Food & Drink

Old Pulteney, known as the "Maritime Malt," is located in the northern Scottish town of Wick. When I saw Northern I really mean it, being a mere 16 miles from John o' Groats. The distillery is deeply intertwined with the maritime heritage of this historic port, as I discovered on a recent visit.

Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts 2024 edition - £64.95 from Master of Malt

Hermitage Cognac, the distinguished independent cognac house, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Hermitage Siècle d’Or 100 Year Old Cognac, believed to be the world’s oldest barrel-aged cognac ever released. With only 68 one-litre decanters available, this exquisite offering is crafted for cognac connoisseurs, collectors, and investors, and presented in luxurious, hand-crafted Cumbrian Crystal decanters, retailing at a modest £24,900 each. Yes, you read that right – £24,900. At that price, it even comes with its own gasp!

Method & Madness Amburana Finish

A brainchild of Midleton Distillery in Ireland, Method and Madness was started in 2017. It embodies the maverick persona within me, that I would pursue if I had the funds to start a distillery. The brand veers away from tradition, embracing experimentation in a way that resonates with my love for exploring flavours. For me, whisky is about the exploration of flavour, and Method and Madness delivers this in abundance.

Red Bank Whisky by Kiefer Sutherland

I have had the privilege of attending numerous events and meeting an array of fascinating people. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kiefer Sutherland at the launch of his new whisky brand, Red Bank. As both a fan of the television series 24 and a whisky writer, this encounter was particularly special for me. 

Founded in 1905 by the young Norwegian adventurer Thomas Bache-Gabrielsen, the house has maintained its commitment to producing high-quality cognac for over a century. Thomas began his journey when he left Norway for France, driven by a passion for spirits and a keen entrepreneurial spirit. Joining forces with Peter Anton Rustad, another Norwegian, they acquired the established cognac house A. Edmond Dupuy. This acquisition marked the birth of Bache-Gabrielsen Cognac. I recently spoke with Claire Ronsin from the estate:-

Tiffon Cognac

Rooted in the heart of Cognac, this family-owned distillery boasts a history dating back to 1875. The distillery was established by Medéric Tiffon, whose passion for cognac laid the foundation for the brand. The early 20th century saw significant expansion under the stewardship of Sverre Braastad, a Norwegian who married into the Tiffon family. Braastad's influence was instrumental in expanding Tiffon's reach, particularly in the Scandinavian markets.

Introducing Wiltons' Classics Menu: where history meets haute cuisine in a collision of flavours that would make even Henry VIII's taste buds do a happy dance. From July 1st to August 31st, prepare to be whisked away on a culinary journey fit for royalty (or at least a particularly discerning monarch).

I dined at Wilton’s last night with friends and it was a blast. The crowd were a mixture of fantastic faces from the last two decades in politics and film.