VOLUME 04 OCTOBER - DECEMBER

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOM SANDHAM & BEN MCFARLAND THINKING DRINKERS

THE WINTER EDITION WINTER EDITION

WELCOME TO THE FOURTH EDITION OF 2018 SPIRITS SUPPLEMENTS FROM DISTILLED

The 2018 Limited Edition ranges fish, or combined to create a perfect from Distilled have seen some new smoky Bloody Mary aperitif. and exciting whiskies, gins and rums 3 WELCOME make it to the bar. So, to end 2018, Another smoky addition, but of we are mixing things up a bit. The the darker variety this time – 4 THE THINKING DRINKERS winter months will see some people and surprisingly, it’s not a malt 6 WHITE CHRISTMAS hitting the top shelf and choosing whisky. Cut to the Smoke rum 10 HIGH BAR FOR HIGHBALLS dark spirits, but many more of us uses Jamaican rum and gets will want to try something warm, its smokiness from American 12 WHISKY INNOVATION sparkling or experimental with a woodchips, two elements which 18 MIX A LOT twist on a classic cocktail. combine to make a rum that is just 20 WHISKY IN THE JAR perfect for sipping after a warming We start with gin, the fastest growing meal. Cut to the Smoke is not alone, 22 WINTER WARMERS spirit category. But I didn’t need to though. We’ve selected two more eye of anyone admiring your back- 26 JIM WRIGLEY tell you that. It’s no secret that gin rums in the form of Peaky Blinder bar selection, as the vanilla pods 30 SPICED RUM PT.1 doesn’t have to be about a cold, Black Spiced and Hoxton Banana. and cinnamon sticks are visible refreshing G&T. Now, we expand the Try the former served with ginger inside their stylish bottles. 34 SPICED RUM PT.2 line-up with an all-new flavoured gin ale, the latter with lime juice and a from the William Chase Distillery, small amount of sugar syrup – and Lastly, liqueurs. Our second addition 36 WARNER EDWARDS Rhubarb and Bramley Apple – then, well, you’ll see… to the Boë gin liqueur range is their perfectly served with lemon juice all-new Spiced Orange concoction. HARRINGTON SLOE GIN and soda water. If you haven’t had Whisky is a staple behind any bar Warming and rich with cinnamon 38 CHASE RHUBARB & the chance to wait for the first frost during those cold months and flavours, this liqueur will certainly BRAMLEY APPLE GIN and get out picking sloe berries, Glenfiddich IPA cask is a great twist jazz up your favourite fizz to get we have a perfect alternative. on a classic malt. Their experiment the Christmas party in full swing! 40 CHASE OAK SMOKED VODKA Referred to as the “great, autumnal of aging malt whisky in India Pale Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas 42 CUT TO THE SMOKE RUM masterpiece”, Warner Edwards Sloe Ale casks has succeeded on all for many without Baileys too, and 44 HOXTON BANANA & RUM Gin sits elegantly next to the rest possible counts in our book, and this year you can enjoy a twist on the of the Harrington gin range. It is, as you simply have to try it for yourself. classic with Baileys Almande. Both 46 PEAKY BLINDER SPICED RUM you might expect, steeped with sloe And though you wouldn’t normally dairy and gluten-free, this is a great 48 808 WHISKY berries handpicked from Warner associate electric music with malt option for any coffee, hot chocolate 50 GLENFIDDICH IPA Edwards’ farm – and though it is whisky, read on to hear how 808 or dessert menu, as well as a simple splendid on its own, it is even better single grain scotch is defying all neat serving over ice. 52 KARAVAN CINNAMON mixed with bitter lemon, champagne expectations in this regard. & VANILLA COGNAC or prosecco. Long story short, the twelve 54 BAILEYS ALMANDE Of course, it wouldn’t be a winter products selected for our Winter Sticking with white spirits, we move range without cognac somewhere Edition will allow everyone to try 56 BOË SPICED ORANGE GIN LIQUEUR to vodka. The first vodka to make in the mix. Innovation in cognac something a little different this 58 FEVER-TREE MIXERS it into the limited edition range for and brandy has slowed down winter, making for some special 2018 is Chase Oak Smoked – a dramatically in recent years, and occasions and truly memorable vodka that will get you longing for glimmers of growth are a distant serves. Don’t forget, make your a log fire to drink it in front of. The memory for many cognacs. voices heard if you really like any water from the distillery borehole However, there are two flavour one of the twelve selected drinks is left in the smokehouse to pick variations that are a must for in particular – you may see them CHECK US OUT CALL US FOLLOW US up delicate, smoky flavours before your after-dinner drinks menu, return again in our range for 2019. being blended with award-winning or for livening up classic cognac CALL 0845 072 7092 Chase Vodka. Try sipping neat and cocktails of old. Karavan Vanilla and Katie Hewitt FOR FULL EXTENDED CONTENT TO PLACE AN YOUR ORDER WITH  DISTILLEDUK chilled, matched with oily smoked Cinnamon will certainly catch the Category Manager Spirits PLEASE VISIT DISTILLEDUK.COM YOUR SALES MANAGER  DISTILLEDUK WINTER EDITION THINKING DRINKERS THINKING DRINKERS WINTER EDITION

WINTER WARMERS

Winter is here and if it’s anything breaking into our houses through a So, on the pages that follow Whisky also gets a good going over, We’ve also made room for white This is a great time of year for like the last one, you’d best be chimney? These people are ready you’ll find a bit of direction and with thoughts from the talented spirits in this supplement. Data the bar industry, and while it’s a stocking up. Bad weather put to be sold anything, so you’d best inspiration to hopefully help tweak Brian Kinsman, master blender at from the research company, hectic time requiring you to up pressure on the bar industry be ready to take advantage. a menu, add some value to spirits Glenfiddich. Meanwhile we look at Euromonitor, found blended staff numbers, host big groups and across winter 2017/18, and when and upsell a cocktail this winter. a new brand of grain whisky, 808, Scotch whisky sales in the UK keep on top of orders, you’ll rue the country regularly ground to But that’s not to say they can be that is taking a fresh view of the reached £1.28bn last year while any missed opportunities come a halt, a local bar was the safe hoodwinked by cheap and The most obvious starting point whisky world while also bringing in sales of gin hit £1.07bn. Still a way January. So enjoy the rush and haven of many. Meanwhile, for a cheerful experiences in the bar. when looking at the back bar is the multi award-winning bar genius off perhaps, but it’s predicted that give the customers every reason more positive take on this time Most will be guzzling whatever the dark spirits collection. Whisky, Ryan Chetiyawardana to consult by 2020, sales of blended Scotch to come back to you when things of year, Christmas is coming and they can get their hands on when brandy, even rum make their mark on cocktails. could drop to £1.17bn, with gin sales are quiet. the tills should be getting as fat confined to living rooms with on the customer in the winter continuing to climb to £1.37bn. as gluttonous geese. This is the whinging relatives – everything months. The rich, warm flavours For a general overview on how to seasonal spell where people will from oxidised sherry to sour pair perfectly with the cuisine make the most of winter, we Gin is on a march, and it has been throw a bit of caution and cash to advocaat will work as an your customers are chomping on, turned to Jim Wrigley, bar for a while now, so it is far from the the wind. anaesthetic. But when they head to making these spirits essential. To group manager for Bourne & time to lose focus on this spirit. you, they expect more. that end we’ve given our thoughts Hollingsworth. We’ve known Jim Christmas is a perfect moment to There’s a general tendency to on spiced rum, a category that is for many years and he’s always maximise this interest and present simply go with the flow during So how do you maximise the booming and a spirit that combines been on top of the bar game. Not the spirit in a new way. Hot drinks the build up to Christmas, season? Everyone reading should the rich chocolate notes of rum only is he exceptionally eloquent, are an obvious call in the colder customers are happy to deal with know at least one way to answer to with plenty of the seasonal spices he really knows his stuff, so enjoy months, and by making hot gin the consequences in January. that question, there are plenty of we all associate with Christmas. his insights. drinks, you combine two winners. Why else would people cultivate easy wins that should be ingrained Suggestions on how to maximise a narrative that sees a half-cut, in your business plan. And yet, we cocktails also come from fat and bearded old man bowling figured a little reminder through this ‘star-tender’ Andy Mil. around on a flying sledge before supplement can’t hurt.

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Not many bartenders are dreaming Hot drinks can also make use of of a white Christmas when it comes seasonal sloe gins, which will work to their spirits selection. Dark well with apple juice and various spirits dominate the menu during spices in a twist on the traditional the winter. Yet, the rise and rise of mulled wine recipe. gin, and the new-found affection for vodka with character, are trends “Although sloe gin is great all you can’t afford to give the cold year round, the consumer tends shoulder as the frosts settle. to see it is a winter drink,” says Andy. “It’s also one of the most Besides, ask the Scandinavians misunderstood bottles on the back what their native Saint Nick will be bar with a lot of people struggling to

drinking this season and few will � find ways of serving it, but with the suggest sherry – he’s more likely to right serves we see it as the perfect be skulling vodka while he sledges winter back bar addition. We keep across roofs – don’t drink and the ABV of our sloe gin higher than sledge folks. Even Dickens would most at 30%, which allows the turn in his grave if he couldn’t find a flavour of the sloe berries to stand White gin drink to help him exorcise those out through the sugar. This means ghosts of Christmas past. Besides, that when it’s added to cocktails, according to the William Grant & you can actually taste the gin base Sons Market Report (compiled not the jam flavour that usually using CGA Strategy data up to 2nd comes through with a sloe gin. Ours February 2018), vodka still retains The trick then, is to find ways to get is perfect for Hot Mulled Sloe Gin the largest value share of the spirits white spirits into a festive menu. where apple juice can be batched market at 29.9%, and actually rose One relatively easy approach is up with all the spices, or a Hot 0.5%, while gin has enjoyed the warm drinks. Warm drinks are a Mulled Honeybee Gin. Lemonade largest value growth up to £181.9m. staple, but too often bars get heads is a great alternative, too.” turned by hot toddies and mulled wine. As splendid as these serves are, there’s plenty of scope to bring vodka and gin into the cauldron.

