Easter signals the arrival of spring, a season of renewal, celebration and hopefully some long-awaited warmth. As you get together with family to celebrate this festive occasion, it is important to make your drink selections just right. The following selection offers a diverse range of wine and 3 delicious whiskies, each embodying the essence of its origin and matching perfectly with traditional Easter food.
Graham Beck is one of the most highly regarded producers of South Africa’s Cap Classique, the country’s answer to Champagne. With a reputation for exceptional sparkling wines made using the traditional method, Graham Beck has become a favourite for many, especially with their quality to price ratio.
Marfuga, one of the finest producers of olive oil in the world, is not located in Tuscany but is nestled in the heart of Umbria. The company sits at the base of the majestic Marfuga hill, surrounded by fertile lands in the valley of Spoleto. It is a region I am very familiar with, having visited countless times to see friends, but was unaware of Marfuga until my most recent trip.
Mossburn Distillers and Blenders continue to impress with their thoughtful and innovative cask finishes, and this 12-year-old expression is no exception. Neil Mathieson, Mossburn's master distiller, has selected 18 casks from four Speyside distilleries to undergo a finishing process in Calvados casks sourced from the Dupont family.
As the holiday season approaches, the quest for unique and memorable gifts takes centre stage. But why make your friend or loved one wait until December 25th to open your gift? Wouldn’t it be better to see their face light up early in the season, and avoid your gift getting lost in a mountain of presents?
The Torabhaig distillery on Skye never ceases to excite me. As you may have read previously, I have tasted all the releases of their Legacy series and loved each one. However, I had never had the opportunity to taste their distillery exclusives - until now. This changed at the wonderful Merchant House in London, where Neil Macleod hosted a small group of us.
Jamavar, on Mount Street in London, draws inspiration from the Viceroy's house in New Delhi, marrying the opulence of India's bygone eras with the modernity of London's dining scene. The restaurant's name itself, is derived from the luxurious Jamavar shawls that symbolise Indian craftsmanship. Mount Street, known for its Victorian architecture and high-end boutiques, provided a fitting backdrop for the restaurant that aims to blend the rich culinary traditions of India with contemporary expectations.
In this article, I look at two American whisky distilleries that are making waves. Westland from Seattle has created a name for itself making single malt whisky and Uncle Nearest that is currently valued at $900m having only been founded in 2017.
Meandering along the streets of Clerkenwell, I found myself pondering why it had taken me so long to dine at Luca, a stalwart of Italian food with a distinctive British twist. Owned by the Clove Club, this Michelin-starred restaurant disguises its culinary skills behind a façade reminiscent of a local trattoria, with its inviting green exterior and modest double wooden doors.
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.
