Nothing says Caribbean quite like the sweet taste of the coconut and with Malibu not only do you get that, you also get the sweet, heady taste of premium white rum. The coconut flavour is strong and the lightness of the rum allows for a welcome smoothness. The coconut notes blend wonderfully with a sweet molasses flavour which delivers an almost dairy-like flavour, inviting and essential for the most exotic Caribbean cocktails.
We all love Gordon’s, whether we’re fans of Ramsay or not. The world’s most popular gin and a perennial bestseller, Gordon’s has a flavour which has come to epitomise quality gin. Juniper-led with peppery spice and sweet lemon zest following closely. Aromas of hops and eucalyptus underpinned by sage and liquorice whirl as you sip and a deeper, earthy aftertaste lingers, with citrus zest still coming through.
With its history in apothecary Peychaud’s Bitters has a strong authentic flavour which was originally dispensed as a medicinal tonic. Of course, the signature cocktail with Peychaud’s is the Sazerac but the subtle yet spicy flavour makes it a great choice for a wide range of cocktails from Old Fashioned to Whiskey Sours and the overriding flavour in each sip is aromatic cloves. Known as a great all-rounder Peychaud’s can be mixed with virtually anything to create a complex flavour profile.
Don Julio Anejo 1942 spends up to two and half year ageing, nearly enough to be classed as extra anejo. It’s stilled in a single pot still and has the wonderful spiced aromas of cinnamon, sweet agave, vanilla and interesting Turkish delight. The taste is deep with cinder toffee notes, the continual flavour of the agave and bursts of sweet, zesty citrus. Dry and nutty the finish is long with notes of smoke.
Dried pink grapefruit and earl grey tea followed by a strong liquorice undercurrent that leads into a sort of crushed Parma Violet sweets affair. Kick is woody and spicy and leads into juniper, bergamot and faint ginseng notes. All in all bloody good.