Gin, for example, is already blessed with the botanical mix that adds those spicy notes to a mulled wine. Warner Edwards is a gin distillery working to prove this point, and Andy Seach, who works on the team there and runs Barfly UK, a bespoke cocktail service, has helped bar professionals adapt simple serves.

“By diversifying the serve away from the traditional G&T you can emphasise some of the spicier botanicals embedded in the gin,” � says Andy. “A Hot Gin Toddy is the perfect way to bring out the spicy flavours used in Warner Edwards, such as cardamom and nutmeg, topped off with seasonal garnishes like sticks of cinnamon to add some much-needed winter theatrics.” Christmas 6 7 WINTER EDITION WHITE CHRISTMAS WHITE CHRISTMAS WINTER EDITION

The beauty of these drinks is they can be served singularly, or in batches, left to simmer away at the end of your bar. This way they create a feature, a talking point and infuse the place with a beautiful, Christmas aroma. But they don’t have to be warm drinks. Hot Jalisco “Switching from tonic to ginger ale is a simple twist to a festive serve. Getting creative with the garnish can quickly change a drink, too. Serving a dry gin with spiced orange and a cranberry garnish is Punch delicious. Add a drop of sloe gin to � a glass of Prosecco (a “Sloesecco”) and you have an instant festive crowd pleaser that has a beautiful pink hue.”

With vodka, the folks at Chase suggest a simple winter strategy of built drinks, with no more than two or three ingredients, supported with twists on classic cocktails. If you take a Scandinavian Vodka and gin fans will be coming approach, you could even in droves this winter – catch their be serving these spirits neat. eye with a simple mixed drink with Christmas is an obvious time a seasonal name and they’ll be as for bookings, so if you have the happy as rum and whisky sippers. space and the kitchen, then simple pairings of fish and vodka for the perfect Scandi Christmas starter Method is a nice way to add value to an aperitif. Ingredients Mix pomegranate, Explore the wider range of white spirits if you have time. Aquavit, for 2ltr recipe, serves 5 cinnamon and sugar to example, is a seasonal favourite in Scandinavia along with vodka. a pot, bring to boil, simmer Tequila shouldn’t be overlooked Cazcabel Blanco either. There are still plenty of for 15 minutes. Add tequila opportunities to sell a decent 2ltr pomegranate juice tequila cocktail in winter. We spend a lot of time banging on about and orange slice as you serve. Japanese whisky, but as great as 2 sticks of cinnamon it is, the Japanese will be enjoying heated sake during winter months. The fact is, you’ll have more 100g sugar people in the bar than ever during the Christmas spell, so this is an 50ml agave syrup opportunity to showcase every spirit on the backbar, white or dark, and combine it with serves that can Orange slice garnish be seasonal, innovative and simple at exactly the same time.

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Some of our favourite highballs of all time include the ATB Highball TWISTING A served in London’s Original Sin. This beautiful blend of Amontillado HIGH sherry with flavours of apricot, HIGHBALL IS ONE lemon and walnut delivers an incredibly balanced flavour. Another serve we recall reaching OF THE BEST WAYS new, ahem, heights was the Everest highball at Dandelyan, mixing My TO DELIVER VALUE Lyan’s ‘Everest Blend’ Scotch BAR FOR with mint stem, cacao butter, Champagne acid, all fizzed. Such TO THE CUSTOMER, a lovely light aperitif makes you wonder what you ever saw in a vodka tonic... KEEP THINGS HIGHBALLS Granted such examples go beyond SIMPLE FOR STAFF, the standards, but even the simplest serve can be spruced up with a seasonal garnish. Crucial to AND MAXIMISE the serve is nicely chilled glassware and good ice. The highball glass is tall, but not as big as a Collins glass, PROFITS ON A and if you put the right amount of ice in, then add the spirit, you’ll find MIXED DRINK. there’s not that much space for a mixer. For us, this works, because people should taste the spirit.

Highballs are also useful to introduce people into a new category, or indeed an old one that they’ve forgotten – such as BRANDY brandy. Brandy is a Christmas HIGHBALL Much like a giraffe during mating classic, but many customers have season, the best bar people a fixed perspective on it and that understand the value of quality might prove a barrier. If you use highballs. The highball is a serve the spirit in a highball though, you 30ML BRANDY every customer feels comfortable open the flavours and make it more 20ML ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR with, it’s a safe bet and a familiar accessible to the customer. The one, thanks to the ubiquity of rum option to twist it also brings in other 7ML FRESH LEMON JUICE and coke and G&T. ingredients that are potentially TOP WITH SODA more familiar or palatable, a The problem with the highball sweeter liqueur for example. is how easy it is to replicate at home. Historically the serve was Some see a highball as a summer FILL A HIGHBALL GLASS little more than spirit and mixer, serve, which it categorically isn’t. WITH QUALITY ICE AND POUR emerging in the 19th century when If anything, it’s just as important whisky was the preferred spirit. on a menu at Christmas because INGREDIENTS OVER, FINISHING You’d have to be fairly inept to fail the simplicity of the serve and the WITH SODA. at such a serve on your sofa. So, if opportunity to add value makes you want customers to feel they’re it a winner when the bar is at its getting value for money in your bar, busiest. you need to bring more to the drink.

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WHISKY

WHY IS INNOVATION IN WHISKY IMPORTANT?

It is essential to continually try things and experiment. Even if an experiment fails you will learn something new about the distillery, how flavours develop or how certain parts of the process react to change. Only by experimenting can we develop new expressions of single malt.

WHAT DRIVES YOUR IDEAS?

Many things, but mainly It is experimentation that inspired through working with the whole the launch of Glenfiddich’s team at the distillery and beyond. Experimental Series in 2016. It was We are lucky to have hundreds of during that time that we created years of experience in our distillery Glenfiddich IPA, a collaboration team and, as a result, we have a with a local Speyside craft rich vein of ideas about how to brewer, and started Project XX, create different flavours in whisky. combining the top 20 picks out For the vast majority of the year, of our warehouses from industry everyone is focussed on keeping experts. Since then, we have the process consistent and gone on to launch Winter Storm, a keeping the spirit character and limited edition Glenfiddich finished quality exactly the same as it has in Canadian Ice Wine casks, and always been. However, we make most recently Fire & Cane, a lightly a point of taking some time every peated, non-age-statement single year to try something new, and the malt matured in ex-Bourbon casks distillery team are very active in before being finished in ‘Latin-style’ the process of generating ideas. I rum casks for several months. also love to collaborate with people We’ll continue to experiment and from other industries or walks of push the boundaries of what can life, as often they have a totally be achieved with our single malt different view of whisky, and that whisky. tends to challenge our thinking and spark an idea. INNOVATION

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WHAT BOUNDARIES ARE THERE WITH WHISKY? IF ANY?

There are boundaries on what we can do within the legal framework of Scotch whisky such as only using whole grain cereal (malted barley for single malt), water and yeast in our process and maturing in oak casks. But when it comes to innovation and experimentation, there are no boundaries. If an idea sounds interesting we will pursue it to at least understand what happens and how the whisky tastes, even if we can’t go on to bottle it.

HOW DO YOU CONVERT PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY DON’T LIKE WHISKY?

Get them to try it! There is such a broad spectrum of flavour in whisky that I am confident I can find one for everyone. Often it is the way it is served that can be off-putting to someone who doesn’t like it. Too strong or too powerful a flavour can put someone off. However, introduce them with a fruity Speyside single malt in a nicely matured American oak cask, with a good amount of water to reduce the alcohol, and the natural sweetness of the flavour is, more often than not, a revelation.

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MONKEY SHOULDER’S LAZY OLD FASHIONED A recipe guaranteed to never go out of fashion, Monkey Shoulder gives a new twist on a much-loved favourite. This WHILE IT simple and delicious batched cocktail recipe removes the SHOULDN’T BE hassle from making one of the world’s favourite cocktails. SEASONAL, DO YOU SEE THE WINTER AS A STRONG WHISKY INGREDIENTS MOMENT? (CREATES 14 SERVINGS) 700ml Monkey Shoulder It can be, but for me it is about 100ml Demerara Syrup (made by dissolving equal parts sugar the serve and the occasion. There and water in a pan and leaving to cool) is no doubt that in the summer 15ml Angostura Bitters people are often looking for longer, colder drinks and a highball can be ideal. However even on a hot day, a single malt with a dash of water (or neat) and a glass of iced water on the side is a lovely combination. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND WHISKY? Who knows? The landscape of whisky, single malt in particular, has changed so much in the last 20 to 30 years it is hard to predict the future. We are focussed on maintaining the quality of our key expressions and innovating to find new whiskies for the future.

