Conde de Cuba
10th May 2019
In the IX Century, rum became a quality and valued drink. Distilleries and brands emerged with the support of the Spanish crown. Cuba was the birthplace of rum.
Cuba also produces a lighter, crisper rum than elsewhere in the Caribbean thanks to a request from the Spanish Crown, which preferred its spirits delicate in flavour.
Conde de Cuba rum is harvested, distilled, aged and bottled in a little town with no more than 2,000 people from the province of Las Tunas, in Amancio Rodriguez, south east of Cuba, a land whose climate is ideal for the cultivation of the 100% autochthonous sugarcane “medialuna”.
The 11 year opens with a nose of fresh pineapple and orange flesh, with a nuttiness on the palate and a freshness balancing the rich flavours, leading to a long finish.
The Clément Canne Bleue 2018 est arrivé…
8th May 2019
Welcome to the world of ‘Clément Canne Bleue’, the first mono-varietal white rhum agricole made from a single variety of sugarcane, unique for its bluish colour and unparalleled aromatic power.
The unconventional design of this limited edition features a tattoo theme, paying tribute to the sailors and bartenders of the world, who have been loyal to Clément and their rums for over 140 years.
The limited edition Clément Canne Bleue Vintage 2018 is refreshing and spicy, with aromas of black and pink pepper heightened subtly with fruity and vegetal accents including liquorice, new grass, sugarcane and citrus. Perfect in traditional recipes of the Ti’Punch… and any cocktail calling for a truly exceptional rum.
Amathus has assumed exclusive distribution of Sassy Cidre in the UK market
3rd May 2019
Sassy is the new, disruptive face of traditional Normandy Cidre. Its vision is to revolutionise the perception of artisanal cidre for a new generation. Its home – the Château de Sassy in Normandy – has preserved the tradition of cider and calvados making since 1852, thanks to co-founder Xavier d’Audiffret Pasquier’s family and their love for the terroir. In order to develop an innovative product that still respects these traditional techniques, the founders worked with a renowned cellar master to create carefully reworked recipes.
The result – a production process that relies only on extracting the fruit juice itself and which creates a product that is 100% natural, free from additives and concentrates. This ensures a fresh, smooth drink and reveals a well-balanced flavour across three varieties – Brut, Rosé and Poiré. From these carefully selected varieties of apples and pears, to the bottling, Sassy is proud to say that everything is locally-sourced.
”We are delighted to be partnering with Amathus as our UK distributor and exclusive importer. Our mission is to change the perception of cider and reinvigorate the category, finally putting Normandy on the map – and we firmly believe that Amathus is ideally-placed to help us achieve this. Their premium portfolio and mindset closely align with our values and ambitions at Maison Sassy and we are looking forward to working closely together” says Xavier.
Simon Bradbury, Sales and Marketing Director at Amathus comments, ‘“We are thrilled to be welcoming Sassy to our portfolio of exclusive, quality products. The combination of 167 years of expertise in making great tasting cider along with a modern design, lower ABVs, to appeal to the growing number of consumers who want a lighter alternative, and its mixability in long drinks and cocktails makes it a great fit for us and our ever expanding portfolio.”
Bernard-Massard Masterclass – 28th May 2019
Bernard-Massard is the leading producer of sparkling wines in Luxembourg; a country that has the perfect climate for making top-quality fizz. Their Cuvée L’Ecusson has won the Decanter award for world’s best value sparkling, and the wines regularly outperform well-known Champagne brands. In addition they produce a range of high-quality dry wines from their old vineyards on the banks of the river Moselle.
We’ll be joined by Niels from Bernard-Massard at our Soho store, who will lead us through a selection of their award-winning range as below.
Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut NV
Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut Rosé NV
Bernard-Massard Millésime Brut 2015
Clos des Rochers Pinot Blanc 2016
Clos des Rochers Riesling 2016
Book now.
Avantis Estate Masterclass – 21st May 2019
Avantis Estate is one of the leading wineries of Greece. Located on the island of Evia, since 1830 they have built a reputation for growing a wide range of both indigenous and international grape varieties in their mountain vineyards.
The wines combine tradition with modernity and range from vibrant, mineral whites through to reds of great depth and complexity that are amongst the best of Greece, plus the country’s finest rosé.
We’re delighted to be joined by winemaker Apostolos Balatsos at Amathus City, who will guide you through their outstanding range of wines.
Avantis Estate White 2018
Avantis Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Avantis Estate Dolphins Santorini 2018
Avantis Estate Falcon’s Hill Rosé 2017
Avantis Estate Mavrokoudoura 2015
Avantis Estate Agios Chronos 2013
Amathus Drinks is now the exclusive importer of Sherry producer Bodegas Argüeso
12th April 2019
Amathus Drinks is now the exclusive distributor of Sherry producer Bodegas Argüeso for the UK market.
Bodegas Argüeso was founded in 1822 in coastal Sanlucar de Barrameda, one of the three great towns of the Sherry triangle and the home of Manzanilla. They work with old vineyards in the highly regarded coastal Miraflores sector to produce a range of award-winning Sherries in all the major styles.
Recently, Argüeso have benefited from substantial investment allowing them to upgrade the cellars and take the quality of their wines to a new level. This has included the installation of a team of in-house coopers to maintain and improve the quality of their hundreds of mature barrels.
Amathus has worked closely with the winery to develop the inaugural release of the “Argüeso 1822” range, which delivers a superb selection of older wines and smart, modern packaging to the market for the first time. This represents an uplift in quality from the standard range of Argüeso sherries.
The first Amathus shipment also includes the Manzanilla San Léon, winner of the 2017 IWC Trophy for Best Manzanilla.
Amathus Drinks’ Head of Wine, Jeremy Lithgow MW said: “It has been a real pleasure working closely with Bodegas Argüeso to select, blend and develop this range. Argüeso are a great house with a tremendous inventory of older sherry, and we are delighted to be playing a part in their revival. The potential here is enormous and we are excited by the numerous possibilities this collaboration offers”.
Amathus Drinks and Bodegas Argüeso will display their new range of sherries for the first time at The Big Fortified tasting on April 16th.
Experience the Essence of Chile with De Gras
3rd April 2019
Amathus Drinks has assumed sole distribution of top Chilean wine brand De Gras, previously distributed by Enotria.
De Gras is one of Chile’s iconic and most widely awarded wine estates, producing a broad range of varietals from their vineyards in the heart of Colchagua Valley alongside a selection of aromatic styles from the coastal Leyda district. The range varies between pure, fruit driven highly expressive single-varietal wines to a selection of world-class red blends that rank amongst the finest Chile has to offer.
Since their arrival in Chile over a century ago from their native Barcelona, the Gras family has been working towards producing world-class wines from Chile’s best terroirs. They have been growing vines since 1940, and today their winemaking and viticulture are certified sustainable.
The first shipment consists of a comprehensive range of wines, from the estate single varietals through to their world-class single vineyard Ninquén. This coincides with a repackaging of the range which has successfully premiumised the look and feel of the wines.
Amathus Drinks’ Head of Wine, Jeremy Lithgow MW said: “We are extremely happy to welcome De Gras into our rapidly-growing portfolio. We felt this iconic family-owned estate matched our own profile and ambitions for growth. The wines offer exceptional value and quality at all levels along with a strong brand identity. We are looking forward to continuing to add wineries of this stature to our range over the coming year.”
There’s more to the wines of Navarra than Rosé
15th March 2019
Imbibe selects its top five favourite Navarra wines from last weeks Wines from Spain tasting at London’s Sky Garden. No surprise to see that the outstanding Bodegas Ochoa Reserva 2010 made the list, quoting ‘the nose is fragrant and appealing, led by fresh fruit with characteristic sour cherry and red plum notes and just a hint of tertiary aromas. One for cellaring, with lots to say in the next decade or so.’ Read the full article here…
American Whiskey Tasting – 21st March 2019
The vastness of America, both in terms of geography and its love for whiskey, means that there is a great, diverse array of delicious whiskies available. Bourbon is the most prevalent style throughout the States, closely followed by Rye Whiskey – but it doesn’t just stop there, with so many other types of American Whiskey to explore and taste and here’s where we come in.
For one night only we will be hosting an American Whiskey tasting at Amathus Bath, hosted by our very own whiskey guru, Marlowe Harris. On tasting will be a selection of six whiskies from the likes of Kings County, Koval, Reservoir and Whiskey Thief – all very different in taste and style.
Amathus Drinks ships new agencies from Priorat and Montsant
8th March 2019
Amathus Drinks continue to expand their portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant. The wines were showcased for the first time to both Trade and Consumers at the Wines from Spain annual tasting on Thursday, 7th of March st Sky Garden in London.
In 1999, Carme Figuerola and Raimon Castellvi founded Celler l’Encastell, an 8-hectare estate making small volumes of highly concentrated red wines from ancient vineyards, some over 100 years old. The hills of Priorat are the source of some of Spain’s most highly sought-after wines. Here, the high altitude and iron-rich slate soils combine to create wines of great personality, depth and minerality. Carme and Raimon work their steep, low-yielding terraced vineyards entirely by hand. This tiny estate produces wines which easily match the most famous names of the region.
The first shipment consists of two wines from the outstanding 2015 vintage, dominated by old-vine Garnatxa; Marge and Roquers de Porrera.
Montsant is a region that surrounds Priorat at a slightly lower altitude and offers similar wines that are slightly more approachable in both style and price. Since 1917, Celler Masroig has been producing wines using fruit originating from their vineyards situated on dry, red clay soil, surrounded by their extensive olive groves. They create clean, modern wines that capture the essence of both region and variety in an approachable, fruit-forward yet complex and mineral style that offers superb value.
