As a food writer, I should write about food. As a wine writer, I should write about wine. But as a human, I must write about people. At Pétrus in Belgravia, the people are at the heart of what makes it extraordinary.
I recently ventured two hours north of King’s Cross to visit The British Hamper Company and meet the family behind this growing business. What began as a modest operation under a gazebo has become a well-respected brand known for high-quality, artisan hampers. With a focus on exceptional products and seamless international delivery, the company has positioned itself as a major player in the gifting, corporate, and Christmas hamper markets.
Le Clarence, nestled in the heart of Paris, a stone’s throw from the recently renovated Grand Palais, is full of both old-world charm and modern elegance. Set within a grand mansion just steps away from the Champs-Élysées, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant is complete with a wine store that holds bottles of France’s finest wines from the best vintages. The mansion and restaurant are owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon, the family-owned company behind Château Haut-Brion. This alone sets the tone perfectly for what you might expect.
House of Hazelwood and Hedonism Wines have come together to create the ultimate expression of indulgence: *The Pursuit of Pleasure*, a 52-year-old Blended Scotch Whisky.
Regular readers will know I’m a longtime admirer of House of Hazelwood, but what you might not realise is that I’m also a fan of shopping for whisky and Armagnac at Hedonism Wines, just off Berkeley Square in London. So, when I heard these two were collaborating to create a whisky, I was immediately intrigued.
Earlier this year I attended a splendid lunch at the private members club Oswald's, in the heart of Mayfair. Upon entry our phone cameras were taped over, ensuring we complied with their no photography policy. This is not something I mind, as it meant full dedication to tasting the whisky from our hosts, the Johnson family. It was a lavish luncheon with many of the whisky worlds great and good in attendance. Looking at the crowd, it was obvious the family were keen to impress and get their whisky in the hands of some fine writers. I like their confidence.
I recently had the privilege of spending a day at Villa Margon, the beautiful heart of Ferrari Trento wines, located just an hour’s drive from the culturally rich city of Verona. Renowned for its Roman-era Arena di Verona, Verona is still a venue for operas and concerts, and its connection to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. While my previous visits had been centred around cycling along the scenic routes of Lake Garda, this trip was all about the wines of Ferrari Trento.
I have written about the House of Hazelwood extensively before. On this occasion, I thought it would be interesting to interview Jonathan Gibson, a director of House of Hazelwood to find out how they curated this, their third, extraordinary collection of whiskies. My tasting notes are below the interview.
Roughly how many barrels were tasted before selecting the whiskies included in this collection?
Steinway & Sons, a name synonymous with the finest pianos on the planet, have been crafting their instruments for over a century and a half. With factories in Hamburg, Germany, and New York, Steinway pianos are the epitome of quality and craftsmanship, loved by musicians and piano aficionados worldwide. My recent visit to their Hamburg factory demonstrated to me just how meticulous their craftsmanship is, their extraordinary pursuit of excellence and the use of innovative technology in an analogue instrument.
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.