METHOD

1. Empty 100ml of Monkey Shoulder from the bottle (and enjoy over ice!). 2. Replace this with 100 ml of Demerara Syrup. 3. Add 15ml of Angostura Bitters. 4. Mix contents well in bottle. 5. When serving, add ice to a rocks glass, pour over Lazy Old Fashioned and add a twist of an orange peel. 6. Leave remaining liquid in the bottle to be enjoyed at your leisure.

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“I think this is a brilliant way of getting people into the Scotch category,” says Ryan. “It has a lovely creaminess, but still has those sets of flavours that set it apart from a white spirit. It gets to play in a lot of arenas that white spirits get to play in, which MUSIC PRODUCER is difficult for aged spirits. I love TURNED WHISKY OWNER whisky but it’s a very different thing to be in a busy bar or club and still TOMMY DANVERS, AKA have ways to enjoy an amazing whisky and this is what’s so fun TOMMYD, IS BRINGING “I’M A MUSIC about 8O8 – it’s whisky remixed.” WITH THE A WIDER SPHERE OF PRODUCER,” GRAIN Cocktails really are a focus for ••• EXPERIENCE TO HIS 808 says TommyD. “My only knowledge 808, which should inspire some of drinks was drinking! I love inventive use of the product and GLASS: ROCKS WHISKY COCKTAILS whisky, I’m far from a connoisseur other whiskies this winter. • THIS CHRISTMAS but I see a huge amount of craft 3 DASHES and mystery in aged spirits that reminds me of writing and ORANGE producing music, so I bring what “WHISKY IN BITTERS I’ve learnt from being in the music • industry for 25 years to the table.” COCKTAILS IS 25ML APPLE When it comes to drinks, the vision This different angle is refreshing, GENERALLY JUICE of TommyD, the man behind 808 and often required at Christmas. • whisky, is as refreshing as the The spirits industry is very QUITE cocktails being made with it. The much about education and RESTRICTIVE 25ML BIANCO former music producer has more Music has a crucial part to play in enlightenment. Bar professionals VERMOUTH than 25 years’ experience in the the bar, especially at Christmas. If need to take time to talk • music business as a former DJ you’re churning out Wham-esque customers through products, it’s because it’s the very nature of the at Ministry of Sound, as well as a Christmas classics, rest assured what makes a spirits-led bar an liquid to have a strong personality 25ML 808 producer and songwriter that has you’ll have the ear of a very experience beyond the home. But that overpowers most other worked with Michael Jackson and specific crowd, but, as much as at Christmas, if the bar is heaving, flavours. 8O8 is smooth, subtle SPLASH SODA Kanye West, to name but a few. we love such tunes, these playlists then you need to be prepared to and therefore all too easy for the might not land you a following of consider everything from service brilliant barman that thinks outside BUILD OVER ICE, Now he has turned his hand and discerning customers. University to ambience, and sometimes it’s of the box to make use of, refusing AND GARNISH ear to whisky, with 808 being studies have proven that music can tricky to chat about whisky. to let themselves be confined to WITH AN produced at North British Distillery excite the same brain receptors the spirits status quo.” in Edinburgh, a prestigious grain as other euphoria-inducing stimuli, “Even though the liquid in 8O8 is ORANGE TWIST whisky distillery. The whisky takes such as food and drink, so there’s predominantly over 8 years old and Don’t let the mention of Status Quo its name from the Roland TR-808 a lot of synergy between what you comes from North British, we don’t influence your bar soundtrack, Drum Machine, regarded as a put through your speakers and really bang on about that. We’re the band’s “It’s Christmas Time” is cornerstone of electronic what you put into your glassware. about the experience, the attitude not a tune you need to be banging dance music. that goes with 8O8.” out while serving up whisky MIX A LOT This is why TommyD, the man cocktails. The cocktails, however, behind 808 whisky, seemed like Which is all well and good, but there are essential this Christmas, and a useful person to talk to in a needs to be some substance to the in 808 you have a whisky that Christmas supplement, removed spirit. Having worked with North provides a useful starting point. as he is from the occasionally staid British, the whisky comes from a conversation of neat whisky. good production home. Meanwhile TommyD has also employed the mixing wizardry of Ryan Chetiyawardana, one of the true pioneers of the bar world.

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WHAT’S THE BEST APPROACH YOU’VE CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR WHISKY, SEEN IN BARS TO GETTING GREAT VALUE BUT HERE, LACHLAN ROONEY, BAR OUT OF WHISKY SERVES?

MANAGER AT THE VOODOO ROOMS “A recent brand-backed surge EDINBURGH, EXPLAINS WHY THINKING in highballs has brought a new phase of whisky experimentation ABOUT LONG SERVES IN HIGHBALLS onto the bar scene. It’s an efficient way to serve whisky for a number IS A WAY OF BRINGING NEW CUSTOMERS of reasons. For the bar, a good margin and quick service with TO THE CATEGORY minimal components, and the ones that you do need can be pre-batched for consistency and thorough immersion of the ingredients. For the imbibers, a WHISKY whisky highball doesn’t take away WHAT BOUNDARIES ARE THERE WITH any of the flavours of the Scotch. WHISKY IN BARS? IF ANY? In fact, you can often enhance the flavours and open them up in quite a refreshing fashion. A WHAT’S THE BEST WHISKY MENU YOU’VE “One of the biggest boundaries good example of a highball done SEEN AND THE BEST WHISKY COCKTAIL we face with whisky in bars is right is the Whisky Soda on the YOU’VE TASTED? the attitude towards mixing menu at Three Sheet in Dalston, it. The golden liquid has been London. They make a clarified milk doused in old tales of sacrilege punch using Monkey Shoulder “There are several stellar by disapproving geriatrics for blended whisky, fresh vanilla pods whisky menus across the IN decades. Don’t get me wrong and lemon. It comes out as an country from Black Rock in the progression in the last few incredibly elegant and transparent London, to the Devil’s Advocate years has been fantastic, but burst of flavour while really sticking in Edinburgh and Pot Still in there is still ground to be made to the core necessities of a whisky Glasgow, right through to The concerning the faux, unethical aura WHAT STORIES DO YOU FIND RESONATE highball. First and foremost, you Malt Room in Inverness – each smothering whisky in mixed drinks. WITH CONSUMERS? can taste the whisky, but you can showcasing different facets of As Master Blenders like Brian also see how the flavours work whisky. My favourite menu is in Kinsman successfully experiment together without overpowering or an old geezer pub, The Athletic with different casks, consumers “I find that a lot of people enjoy overshadowing the flavour profiles Arms in Edinburgh, more fondly have slowly started to accept a good story, as do the brands accentuated in the Scotch itself.” known as The Diggers. They don’t experimentation behind the bar. themselves. This personifies do cocktails but their selection is THE Playing to the strengths of the the brand and brings it to life on cheap and all about the whisky, tasting notes found in the whisky an emotional level. But what do serving 35ml measures as attracts drinkers who perhaps customers like most about them? standard – they don’t mess about.” don’t initially take to the idea of Firstly, a lot of customers will have mixing it, whereas going off the some idea of the process behind “My favourite whisky cocktail of grid and concocting flavours that making whisky, and if not, the the moment is one on Remy you wouldn’t expect to pair well standard distillation and maturation Savage’s new menu at The together attracts a more modern, differences between distilleries Artesian at the Langham hotel in experimental imbiber.” often captures their attention. Marylebone. It’s the Glenfiddich Whereas stories that encompass Mizuwari made with distilled water, family traditions, obscure trivia birch water, black Hawaiian sea salt about the distillery, surrounding and an incredibly carved block of JAR area, water sources, pets, dunnage ice. It showcases the splendour of warehouses, blender’s styles and the classic Japanese highball and accolades often resonate with tantalises the tastebuds with drinkers who already have a knack a deceptively simple concoction for good whiskies.” of ingredients.”

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Christmas is a time for kitsch. As a nation, we’re all about discerning drinking, we love a luxury liquid, there’s no doubt about that. But let’s be honest, you need WINTER a few things on the menu to make a customer smile. It’s a weird world out there, and they’re coming to you for an escape, so don’t be afraid to put some interesting Chartreuse Monastery serves on the Christmas menu. Kitsch is good because as a platform it allows you to experiment, and when it comes to liqueurs, you’ve got an entire portfolio of different flavours and colours that struggle to make it out of the blocks at other “We have always believed times of the year. This is their provenance was important,” says moment, if Christmas is a time Carlo Valente, who heads up new for giving, then why not give the brand development at Boë. “But in customers liqueurs? general liqueurs are important to the on-trade as they deliver choice Kitsch should not be confused with with big flavour profiles and a lower cheap, because Christmas is also ABV. This allows bars to upsell with a time of indulgence and spending. cocktails and other drink creations Rather than inexpensive, your use they can offer.” of liqueurs should be about finding ways to present your drinks in easy, To make this lovely liqueur, they eye-catching ways that encourage use premium gin as the base – an upsell and will attract everyone ideally with botanicals such as in a four-deep queue at the bar. coriander and angelica, spicy Take Boë as an example. This is ginger and cassia bark, grains a discerning drink, using a quality of paradise and peel from both gin at its base and real fruit in the oranges and lemons. They then maceration, it’s a luxury liqueur. It’s infuse it with a blend of oranges tasty, it’s vivid, and works well in a and exotic spices in the Scottish range of drinks, from simple serves town of Doune. to complex cocktails. So, plenty of quality, and when we You don’t need to heat your drinks to find a touch of warmth, asked for a recommended cocktail liqueurs can do some of the work for you. with Boë, we got the the Boë Ho These sweeter, richer and lower ABV drinks are perfect Ho back, because this is a product you can just as easily use in a fun over the winter months. and eye-catching serve. The Boë Ho Ho is a mix of Boë Scottish Gin, Boë Peach and Hibiscus, orange juice, advocaat, a garnish of orange wheel and a cinnamon stick. Put this in a large, sling glass and you’ll have people asking questions. Add a sparkler and you’re not far WARMERS from a Snowball, and anything with advocaat, in our opinion, has a place at the table over Christmas.