The Carinena-focused 2016 Rojalet Seleccio and 2016 Les Sorts Sycar are the two new wines Amathus has shipped from Celler Masroig for the UK market.
Jeremy Lithgow MW, Head of Wine at Amathus Drinks explained: “Spain continues to offer value and quality at all levels, and as part of the ongoing premiumisation and diversification of our wine portfolio it was important for us represent this. We tasted many samples from Priorat and Montsant and these two producers stood out in both senses, with exceptional wines displaying great typicity at sensible prices”.
Hot off the Press
8th March 2019
Our very own Fattoria Tregole Chianti Classico Le Pigole DOCG 2015 was recently featured in ‘The 12 best wines by women to drink this International Women’s Day’ by The Independent.
Quoting ‘Tregole, a picture-perfect vineyard set in Tuscany’s Chianti region, is home to Sophie Conte who has followed in her father’s footsteps to produce organic Italian wine. Created with Sangiovese grapes, this is a structured wine with notes of cherry and redcurrants and an aromatic floral perfume. As you’d expect from this part of the world, it pairs well with a selection of antipasti, grilled vegetables and pasta.’ Read the full article here.
New In – Barceló Imperial Onyx
25th February 2019
The latest addition to Barceló’s exceptional and award-winning portfolio is the Imperial Onyx; a rich blend of premium rums aged for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks with a “heavy char” grade. The spirit is then filtered through onyx stones, which give Imperial Onyx the mysticism that characterises this unique rum.
Barceló Imperial Onyx possesses an amber mahogany colour with a robust structured body. The taste profile features toasted aromas with a subtle touch of cherry, coffee and dried fruits as well as deep notes of wood and vanilla, creating an intense sensation that ends with a long and persistent aftertaste.
New In – Hvenus Rye Whisky
25th February 2019
The latest release from Spirit of Hven is a superb Rye, inspired by US whiskies and assembled with the typical precision and grace of this island distillery. The whisky is a blend of four recipes, with a large rye content (78.6%) and the remainder made up by wheat, corn and barley, all aged from 3-6 years in 100% Quercus Alba casks.
Hvenus continues the astronomical theme that runs through Henric Molin’s whiskies, a homage to Tycho Brahe, the renaissance astronomer who was the island’s most famous son. The name has subtler connotations too: the prefix -us references the American oak that pairs with Hven’s distillate, and in alchemy the distillers’ art, the planet Venus was associated with the metal copper, the essential material of the whisky still.
A spicy, peppery nose with notes of vanilla and eucalyptus; initially spicy on the palate with chocolate and dark fruit. Exceptional balance and an oily mouthfeel, followed by a lengthy, rich finish.
Woodstock Masterclass – 6th March 2019
The Woodstock vineyard is one of Australia’s oldest; first planted in 1905 by settlers from the Oxfordshire town of the same name. Located in the South Australian winemaking heartland of Mclaren Vale, today the estate is owned by the Collett family.
Award-winning winemaker Scott Collett and the world-renowned Ben Glaetzer craft a sensational range of white, red, sweet and fortified wines from 18 hectares of vineyards, which include Shiraz vines that are up to 110 years old. Many people see Australia very much as a “New World” producer, but vineyards such as these are a timely reminder of its long history of winemaking.
General Manager of the estate, Simon Spier, joins us fresh off the plane from Down Under to explore their fantastic range.
On tasting…
Woodstock Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Woodstock Octogenarian Grenache 2015
Woodstock The Stocks Shiraz 2015
Woodstock ‘Deep Sands’ Shiraz Cabernet 2014
Woodstock Botrytis Semillon 2013
Woodstock Muscat
Woodstock Very Old Fortified (20yo)
Ochoa Masterclass – 6th March 2019
Founded in 1845, Bodegas Ochoa is one of Navarra’s oldest and most celebrated producers, responsible for raising the profile of the whole region through the outstanding quality of their wines. The estate has also shown itself to be an innovator through the pioneering achievements of Javier Ochoa since the 1980’s. The father-daughter partnership continues to this day, with winemaker Adriana Ochoa being the sixth generation of her family to make wines in the region.
We’re delighted to welcome Beatriz Ochoa who will guide you through a selection of 7 wines from the estate, including some delicious mature vintages.
“Ochoa’s range goes from fresh, fruity young reds through rosés and whites to complex, aged reds. The wines are excellent, the reservas and gran reservas especially showing depth and complexity.” Adam Lechmere, Decanter
What’s on tasting…
Ochoa Calendas White Viura Chardonnay 2017
Ochoa Series 8A Mil Gracias Graciano Crianza 2013
Ochoa Tempranillo Crianza 2014
Ochoa Vinedos & Bodegas Reserva 2011
Ochoa Gran Reserva 2009
Ochoa Finca Montijo 2005
Ochoa Vinedos & Bodegas Moscatel 2016 (50cl)
Rhum Clément – Top 10 Trending Rum Brands in the World
31st January 2019
It’s a win win… 2019 has certainly kicked off with a bang for Rhum Clément, awarded eighth place in the Top 10 Trending Rum Brands in the world. This list of winners, compiled every year by the professional magazine Drinks International, is an excellent showcase and insight into the current trends in the global spirits market.
Audrey Bruisson, Marketing Manager for the brand comments, “We are committed to promoting our brand in the bartending world. It is important to remember that bartenders are often our best ambassadors. By offering them products that are authentic and brimming with history and culture, we are giving these gifted communicators the chance to tell their clients a story through the cocktails they craft. This really gives us an edge!”.
A well deserved win for a remarkable brand.
Sullivans Cove Masterclass – 5th February 2019
Join us on Tuesday, 5th February at Amathus City for a tasting of some of the world’s best single malt whiskies from Sullivans Cove in Tasmania. The evening will be hosted by their Production Manager, Heather Tillott, who will take you on a journey through the history and range of Sullivans Cove, followed by a tasting of the outstanding range.
Sullivans Cove produce old-fashioned, single cask, single malt whisky, because that’s what they like to drink. The whiskies are made from 100% Tasmanian barley, fermented by local breweries, then double distilled in their unique Tasmanian-built-and-modified pot still (her name is Myrtle).
Allowed to mature over many years in the rare Tasmanian climate, the whiskies are rustic, complex and textural. With the oldest stocks of any Australian distillery, the current bottlings include whiskies up to 18 years of age. The whiskies themselves are not defined by age statement: casks are bottled when they are ready.
As a single cask distillery, just one cask is bottled at a time, allowing each barrel to express its unique character. Every time a bottle of Sullivans Cove is opened, a new page is added to their story.
Tickets are £20pp, book now…
Org de Rac – a Brand New Organic South African Estate for the UK
17th January 2019
Org de Rac is an award-winning, organically certified estate located in the fashionable region of Swartland, today the source of many of South Africa’s most exciting wines.
Org de Rac was established in 2001 as one of the first fully organic producers of South Africa and in 2005, the first wines were produced from low-yielding vineyards on well-drained south facing slopes. The wines are crafted by talented veteran winemaker Frank Meaker who has also overseen the shift towards completely vegan production methods. This pioneering producer makes a wide range of wines, all with the common thread of great value and varietal definition.
Across the board the wines frequently receive 4 stars and above from the influential John Platter guide, as well as regular gold medals from the South African Michelangelo wine awards.
Our first shipment includes a fresh, citrus and herb-driven Sauvignon Blanc, a Merlot of incredible complexity for the price, a rich, textured Chardonnay and a Rhone-style Syrah. In addition, a pair of stunning red and white blends under their Die Waghuis label have been imported.
Amathus Head of Wine Jeremy Lithgow MW said: “We’re really pleased to be representing Org de Rac in the UK. We were bowled over by the quality/value ratio of these wines when we tried them and it’s particularly important to us that they are at the forefront of the South African organic movement, as this is a direction in which we are increasingly heading as a business.”
The Latest Additions to the Amathus Wine Portfolio
16th January 2019
Leading Bierzo winery Bodega del Abad has just joined the wine portfolio of Amathus Drinks. The Bierzo region located in Northwest Spain is experiencing a surge of popularity as sommeliers and consumers are attracted by the combination of ripe yet fresh, elegant, mineral wines which pair superbly with food. The region enjoys a unique microclimate, resulting from the combination of both Atlantic and Mediterranean continental climates, while the steep slate-soiled hillsides are perfect for the production of high-quality grapes. Bodega del Abad was founded in 2000 with a hi-tech winery, and now has 35 hectares of vines split between the red Mencia grape, and the white Godello. The majority of the vineyards are at high altitude and some are over 100 years old. Both red and white wines range from light, fresh unoaked styles to powerful complex barrel aged wines. The value for money across the board is outstanding.
The last 12 months has seen a burst of activity for the wine division of Amathus drinks, with 12 new producers added to their growing portfolio of wine agencies.
The year started with the high profile signing of leading Champagne house Duval-Leroy, and continued with the addition of organic estates Petit Roubié and Château La Liquière from the Languedoc, alongside Mas Cristine and Champ des Soeurs from the Roussillon. Other additions include Prosecco producer 8cento and from the Northern Rhône Roland Grangier in St-Joseph and Condrieu, plus the organic Laurent Habrard in Crozes-Hermitage. Progressive Greek producer Avantis Estate further increased the diversity of the portfolio, as did the high-scoring Addendum Napa Cabernets from the team behind Fess Parker. A range of petit château Bordeaux from across the region has added increased depth to the range.
Further new listings from Spain, South Africa, France and Japan amongst others are to be confirmed very soon, while the rest of 2019 promises a similar wave of new agencies from across the globe as Amathus continue to build a wine range to match the wide-ranging spirit selection for which they are renowned.
