Spirits
Spirits are the highest ABV products of the alcohol family and as a result have the greatest capability to age, far beyond most fine wines. Cognac and other types of Brandy have long been collectible, with a bottle from the 1762 vintage selling at auction in 2020 for $1,500,000, and rare, aged Rums have started breaking into the mainstream but fine whisky is certainly the most desirable spirit on the world right now.
Whisky can be made in a variety of styles and is mostly produced in Japan, Ireland, the United States and most prominently, Scotland. Single malt Scotch Whisky is extremely collectible and is one of the most sought-after in the world, with the The Macallan's top releases being the pinnacle.
Fortified wines are not categorised as spirits, yet they contain a distilled spirit, usually brandy, to stop fermentation and “fortify” the wine. Port and Sherry are two of the most well-known and popular examples of fortified wines.
Spirits
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Porto | 4 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,020.14 |
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Vinous (95)The 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port, which incidentally carries quite noticeable sediment, as there is no fining or filtration, is beginning to show a little bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very harmonious and welcoming, featuring aromas of mulberry, roasted chestnut, pressed rose petals, autumn leaves and a hint of liquorice. The nose is not powerful; rather, it displays a brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and lightly spiced with clove, pain d’épices and again, a scintilla of liquorice. Though it obviously has another 20 or 30 years in the tank, this mellow Graham’s is drinking beautifully now. Tasted at the Symington Tawny Port tasting at the Tower of London. |
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Porto | 3 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£367.87 |
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James Suckling (99)Extremely complex aromas that show the classic Graham character of black-fruit marmalade and burnt oranges. Follows through to a full body with great grip at the finish. Lightly sweet. Chewy and powerful. Such a focus at the end. |
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Porto | 1 | 98 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£366.67 |
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Decanter (98)Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It's a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé. |
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Yamanashi | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£176.40 |
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Colour: Fine, polished brass. Aroma: Delicate and grassy with a bright orchard fruit profile, reminiscent at first of Speyside but developing a unique persimmon complexity. Taste: Exceptional purity rivalled by few if any others. A fine salinity balanced by bright satsuma citrus notes makes for a sweet, ethereal palate. Finish: For such a light, balanced whisky the finish is exceptionally long and complex. The persimmon on the nose comes back for an encore, taking a final bow with notes of ginger, allspice and bay. |
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Cognac | 1 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£2,248.78 |
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Vinous (91)Like all Hennessy blends, the age is hard to pin down. I’m told by the brand ambassador that there are 100 eaux-de-vie in the blend, with “an average 25 to 100 years old.” In any case, it’s fresh and vibrant for its age, deep copper in color, featuring aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied citrus. In the mouth, it’s opulent, round and creamy, offering lots of warm citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a touch of walnut and spice on the finish. It’s pleasant, no doubt, and it comes in a fancy bottle. But at the price, the liquid itself just doesn’t deliver value. |
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Cognac | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£5,209.54 |
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Bearing a rich heritage, the Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is the epitome of rarity and sophistication. From the revered producer, Hermitage Cognac, this Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is distilled exceptionally in the precious Grande Champagne district of Cognac, France. The diligent crafting, using traditional copper pot stills, lends it an enchanting complexity and depth. Aged in medium toasted Troncais oak casks, it boasts a hero’s colour palette of topaz and hues, revealing an irrefutable attraction. Its aromatic symphony tingles the olfactory senses with vibrant notes of dried fig, walnut, and crème brûlée, underpinned by softly-spiced undertones. The palate unfurls layers of profound flavours, each enriched by a century-old narrative. Serving as an awe-inspiring testament to the mastery of refining eaux-de-vie, Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is a compelling purchase for the discerning collector or a splendidly surprising gift for the seasoned spirit enthusiast. |
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Scotland | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£260.52 |
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Scotland | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£14,195.26 |
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Few producers of spirit, Scotch or other can claim as dynamic a history as Tullibardine. Tullibardine’s modern history begins in 1949 though there was a brewery on the site dating back to 1488 which made ale for the coronation of James VI, (later James I of England). Originally part of the Whyte & MacKay portfolio it was under-appreciated and mothballed in 1995, until it was bought by independent investors setting up the Tullibardine Distillery Ltd. who resumed production and rejuvenated the brand. A classic Highland gentleman, it is a whisky of fine character and a good example of the terroir of whisky as the distillery draws its water from the Danny Burn flowing from the Ochil Hills, known as some of the purest in the country (the same source of Highland Spring water). This splendid source gives Tullibardine its soft generosity, not to mention its agreeable nature, affording it a remarkable propensity to take to wine finishes better than most. We've even had a very fine rosé-tinted Banyuls finish! A strikingly designed distillery set among picturesque farmland at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Auchterarder it is in many ways the modern heir of the Perthshire farm distilleries of centuries past. It is a genuine marvel for many insiders that Tullibardine's elegant, gentle spirit has not attracted the attention it deserves. That will not remain the case for long, in our view. Tasting Note True to the distillery's style there is a gentle, fine-grained oak influence and a soft, refined perfume to this cask of Tullibardine. It is maturing slowly and the colour is currently akin to a young german Riesling rather than a white Burgundy. The nose is just so pretty and engaging even considering the youth of this cask. A touch of pear rather than apple, some honeysuckle and melon with a subtle floral perfume. Patience is a virtue, but one this makes me struggle to employ. Give it at least 5 years before checking in on it and probably bottle at 15 or above. |