22 23 SPECIALITIES WINTER WARMERS WINTER WARMERS SPECIALITIES

Look elsewhere on your list of liqueurs, and you’ll find plenty that can prove their Christmas credentials, not least because some are directly linked to alpine locations. Take Chartreuse Verte, made by monks (Carthusian) up in Liqueurs are possibly the most important the mountains near Grenoble. Now, monks are famously pretty up for presents you’ll get this Christmas, as rich Christmas, and mountains are, in fact, alpine. If you can’t make this in flavour as they are in stories to pass on. seasonal, you’re out of your depth.

The Chartreuse recipe rests in the And the low ABV means a simple serve hands of just three monks, each of whom only knows two thirds of with something sparkling can add a jolt of a formula that contains 130 herbs and spices. They’re pretty clued flavour, be served quickly to big groups and up, we suspect. They also know the true location of Father Christmas. not scare the customers. These herbs and spices, thrice macerated in alcohol, are distilled four times and, after the addition of honey and golden syrup, aged in giant oak casks for between three and five years.

Chartreuse works well in quality cocktails like the Last Word – equal parts gin, Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice – or in a BOË HO HO festive Green Chaud, a simple shot of the liqueur in hot chocolate with Benedictine Monks at work 45ml Premium Gin a sprinkle of cinnamon. 30ml Boë Peach & Hibiscus Then there’s Benedictine, a 45ml Advocat liqueur originally designed to keep 30ml Orange Juice people warm – what better motive for sticking it on a winter menu? Soda Water Brandy-based, it’s a blend of 56 different herbs and spices and was Put ice in a shaker. the idea of Alexandre Le Grand, During the First World War the Add all of the ingredients an industrial entrepreneur who East Lancashire 11th Battalion tweaked a formula discovered in a drank it with hot water to keep except the soda water and shake well. 16th century recipe book belonging warm in the trenches and, today, Strain into a large glass with ice, top to the Benedictine Monastery in Burnley Miners Club drinks Fecamp, Normandy. more Benedictine than any other up with soda water, then garnish with pub or bar in the world. Burnley a wheel of orange for a nice, refreshing Football Club also serve it on match days. The “Bene ‘n’ Hot” is Christmas cocktail. Benedictine with hot water – as drunk in Burnley.

24 25 WINTER EDITION JIM WRIGLEY JIM WRIGLEY WINTER EDITION

COCKTAILS CAN SEEM A DAUNTING PROSPECT WHEN YOU’RE SEVEN DEEP AT THE BAR OVER CHRISTMAS. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT SIMPLE AT B&H? With pubs selling Aperol Spritzes and Negronis, Instagram being full of artfully arranged #nofilter cocktail images and the internet telling us what, where and how to drink, most guests these SEASON’S days are aware of mixed drinks – even if they don’t drink them. We aim to tailor the experience to the needs of each guest, introducing them to simple serves or brands GREETINGS they may not know. We also include classic cocktails in the menu – but not separately – so that people can recognise an old favourite or build a repertoire of drinks they can order anywhere.

DO YOU PRESENT A NEW MENU? OR DO YOU UPDATE? We adapt to seasonal changes and it helps that we work on having really good links with our suppliers to facilitate this. We listen to our guests’ suggestions as well, though. Then, on top of that, we’re ready to change according to sales mix, WHAT ARE THE KEY and both client and staff feedback. ELEMENTS OF A WINTER There’s a full menu change DRINKS LIST? ARE THERE annually, then quarterly updates in-between. CLASSIC COCKTAILS THAT NEED MORE EXPOSURE? JIM WRIGLEY DO STAFF NEED EXTRA Toddies, mulled drinks, nogs, TRAINING? DOES THIS possets – these are an easy win for any venue. It’s worth reading IS THE GROUP PAY OFF? Very much so. We have a up to learn more about them. The BAR MANAGER tiered training curriculum for aromas of warm mulling spices everyone at all levels and roles wafting around a room, especially FOR BOURNE within the company, and work one with a cosy fireplace like B&H closely with brands and suppliers Buildings, rings a yuletide bell in & HOLLINGSWORTH AND ONE OF THE to host special sessions where the hardest of hearts. However all possible. This covers all aspects MOST EXPERIENCED AND TALENTED BAR of service down to movement classic drinks can be winter-ified and mindfulness, as well as more by working with the herbs, spices PROFESSIONALS IN THE BUSINESS. HERE, traditional areas. We also work and other produce readily available with all staff on individual personal over the winter months. Pine, HE OFFERS SOME INSIGHTS AND ADVICE TO development. beetroot, squashes and gourds are at their best at this time of year, BAR OPERATORS ON HOW STAFF CAN KEEP along with the more tradtional British/Northern European CUSTOMERS HAPPY DURING THE HECTIC perennials such as rosemary, WINTER AND CHRISTMAS TRADE. winter savoury and meadowsweet. 26 27 WINTER EDITION JIM WRIGLEY JIM WRIGLEY WINTER EDITION

ARE THERE CERTAIN SPIRITS YOU KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE WILL FLY? Brown or aged spirits become CHRISTMAS mildly more prevalent at this time of year, however there are more winter-y products throughout PUNCH all categories at the moment. The traditional punch even has A big thing is to select complex Christmas and delicious its own song as a mnemonic: bittersweet modifiers such as mixed beverages go hand in hand, JIM’S Cynar or 30 & 40 to help round and within mulled wines, nogs and “One of sour, out your drinks. Aged agave spirits, toddies the punch rests above Two of sweet, PERFECT bourbon and rye whiskies, along them all like mistletoe over an Three of strong with brandies are all easy sells over doorway. The punch becomes Four of weak” CHRISTMAS the winter period, with aged rum the hub of a gathering; a topic (‘Spice’ or bitters for the fifth being one of the fastest growing of conversation and a spur for ingredient) PUNCH categories in general. interaction; a welcome sight for an arriving guest, and a farewell glass While traditional, this is often WHAT ARE THE TRICKS for those heading out into the cold. a little sweet, so Jim has prepared SERVES 10-20 HOW DO YOU APPROACH TO STORYTELLING ON the following recipe which, while 1 BOTTLE (700ML) BRANDY The name comes from the perfect as a median, can be happily THE SPIRITS THAT DON’T COCKTAILS AND SPIRITS? IS 1 BOTTLE (700ML) RUM NECESSARILY SELL IN THE THIS EASY TO DO IF IT’S BUSY? Sanskrit (pañc) meaning ‘five’, and easily adjusted to taste. WINTER – VODKA/GIN? Building interesting anecdotes as this was the original number 1 BOTTLE (700ML) PORT, LBV Vodka is for vodka drinkers, and narratives is part of the front of ingredients – alcohol, sugar, Any fruits used in preparation 1 LITRE LEMON JUICE & PEEL who are a rarer breed in our bars of house staff’s stock-in-trade. The citrus, water and spice - before should be kept for garnishing the 1 LITRE SUGAR SYRUP nowadays, but there are loads of key is to be able to boil it down to it was exported by British sailors glass or bowl, or can be dehydrated 2 LITRES SPICED APPLE JUICE aged or winter gins such as Kyro’s two or three elemental USPs that travelling the globe in the 1600s. for an extra rustic touch. Koskue or Glendalough’s Winter are quick and fun, and build on Wild Botanical gin to recommend. those when you have more time. Recipes may be simple at WARM IN A PAN the base, but a minor addition 2 CINNAMON STICKS or variation in proportion and 10 CLOVES HOW DO STAFF TRADE UP HOW IMPORTANT ARE you have a totally different drink. WHEN THE BAR IS FOUR OR GROUPS AT THIS TIME OF “Secret” ingredients and handed- GRATED NUTMEG FIVE DEEP? THE YEAR, AND HOW DO down family recipes abound. 3 STAR ANISE With a smile, and generally a YOU SATISFY DISCERNING 2g RAINBOW PEPPERCORNS little more projection so that one DRINKERS IF THEY’RE IN Don’t like rum? Use gin! recommendation can reach the A GROUP? Fancy trying something different? masses and maybe power the Our businesses are busier in Use pisco or tequila! Indeed, it’s ONCE SPICES SMOKE, ADD 2 suggestion through. Well laid out winter, but it’s the group bookings not just the flavours of a well-made LITRES OF PRESSED APPLE menus help massively too. Multi- and their happiness that make punch that keep one asking for JUICE, THEN SIMMER FOR serving, training on awareness to or break a bar or restaurant. This more, but also the practicality and 10 MINS expedite double-up drinks, pre- shouldn’t be to the exclusion of versatility of the drink. briefing on quick sellers, and above regulars, of course, and walk-in all – preparation. Chance favours groups can be anything from Punches, once mixed, may be ADD 10 DASHES OF the prepared mind, after all. sublime to ridiculous – but having heated for carollers or chilled for ANGOSTURA BITTERS something for everyone is key. revellers. It’s also easy to substitute apple or cranberry juices for ADD ALL INGREDIENTS alcohol to create a non-alcoholic ABOVE ALL, HOW version for the drivers, pregnant TOGETHER AND LEAVE IMPORTANT IS HOSPITALITY guests or wee ones. OVERNIGHT IN FRIDGE TO YOUR BUSINESS? It’s at the very core of SERVE everything we do. A glass of water served in timely fashion with a smile can be more important than the most carefully prepared dish or fancy cocktail to the thirsty guest.