Amathus Head of Wine, Jeremy Lithgow MW, said recently: “What Amathus is building is truly exciting; the route to market established by our diverse spirits agencies alongside our ability to offer a comprehensive wholesale package has given us the foundation to build a wine business with the ability to compete against the more established players in the market. Not only are we looking to provide a range of great value every day essentials, but also to offer a diverse range of wines at all levels from quality-driven estates delivering real excitement from all corners of the globe.”
Mas Cristine Masterclass – 7th February 2019
15 years ago, seduced by the combination of sun, sea and affordable old vines, Englishman Andy Cook moved to the beautiful French seaside town of Collioure in the deep south of the Roussillon, just a few miles from the Spanish border. Under the Tramontane and Mas Cristine labels today he makes a range of delicious, aromatic, textured white wines and ripe spicy reds plus an outstanding oxidatively aged fortified sweet white. Crafted from ancient low-yielding vineyards planted on steep schist soils, these have established a great reputation in France and beyond.
We’re delighted that Andy will be joining us to present a full range of his superb wines at our Soho shop on the 7th February.
The following wines will be available to taste:
Tramontane Cotes Catalanes Blanc VDP 2017 (Macabeu)
Mas Cristine Cotes du Roussillon Blanc 2017
Tramontane Cotes Catalanes Rouge VDP 2017 (Grenache)
Mas Cristine Cotes du Roussillon Rouge 2017
Terrimbo Collioure Red 2016 Organic
Mas Cristine Rivesaltes Ambré NV
Reservoir Rye
10th January 2019
Reservoir Rye makes it into Cigars Lover Magazine’s Top 10 Whiskies of the Year. Quote ‘harmonious and structured…’ Read more here.
Rémy Martin Masterclass – 31st January 2019
Join us for a tutored tasting of the sublime Cognacs of Rémy Martin at Amathus Bath on the 31st January. The tasting will be hosted by Jack Charlton (Rémy Martin Brand Ambassador UK) who will present, talk and taste through the VSOP, 1738, XO & rare Carte Blanche. The evening will finish with a cocktail masterclass incorporating their fabulous Cognac.
Limited spaces available so book now.
Burgundy Tasting – 31st January 2019
Join us on Thursday, 31st January for a Burgundy tasting at Amathus City. Burgundy is home to the world’s finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This fantastic tasting will focus on some of the region’s most exciting winemakers, many being shown for the first time in the UK. The producers on tasting will include Domaines Gueguen and Charly Nicolle from Chablis, Philippe Le Hardi, Pierre Maizière, Roger Belland, Jean-Luc Joillot, Philippe Bouzereau, Chantal Lescure and Georges Roy from the Côte d’Or, Domaine de l’Ecette from Rully and Georges Burrier from the Mâcon. We’ll be tasting a selection of the outstanding recently released 2017s alongside some older vintages.
The wines will be presented by our very own Burgundy expert and Master of Wine; Jeremy Lithgow MW. All the wines will be available to order at special prices on the night, and your ticket price is refundable against purchases.
Lumière – One of Japan’s top Koshu Producers
7th January 2019
The Drinks Business profiles Japan’s top Koshu producers and Lumière has made the list. Quote ‘One can also find brilliant Koshus from Lumière Winery. Also located in Yamanashi, this producer offers two notable Koshus that add to the diversity and interest of the grape from Japan. One is a lovely sparkling version that captures all of the refreshing lemon-scented appeal of the grape. It also pairs wonderfully with delicate raw fish dishes, particularly as the fizz is bone dry – the wine contains no dosage. The other comes in an amber hue, and is named Lumière Prestige Orangé Koshu. Created by allowing the grape must to stay in contact with its skins for up to two weeks, the wine taps into an increasing demand for orange wines in Japan. Peachy with a strong aroma of dried tea leaves, and a gently grippy finish, this is an excellent example of this type of wine.’
Coedo Marihana
Coedo was founded in the early 1970s, in the city of Kawagoe. Unfortunately, there is no independent malting industry in Japan meaning that it is difficult for local brewers to get the malt of the barley or wheat locally cultivated for lack of malt-producers. As a result of this, they came up with the idea of utilising sweet potatoes, which are one of the most popular and well-known agricultural produce from the region of Kawagoe, Saitama. Following this they succeeded in developing the recipe of the world’s first sweet potato beer in 1996, called Coedo Beniaka.
The Marihana, meaning “hop flower” in Japanese, is the latest release from Coedo and has a delicate, citrusy hop aroma. With the contrast of its light golden hues and fluffy white head, this session IPA delivers a highly drinkable beer without sacrificing on flavour. The beautiful aroma and sophisticated bitterness, combined with the balance of hops, gives this beer everything one could want in an IPA, with a lower alcohol content for drinkability.
Duval-Leroy Extra Brut Prestige 1er Cru NV
Champagne Duval-Leroy Extra Brut Prestige 1er Cru NV has been shortlisted as one of the ‘Best Christmas Champagnes: Vintage and Non-Vintage Bottles to Buy’ and awarded 91 points by Decanter. Quoting ‘this blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir is sourced from both premier cru and grand cru villages and includes nearly 50% of reserve wine. It undergoes a short period of barrel-ageing, producing a dynamic, well-delineated Champagne full of fresh, delicate white fruit and brioche. It needs a few minutes to open up and fully reveal its appealing aromatic expression, but it’s a spot-on aperitif fizz’. Read more here.
New In – Reservoir
Reservoir Distillery in Virginia was founded by old school friends Dave Cuttino and Jay Carpenter, with the aim of focussing purely on quality rather than quantity. They wanted to honour their Southern heritage, but also tear up whatever rules they needed to make the whisky they wanted to make, and drink. Every step of the process, from dirt to bottle, is tailored to produce the best possible result: a long, open fermentation; a French pot still; a custom char to the barrels, which are made from hand-picked local trees. Even the grains are all from local farms, from farmers known personally to Jay and Dave.
The heart of the distillery are the three main whiskies: Bourbon, Wheat and Rye, each of which is a single grain mash bill, separately aged. Fantastic as straight whiskies, they can also be blended depending on preference (Dave is partial to a ‘wheated rye’). The single grains are also blended at the distillery to make Hunter & Scott, an everyday sipper or cocktail bourbon, and recreations such as Holland’s Ghost, which resurrects a long-gone iconic bourbon. Finally, they continue to innovate, from finishing in wine casks – the Maison de Cuivre – to teaming up with local breweries to distil IPA and Gingerbread Stout. Quality, innovation and above all fine whisky.
New In – Fox & Fox
With so much English fizz around, we had to search long and hard to find a producer who we felt delivered really outstanding wines at a competitive price, and when Fox & Fox came out well ahead of many more famous names in a blind tasting we knew we’d struck gold. Jonica and Gerard Fox have been growing vines since 2004 on the clay and sandstone soils of the ancient Sussex High Wealds which are climatically similar to Champagne.
The wines are made from the 3 major Champagne varieties alongside Pinot Gris, with incredible attention to detail and distinguished by their extended time of lees, which lends the wines great depth and complexity allied to an uncommonly fine and persistent mousse. In addition, the wines are all fully certified vegan and have won multiple awards.
Mosaic Brut 2014
A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir made in a soft, forward satiny style with gentle hawthorn, citrus, white peach and freshly baked bread notes. Fine balanced acidity and lovely sherbet mousse. A lovely, approachable sparkling of great appeal.
Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs 2013
98% Pinot Noir and 2 % Pinot Meunier. Impressive, rich, powerful sparkler with layers of ripe, honeyed fruit, notes of nectarine, toast and nuts. Great depth.
Inspiration Blanc de Blancs 2013
Mainly Pinot Gris with some Chardonnay. Vibrant flavours of lemon curd, yellow plum and brioche, with a generous creamy mouthfeel balanced by a thread of elegant grapefruit acidity and fine, lingering bubbles.
Perrier-Jouët Masterclass – 4th December 2018
We are delighted to invite you to an informal, educational & entertaining tasting of the Champagne Perrier-Jouët range at Amathus Soho on Tuesday, 4th December at 18.30PM.
The evening will be hosted by UK Perrier-Jouët Ambassador, Jonathan ‘JonnyFizz’ Simms, who will take you through some of the history of the wines of Champagne and the 207 years of history of the House of Perrier-Jouët, sharing the knowledge and the stories that he has garnered over the last 20 years of working in the UK wine trade.
The following will be available to taste:
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut N.V
Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé N.V
Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs N.V
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2011
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2006
Join us to explore the Champagnes of Perrier-Jouët and discover more about a house that infuses beauty into everyday life to make everyday life more beautiful.
Penley Estate’s Kate Goodman Wins Winemaker of the Year
It is with great honour that we can announce that Kate Goodman of Penley Estate has been awarded the Australian Women in Wine Awards, Winemaker of the Year.
The head winemaker of Penley Estate in Coonawarra, South Australia and the owner/winemaker of Goodman Wines in the Yarra Valley, Kate has established a career across two states making the styles of wine she loves.
Kate was presented with the award at Quay Restaurant, Sydney on Friday, 16 November by Garry King of Tonnellerie Saint Martin, sponsor of the Australian Women in Wine Awards. Kate was acknowledged for her deftness and agility to create a new generation of Penley Estate wines, while simultaneously establishing her own wine company in a few short years. Kate’s career spans nearly 30 years across familiar wine brands such as Wirra Wirra, Seppelt, Tim Knappstein and Punt Road Wines.
“While gender doesn’t necessarily make you a better winemaker, it is heart-warming to feel the support of other women in the industry and to use this award to encourage young women to achieve what they set out to do in the wine industry,” said Kate. “It can be a tough industry for anyone. It’s physical and can be dirty work but there is an active and strong community of women who make it easy for us to share, learn and acknowledge the challenges we can face so others find it easier to forge a rewarding career in wine. Importantly awards like this also demonstrates that anything is possible; it’s not just about being the loudest voice in the room.”
