There are few things as satisfying as a tipple of the highest quality. For most of us, they don’t come around too often, the occasional toast or corporate treat yields a rare chance to sample a nectar more golden. Every man, let alone gent, should have the opportunity to drink from a bottle that has been crafted by a virtuoso in the art of alcohol, a bottle that is usually out of reach, both in price tag and shelf height – even if it’s just the once. These are the high end poisons that should be on your shortlist as a shortcut to inebriation next time you fancy something more than the ordinary:
Whisky/Whiskey
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Where to start but a good old Scotch. Possibly the most famous premium blend there is, and for a reason. The Johnnie Walker name is hallowed and Blue Label is the finest in their range: made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies, it’s the crème de la crème of the blended whisky world. It’s silky down the gullet and the multi-layered body is a treat for the tastebuds. This is a must drink, especially neat with some ice cold water beforehand to cleanse the palate.
Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask 2009
Joining the Scotch on our list is a world whisky from Taiwanese distillery Kavalan. The Solist line is a range of single cask, cast strength liquids aged in different woods: this particular highlight of the range is matured in an ex-Bourbon barrel. A pale gold colour precursors a vanilla sweet note that sits all the way through. Overall, it’s a rich and fruity dram which also carries a woody, spicy aroma.
Vodka
Beluga Gold Line
Vodka is, all too often, just vodka. There’s often little appreciation for anything above a certain threshold. Whilst we all stopped drinking paint stripper aping stuff in our teens, first steps into premium vodka remain rare, and are all too often mixed with a soft drink. Gold Line is a luxurious take from Beluga that is superbly smooth to sip and crisp in flavour, not one to be wasted in a glass half full of Coke. Each bottle also comes with a a small hammer and brush to cleanly remove the wax seal.
Gin
Williams Chase Elegant Crisp Gin
British gins are having a moment, and for good reason. Leading the pack is Williams Chase, widely regarded as a newcomer that has swept the industry and surpassed an existing offering. The innovative distillery has also made waves for its potato vodka, but their gin is a real prize, distilled from their own organically grown apples and packaged with delightfully British verve. Juniper, elderflower and apple flavours suitably upgrade a G&T to a new level.
Cognac
Hennessy XO Cognac
Hennessy remains one of the world’s oldest Cognac producers, having been first distilled by eponymous founder Richard in 1765. A recognisable name and huge market share doesn’t detract from the quality, certainly not where the XO is concerned. First bottled in in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy, the leathery tobacco notes and its underlying spice are something to experience indeed.
Tequila
Gran Patron Platinum Tequila
The connotations and stigma are there. Patron has been tarnished by rappers, Beverly Hills rich kids and reality stars for years on end. The product however, remains markedly top shelf and exceedingly excellent. The first ultra-premium blanco tequila in the world, Gran Patron is triple-distilled and aged. Doing shots with it is a sheer waste; it’s there to savoured, delighted in and measured to toast success in a more refined manner — rather than emptying the glass as quick as possible and hoping it doesn’t burn the throat on the way down.
Rum
Mount Gay 1703
The molasses rum is not one for cocktails, but a sipper that goes down great with a hearty cigar. This special edition bottle celebrates the year the distillery was started and is blended by Allen Smith, master distiller, using rums aged between 10 and 30 years old. A treat for sure from one of the world’s oldest surviving distilleries.