28 29 WINTER EDITION SPICED RUM SPICED RUM WINTER EDITION

In the past 12 months we’ve written and spoken about sipping rums at length. We’ve been pushing the message as hard as we can, whether in Distilled, for national newspapers, or when sampling with the thousands of drinkers we meet in our Thinking Drinkers

YOUR shows. We do so because we genuinely believe quality rum can give the likes of whisky and Cognac a run for its money.

LIFE And we’re not alone. This year the But as much as sipping rums will Chris Hare is brand ambassador Whisky Exchange Show, one of add value to your offering this for Cut Rum, a new collection of SPICE UP SPICE the most prestigious whisky shows winter, it’s also worth spending a spiced and flavoured rums that are in the discerning drinker’s diary, bit of time working on spiced and proving there’s much more scope announced it would present rum, flavoured rum serves, because to the category. giving more than 40 rums an entire this is a category on a monumental ‘rum zone’. Considering the prestige march. According to CGA “A lot of spiced and flavoured rums attached to whisky, this seemed statistics, flavoured and spiced offer flavour profiles that lend Sipping rums should like a bold move, but actually, it rum now accounts for most of rum themselves very well to that time be on the agenda in made perfect sense. Quality, aged value sales at 39.9%, driving around of the year,” says Chris. “Cinnamon, rum can now stand side-by-side 86% of all rum growth. If you’ve only nutmeg, aniseed and vanilla are all your bar this winter, with sophisticated Scotch, to the got a single flavoured rum to offer a tastes that easily trigger memories they are a crucial point where even the Cognac point of difference, and it’s been left of winter nights and the Christmas upsell. But spiced connoisseurs are recognising its languishing on the back bar without holiday season. eminence. Sipping rums provide much love, then it’s time to add to rum is also valuable, the perfect upsell moment in your the collection. “Then there’s interesting winter providing variety in bar in the winter, particularly if you garnishes and/or ingredients to your cocktails. serve food. Suggesting a post- Not least because with all of the think about. If you’re creating dinner digestive drink to go with customer expectations in spiced drinks for the winter season, think chocolate is an uncomplicated way and mulled drinks around winter, about incorporating some of these to introduce people to the category spiced rum gives you an obvious flavours into your drinks, whether and convince them it’s a winner. launchpad into mixed drinks. you are using sugar syrups infused

30 31 WINTER EDITION SPICED RUM SPICED RUM WINTER EDITION

quick rum and mixers. While these options are available with spirits like vodka, the flavour profile of rum stands strong against these mixers to create a tasty, well- rounded serve. with cinnamon or cloves, dusting Chris says: “What is always great to nutmeg over a cocktail, or just see is variety of rums from different “When it comes to cocktails, rum garnishing a rum and ginger with islands. There is such a huge wins hands down against other a star of anise – make your drinks offering when it comes to rum and spirit categories. Firstly, the spirit stand out this winter season. knowing the best from the different lends itself well to most ingredients areas of the Caribbean and further if mixed properly, and secondly “Warm serves are also becoming afield is always great to see. Having the amount of classics under its more popular outside of your said that, it’s also great to see bars belt is very large and already very standard mulled wine offerings. that embrace new products on well known to even novice drinks Mulled wine is often very time the market. Yes, it’s good to have a enthusiasts. Mai Tai, Piña Colada, consuming and hard to get range of classics that are steeped Mojito, Rum Punch, Daiquiri – are all right whereas some of the hot in long histories but its also good known to your average consumer, rum punches on offer are quick to look for new products that offer making cocktail menus seem and simple to make and offer a point of difference. There are much more attractive to someone something different. You also lots of new brands on the market considering upgrading their don’t add the rum until you serve each year and if your back bar regular drink.” the drinks which makes it very doesn’t keep up with some of the attractive when thinking about new trends on offer, you could be All sound advice, particularly when limiting wastage.” left behind. you consider the demographic you’ll be going after with spiced As well as a spiced rum, though, “The versatility of rum is endless, rum. CGA statistics reveal that Cut is upping the ante with a it has been popular in the drinks 54% of consumers are 35 or under, smoked rum, the first of its kind world for way over two centuries so you’re chasing a younger drinker, in the UK, which adds yet another and in that time it has picked up a the customer who wants their dimension to mixed drinks. This multitude of uses. Unlike gin, it has heads turned by a drink. Christmas diversity in flavoured rums is a number of different options when is a great time to bring spiced and further expanding the category and mixing. From your classic Cuba flavoured rum to the menu, and making it easier to talk to an even Libre (rum and coke), to mixing once it’s presented as a versatile wider group of consumers about with ginger beer, pineapple juice, and tasty option, it should stick the spirit. lime, soda and a number of other around on the bar for a lot longer.

32 33 WINTER EDITION SPICED RUM SPICED RUM WINTER EDITION

The team at Cut Rum knows all about cocktails, having worked SWITCHBLADE closely with bartender Andy Mil, a multi award-winning mixologist who really knows his cocktail onions. 40ml Cut to the Smoke “When it comes to making rum SMOKE 20ml Amaro Aperitif cocktails, a simple rule I always Twist of orange peel consider is that citrus and sugar STORM are your best mates. Then think - about the rum you’re using. It’s important to have confidence in 25ml Cut to the Smoke Build in glass over ice the spirit. So, I’ve been working with Cut Rum and when it comes to this Fever-Tree Ginger Beer product I know there’s nothing else Bitters like it on the market. It’s straight to the point, tastes great and has a Lime rich. complex flavour to work with.“ - Complexity is important in the Build in a highball glass over ice, rums on your back bar. You need to be able to offer range, of squeeze in lime course, something simple to go with a mixer. but don’t be afraid of complexity when it comes to rum, it’s one of the spirit’s greatest assets. Not least because the complexity in rum enables some simplicity in the menu. A great rum in a simple highball serve can provide a customer with a thought- provoking alternative, and Andy is convinced you should come at the category with customer support already in place.

“Everyone likes rum drinks,” contests Andy. “So it’s an easy sell if people are taking up service time asking questions. But while everyone knows of rum, not SMOKE ‘N’ GRIND everyone remembers it in a good light. Mix it with fun, simple and likeable flavours along with some 25ml Cut to the Smoke approachable but slightly more 25ml Cazcabel Coffee complex flavours. This way you can start to get them back. We always Orange peel garnish say match a flavour, pair a flavour - and contrast a flavour.” Build in a rocks glass, stir down These are great tips if you’re thinking about getting rum with a few cubes of ice cocktails on the menu this winter. Here are some serves that are simple, but effective.

34 35 WINTER EDITION WARNER EDWARDS HARRINGTON SLOE GIN WARNER EDWARDS HARRINGTON SLOE GIN WINTER EDITION

WARNER EDWARDS 30% HARRINGTON SLOE GIN ABV

£21.15 PER 70CL SLOE GIN

Amid all of this excited trade talk distillery has its very own flavour has achieved a beautiful balance and impressive sales of flavoured lab in the shape of its botanical between the two. It’s sweet but gins, it’s worth remembering that garden, and prides itself on with a tingle of tartness on the the most steadfastly traditional foraging as many local ingredients tongue, phenomenally fruity and ‘flavoured’ gin is made using sloes. as possible. jam-packed with berries and spice; a full-bodied liqueur that Deep purple in hue and found It’s no surprise that the sloes that can be served neat or lengthened ripening on thorny hedgerows up go into Warner Edwards Harrington nicely with sparkling wine and and down the country in October Sloe Gin are handpicked from champagne in a “Sloesecco”. and November, sloes are a smaller the hedgerows that surround the and rather bitter member of the distillery, before being soaked In terms of cocktails, sloe gin plum family. A bit like cider apples, and macerated in the flagship has a long history in classic HEDGEROW MARTINI sloes are far too tart to consume Harrington Gin distilled in cocktails – the Alabama Slammer on their own, but when infused “Curiosity”, the handbuilt copper possibly the most famous – but 50ML WARNER EDWARDS in alcohol and sweetened with a pot still where the magic happens. why not celebrate the sloe and HARRINGTON SLOE GIN spoonful or six of sugar, they other English fruits in this fruity make a lovely, quintessentially The results are really rather “Hedgerow Martini”? 10ML CRÈME DE MURE English liqueur. impressive; Warner Edwards 20ML SUGAR SYRUP Harrington Sole Gin has been Sloes grow in abundance around inundated with industry gongs 20ML LEMON JUICE the bucolic Falls Farm, home to including winning a double gold 4 FRESH RASPBERRIES the Warner Edwards distillery, at the prestigious San Francisco esteemed purveyors of award- World Spirits Competition. winning artisan gins. Based in a 1. SHAKE ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER 200-year-old converted barn While some sloe gins deny the AND POUR INTO COUPETTE GLASS overlooking the undulating English sour delights of sloes in favour 2. GARNISH WITH RASPBERRIES countryside, the Warner Edwards of sweetness, Warner Edwards