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Scotland | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£13,133.26 |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Porto | 4 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£795.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port, which incidentally carries quite noticeable sediment, as there is no fining or filtration, is beginning to show a little bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very harmonious and welcoming, featuring aromas of mulberry, roasted chestnut, pressed rose petals, autumn leaves and a hint of liquorice. The nose is not powerful; rather, it displays a brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and lightly spiced with clove, pain d’épices and again, a scintilla of liquorice. Though it obviously has another 20 or 30 years in the tank, this mellow Graham’s is drinking beautifully now. Tasted at the Symington Tawny Port tasting at the Tower of London. |
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|
|
Porto | 3 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
£279.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Extremely complex aromas that show the classic Graham character of black-fruit marmalade and burnt oranges. Follows through to a full body with great grip at the finish. Lightly sweet. Chewy and powerful. Such a focus at the end. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 98 (DC) |
In Bond
£278.00 |
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Decanter (98)Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It's a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé. |
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|
|
Yamanashi | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£176.40 |
|||||
|
Colour: Fine, polished brass. Aroma: Delicate and grassy with a bright orchard fruit profile, reminiscent at first of Speyside but developing a unique persimmon complexity. Taste: Exceptional purity rivalled by few if any others. A fine salinity balanced by bright satsuma citrus notes makes for a sweet, ethereal palate. Finish: For such a light, balanced whisky the finish is exceptionally long and complex. The persimmon on the nose comes back for an encore, taking a final bow with notes of ginger, allspice and bay. |
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|
|
Cognac | 1 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£1,855.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91)Like all Hennessy blends, the age is hard to pin down. I’m told by the brand ambassador that there are 100 eaux-de-vie in the blend, with “an average 25 to 100 years old.” In any case, it’s fresh and vibrant for its age, deep copper in color, featuring aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied citrus. In the mouth, it’s opulent, round and creamy, offering lots of warm citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a touch of walnut and spice on the finish. It’s pleasant, no doubt, and it comes in a fancy bottle. But at the price, the liquid itself just doesn’t deliver value. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cognac | 2 | - |
In Bond
£4,327.00 |
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|
Bearing a rich heritage, the Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is the epitome of rarity and sophistication. From the revered producer, Hermitage Cognac, this Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is distilled exceptionally in the precious Grande Champagne district of Cognac, France. The diligent crafting, using traditional copper pot stills, lends it an enchanting complexity and depth. Aged in medium toasted Troncais oak casks, it boasts a hero’s colour palette of topaz and hues, revealing an irrefutable attraction. Its aromatic symphony tingles the olfactory senses with vibrant notes of dried fig, walnut, and crème brûlée, underpinned by softly-spiced undertones. The palate unfurls layers of profound flavours, each enriched by a century-old narrative. Serving as an awe-inspiring testament to the mastery of refining eaux-de-vie, Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is a compelling purchase for the discerning collector or a splendidly surprising gift for the seasoned spirit enthusiast. |
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|
|
Scotland | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£192.00 |
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Scotland | 1 | - |
In Bond
£9,790.00 |
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|
Few producers of spirit, Scotch or other can claim as dynamic a history as Tullibardine. Tullibardine’s modern history begins in 1949 though there was a brewery on the site dating back to 1488 which made ale for the coronation of James VI, (later James I of England). Originally part of the Whyte & MacKay portfolio it was under-appreciated and mothballed in 1995, until it was bought by independent investors setting up the Tullibardine Distillery Ltd. who resumed production and rejuvenated the brand. A classic Highland gentleman, it is a whisky of fine character and a good example of the terroir of whisky as the distillery draws its water from the Danny Burn flowing from the Ochil Hills, known as some of the purest in the country (the same source of Highland Spring water). This splendid source gives Tullibardine its soft generosity, not to mention its agreeable nature, affording it a remarkable propensity to take to wine finishes better than most. We've even had a very fine rosé-tinted Banyuls finish! A strikingly designed distillery set among picturesque farmland at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Auchterarder it is in many ways the modern heir of the Perthshire farm distilleries of centuries past. It is a genuine marvel for many insiders that Tullibardine's elegant, gentle spirit has not attracted the attention it deserves. That will not remain the case for long, in our view. Tasting Note True to the distillery's style there is a gentle, fine-grained oak influence and a soft, refined perfume to this cask of Tullibardine. It is maturing slowly and the colour is currently akin to a young german Riesling rather than a white Burgundy. The nose is just so pretty and engaging even considering the youth of this cask. A touch of pear rather than apple, some honeysuckle and melon with a subtle floral perfume. Patience is a virtue, but one this makes me struggle to employ. Give it at least 5 years before checking in on it and probably bottle at 15 or above. |
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|
|
Scotland | 1 | - |
In Bond
£8,905.00 |
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