s first naturally black gin. Made from a blend of unusual botanicals, including Aronia berry, saffron, pineapple, butterfly pea flower and sweet potato, which work together to create a naturally black brew. But if Black seems a little threatening, don’t worry Scapegrace Black doesn’t stay dark for long. The inclusion of pH-sensitive butterfly pea flower turns the tipple various shades of pink, blue and purple depending on the acidity levels of the mixers added.
For more information on Scapegrace Black, go to scapegracegin.com
Black Juniper Amaro
And keeping with the dark theme, Never never Distillery has created a Black Juniper Amaro. Part of their Dark Series, the Amaro was created in collaboration with award-winning Melbourne bar Black Pearl, the Amaro combines three different juniper components: roasted juniper, basket juniper and fresh juniper. Extracting dark and earthy characteristics from the berry, it adds bitterness and a slight menthol note to the final amaro blend. Traditional alpine herbs such as gentian and wormwood develop bitterness and length, creating layers of complexity.
For more information on Black Juniper Amaro, go to neverneverdistilling.com.au
Charles Merser & Co
Created by the Hayman (Gin) family, Charles Mercer & Co is the first rum blending house to open in London in over 100 years. The rum itself is distilled in the Caribbean but is blended in London. In keeping with the traditions set by London’s merchant blending houses of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, there’s no sugar or colouring to be seen here, just good old fashioned rum rested in oak. Creamy and elegant, this rum has the taste of stone fruit to the fore and a degree of Jamaican funk in the background.
For more information go to charlesmerser.com – to purchase go to masterofmalt.com
Johnnie Walker Game Of Thrones Whiskey
Who doesn’t love a collaboration and Johnnie Walker have definitely walked in the right direction with their Song Of Fire & Song Of Ice releases. Song Of Ice is made from a blend of single malt whiskies from Clynelish—one of Scotland’s most northern distilleries—and promises a crisp, clean taste with a cold, smooth finish. Song Of Fire has the flavours of subtle smoke from the heated malts of the Caol Ila distillery, which is located near Port Askaig on the isle of Islay, delivering a full-bodied flavour which lends a warm, smooth finish.
The Limted edition is available through Dan Murphy’s – Song Of Ice & Song Of Fire
Proper 12
MMA fighter and boxer Conor McGregor has stepped in to the ring of whiskey making with Proper No. Twelve, a blended Irish whiskey produced with the help of former Bushmills distillery manager David Elder. Featuring malt and grain whiskeys drawn from bourbon barrels, the team created nearly 100 blends before deciding upon the one in the bottle. Proper No. Twelve takes its name from Dublin 12, the area where McGregor grew up. This whiskey has notes of orchard fruit and honey, backed up by a kick of white pepper and finished with a drizzle of caramel.
For more information on Proper 12, go to properwhiskey.com