36 37 WINTER EDITION CHASE RHUBARB & BRAMLEY APPLE GIN CHASE RHUBARB & BRAMLEY APPLE GIN WINTER EDITION

CHASE RHUBARB & 40% BRAMLEY APPLE GIN ABV

£30.78 PER 70CL GIN

RHUBARB & APPLE RICKEY

50ML CHASE RHUBARB & APPLE GIN 20ML LEMON JUICE SODA WATER APPLE FAN

1. COMBINE INGREDIENTS OVER ICE

It’s quite astonishing how many Chase Distillery, which proudly blended with Chase GB gin. This different bottles of gin are flaunts its Herefordshire terroir, long-winded process produces a competing for space on the back has always placed the path from flavoured gin with Herefordshire bars of pubs and bars these days... seed to bottle at the forefront of at its heart and a genuine depth of everything it does. That means that flavour. Gin was synonymous with women this Rhubarb and Bramley Apple of a certain age in a twinset gin can be clearly traced back to The rhubarb is not shy in coming and pearls and the kind of men the harvesting of home-grown forward on the nose, there’s some who wear leather driving gloves potatoes. winter spice aromas too and a only a few years ago. Yet now touch of apple crumble in there as we find ourselves in the midst First, the starch-rich spuds are well. On the palate, there’s a lovely of a remarkable gin-aissance distilled on-site and turned into tussle between the stewed sweet driven by a hugely varied drinking Chase Vodka (voted the World’s rhubarb and the tart, tangy apple – demographic. Not since gin Best Vodka at the prestigious all underpinned by the piney notes dropped British society to its knees San Francisco World Spirits of juniper; a delicate reminder that in the 18th century has gin been so Competition). Then, to convert this this remains fundamentally, a gin. popular. into Chase GB gin, the distillers add juniper buds and berries alongside As the nights draw in, this gin, So, what should the criteria be an array of wild botanical infusions served neat over ice, provides when compiling your craft gin including almond, coriander, a perfect pairing with a classic range? Well, amid a growing cardamom, liquorice, lemon, English apple or rhubarb crumble. number of less authentic gins nutmeg and ginger. Alternatively, it works wonderfully in being unleashed on the market, a well-balanced Chase GB & Tonic. transparency in terms of a gin’s Having foraged the rhubarb and provenance and its production Bramley apples from its very techniques is becoming an own farm, Chase presses them increasingly important factor. both to create a juice that is then

38 39 WINTER EDITION CHASE OAK SMOKED VODKA CHASE OAK SMOKED VODKA WINTER EDITION

CHASE OAK 40% SMOKED VODKA ABV

£30.78 PER 70CL VODKA

SMOKED BLOODY MARY 50ML CHASE OAK SMOKED VODKA 20ML SQUEEZED LEMON JUICE DASH OF TABASCO SAUCE WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE TOMATO JUICE CELERY STICK When it comes to a genuine from Chase’s very own borehole This smoked vodka from Chase artisanal approach to distillation, is left in a local smokehouse until ticks all three of these boxes LEMON WEDGE you’ll find no half measures at it becomes infused with a gentle rather emphatically. There’s a ICE the Herefordshire home of the smoky flavour – a process similar piquant peppery note on the nose, Chase Distillery – Britain’s first to that used to make smoked gorgeous campfire smoke aromas 1. SHAKE INGREDIENTS WITH ICE AND single-estate distillery, where the salmon. It is then blended with and a touch of tobacco, spice and STRAIN INTO AN ICE-FILLED whole process from the picking of Chase’s award-winning vodka to charcoal keeping the sweetness in HIGHBALL GLASS potatoes to the pleasing of one’s create a spirit that segues from the check on the palate. 2. GARNISH WITH A STICK OF CELERY, palate is painstakingly pondered, creamy sweetness in the potatoes LEMON WEDGE, AND A GRIND OF placing provenance rather than at its base, to the smokiness of the Served neat and slightly BLACK PEPPER profit at the forefront of its story. infused water at the top. chilled, Chase’s Oak Smoked Vodka makes for a creative Chase Distillery isn’t like other It’s an excellent and unique vodka accompaniment to oily smoked distilleries, in other words. perfectly designed to attract the fish – particularly profitable as a While other vodka and gin brands growing number of vodka drinkers starter or as part of a seasonal buy in ready-made, neutral grain becoming more concerned about tasting menu. Alternatively, it spirit, Chase prefers to create its what’s in rather than on the bottle. makes for an inspired base in a own distillate using potatoes grown Smoked Bloody Mary. in the fields of its family farm – Swanky packaging and celebrity making mass production endorsements are still useful well-nigh impossible. marketing weapons in the battle among vodka brands, however Chase’s Oak Smoked Vodka is it is becoming apparent that a very small batch affair, with vodkas with traditional production only one to two thousand bottles techniques, authenticity and a real produced each time using a unique sense of quality are striking a chord smoking process. Fresh water with a more discerning consumer.

40 41 WINTER EDITION CUT TO THE SMOKE RUM CUT TO THE SMOKE RUM WINTER EDITION

40% CUT TO THE SMOKE RUM ABV

£19.87 PER 70CL RUM

Where once there was sweetness, expression achieves its smooth though it is as an incremental now there is smoke. Rum drinkers smokiness from condensing addition to after-dinner libations, with a penchant for peaty whiskies American oak chips through a mix it also works wonderfully well in will undoubtedly welcome the of water and rum – before filtering simple winter seasonal serves recent launch of this powerfully and blending it with the base rum. that won’t make life difficult for smoky spirit from the Cut Rum It’s also infused with essence and bar staff, but will get the till turning range. Unleashed earlier this year extracts of coffee beans and over nicely. alongside two other expressions natural tobacco (nicotine free, (‘Spiced’ and ‘Overproof’), “Cut naturally) to create an intricate to the Smoke” is the brainchild of yet accessible rum rich in notes a team of leading drinks industry of leather, bruised banana, toffee lights including rum specialist apple and vanilla with a beautiful Chris Hare – who took two years bonfire bouquet on the finish. to perfect both the recipe and the unique production techniques In contrast to the complex liquid it required. inside, “Cut to the Smoke” gets SMOKE SCREEN straight to the point in terms of 25ML CUT TO THE SMOKE RUM “Cut to the Smoke” is a three-year- bottle aesthetic. Unlike its less old Jamaican Rum produced at peaty peers in the rum category, it 3 LIME WEDGES the Worthy Park distillery in Lluidas eschews salty sea dogs, inked-up Vale, a state of the art distillery ladies and sea monsters in favour GINGER BEER located in the mountainous heart of a clean-lined shelf presence ICE of the island and surrounded by that leaves drinkers in no doubt to cane fields. Made with a base of what they’re getting – a versatile Jamaican rum, rather aptly made spirit that straddles sweetness 1. TOP UP RUM WITH GINGER BEER AND ICE on a Scottish-designed pot still and smoke, perfect for an array 2. BUILD IN A GLASS AND STIR THROUGH from Forsyths, this evocative of different occasions. Awesome

42 43 WINTER EDITION HOXTON BANANA & RUM HOXTON BANANA & RUM WINTER EDITION

40% HOXTON BANANA & RUM ABV AVAILABLE £28.15 PER 70CL RUM NOVEMBER & DECEMBER ONLY

One of the most prominent The concept, which has taken two Hoxton Banana is a premium pioneers in the UK bar scene has years to perfect in conjunction party spirit with a genuine point unleashed a fruity contender into with Emporia Brand’s Managing of difference. With more than 100 the flourishing flavoured Director Jack Rackham, is the billion bananas eaten every year in rum category. latest addition to a Hoxton Spirits the world, making them the fourth stable that sets out to deliberately most popular agricultural product Gerry Calabrese, owner of the disrupt drinks categories. on the planet, it makes sense to iconic Hoxton Pony and an East make room for it on the back bar. End on-trade entrepreneur, has Fresh from shaking up the teamed up with Emporia Brands to burgeoning gin category with Unique, accessible, esoteric and bring out Hoxton Banana, a blend Hoxton Gin, made with coconut easy to mix with, Hoxton Banana of pot and column still rums mixed and grapefruit, and Hoxton Pink, lends itself to both winter and with a maceration of fresh and which boasts gunpowder tea summer drinks, but a straight-up dried banana. among its botanicals, Calabrese Banana Daiquiri is a great call is once again looking to challenge regardless of the season. It’s the latest launch into a conventions in the fast-moving BANANA DAIQUIRI flavoured rum category that, over world of flavoured rum. However, as the nights draw in, it’s 50ML HOXTON BANANA the last five years, has enjoyed awesome in a Banana Rum Old quite a phenomenal growth spurt, Created using aged and fresh rums Fashioned, a Banana Rum Flip or, if 25ML LIME JUICE with volume sales up more than of various origins (predominantly you’re feeling really adventurous, a 20ML SUGAR SYRUP 80% in the UK. Calabrese, son Barbados), Hoxton Banana also Hot Buttered Rum. For a seriously of the legendary Salvatore “the combines esoteric ingredients simple serve, it’s lovely lengthened GARNISH WITH A DEHYDRATED Maestro” Calabrese, is the creative with integrity. Bottled at 40% ABV, out with coke and ice. BANANA SLICE force behind the new spirit and higher than a lot of other flavoured has designed each step of the rums, Hoxton Banana’s fruity drink’s development - from the flavours are achieved from a 100% 1. SHAKE INGREDIENTS AND STRAIN TO maceration of the bananas to the natural maceration with no added SERVE STRAIGHT INTO A COUPE bottle aesthetic. sugar or artificial flavours.