Goodman Wines became a reality in 2014 and in 2016 Kate’s long time friend Ang Tolley asked her to join the Penley Estate team as their chief winemaker to help them turn the company into a shining new light in Coonawarra. Ang said, “I knew Kate would bring something special to the Penley brand, owing to her love of Cabernet and her desire to push the boundaries. Bec and I are thrilled for Kate in receiving this award.” Bec was similarly impressed by Kate’s achievement, stating: “This award is well-deserved recognition of Kate’s incredible talents, we are so proud to have her as part of our Penley team.”
Ang and her sister Bec Tolley took the reins of Penley Estate from their brother Kym in 2015. As direct descendants of the Penfold family with lifelong ties to the South Australian wine industry they recognised the heart, talent and expertise of Kate to transform their wines into more bright, contemporary and universally attractive wines. She has worked with their heritage vineyard to create a more fresh and vibrant expression of Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz.
Shortly after Kate was awarded Winemaker of the Year, the Wine Spectator Top 100 was released and the Penley Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon made it into the top 100 for the second year in a row, coming in at number 28 with 93 points. A triumphant win for the Penley team and a true indication of Kate’s outstanding work. We can’t wait to see what’s next to come from Penley Estate.
Amathus Drinks Expands its Premium Drinks Retail Estate
New Openings in Brighton and Bath
Amathus Drinks Plc, the family owned and operated expanding premium drinks wholesaler, has announced that it has acquired two new retail stores: on Bath’s Green Street and on Prince Albert Street, Brighton. The new stores officially started trading on the 8th November 2018 and join the group’s existing retail outlets in Shoreditch, Leadenhall Market and the flagship store in Soho.
Harry Georgiou, Managing Director, said, “We’ve always believed that our premium stores played a vital role in bringing our rarer and unusual wines and exclusive spirits to the increasingly knowledgeable consumer, as well as fellow enthusiasts and on trade clientele. Our stores play a significant role in showcasing our exclusive agency portfolio, support our suppliers in reaching wider markets and enable us to fulfil our mission to bring ‘Drinks To The World’.”
Phil Duffy, Head of Spirits comments ‘’Our stores are a brilliant asset in London and provide both consumers and on-trade establishments with excellent service and access to our unrivalled portfolio. Moving into markets outside London is at once a logical next step and hugely exciting, allowing us to bring our exclusive products to a wider market.‘’
Jeremy Lithgow MW, who joined Amathus Drinks in 2017 to strengthen its wholesale wines offer, added, “Our growing retail presence allows us to work with a broader and more varied range of wines than we would have previously considered for the wholesale side of the business, including small parcels of fine and rare releases. They also give us the ideal platform for our producers to open and present their wines to our clients.”
This is the first new venture for the company since it acquired Coventry & Bristol wholesaler, Bablake Wines in 2015. Georgiou explained, “This investment is part of our strategy to expand nationally. The 2015 deal gave our wholesale operation a footprint that stretches from the south coast all the way to the borders and beyond.”
New In – Cognac Vaudon
Cognac is a fantastic spirit, and a category that’s deservedly generating more and more interest from bartenders and consumers alike. We’ve worked for nearly a decade with our peerless Grande Champagne Cognac, François Voyer, and have recently decided to expand our range to reflect the increasing spread of the category – and our own (Phil’s) enthusiasms! In addition to the heartrendingly beautiful 40yo Amathus birthday limited bottling from Voyer, we’ve just received our first bottles of Voyer Napoleon. Sitting neatly between the VSOP and XO, both in price and in style, this is an excellent sipping cognac: a little more complex than a VSOP, a little more robust than an XO, and very stunning.
In addition, we were looking to represent more of the region beyond the intensity of the GC, and in particular we were looking towards the Fins Bois, which tends to produce fruitier, slightly sweeter cognacs that age quicker. Serendipitously the maître de chai at Voyer, Pierre Vaudon, is also the custodian of his family estate, which is situated in a very specific area of this sprawling cru that was initially accorded a special status: the ‘Premières Bois’, or even ‘Champagne des Bois’. Harry, Joe and Phil put in a solid afternoon’s work blind-tasting nearly 30 cognacs, and Phil took on the arduous task of visiting the estate itself.
As a result, we now have four new Vaudon Cognacs (some images above): VSOP, Fine Rare, XO, and Barriques 78 and 80. We’ll have more technical specifications to follow, but for the time being:
• All distilled in the same style as Voyer
• All estate-grown Ugni Blanc grapes
• Fine Rare and Barriques are 100% Fins Bois
• VSOP and XO are ‘multicru’ – a blend of Grande Champagne and Fins Bois
New Bottlings from The English Whisky Company
It’s always a treat when we receive the new English Whisky Company releases, and this winter is particularly exciting. The St George’s Distillery is going from strength to strength, turning out remarkably complex and accomplished whiskies, with master distiller David Fitt effortlessly combining innovation and sophistication.
We have the oldest expression of English whisky yet: a Portuguese Cabernet Sauvignon cask at 11 years, which is a delight for lovers of sherried whiskies. Dark cherries, blackberries, cinnamon and mace, with a dry, chocolate raisin finish and some light tannins; Available at 46% and a very limited cask strength single cask version at 56.8%.
We also have the 8 year old ‘Smokey Oak’, the older replacement for the Chapter 15 (which has nearly run out and will thence be no more). Heavily peated to 62ppm and aged in a bourbon cask; as with the other peated expressions from St George’s Distillery, the heavy smoke is balanced by lighter fruity esters, the big smokey bacon nose giving way to pear and a note of melon on the finish.
Finally, we have super-limited quantities of two single cask bottlings: a 10 year old first-fill bourbon cask and a unique triple-distilled heavily peated.
New In – The English Whisky Company Christmas Bauble
Tis (nearly) the season for Christmas baubles and whisky… so The English Whisky Co. have decided to combine the two, creating a Christmas bauble filled with The English Original. Aged to perfection in specially selected bourbon casks, this unpeated single malt whisky is a great easy-drinking classic single malt, the ultimate gift for Christmas.
New In – Ferdinand’s 5yr Anniversary Edition
Ferdinand’s owes its name to the Prussian District Forester, Ferdinand Geltz, who also co-founded the VDP Mosel Saar Ruwer Zilliken estate, one of Germany’s finest vineyards.
To celebrate 5 years of crafting the finest artisanal gin, Ferdinand’s have created a very special batch, showcasing home grown Mosel Red Vineyard Peach and local Lemon Verbena. Infused with their signature Saar Riesling Eiswein 1998 from the Saarburger Rausch and presented in a unique porcelain bottle.
This special release expresses flavours of lemon meringue, peach drops balanced by dry juniper, cracked black pepper, ginger, coriander and cardamom.
We also welcome from Ferdinand’s the new Ferdinand’s Gold Cap 2018 vintage. Only the heart of this once a year distillation finds its way into Ferdinand’s Gold Cap. Dried Saar Riesling grapes, cranberry, dalmatien sage, ground-ivy, savory and their finest award-winning wine used for the infusion; gives this extra small batch, unique distillate, its very special character and incomparable profile. Presented in a stunning brass decorational casket.
Dinner is served…
Champagne Duval-Leroy invites you to a tailor-made Champagne dinner at the iconic Rex Whistler Restaurant in the Tate Britain Museum on the 28th November from 7:00pm.
Julien Duval-Leroy will guide you through a selection of Champagnes matched with 4 courses designed especially for the evening by the Tate Britain Head Chef, Alfio Laudani.
You will be welcomed with a glass of Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve served from magnum in the Rotunda.
You menu awaits…
Champagne Duval-Leroy Cuvée Brut Organic
Oeuf Surprise
Truffled scrambled egg, caviar, Champagne foam
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Champagne Duval-Leroy Extra-Brut Prestige 1er Cru
Morue à l’anglaise
Milk poached cod, champagne and capsicum risotto, sea aster and hazelnuts
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Champagne Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru
Pintade rôtie
Roasted guinea fowl, salsify, grapes, pomme noisette, sauce à l’ancienne
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Champagne Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige 1er Cru
Marquise au chocolat
Tate Calaio dark chocolate, beetroot meringue, raspberry ice cream
Champagne Duval-Leroy is one of the few Grande Marque Champagne houses to remain family-owned and run. Based in Vertus, in the heart of the Cote des Blancs, they are blessed with a high proportion on their own vineyards, located in exceptional sites. These are run sustainably by Carol Duval-Leroy and her three sons, while behind the scenes Sandrine Logette-Jardin, is one of a growing band of female winemakers taking Champagne by storm.
Found in the finest hotels and restaurants in France and worldwide, Duval-Leroy is experiencing a rebirth in the UK, producing wines which sit amongst the very finest of Champagne.
Only open to the public during the day, the Rex Whistler is opening its doors after-hours for this exclusive event. We hope you can join us for this exceptional start to the festive season!
Tickets are £125 per person. Book now.
Glenfiddich Masterclass – 21st November 2018
Join us in tasting and learning about the innate skill, drive and dedication that underlie Glenfiddich Malt Master’s ability to nose, taste and develop exceptional whiskies at our Glenfiddich masterclass at Amathus Soho on the 21st November, 7pm-9pm.
Mark Thomson, Glenfiddich Scotland Brand Ambassador will share with you how in 1886 and for 20 years William Grant nurtured a dream to make the ‘best dram in the valley’. Learn how their Malt Masters introduced marrying to smooth out fluctuations in flavour naturally occurring in maturing whiskies. Enjoy and experience over 125 years of wisdom in every glass as you taste a range of whisky’s including Glenfiddich 12,15,18, 21 year olds, GF experimental IPA and Proj XX.
