Food & Drink

The Modern Face of Scottish Craftsmanship

There is a powerful, almost tangible energy when two distinct worlds collide under a single, unified philosophy. In the world of luxury craft, heritage is often treated as a museum piece, something to be preserved exactly as it was. Yet, a recent and pioneering collaboration between independent cask broker Cask Trade, contemporary fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie, and the forward thinking Nc’nean Distillery has turned this notion entirely on its head.

Last week, I attended a press lunch at Carousel in London alongside fellow whisky writers for the relaunch of Tormore, one of Speyside's most distinctive distilleries. The event was far more than the simple unveiling of a new range of single malts. It represented the fulfilment of a long held ambition for brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, whose profound influence on modern whisky appreciation through The Whisky Exchange remains difficult to exaggerate.

There is a version of Champagne that exists purely for the party. The pop, the pour, the Instagram moment. And then there is the version Cédric Jacopin makes. It asks you to slow down.

The Art of the Father’s Day Dram: Why Bushmills is the Ultimate Gift for the Discerning Parent

We were invited specially to the launch of A Taste of The Championships, an exclusive seasonal menu tasting celebrating the very best of Britain’s larder, thoughtfully sourced, sustainably led, and inspired by the diverse restaurant experiences that will define The Championships 2026 at Wimbledon.

The Freshness of Thinking: Why Rosé is No Longer Just a Seasonal Footnote

There is something wonderfully liberating about drinking pink wine without pretending it has to justify itself. Rosé has spent decades being underestimated, lightly dismissed as a sugary summer seasonal or a simple patio sipper. Yet, away from the clichés, the category has quietly become one of the most dynamic corners of modern viticulture.

Regular readers will know that I have a particular affinity for House of Hazelwood and tend to anticipate each annual release with genuine interest. The 2026 Charles Gordon Collection continues a philosophy shaped by Charles Gordon, one that places patience at the centre of whisky making and recognises that time, when handled with restraint, remains the most valuable asset at a producer’s disposal.

I was recently among a small group invited to the hallowed rooms of Bonhams in London to taste the new Eagle Rare 30 Year Old. This represents the oldest age stated bourbon ever released by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. More significantly, it is a release that challenges the long held perception of exactly how long a Kentucky bourbon can remain in barrel before it loses its soul.

There are moments in the wine world that remind you just how much remains undiscovered. This April, Coravin leans into that very idea with its Curiosity By-the-Glass campaign—an initiative designed to challenge familiarity and celebrate exploration, one glass at a time.

I experienced this firsthand at Frog by Adam Handling, in the company of Wine Director Kelvin McCabe (no relation), whose thoughtful curation brought the campaign vividly to life.

There are plenty of wine podcasts. There are plenty of political interviews. But never have I seen them combined. ‘Vintage Politics’, hosted by Abbie Bennington, does exactly that.

The premise is simple but effective. Conversations with some of the UK’s most recognisable political voices (and a comedian), paired with wines that reflect moments in their lives. Guests include Jon Sopel, Anna Foster, and Nick Robinson, alongside figures such as Guto Harri, Dom Joly and Jo Coburn.