With Christmas just around the corner, here’s our pick of some of the best drinks that you need for your Christmas celebration this year.
SEARCYS LONDON GIN
Be-gin your Christmas celebrations with this perfect tipple of the newly released Searcys London Dry Gin, created in partnership with the award-winning British distillery, Hawkridge Distillers. Distilled using a three-part method, which includes traditional distillation, vapour infusion and the addition of a Victorian-inspired botanical tea, the spirit is then expertly smoothed off with honey from Searcys’ own beehives. Presented in an elegant blue bottle with hand-carved wooden cork, this is the ideal gift for gin aficionados. Also available in a limited-edition wooden box with a numbered certificate.
Price: £49
SEARCYS BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE
Marking its 175th anniversary, add some fizz to the festive season with a tipple of Searcys limited-edition Blanc De Blancs Champagne. With only 5,000 bottles produced, this exclusive champagne is made purely from Chardonnay grapes from an Ecocert-certified vineyard. Each bottle is hand-packed into its own gift box and note, with nationwide delivery.
Price: £50 per bottle. £75 with flute set
Sainsbury’s
Madame F Prosecco
The Madame F Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry is comprised of 90% Glera and 10% Chardonnay grapes.
Price: This is currently on on offer at Sainsbury’s, down from £12 to £9, covering the bulk of the Christmas season!, over the following dates: 3rd November to 31st December.
Waitrose
Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir RRP £10.99
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: South Australia
Winemaker: Corey Ryan
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Elephant in the Room Chardonnay RRP £10.99
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: 100% Limestone Coast
Winemaker: Corey Ryan
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.5%
Elephant in the Room Prodigious Pinot Gris RRP £10.99
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Gris
Region: Limestone Coast
Winemaker: Corey Ryan
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 12.5%
Lubanzi Wines
The socially conscious, sustainable wine producer hailing from South Africa, is now stocking its canned wine range at Waitrose, nationwide. The cans of wine are perfect stocking fillers for those who enjoy wine and have a passion for caring for the planet.
Chenin Blanc – 100% Chenin Blanc made from 20+ yr old dry farmed vines, hand-picked & naturally fermented grapes grown in shale soils in South Africa’s rugged and iconic Swartland.
Red Blend – Utilising a mix of granite & shale soil vineyards throughout the Coastal Region, the wine encapsulates the diversity of the area while showcasing its champion, Shiraz.
Rosé Bubbles – A unique sparkling rosé crafted from 100% Swartland-grown Cinsault and fizzing with a light, airy effervescence, similar to Prosecco.
WHISKEY
Cask & Bottle Co Whisky
Say hello to the new name in the world of whisky, Cask & Bottle Co, a company that has been formed by passionate whisky enthusiasts with a mission to transform the whisky landscape.
Cask & Bottle Co Whisky, £76.50 (+P&P) available from caskandbottleco.com. Pre-sales open to subscribers from today (no password to enter the site), and the website opens to general sales on 27 July 2023.
Wolfie’s Whisky
Wolfie’s Whisky, the new blended Scotch from Sir Rod Stewart will have a limited release of 2,500 bottles in a special edition Christmas tube, this festive season.
The festive tubes are decked out with Royal Stewart tartan and bearing the words ‘Merry Christmas’, along with Rod’s signature. The bottles of Wolfie’s in this special Christmas gift packaging will be available to buy on www.wolfieswhisky.com from Thursday 15 November for £35.
Uhuru Whisky
Batch 2 of Uhuru Whisky is the sister to our inaugural release. This Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has spent 12 years maturing in a Virgin Oak barrel.
Indulge in the velvety smoothness of this whisky, where macerated fruits and apricot slices intertwine with hints of oak spiciness, vanilla extract, and a touch of burnt toffee and peat smoke. Pair it with cream soda and a zesty wedge of pink grapefruit for a truly sublime experience.
Price: £54.99
www.uhuruspirits.co.uk
FUJI Japanese Whisky
FUJI Japanese Whisky (FUJI – WHISKY from Mt. Fuji Distillery), which brings together the best of American, Canadian and Scotch production methods, has today announced its arrival in the UK.
Tácnbora, £42.50/700ml
Tácnbora, aptly named as the Standard-Bearer, is more than just a bottle of whisky; it’s a blend of stories, heritage, and the rich tapestry of the Kingdom of Northumbria. Tácnbora skilfully blends whiskies representing two of the peoples that made up the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria – bringing together Irish and Scottish Whiskies. This isn’t just a gift, it’s an invitation to share in the story of Ad Gefrin and anticipate the arrival of their Single Malt.
GIN
Hayman’s London Dry Gin
Hayman’s multi-award winning London Dry gin is the benchmark in London Dry Gin. Crisp and complex with refreshing notes of juniper, subtle exotic spice and a lively citrus finish, Hayman’s London Dry gin is distilled today using the original family recipe from 1863.
Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Murcian Lemon, a new super premium expression created to celebrate the region of Murcia in Spain and the stunning citrus that it produces, while shining a light on the long-standing relationships Bombay Sapphire has forged with its dedicated suppliers and farmers. One to add to the list this Christmas.
Elephant Gin
In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, Elephant Gin (Elephant Gin – Your Online Shop for Premium Gin – B Corp Certified ) will release a special edition this October.
The African Explorer will be officially launched in October and is available from Craft Gin Club and priced at £45.00.
NON-ALCOHOLIC
Saicho 750ml bottles (with gift box)
Available at Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Cold Brew Tea | Saicho, Amazon and Selfridges
Price: £17.99
Saicho Darjeeling 750ml – This black tea was grown in the foothills of the Himalayas in Darjeeling, India. Harvested in the summer to develop its unique Darjeeling muscatel flavour, the tea has notes of mandarin, ginger and wood spice and gentle, dry tannins. Pairs well with grilled meats or rich pasta dish
Saicho Hojicha 750ml – Originating in Kyoto in the 1920s as a way of utilising leftover leaves, stems, stalks and twigs, Hojicha is a roasted green tea from Japan. The tea has a deep umami character and notes of nori seaweed, roasted hazelnut and delicate smoke, with dry and woody tannins. Pairs well with sushi or mushroom risotto
L.A Brewery Sparkling English Blush, 750ml, Price £10
Available at Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Amazon, Ocado, Selfridges and L.A Brewery: Kombucha & Non-alcoholic Drinks
Inspired by summer rosé wines, the L.A Sparkling Blush combines summer’s seasonal flowers and is perfect as an alternative to rose. Infused with rhubarb, peach, elderflower, and a touch of hops. The Blush is delicate, fruity & refreshing.
jAGA Sodas
jAGA sodas are a range of refreshingly light sparkling drinks that are powered by a calming and uplifting blend of adaptogenic Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms, along with Ashwagandha, Magnesium, L’Tryptophan and L’Theanine. Available in a 330ml, 100% recyclable can, each beverage is caffeine free, vegan and gluten-free friendly.
The range flavours include Pomelo and Passionfruit, Mixed Berry, Mexican Lime & Mint and Watermelon.
Available via the jAGA website, www.jagadrinks.com and Amazon.
Price from £20 (8 x cans)
www.jagadrinks.com
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