Tickets are £20 per person which can be used against in store purchases. Book now via our website or in store.
New In – Laurent Habrard
The talented Laurent Habrard is a rising star of Northern Rhône. His 15 hectares of organic vineyards produce exquisite reds and whites from old vines. He produces red and white Crozes-Hermitage of great typicity and character, alongside tiny quantities of white Hermitage from one of the great vineyards of France.
Laurent Habrard Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2016
Delicious aromatic dry white with textures white peach, hints of greengage leading to a touch of spice. Medium-bodied, this expands on the palate to reveal a long mineral finish.
Laurent Habrard Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2016
This has terrific complexity for a standard Crozes-Hermitage, with a core of meaty blackberry fruit, classic hints of white pepper and clove. Supple, ripe tannins and a long spicy finish.
Laurent Habrard Hermitage Les Rocoules
A top quality dry white. This displays complex aromas of hawthorn, yellow plum and citrus rind, with hints of grilled almond flecked with honey, before rolling out into a long, stony finish. A world-class white.
New In – Les Cerises de Monsieur Joseph
The perfect cocktail cherry from Joseph Cartron. Ripe Montmorency bitter cherries from the Lorraine region are handpicked with the stems and stones left intact (the timing of the picking is also essential: harvested too early, the fruits will lack perfume and flavour, harvested too late the fruits will gradually wilt), and macerated for 6 months in alcohol.
The macerating liquid is blended with kirsch eau-de-vie and a little sugar and decanted over the cherries, which are carefully layered by hand in jars. Drier and much stronger than other cocktail cherries, these make the ultimate garnish and are essential in the composition of numerous cocktails.
Fess Parker Masterclass – 25th October 2018
We are well and truly settled into the month of October and it is without a doubt one of the best months of the year; pretty colours, Halloween, apples galore, Oktoberfest, the return of the sweater, and before we know it, it’ll be Christmas!
October is set to be a whopper of a month at Amathus Soho as we open our doors to Tim Snider and Ashley Parker Snider from Fess Parker Winery, who will be joining us all the way from Santa Barbara County to host a masterclass in store on Thursday, 25th October. You’ll be taken on a journey through the wonderful world of Fess Parker, followed by a tasting of the collection.
Fess Parker Winery produces some of the finest Californian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In addition, we are very excited to present an outstanding 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, just released from the winery, which will be available to taste for the 1st time in the UK during our masterclass.
The following wines will be available to taste:
Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
Fess Parker Ashley’s Chardonnay
Fess Parker Parker Station Pinot Noir
Fess Parker Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Fess Parker Ashley’s Pinot Noir
Fess Parker Big Easy (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache)
Addendum Napa Valley
Tickets are £20 per person, which again can be used against in-store purchases.
New In – Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:2 Alcor
The latest release in the wonderful series from Spirit of Hven. We’ve been treated to two this year: named and numbered after the stars in the Plough (or Big Dipper, if you prefer) and happily the sixth star is a double.
We had 6.1 Mizar earlier this year, made from a mix of chocolate malt, peated malt and lager malt, matured in a combination of American & (two kinds of) French oak and finished for seven months in Château Margaux casks. Some casks were held back for Alcor – initially planned as the same whisky with a longer finish – but Henric changed his mind and blended in whisky matured in casks previously used for Oloroso, Hven Vodka and even an Italian wine (Maculan Torcolato), making this the most complex release yet from the small island distillery.
Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Masterclass – 4th October 2018
Join us at Amathus Soho on Thursday, 4th October at 7pm for a unique tasting of the soon-to-be released 2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection with Master Blender, Drew Mayville.
With over 34 years of experience working within the whiskey industry, Drew joined the Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2004. Since then, he has been instrumental in building and creating a range of award-winning brands from the world’s most awarded distillery.
The following whiskies will be available to taste:
White Dog
Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare
George T Stagg*
Sazerac 18yo*
Eagle Rare 17yo*
Thomas H Handy*
William Larue Weller*
*2018 Antique Collection
The opportunity to sample this outstanding collection doesn’t come around that often, so make sure you secure your place by booking now.
The Whisky Exchange Show – 29th September – 1st October 2018
The Whisky Exchange Show is the UK’s most popular whisky show, bringing together distillers and whisky fanatics from all over the world, taking place at the Old Billingsgate in the heart of London. We certainly want in on the action and will be there on the 29th September to the 1st October, showcasing the outstanding Spirit of Hven, Koval and The English Whisky Company.
In addition to the Amathus team, you will also have the chance to meet the producers of these world acclaimed whiskies in person, who have travelled from all over the world to come and share their exciting and unique stories with you. Stand 90 is where it is at!
Tickets sold here…
Glenfarclas Masterclass – 27th September 2018
On the 27th September we will be hosting a Glenfarclas Whisky masterclass at Amathus City, kicking starting at 7pm.
Tickets are £25 per person which can be used against in store purchases.
The following will be on tasting:
Glenfarclas 10
Glenfarclas 15
Glenfarclas 25
Glenfarclas 1983 Refill Hogshead
Do not miss this…
A triumphant win for The English Whisky Company
We are delighted to announce that The English Whisky Company have received two medals at this year’s Whiskies of the World Awards – Gold Best in Show for The English Smokey and Silver Outstanding for The English Original.
Whiskies of the World Expo, one of the largest and most popular consumer whisky tasting events in the US, has announced the results of the Whiskies of the World Awards 2018. The judging panel included industry professionals from Austin, Houston and California.
All the spirits were judged on a 100 point basis, concentrating on appearance, aromatics, flavour, mouthfeel and finish. Mike Fisher, head of global sales at The English Whisky Co. comments, ‘we are really pleased and honoured to have received these accolades from the Whiskies of the World Awards and the awards bear testament to the hard work and dedication of all the team at The English Whisky Co. as we continue our quest to put English whisky on the map’.
About The English Whisky Company
The English Whisky Co. is an independent family owned malt whisky distillery based in Norfolk. Distilling, maturation and the hand bottling is all carried out on site using only the very best ingredients, mainly sourced from the local area. The whisky is lovingly handcrafted by head distiller David Fitt, who was named Distillery Manager of the Year in 2017 by Icons of Whisky Awards.
A huge congratulations from the Amathus team.
Amathus Marks 40th Anniversary with Special Releases
To help celebrate Amathus’ 40th birthday, we’ve teamed up with some of our long-standing brand agency partners to create some exceptional and unique bottlings of iconic spirits. Personally selected by Harry Georgiou, Managing Director and Owner of Amathus, with Yves Calabre of our expert spirits category team, in collaboration with master distillers and blenders, these are extremely rare examples of some of the best spirits on the planet.
Harry explains: “We are extremely proud of our history, and this unique selection of fine and rare spirits is the perfect way to celebrate 40 years at the forefront of the UK drinks trade. These extraordinary brandies, whiskies and rum expressions are the result of a collaboration with some of the finest spirits producers in the world and stand as a testament both to the skill and passion of these producers, and to our ongoing commitment to bringing the finest examples of drinks to the world.”
The Sensational Six
François Voyer Vieux Cognac Grande Champagne
43% ABV · 70cl · £157.35 · Allocation: 457 bottles
François Voyer occupies 29ha in the heart of the prestigious cru of Grande Champagne on some of the highest quality soils – the area known as the ‘golden triangle’. From this tiny estate Maître de Chai Pierre Vaudon produces cognacs of breath-taking elegance and complexity. This one-off bottling is based on a single vintage from the 1970s, and is testament to what this unique region is capable of. An intense, delicate cognac with a complex rancio and a finish that lasts a month or more. Quite simply perfect.
Château de Laubade Bas Armagnac 40 Years Old
40% ABV · 70cl · £105.50 · Allocation: 300 bottles
The Château de Laubade is located in the Bas Armagnac region and has been in the stewardship of the Lesgourgues family since 1974. This 40-year is a classic old armagnac and a masterclass in ageing the Baco grape. The high proportion of Baco (over 50%) gives a velvety richness with plum, dried fruit and tobacco notes; the Ugni Blanc and Colombard making up the blend provide the elegance and freshness to back this up. Stunning with a cigar. And without a cigar.
Château du Breuil 20 Years Old, Fut No. 63
47.7% ABV · 70cl · £93.55 · Allocation: 300 bottles
Château du Breuil has 42ha of orchards in the Pays d’Auge region, where the climatic conditions are perfect for growing apples for brandy. Distillation over a naked flame and twenty years in wood have resulted in this single cask of perfectly aged Calvados, which has been bottled at full strength – a rarity in the region. It combines a beautiful baked apple crumble aroma with a fresh green apple flavour mingled with soft spice; it really opens up in the glass after 15 minutes or so, if you can manage to wait that long.
Rhum J.M Single Barrel Tres Vieux Rhum Agricole
44.3% ABV · 50cl · £75.00 · Allocation: 386 bottles
From the volcanic soils of the Northern tip of Martinique, the much-loved JM estate specialises in fine old and vintage rhum agricoles. The distillery gets its water from a volcanic spring within the grounds and – incredibly – the cane is pressed within one hour of harvest, preserving all its freshness. This is a single cask of 11-year-old rhum with an incredible complexity: tropical fruit, spices and nuts with a beautiful toastiness. Impossible to drink without smiling, even in the absence of the Martinique sun.