44 45 WINTER EDITION PEAKY BLINDER BLACK SPICED RUM PEAKY BLINDER BLACK SPICED RUM WINTER EDITION

PEAKY BLINDER BLACK 40% SPICED RUM ABV

£16.80 PER 70CL RUM

PEAKY SCREWDRIVER 25ML PEAKY BLINDER BLACK SPICED RUM 100ML GINGER ALE ICE

1. 2-3 ICE CUBES INTO A TUMBLER 2. POUR RUM OVER ICE 3. ADD GINGER ALE 4. STIR AND SERVE

A Black Country brewery has As well as the rum, there’s a gin Bottled in a solid stubby round thrown its flat cap into the and a blended Irish whiskey – each bottle with a waxed cork stopper, burgeoning spiced rum category using ingredients and distillation Peaky Blinder Black Spiced Rum with a new spirit inspired by the hit methods that doff their cap to lives up to its label. There’s nutmeg BBC drama, “Peaky Blinders”. the Epicurean influence of the and autumnal fruits on the nose area’s immigrant communities. and treacle-like sweetness on the Peaky Blinder Black Spiced Rum, The Caribbean character shines first sip – blood orange, vanilla, a dark Caribbean rum blended through here in this strapping, cinnamon and clove, followed by with several different spices, has smooth and reassuringly sweet chocolate raisins, flamed orange been released by Sadler’s and small batch black rum aged in ex- peel and smoky espresso. pays homage to the Peaky Blinder Pedro Ximinez casks. gangs that roamed the streets of With versatility being very much Birmingham in the late 19th and It’s an acutely accessible spiced rum’s key virtue, the early 20th Century. introduction to a spiced rum sweetness of Peaky Blinder rum category that is spearheading a suits the sipping occasion over The gangs, so-called because they massive boom in rum. Now worth ice, but also lends itself perfectly stitched razor blades into the brims more than £1 billion a year rum to both being lengthened with cola of their flat caps and, well, “blinders” is, according to some industry or ginger ale (as seen in our recipe probably connects the dots for you, experts, expected to eclipse gin to the right) or, alternatively, with reportedly frequented dozens of sales by the year 2020 and spiced simple profit-generating cocktails Black Country pubs supplied by rum will represent a major chunk of such as the “Peaky Rum Punch”. Sadler’s. A century later, and off the its on-trade success. back of the hugely successful TV series starring the chiselled-jawed Cillian Murphy as gangster Thomas Shelby, Sadler’s has unleashed a trio of “Peaky Blinder” craft spirits.

46 47 WINTER EDITION 808 WHISKY 808 WHISKY WINTER EDITION

40% 808 WHISKY ABV

£20.47 PER 70CL WHISKY

TRUMP BABIES - MAKES 4 50ML 8O8 20ML PASSIONFRUIT PURÉE 20ML PASSIONFRUIT JUICE 10ML GOMME SYRUP

1. SHAKE WITH ICE AND POUR INTO 4 SHOT GLASSES TO 3/4 FULL 2. TOP UP WITH PROSECCO What type of music do you Meanwhile Jonathan Driver, ice but really its major strength is associate with Scotch whisky? with extensive experience in the its massive mixability – something That’s right – bagpipes. And no world of whisky, has overseen the that Pete Tong and TommyD know one, no one, wants to hear the noise design of this spirit at the renowned all about. that they make – a screeching, North British Distillery in Edinburgh, wheezing drone reminiscent of a the last remaining grain distillery in Unlike peatier and smokier fire in a pet shop. After centuries the city. whiskies, 808 can replicate of having to endure this assault on vodka’s role in a clutch of the ears in the name of tradition, As you’d expect from a dram bestselling contemporary and discerning whisky drinkers can named after a drum machine (the classic cocktails including the achieve both aural and oral legendary Roland TR-808 Drum Espresso Martini, Porn Star Martini pleasure with 808 Single Grain Machine, no less; the cornerstone and Cosmopolitan. Scotch Whisky, a spirit invented to of electronic dance music), bottles accompany electronic music. of 808 already reverberate on the back bars of iconic dance 808 was launched a few years ago venues in both London and Ibiza by a team of titans from both the – including Ministry of Sound and worlds of dance music and distilling Fabric. including legendary international DJ Pete Tong, Warner Music Eschewing the archetypal elderly chairman and CEO Max Lousada armchair-bound whisky drinker, and founder Tommy Danvers (a.k.a. 808 is a light, easy-drinking whisky TommyD), the Ministry of Sound unashamedly aimed at a younger, pioneer, producer and songwriter dance-oriented demographic who has worked with the likes more au fait with white spirits. With of Kanye West, Jay Z, Michael notes of honey, vanilla and white Jackson and Kylie Minogue. chocolate, it can be enjoyed over

48 49 WINTER EDITION GLENFIDDICH IPA GLENFIDDICH IPA WINTER EDITION

43% GLENFIDDICH IPA ABV

£32.20 PER 70CL WHISKY

01 IPA EXPERIMENT 55ML IPA EXPERIMENT BLOOD ORANGE PEEL BALL OF ICE

1. POUR OVER BALL OF ICE 2. RIM GLASS WITH BLOOD ORANGE PEEL 3. TWIST THE PEEL AND DROP IN WHISKY

In terms of both production and single malt whisky, has collaborated vanilla notes, and a hint of fresh past history, beer and whisky with Seb Jones, founder of the hops, this is an innovative single have more in common than you Speyside Craft Brewery, to create a malt whisky that will appeal to dram may think – sharing the same whisky finished in barrels that have devotees looking for something a agricultural and monastic heritage. previously held India Pale Ale (IPA). bit different. The first commercial breweries This unique, inaugural expression were European monasteries, while in the Glenfiddich Experimental Equally, it is also perfectly placed it’s believed that whisky distillation Series is a symbiotic spirit whose to coax craft beer drinkers into began with Irish monks. What’s production process began with the the world of single malt whisky – more, their respective journeys brewing of a highly-hopped and especially as the IPA has been the from grain to glass have much in zesty IPA beer that was aged in ex- stylistic engine room of the UK’s common too – right up until the Glenfiddich casks for a month. craft brewing revolution. While this mashing of malted barley, the soul will add a different dimension to of both beer and whisky. Those oak casks, infused with whisky cocktails such as the Old hoppy notes, were then returned Fashioned, a simpler serve is over With this in mind, it’s no surprise to the distillery and filled with ice with a twist of blood orange that the two drinks have been Glenfiddich whisky for a finishing peel, either on its own or as one half dovetailed in the past. While it’s period of three months. The result? of a margin-boosting boilermaker been fairly commonplace for craft A beguiling single malt that, on the alongside an actual IPA. breweries to mature their big, bold nose, succinctly captures the piney, beers in ex-whisky and bourbon herbal notes of the IPA’s aromatic casks, there haven’t been many hops alongside Glenfiddich’s distilleries who have finished their signature autumnal fruit and spirits in beer barrels... Until now. vanilla-tinged oak aromas.

