A blended malt whisky from the folks at the famous William Grant distillery, Monkey Shoulder brings together a range of smooth single malts in beautiful harmony. The nose is an elegant marmalade-laced malty affair, with just a little clove and cinnamon spice. The flavour too is malt-driven yet creamy in the mouth with recognisable berries, toasted barley and butterscotch notes. The creamy warmth of this blend doesn’t let go until the very end and is a wonderfully enjoyable offering.

The drink which kept Napoleon Bonaparte sated during his exile, so legend tells us, the classic taste of Courvoisier VS remains popular today. One of the most enjoyed cognacs in the world it has a smooth, highly potable flavour and as it’s lighter than others in its class, it has great versatility. Whether it’s your after dinner drink or you use it for your light summer punches, Courvoisier VS remains mellow and offers flavours of toffee, orange and even coffee.

Try something different from your regular Tanqueray and tonic. Exotic and packed full of flavour Tanqueray Rangpur brings in the flavours of ginger, bay leaves and intensely fruity rangpur limes. Sweetness leads this extraordinary gin, with lime juice and zest marrying wonderfully with traditional juniper. Lime continues to take centre stage but ginger heat and a touch of pepper help to give a welcome bitter edge to think drink. Perfect for a refreshing gimlet.

Exuding class and a little mystery, our pal Johnnie Black deserves a spot in your drinks cabinet. Deep and complex with a flavour that tantalises the tongue, Johnnie Black has been perfectly refined with as many as 40 whiskies brought together to create a mature, intricate and enjoyable scotch. A long fruity finish is exceptional amongst others in its class, with currant and citrus notes lingering longest of all.

An iconic name in cognac, Martell has been producing quality bottles since 1715. Using sweet grapes from the Borderies region of Cognac, it has a naturally nutty flavour which stands out against others in its class. Regularly served with sweet ginger, tonic or simply on its own in a classic brandy balloon flavours of wood and spice stand out with lighter notes of citrus, pear and decadent saffron following after.

Appleton Estate 8 Year Rum blends together 20 different rums to create a dark sugar concoction which is intensely enjoyable. The sugary nature of this Appleton offering is tempered by warm honey and despite the seeming sweetness it is sharp on the tongue with a satisfying hit of citrus peel and caramelised apple. Caramel and hazelnut flavours come through on tasting and this one rum that should be enjoyed neat.

MEGA YUM! Sipsmith boys came up trumps with this one. Super silky mouthfeel with notes of lemon barley water and crushed up breakfast cereal from your schooldays. This is followed by a creamy vanilla moment before more lemon and eventually a brief hard boiled barley sugar with orange rind. Finish is  silky and leaves you with a lovely lemon barley note and a desire for more of the same.

Exceptional and painstakingly created by an award-winning micro distiller, Sacred Gin packs a punch and is stylish as well as flavoursome. Its subtle flavours make it wonderful when poured simply over ice or with your favourite tonic and it is juniper led from the start with violet following closely behind. It builds in the mouth with red peppercorn and pine lingering after the last mouthful. The spicy heat which builds is satisfying without being overpowering, adding to the complex flavour profile Sacred offers.

One of the younger offerings from El Dorado, this blend made of rums of a minimum of 8 years old is sweetly spicy and thick with molasses and toffee flavours. There’s a festive feel to this rum, with Christmas cake spices working together to create a strong and enjoyable flavour. Honeyed vanilla, toffee and butterscotch are rich on the palate with syrupy orange marmalade coming through too, creating a rich and enjoyable rum which is perfect when enjoyed neat or with mixers.

Double distilled to ensure an even deeper and more intense flavour, Père Magloire VSOP has been matured for up to 5 years and has dark golden hues to show for it. Père Magloire VSOP has a deep scent of apple blossom and fresh fruit which is followed be a deliciously crisp and juicy flavour which blends harmoniously with the mature oak flavours from the maturation process. Serve alongside mature and blue cheeses for a perfect partnership.

Bacardi is best known for their world famous white rum but here Bacardi 8 Year Old is an intense, red-gold offering which is exceptional when added to spiced cocktails or enjoyed neat. The aroma is awash with buttery caramel, orange marmalade and banana leaf notes which lead to a medium bodied flavour which allows sweet Demerara sugar, apricots and gingerbread to take centre stage. Butterscotch and vanilla notes linger throughout with just a touch of nutmeg spice finishing it off.

Clement Creole Shrubb is one of those drinks that you may not have heard of but once you try it, you won’t want to stop. A strong and rich rhum agricole, Creole Shrubb is a sweet flavoured almost herbal offering which brings together old and young rums. The sweet sugar cane base blends beautifully with fresh orange peel and notes of oak which come through in the maturation process. Simple in its flavours but wonderfully sweet and perfectly drank neat, add Clement Shrubb to your drinks cabinet.

A traditional gin distilled in Hammersmith, Sipsmith’s brings together ingredients from around the world. Its juniper is Macedonian, its coriander Bulgarian and its almonds and liquorice are sourced from Spain. This is just the beginning and this genuine London distilled one shot gin bursts with clean and woody flavours which are both satisfying and tempting. Juniper and coriander take centre stage in the traditional gin and zesty citrus comes through later with a hint of spice. Liquorice comes through in a final flourish and lingers in the mouth.

Named for the distillery’s number 10 still, Tanqueray No. 10 gin is based upon their classic recipe with some exciting additions. Enjoy the depth of flavour added by additional camomile and fresh grapefruit, lightening the nature of the gin and adding a refreshing edge. With almost sherbet undertones, No.10 has a rounded palate which combines floral juniper with the citrus notes and additional spice from coriander and white pepper. The new flavours create a sweetness which is very welcome and wonderful when mixers are added.

Citadelle Gin is a wheat based gin which soaks up the warm flavour of cognac through its production in cognac stills. 19 botanicals are added to create the distinct flavour of Citadelle, leafy on the nose and clean on the palate. Peppery grains of paradise partner refreshing juniper in a fragrant concoction which works and the sweeter citrus notes help create a rounded flavour which is a little on the spicy side.