The English Whisky Company B1-423
57.1% ABV · 70cl · £85.05 · Allocation: 211 bottles
The English Whisky Company was established in 2006, becoming England’s first whisky distillery in over a century. Based in Norfolk, with plentiful supplies of barley and water, they have now been producing award-winning whiskies for over a decade. This is an exceptionally smokey whisky (peated to 62ppm) aged in a single bourbon cask and bottled at the high strength of 57.1%. This combination delivers huge amounts of smoke on the nose and the palate, backed up with the fruity esters and balance that characterise David Fitt’s cracking whiskies.
Michel Couvreur 16 Years Old PX Cask
51% ABV · 50cl · £199.75 · Allocation: 100 bottles
Michel Couvreur source malt whiskies from Scotland and mature them in their caves in Burgundy, moving between different cellars to perfect the ageing process. This is a single cask single malt, distilled in 2002 and matured in a sweet Pedro Ximenez cask for 16 years, in both dry and humid cellars, and at only 100 bottles is one of the rarest whiskies they’ve ever produced. It is a beautiful deep red colour, with rich sherry notes and a round fruitiness that holds its alcohol level well. Like an exceptionally classy hug.
Compass Box Masterclass – 26th July 2018
In an industry that has steadfastly remained committed to ‘the way we’ve always done things’, at Compass Box they focus relentlessly on creativity, process innovations, and exploring the many ways we all can enjoy the pleasures of Scotch whisky.
Join us in this new immersion into the wonderful world of whisky, at our Compass Box masterclass on the 26th July at Amathus Shoreditch. The following whiskies from the Compass Box range will be on tasting: Hedonism, Oak Cross, Spice Tree, Peat Monster and Delilah’s.
A £15 ticket will reserve your place at the masterclass and can be used against in-store purchases. Book now.
Penley Estate Masterclass – 25th July 2018
Join us on Wednesday, 25th July at Amathus Soho for an unmissable masterclass with Kate Goodman, one of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary winemakers, who joined the Penley Estate winemaking team in 2016.
Penley Estate is one of the great wineries of Coonawarra, South Australia, and has recently undergone a re-birth and re-brand under the stewardship of Kate Goodman.
The wines re-launched in 2017 into the UK, and have received numerous accolades in the last 12 months, including 98/100 from James Halliday for their flagship Helios Cabernet, while their signature Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon has once again featured in Wine Spectator’s annual top 100. The wines are redefining the style of Coonawarra.
Tickets for this one will sell extremely fast, so visit our website to sign up now.
Imbibe Live – 2nd & 3rd July 2018
This year, the Amathus stand will become home to an exciting range of our exclusive agency brands, including Champagne Duval-Leroy, Laird’s Applejack, Rhum Clément, Mezcal Alipús, Bobby’s Gin and Cálem Port… to name a few. In addition to the Amathus team, you will also have the chance to meet a number of our top producers in person, who have travelled from all over the world to come and share their exciting and unique stories with you.
2018 marks Amathus’ 40th anniversary and to commemorate this occasion we have teamed up with a selection of our producers to release a range of limited edition 40-year-old spirits: all will be revealed and available to taste at the show. Stand C80 is where it’s at!
Register here
New In – Septem Beers
Septem Brewery, located on the island of Evia in Greece, was founded by chemist and oenologist Sophocles Panagiotou in 2009. Septem, meaning seven in Latin, is the number of creation and the inspiration behind the variety of beers themed after days of the week. Adopting the same oenological philosophy to beer making, Sophocles sees the hop as the “grape” of beer.
Selecting only the highest quality, whole flower hops and malts from around the world, he creates beers of distinctive aroma and flavour, which characterise Septem. Deliberately unpasteurised in order to maintain the freshness, aromas and flavours of the hops, Septem beers can be savoured on their own or as an accompaniment to food.
Kings County Masterclass – 19th June 2018
Join us on Tuesday, 19th June at Amathus Soho for a one of a kind tasting and book signing with Kings County. You’ll have the opportunity to sample the award-winning range of Kings County Bourbons and Moonshines, as well as the chance to meet the master distiller Colin Spoelman, who will be on hand to sign a copy of his book for you.
Tickets are £20 per person, which includes a signed copy of one of Colin’s books: Dead Distillers or The Urban Guide to Moonshining (RRP £16.00).
New In – Clement Canne Bleue 2017
“A blend between tradition and modernity,” has always been a founding value behind Rhum Clément. It is with this vision in mind that the brand releases each year a new vintage of Canne Bleue, a premium white single-varietal Rhum Agricole, produced from only blue sugarcane.
The 2017 edition is the 17th edition to join the iconic Canne Bleue collection. This year, the bottle is adorned with copper, an ode to the copper Creole column which is used to distill this elixir.
Canne Bleue expresses the purity of AOC white Rhum Agricole. On the mouth, the spirit’s most exceptional qualities are revealed with warm citrus and floral (white flower) notes complimented with the slightest hint of pepper spice. This exquisite distillation that makes up the 2017 edition of Canne Bleue, makes it the ideal white rum as a base to a Ti’ Punch and other premium cocktails.
Rhum Clément has dedicated itself to promoting and preserving the rich culture and heritage of Martinique. The 2017 edition of Canne Bleue boasts unparalleled craftsmanship and an exceptional savoir-faire that have been passed down for generations. Truly a treasure to be valued by aspiring rum enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and collections alike!
Plymouth Gin Botanical Lab Workshops – 7th & 9th June 2018
Get those lab coats and goggles at the ready, as we join forces with Plymouth Gin to host a series of botanical lab workshops at Amathus Soho, City and Shoreditch. During the sessions you’ll be taken on a journey through the history and production of Plymouth Gin, then put to the test as we challenge you to make your very own gin.
Sign up here…
Glenfarclas Masterclass – 24th May 2018
Satisfy your whisky cravings with our Glenfarclas Whisky masterclass on Thursday 24th May at Amathus Shoreditch 6.30pm. Limited tickets available so book now.
Cálem Port Masterclass – 24th May 2018
SAVE THE DATE – on Thursday 24th May, Amathus City will be hosting a Cálem Port masterclass with Joao Belo from Cálem. The following will be on tasting for you to try:
Cálem White and Dry NV
Cálem Fine Ruby NV
Cálem LBV 2013
Cálem 20yr Tawny Port
Cálem Vintage 2015
Cálem Vintage 1985
What a line up… tickets on sale now
Tovaritch! celebrates its 100th award and pushes itself towards new records
On April 3, 2018, Tovaritch! was awarded its 100th medal by the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago. It is a continuous testament to the brand’s superb quality.
Since 2007 Tovaritch! has regularly participated in some of the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competitions in the world, including the Beverage Testing Institute, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Spirits Business competitions and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
In blind tastings Tovaritch! is invariably rated highly by the finest palates in the spirits industry. Its five Consistence in Excellence awards from The Spirits Business convey the message loud and clear.
Says Eugenio Litta Modignani, CEO of Tovaritch! Spirits International SA, “For any single vodka to reap 100 awards, it’s an impressive feat. There are other vodkas in the market that may have as many or more awards but they are spread out over their many varieties. With Tovaritch!, it’s one and only variety, and it’s the winner. Hitting the 100 awards mark in the spirits business is not unlike climbing Everest. It’s a goal unattainable for most but those who make it join the winners’ club. What’s more important is that standing on the top of the mountain they get to see new horizons – and others peaks to be conquered. Within two weeks of our 100th award, we earned yet another – 101th – from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It’s fair to say that we are on our way to our next peak.”
In today’s increasingly environmentally-conscious marketplace, one of the key things that makes Tovaritch! a natural winner is its green philosophy. Tovaritch! selects all natural, non-GMO ingredients for its vodka. The spring wheat and rye come from the rich soil of the Volga region. Tovaritch! sends its quality assurance experts to the grain farms in order to buy the best grains free of chemical pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers and enzymes. The water used in the production is drawn from pristine underground wells and undergoes reverse osmosis treatment to remove unhealthy
substances while all the essential minerals are preserved.
From the fields Tovaritch! takes its green practices into the distillery, using only organic yeasts and natural nutrients. It blends the filtered spirit with natural ingredients, thus ensuring that its vodka has a smooth, clean taste that only a vodka free of artificial additives can boast.
About Tovaritch!
Tovaritch! is a grain vodka produced and bottled in Russia by Geneva-based Tovaritch Spirits International SA. It builds its success on Russian tradition and Swiss precision. Vodka Tovaritch! is distilled five times and filtered through a combination of birch charcoal and silver. With its unique combination of fine quality and attractive pricing, vodka Tovaritch! offers the best of two worlds in one bottle.
New in – Spirit of Hven No. 6:1 Mizar
Introducing Spirit of Hven No. 6:1 Mizar, the 6th single malt whisky in the ‘Seven Stars’ series; married on Quercus Petraea barriques that previously held Château Margaux Premier Grand Cru. A light smokiness with spicy notes of raisins, cacoa and vanilla. Hints of chamomile backed by violet and banana.
The English Whisky Masterclass – 23rd April 2018
To celebrate St George’s Day, we will be hosting a with The English Whisky Company at Amathus Soho, Monday 23rd April 6.30pm, hosted by our resident whisky specialist Marlowe Harris.
The English Whisky Company is England’s oldest registered whisky distiller. In 2005 the Nelstrop family designed and built the St George’s Distillery in Norfolk, with the express purpose of producing the very finest English single malt whisky… and that they have certainly done.
The following whiskies will be on tasting:
The English Whisky Chapter 17 (Triple Distilled) Single Malt Whisky
The Norfolk Parched Single Grain Whisky
The Norfolk Malt n Rye Single Grain Whisky
The English Original Single Malt Whisky
The English Smokey Single Malt Whisky
The English Whisky Chapter 15 (Heavily Smoked) Single Malt Whisky
The English Whisky Chapter 16 (Smokey PX Matured) Single Malt Whisky
Book here.
