Food & Drink

As a romantic opportunity raises it's head, it is time to make an effort to find wines that are both delicious and suitable for the occasion. I like to move away from classical choices like Rosé Champagne, in favour of something that has required a little more thought, yet is readily available. Rosè wine, with its romantic hue, is an obvious choice, but we shouldn’t exclude others. My recommendation, if staying at home, is to put on a wine tasting for your partner. Not only will it spark conversation, but it will add an element of interaction to your evening.

The Whisky Exchange 

Irish whiskey, alongside rum, are two categories I want to delve deeper into during 2024. They both excite me in different ways. Irish whiskey is gaining momentum and there is a real keenness to explore flavours and different finishes. This may not be for the purist, but I actively seek out the different. Single Irish Post Still Whiskey is made from both malted and unmalted barley, making it quite different from Scotch in its flavour profile. 

In the heart of Napa Valley lies Joseph Phelps Vineyards, a winery that I fell in love with during a visit in 2004, while conducting research for a book on North American wines. Unlike many other estates, Joseph Phelps had a human touch, an absence of corporate sterility that left a lasting impression. Here, the emphasis was on genuine care and the people who worked there.

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, Stoll and Wolfe was established in 2016 by Dick Stoll, a legendary figure in the whisky industry, and Avianna & Erik Wolfe. This partnership drew deep inspiration from the historic legacy of Pennsylvania distilling, a region once celebrated as the heart of American rye whisky. 

McTavish Spirits - The Warchief

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation for a one-on-one interview with Hollywood star Graham McTavish, to taste his new 7-year-old Bottled in Bond Bourbon, aptly named "McTavish - The Warchief" I approached the interview with a degree of scepticism, my past encounters with celebrity-endorsed spirits have left me under-impressed, given their tendency to prioritise branding over the quality of the whisky itself, often resulting in disappointment.

IT'S the most wonderful time of the year again for us beer lovers, when the effervescent pilsners and lagers of the warmer months now transition into darker, stronger brews – chiefly ales, porters, stouts and barley wines for these colder and longer nights.

During our exhilarating Audi R8 Spyder Tour, we ventured into the wonderful realm of restaurant A Wong, presided over by the renowned chef Andrew Wong. The experience was extraordinary—a triumph of flavours and artistry. A Wong is the sole Chinese restaurant outside of Asia to boast two Michelin stars, a testament to its exceptional quality and innovation in gastronomy.

Mossburn Distillery Collaborates With FourSquare

At the heart of Mossburn's whisky production is the art of blending. They are passionate about the craft of combining different whisky stocks to create harmonious and complex final expressions. They meticulously select casks from various distilleries, each contributing its own distinct flavour profile, and blend them to achieve a balanced and memorable whisky.

Ardbeg The Rollercoaster

Ardbeg, one of Islay's predominate distilleries launched The Rollercoaster last week. This two-bottle set comprises a 1981 and 1989 expression representing the years the distillery closed and then reopened. 

As I made a left turn from the A6 in Derbyshire to visit White Peak Distillery located in the stunning Derwent Valley, I was transported to a bygone era, steeped in decades of industrial history. This locale evoked the ambience of an environment where workers might have toiled for 12-hour shifts, clocking out at the end of the day, covered in the grime of their labour, fatigued, and longing for a full plate of homecooked food. It held a certain charm, which resonated with me, as it must have with Max and Claire Vaughan.