Brian Kinsman, Malt Master at Lively with a bracing fresh citrus Glenfiddich, the world’s best-selling note that segues into soft, sweet

50 51 WINTER EDITION KARAVAN COGNAC CINNAMON KARAVAN COGNAC VANILLA WINTER EDITION

40% 40% KARAVAN CINNAMON ABV KARAVAN VANILLA ABV

£20.85 PER 70CL COGNAC £20.65 PER 70CL COGNAC

The autumn and winter given the requisite reverence and association with hip-hop legends glühwein, cinnamon was months represent the encouragement by staff, can add like Jay Z, Cognac is a category a spice originally used to optimum time to put some serious ‘kerching’ to a bar’s well worth investing in (but perhaps preserve fruits and meats the wheels back on the bottom line. not quite at the astronomical levels during the feast-rich after-drinks trolley – that of Jay Z). Christmas season. traditional portable post- At this time of year, customers prandial profit maker. tend to be a little more indulgent While the historic houses will While well suited to and adventurous in their elbow- coax the more conventional or providing a contemporary Obviously, you don’t bending repertoire so there’s no discerning Cognac drinker into the twist on established actually need an actual better opportunity to broaden their category, these flavoured Cognacs Cognac cocktails, it trolley but, let’s face it, booze horizons – either as they’re provide a superb stepping stone perhaps performs best in it’d be downright daft to considering coffees or deciding into the snifter-swirling world of bars when served chilled entirely ignore the digestif on whether to have a dessert. Or, French brandy that has hitherto simply over ice – adding ‘occasion’ which, when indeed, as a nightcap. struggled to attract everyday an easy incremental extra drinkers. to the spend-per-head. And, of course, the doyen of the digestif is clearly Cognac. Samuel Infused with either a vanilla pod Johnson hit the nail on the head or cinnamon stick in the bottle, when he said: “Claret is the liquor these fine looking, forward thinking for boys; port for men; but he French elixirs both boast a bit of who aspires to be a hero must bling in terms of appearance. drink brandy”. What’s more, in the They maintain their consistency 1840s Charles Dickens became by sourcing a blend of Cognacs an ardent advocate of the French from an array of different houses, fancy and championed its inclusion often opting for two-year-old in punches, some of which are expressions that are better referenced in “A Christmas Carol”. equipped than older Cognacs to accommodate the addition of In the minds of most consumers, vanilla or cinnamon. brandy is Cognac and Cognac is brandy, and the famous French Karavan Vanilla is a well-balanced spirit currently finds itself enjoying brandy, kicking off with crème some serious growth. For the fourth brûlée on the nose and a soft note consecutive year, sales of Cognac of vanilla pod. On the mid-palate are growing significantly - from there’s some buttery croissant in August 2017 to July 2018, exports there along with some toffee notes, of Cognac reached 205.9 million vanilla fudge, cream soda and a bottles, surpassing the past record spicy cinnamon finish. of 200 million bottles. Karavan Cinnamon, meanwhile, This is driven predominantly by a is a fine festive flavoured Cognac thirst for the historic spirit in the – containing, as it does, a spice US and these drinking trends tend synonymous with the Christmas to drift across the pond. Given season. Extensively used in the continuous heavy investment Christmas cakes, Christmas of the big Cognac houses, not to pudding, cinnamon shortbread, mention its enduring luxurious mince pies, mulled wine and

52 53 WINTER EDITION BAILEYS ALMANDE BAILEYS ALMANDE WINTER EDITION

13% BAILEYS ALMANDE ABV

£15.90 PER 70CL LIQUEUR

After a few years of stagnant sales, indulge and treat themselves a touch of real vanilla. It’s lovely the Irish cream liqueur category than at any other time of year. and light but with that same iconic currently finds itself in the midst of indulgent Irish cream texture to it. a remarkable renaissance, thanks It’s ingrained in our elbow-bending in no small part to efforts of the repertoire but, until earlier this year, Just like the core Baileys bestselling brand in Britain. such decadence was denied to expression, the dairy-free Irish those drinkers with an intolerance cream is wonderfully versatile in Baileys, launched back in 1974, to dairy. Not anymore. Thanks to that it can be consumed on its own has been instrumental in the launch of Baileys Almande, a over ice, in cockle-warming and revamping the image of Irish cream dairy-free version of the classic classic cocktails like a blended liqueurs, seeing bottle sales break cream liqueur that, back in April, Baileys Martini or, alternatively, as through the 100m barrier. was launched into a free-from a profitable boozy boost to coffees market worth nearly £600m. and hot chocolates. Through a number of new variants and deftly delivered marketing Research has proven that one campaigns aimed squarely at in five of people in the UK suffer the female Millennial market, difficulties digesting lactose or Baileys has broadened its drinking particular proteins found in cow’s occasion beyond Christmas into milk – with symptoms ranging from less seasonal sipping occasions. extreme anaphylaxis to simple BLENDED WITH ICE discomfort. That said, let’s face it, the biggest 50ML BAILEYS ALMANDE sales spike of the year for both At the base of Baileys Almande is Baileys and other Irish cream real almond milk made from sweet CUBED ICE liqueurs firmly remains the almond oil and almond essence festive period when the on-trade (extracted from crushed almonds), 1. SERVE OVER ICE welcomes people more willing to cane sugar and purified water with

54 55 WINTER EDITION BOË SPICED ORANGE GIN LIQUEUR BOË SPICED ORANGE GIN LIQUEUR WINTER EDITION

BOË SPICED ORANGE 20% GIN LIQUEUR ABV

£12.85 PER 50CL LIQUEUR

BOË SPICED ORANGE & GINGER 50ML BOË SPICED ORANGE GIN LIQUEUR GINGER ALE 1 ORANGE WEDGE

1. FILL A LARGE GLASS WITH ICE 2. ADD 50ML BOË SPICED ORANGE It’s been a decade since the Boë But most impressive of all was the but, instead, of warm citrus notes GIN LIQUEUR Distillery began crafting artisan gold medal awarded to their Boë – bittersweet yet smooth on 3. TOP UP WITH GINGER ALE gins in Scotland and it’s safe to say, Scottish Bramble Gin Liqueur in the palate with a well-balanced 4. GARNISH WITH AN ORANGE WEDGE they’re really rather good at it. the liqueur category. The team finish that stops short of being at Boë Gin are expecting similar oversweet. Named after Professor Franz de accolades for the latest addition to la Boë, who is falsely credited as their eclectic range of top rate gin Deep orange in hue and packaged inadvertently creating gin while in liqueurs, Boë Spiced Orange. in Boë’s striking signature bottle, search of a medicinal tonic, Boë’s it’s a cool-looking Caledonian gins are distilled using the classic- To make this lovely liqueur, they alternative to the likes of other yet-rare Carterhead still system, use their classic Scottish Gin orange flavoured drinks such as first designed and built by the as the base – whose botanicals Grand Marnier and Cointreau. Carter brothers in the 19th Century, include coriander and angelica, spicy ginger and cassia bark, grains Enjoy neat over ice as a digestif or The distilling team at Boë Gin of paradise and peel from both simply lengthen with ginger ale. have been forced to make room oranges and lemons. on their mantelpiece for a gang of shiny new gongs after their They then infuse it with a blend of range of gins swept the boards at oranges and exotic spices in the the International Wine and Spirits Scottish town of Doune, otherwise Challenge (IWSC) earlier this year. renowned for its production of pistols and its castle – where they Not content with a bronze medal filmed “Monty Python and the Holy for their flagship Boë Gin, they also Grail”. received a couple of silver medals for both their mauve-coloured Thankfully the Orange Spiced Violet Gin and their Peach and liqueur doesn’t smell of either Hibiscus Liqueur respectively. hamsters or, indeed, elderberries

56 57 WINTER EDITION FEVER-TREE SPICED ORANGE GINGER ALE FEVER-TREE SMOKY GINGER ALE WINTER EDITION

FEVER-TREE SPICED FEVER-TREE SMOKY ORANGE GINGER ALE GINGER ALE

£POA 24 X 200ML MIXERS £POA 24 X 200ML MIXERS

Fever-Tree have made Despite only entering the market in such as Swift, Black Rock and taste great. There are their name in a gin and 2005, the company is estimated to Merchant’s House, have been many benefits to this, tonic market that has only be worth somewhere in the region offering simple long drinks with the such as speed of service gone from strength to of £4.5 billion, so if you haven’t new Smoky Ginger Ale and Spiced (mixed drink vs. cocktail) strength in recent years, already, it’s time to sit up and take Orange Ginger Ale.” and driving revenue. experiencing ginormous notice. growth with no sign of It just so happens that these two slowing down. Supporting the launch of six mixers are the very same we quinine-carrying tonics, designed have introduced to our range specifically to go with gin, Fever- this season. Fever-Tree Spiced Tree has worked with a number of Orange Ginger Ale and Fever-Tree bars to create bespoke Fever-Tree Smoky Ginger Ale are made using G&T menus – from curation right the same unique blend of three through to printing. naturally-sourced gingers, but what they do with that signature blend “We’ve seen an uplift of 45% in couldn’t be more different. premium gin and 61% in overall G&T sales with accounts who stock Fever-Tree Spiced Orange Fever-Tree’s range of mixers and Ginger Ale uses the signature have a bespoke Fever-Tree G&T blend of three gingers combined menu,” remarks Fergus Franks, with sweet clementines and spicy the brand’s on-trade marketing cinnamon to create a perfect manager. “By putting choice in front companion for Scotch, Rum and of the customer and making the Cognacs – our Copper Dog whisky spirit & mixer category exciting, serve being but one particularly premium sales have seen a strong example.. huge uplift.” Fever-Tree Smoky Ginger Ale, Having made such a splash in the however, builds on the brand’s G&T market, Fever-Tree turned signature blend of three unique to the darker side of the spirits gingers with smoked Applewood business, launching a number to create a ginger ale that is of expressions designed to practically begging to be paired complement premium rums, with whiskey – with our Builleit Rye cognacs and whiskies. serve being, in our opinion, one of the best possible. “In a similar vein to what we did with our range of tonic waters and “It comes down to good taste. the gin category, Fever-Tree are Fever-Tree’s mixers complement putting choice and quality into the premium spirits, rather than dark spirit category so consumers masking flavours with artificial can enjoy simple long mixed drinks sweeteners, so operators can of excellent quality,” says Fergus. make premium long mixed drinks “Some of the best bars in London, with a few simple ingredients which

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