A superb family owned and sustainably managed Champagne house
Amathus Drinks is delighted to announce the partnership with Champagne Duval-Leroy. From April 2nd Amathus will be the exclusive UK distributor for this prestigious house. Family-owned since 1859, today Duval-Leroy is under the stewardship of Carol Duval-Leroy, ably supported by her three sons Julien, Charles and Louis. Located in Vertus in the Côte des Blancs, the house works with an unusually high proportion of their own 1er and Grand Cru vineyards, many of which are worked organically. Chardonnay is the dominant grape throughout the range and top quality rosé is also made alongside a selection of special cuvées from historic varieties. A combination of stainless steel, oak barrels and old reserve wines are used to create wines of great precision and complexity.
Duval-Leroy is a leader in promoting sustainability in both winery and vineyard, not only listing a fully organic wine but also certified completely vegan across the range. Widely carried by Michelin-starred restaurants, Relais et Châteaux and prestigious hotels across the globe, in addition Duval-Leroy has been awarded Best Champagne in the World by CSWC (Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships) for three consecutive years, confirming their reputation as a producer of the highest quality.
Jeremy Lithgow MW, Amathus Drinks’ Head of Wine said “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a prestigious house. The quality across the range is outstanding and we’re excited to be working with another family owned company which shares our desire for quality and ambitions for growth in the UK market.”
Northern Restaurant & Bar Show – 20th & 21st March 2018
Meet us at Northern Restaurant & Bar Show on the 20th & 21st March at Manchester Central, stand E68. We’ll be showcasing Bobby’s, Ferdinand’s, Spirit of Hven, Barceló, Les Vergers Boiron and Rhum Clément… to name a few.
Register here.
Calle 23 Tequila Masterclass – 13th March 2018
Amathus cordially invites you to the UK launch of Calle 23 Criollo. Sample the newest addition to the Calle 23 range with founder Sophie Decobecq. RSVP soho@amathusdrinks.com. Do not miss out!
Casual Dining – 21st & 22nd February 2018
Meet us at this year’s Casual Dining Show on the 21st & 22nd February. We’ll be at stand M432 showcasing Barceló Rum, Les Vergers Borion Ambient Fruit Purées and Cartron Liqueurs.
Sign up here and we’ll see you there…
‘A Taste of France’ Masterclass – 1st February 2018
Join us Amathus City on the 1st February for our ‘A Taste of France’ masterclass with our very own Frenchie and brand sales manager, Yves Calabre. On tasting will be a selection of French brandies including, Francois Voyer VSOP, Francois Voyer XO, Laubade XO, Laubade Hors d’Age, Laubade Blanche, Breuil VSOP and Breuil 15yr, with a few extra surprises to excite your taste buds. Which will be your favourite French brandy?
Book here.
Introducing Les Vergers Boiron Ambient Fruit Purées
The fruit, the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit…
Les Vergers Boiron, a family adventure established in 1942 and today the brand of reference for professionals looking for that one-stop fruit solution, has launched their new range of ambient fruit purées, ready to use for instant, quick serve applications.
Ten absolutely must-taste flavours, 100% natural with unrivalled fruit content, no added flavourings, preservatives or artificial colourings. No need to freeze, just mix, serve up and enjoy; and what’s more, they last up to eight days once opened, with zero compromise and 100% taste perfection.
Choose your favourite fruit heaven from the following authentic tasting, utterly divine flavours – strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, pear, passion fruit, pineapple, apricot, mango, yellow peach and blood orange.
Delicious drinks in just a few seconds…
The English Whisky Co. releases the first 10 year old English Single Malt Whisky
The English Whisky Co. is England’s oldest registered whisky distiller. In 2005 the Nelstrop family designed and built the St George’s Distillery in Norfolk with the express purpose of producing the very finest English single malt whisky.
Following a string of successful releases over the past few years, along with numerous awards, The English Whisky Co. are releasing a limited number of bottles of the first 10yr old English whisky available for over a century. Selected from exceptional ultra-rare casks of the Founders’ Private Cellar range it provides a promising glimpse of the whiskies we can expect to see from the distillery in the future. Each individually numbered bottle comes with its own certificate and is presented in a beautiful piano finished box.
Amathus Drinks Plc is delighted to be appointed the new UK distributor of The English Whisky Co. Phil Duffy, Head of Spirits for Amathus, commented, ‘The English Whisky Co. is an incredible addition to the Amathus portfolio and we feel honoured to have them on board. With the increasing popularity of whisky, it is inevitable the collection will be equally well received by our on-trade and off-trade customers. The release of their 10yr English Single Malt is an important landmark in the development of modern distillation in England, and having tasted the range of whiskies they are producing we’re looking forward to exciting times ahead.’
New to Amathus Agency – Koval Organic Spirits
Established in 2008, Koval is the first distillery in Chicago since the mid-1800s, is one of America’s largest artisan distilleries and has won over 50 international awards. Koval pioneered a new school of distilling in the US that focuses on the heart cut: the purest, most grain forward portion of the distillate, which gives Koval its signature clean, bright style. Koval is also known for its use of unique and interesting grains, such as millet, leading Wine Enthusiast to name the distillery a “leader of the alt-grain scene.” All of Koval’s whiskies are ‘single barrel’ and are aged in 30 gallon oak barrels; the contents of each bottle can be traced all the way back to the field on which the grain was grown.
While Koval is a vanguard of American independent whiskey, they also have a lot to offer gin fans: their Dry Gin – the most awarded domestic gin in the US in 2015 – has now been joined by the gold medal winning Barreled Gin (aged in Koval Rye barrels for 6 months).
All Koval products are certified organic and kosher, and are made from grain to bottle in Chicago.
The Glenrothes Masterclass – 7th December
The Glenrothes masterclass at Amathus Shoreditch, 7th December. Don’t miss out on your chance to taste some of the finest vintages, with heritage brands director Ronnie Cox. Book away…
Sipsmith Masterclass – 5th December
A Walk Down Gin Lane with Sipsmith
Join our friends from London Distillery Sipsmith for an evening of gin tasting at Amathus City. Enjoy a hot gin cocktail to kick things off while you learn all about the history of gin and where Sipsmith fits into this, followed by a full tutored tasting of the Sipsmith range.
The range of gin on tasting (after the Hot G&T as a greeting):
– Sipsmith London Dry Gin
– Sipsmith VJOP
– Sipsmith Sloe Gin
– Sipsmith London Cup
Book here.
Perfect Provenance – Direct from the Estate
A rarity, very few bottles left in existence!
Porto Cálem, was founded in 1859 by António Alves Cálem with its first Vintage Port being released in 1870. Porto Cálem has an international reputation for being one of the Douro’s most celebrated Port producers. Cálem Colheita is an aged Tawny Port made with grapes from a single vintage which by law must be matured in wooden casks for at least seven years.
Cálem Colheita 1961, bottled in 2013, after 52 years in the barrel has just been awarded the top award at the IWSC annual awards, the gold IWSC Trophy 2017 for the Port wine category. (The IWSC Annual Awards celebrates excellence in wine and spirit making, and is recognised as setting the International benchmark for quality).
Judges tasting notes:
“Amber shading to green. Dried figs, caramel and raisins, with marmalade notes and candied lemons. The wine exhibits amazing youthfulness and purity and literally dances on the tongue. The balance of alcohol, wood ageing and fruit have come together in an incredible fusion of flavours and textures that is just purely sublime.”
New In – Shrubb J.M Liqueur d’Orange
The wait is finally over… Shrubb J.M est arrivé! A brilliant marriage of aged J.M rhum with bitter orange zest, natural sugarcane syrup and a maceration of locally sourced vanilla bean, cinnamon and nutmeg. Best served neat/on ice, or in a Agric’Old Fashioned… Oh yeah!
Kilchoman Masterclass – 22nd November
If you missed the one last month at Amathus City then join us at Amathus Soho for our second Kilchoman masterclass. As a reminder on tasting will be the Machir Bay, Loch Gorm, 100% Islay, Vintage 2009 and the Madeira Cask.
You know what to do – sign up here.
BBC Good Food Show – 30th November – 3rd December
Save the date! This year we will be making an appearance at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham; a four day event with the best variety of food, drinks and cookery products from over 500 exhibitors… it’s the biggest and tastiest day out in the UK!
So come along and visit us at stand W230 to discover the exciting world of Jinro Soju from South Korea. We’ve also got a few surprises up our sleeves so make sure you don’t miss out. Register here.
Kilchoman Masterclass – 24th October 2017
Please join us at Amathus City for a Kilchoman Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky masterclass on the 24th October at 7pm. On tasting will be the Machir Bay, Loch Gorm, 100% Islay, Vintage 2009 and the Madeira Cask.
Sign up now via our website, whilst there’s still tickets left.
New In – A.v.Wees Three-Corner Dry Yuzu Gin
The latest addition from A.Van Wees Distillery de Ooievaar, Three-Corner Dry Yuzu Gin, made from a mix of 100% distilled yuzu from Japan and 100% distilled gin from the classic botanicals of juniper, lemon, coriander, angelica and a variety of other herbs. On the palate, dry, subtle, yet intense yuzu and mandarin citrus flavours. Utterly divine!
The Ti’Punch Cup UK Final – The Winner is Announced…
This year we saw the return of the Ti’Punch Cup Competition after two whole years. If you’re not that familiar with the Ti’Punch Cup or even a Ti’Punch for that matter, then here’s what you need to know…
The Ti’Punch is a cocktail made up of three key ingredients: rhum agricole (white, gold or aged rhum), sugarcane syrup or raw sugar and fresh lime. The Ti’Punch is more than just a cocktail, it’s the heart of the culture in Martinique, traditionally served as an apéritif. Historically people used to have a Ti’Punch in the morning, to kick-start their day; better known as ‘décollage’ translated ‘take off’ in English.
So to celebrate the ‘Art of the Ti’Punch’, Rhum Clément launched the Ti’Punch Cup where bartenders from all over the world could enter. The idea of the competition is to create a twist on the classic Ti’Punch, by swapping out/adding in different ingredients to create your very own rendition. It’s a competition well worth entering, if for no other reason than that the national finalists win a 5-day trip to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for the global final, on the 12th-16th March 2018.
This year’s UK final took us to ECC in Chinatown, London. In total there were eight finalists competing for the winning spot, including Sam Boulton (The Bureau, Birmingham), Chris Tanner (The Vault, London), Zaneta Leszczynska (ECC Chinatown, London), Alex Taylor (Pennyroyal, Cardiff), Ashera Goonewardene (The Beachcomber, London), Remy Cousquer (Riverhut, Surbiton), Ben Todd (Home, London) and William Campbell (Alvinos, Newcastle).
The competition kick-started at 12pm sharp and each finalist had ten minutes to make four of their signature cocktail and present it to the judges. Our four lovely judges included Kiowa Bryan Rhum Clément US Brand Ambassador, Simon Difford founder of Difford’s Guide, Peter Holland from the Floating Rum Shack and Tiago Semblano, winner of the Ti’Punch Cup UK final in 2015.
The competition was extremely high, which made it a tad difficult for our judges to pick just the one winner. So without further ado, from third place to first place, our three lucky winners are as follows:
Third place – Alex Taylor from Pennyroyal in Cardiff with his Ti’Punch Power of 3.
Second place – William Campbell from Alvinos in Newcastle with his Historic Swizzle Ti’Punch addition.
So in first place, and the winner of the UK final was Ashera Goonewardene from The Beachcomber in London. Ashera stole the show with her cocktail, Retour Chez Moi, made with Clément Canne Bleue, canne syrup, lychee liqueur and guava juice; twizzle, twizzle, twizzled together then garnished with grapefruit peel… taste heaven. Congratulations Ashera, next stop Martinique!
After a Ti’Punch or two to toast Ashera’s success is was onto Trailer Happiness where the party continued well into the night.
Finally, a big thank you goes out to each of the finalists, our judges and of course ECC for letting us host the final at your fantastic bar.
A job well done!
Bonpland Rum
We are excited to reveal that Bonpland Rum Rouge VSOP is now available on all Lufthansa first class flights. Another great accolade for the brand, congratulations guys.
First class all the way…
Meletti Amaro
Recently featured in GQ Magazine, Meletti Amaro, the classy Italian digestivo!
Read the full article here…
Kings County Bottled-in-Bond
Just landed… Kings County Distillery Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Bottled-in-bond is a designation that refers to American whiskeys (and some brandies) that are distilled, aged, and bottled entirely at one distillery, from barrels filled in one season, by one distiller.
Kings County Bottled-in-Bond is aged for 4 years in oak barrels and bottled at 100 proof. Smooth, spicy and complex with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and vanilla.
RumFest 2017 – 14th & 15th October
Calling all rum lovers of the world, join us at this year’s RumFest on the 14th & 15th October. For two days straight the ILEC Conference Centre will become home to the world’s largest rum festival, bringing trade and consumer experts together for a weekend of great food, entertainment and most importantly the finest rum around.
Joining in on the action with us and showcasing their exceptional rum collections are Barceló, Rhum J.M and Rhum Clément. Come and visit us at stand 22 and see what it’s all about!
Register now at www.rumfest.co.uk.
The Whisky Exchange Show 2017 – 30th September – 2nd October
The Whisky Exchange Show is the UK’s most popular whisky festival, bringing together distillers and whisky fanatics from all over the world in the heart of London at the Old Billingsgate.
We want in on the action and will be there showcasing the outstanding Spirit of Hven and Kings County at stand 55.
Sign up now at www.whiskyshow.com.
Champagne Pol Roger – 28th September
Please join us on Thursday, 28th September at Amathus City for our Champagne Pol Roger masterclass, kicking starting at 7pm.
On tasting will be the Brut Reserve NV, Pure NV, Rich NV, Vintage 2008, Rosé 2008, Blanc de Blancs 2009 and the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2006. Tickets are £25 per person, to book please email city@amathusdrinks.com or call 0207 283 0638. Limited spaces available so hop to it!
California Wine Fair 2017 – 27th September
On Wednesday 27th September, California Wines will be hosting a portfolio tasting in central London. It will be a destination for California wines, with over 600 wines on tasting and over 40 exhibitors in attendance.
We will be part of the exhibitors list and will be showcasing our Californian agency brand, from Santa Barbara County – the wonderful Fess Parker. Alongside us will be Tim Snider, winemaker at Fess Parker Winery… so grab yourself a ticket at www.californiawinefair.co.uk… and we’ll see you there at table number 4!
The nominations have been announced…
Best of luck to Bonpland V.S.O.P Rouge and Otto’s Athens Vermouth who have been nominated for the Best New European Spirit or Bar Product at the 2018 Mixology Bar Awards.
We wait in anticipation for the results…
The Ti’Punch Cup is back
Register at www.tipunchcup.com for a chance to take part in the UK heats and win a trip of a lifetime to Martinique.
Deadlines for entries is the 12th September 2017… don’t miss out!
Three apples in every bottle… nothing else
Hoila Cider is a 100% premium apple Alpine cider from South Tyrol, Italy.
Hoila was born through an extensive research collaboration with the prestigious Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. They analysed and evaluated over 20 local apple varieties to create their premium blend. After years of hard work, countless trials and tests, and true dedication they established their own cider production facilities in Cortina.
Hoila is a refreshing cider made from the purest apples grown in South Tyrol. They combine the best British brewing tradition with Alpine authenticity, artisanship and absolute commitment to quality… it’s mouth-wateringly good.
‘A Taste of Honey’ from Joseph Cartron
Joseph Cartron intensely tickles our tastes buds with their latest heather flower honey liqueur, Cartron Miel; elaborated from pure alcohol and heather honey from the Landes region in the South West of France. Heather is a hardy plant that requires a lot of sunshine in order to produce the little pink flowers the bees forage between July and the autumn.
Reminiscent of spices and smoked peat, this artisanal heather honey liqueur is perfectly balanced to express its naturally sweet, aromatic characteristics.
The Nils Oscar Way or the Highway
Nils Oscar’s grandson opened the Nils Oscar microbrewery in Stockholm in 1996, experimenting with grain grown on the family farm nearby. The brewery quickly became a staple for quality Swedish craft beer and, after years of success, relocated and expanded. Still to this day, the second generation of the family focuses on producing traditional beer but with a modern twist.
Nils Oscar Sundberg was born in a small village in Sweden, in 1865. A pioneer in many respects, Nils Oscar personifies all the values that the brand stands for – honest, energetic, modern, respectful of nature, firmly grounded, a sense of craftsmanship and a little mischief of course. Each bottle is branded with Nils Oscar’s portrait as a seal of approval and to remind them to live up to his dedication to quality, honesty and forward-thinking…and they will continue to do this one bottle at a time.
Nils Oscar God Lager is their number one best seller that certainly lives up to its name, God, meaning ‘Tasty’ lager in Swedish.
New In – World Class Burgundies, with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’
Right in the heart of the Burgundy region, south of Beaune, on a hillside vineyard located in the village of Santenay, stands the Château de Santenay. This magnificent castle, with roots dating back to the 11th century, was once the main residence of Philip the Bold (Philippe le Hardi), son of the King of France, John the Good (Jean le Bon); hence why the château is commonly called ‘Château Philippe le Hardi‘.
Philippe le Hardi was the most illustrious owner of Château de Santenay. A brilliant politician, Philippe was responsible for a magnificent chapter in the history of Burgundy, founding the ‘Valois of Burgundy’ dynasty, which would reign for over a century.
Château de Santenay, is one of the larger wine-producing estates in Burgundy. This prestigious property, consisting of the château with its remarkable glazed tile roof and vineyards, is the result of an ancient heritage intimately linked to the history of wine production in Burgundy.
The wine estate consists of 98 hectares of vineyards, where the ‘noble’ Burgundian grape varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown. The wines are aged in the classic Burgundian tradition within the castle cellars.
Gold medal winner at the International Wine Challenge 2017, the Mercurey 1er Cru ‘Les Puillets’ 2015, is rich with opulent raspberry fruit flavours, has a ripe and inviting body with a wonderful balance and aroma. A truly stunning example of a classic red Burgundy.
Peruvian Perfection – the finest premium lager from Latin America
A very warm welcome to our newest agency beer from Peru. From the heart and heights of an ancient Andean civilisation, Cusqueña is a superior quality lager, brewed since 1908. On October 1st, 1908, a group of entrepreneurs led by Ernesto Günther founded Cervecera Alemana in the city of Cusco; it was here that the story of Cusqueña began.
Produced with only the finest natural ingredients near the mystical lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru; Cusqueña is crafted from the purest mountain water from a source at 18,000 feet in the Andes, with a combination of 100% barley malt, caramel malt and the finest aromatic Saaz hops. This gives it its exceptional golden quality, exquisite taste,
and distinctive flavour twist of caramel and citrus.
It’s crisp, pure and totally refreshing.
Award-winning Sparkling Wines from Luxembourg
A huge congratulations to our outstanding sparking wine producers, Bernard-Massard, who received some cracking results at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards. The Bernard-Massard Brut Cuvée de L’Écusson NV was awarded Platinum – Best in Show and the Millésimé 2014, was awarded Platinum.
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