25 to 40

The Ileach is a peaty single malt from a secret Islay distillery, this has received rave reviews from whisky critics and has a solid core of peat and malt.

NOSE:  Youthful peat, herbal notes, oak, grassy, notes of the coast.

PALATE:  Sublimely smooth malty notes, peat, peppery spices, tannins, a touch of fruit.

FINISH:  Faint iodine. Coastal notes, malt.

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

ABV: 40%

Grain Spirit

The Story of the Vintage Malt Whisky Co.

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. was founded in 1992 by Brian Crook, an honours graduate in Food Science with twenty years experience in the malt whisky industry, latterly as Export Director for one of Scotland's principal distillers. The aim was to produce a range of malt whiskies from Scotland's finest distilleries and to make them available to independent wine and spirit importers throughout the world.

One hundred years ago there were over one hundred and twenty malt whisky distilleries throughout Scotland, independently owned and producing malts of rare character from the Highlands, Islands and Lowlands. Today probably only seventy or eighty still produce malt whisky on a regular basis, and of these, only a handful are owned by family companies. The vast majority of malts available from Scotland today are produced by multi-national companies, so the opportunity for family companies worldwide to deal with small, independent scotch whisky distillers has virtually gone. The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. was formed to fill this gap.

Illeach

For centuries the stormy weather of the Atlantic Ocean has not only shaped the character of the people of islay but also the character of their world famous whiskies. In many ways this fine malt mirrors the character of the islay people - strong yet gentle, warm yet mellow but with a maturity beyond its years. Robustly peaty, with that unmistakable breath of the seashore.

A deliciously rich yet supple red that's perfect to enjoy along side some hearty, rustic Italian cuisine.

Intense ruby-red colour with a complex bouquet reminiscent of prunes, cherries and redcurrants.  The oak ageing adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma. On the palate it is full-bodied, supple and well-balanced with a long finish

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

ABV: 13%

Grapes:  70% Corvina, 20% Rhondinella, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

The notes of dark fruit and spices on the nose. The tannins are firm and are carried by dark, inky fruit and fresh acidity. It would show best after some time in bottle and being decanted.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape - Durbanville / Stanford

Grapes: 100% Pinotage

ABV: 12%

One of the most delicious wines in the shop! Bold aromas of white peach and lemon zest with subtle spice and honeycomb notes. Absolutely wonderful.

Country: Germany

Region: Baden

Grapes: Pinot Gris

ABV: 13%

The perfect match with Turkish chicken shish, taboulet and warm crushed potatoes with spring onions.

Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Burkheim produces lush and mineralic wines that are ideal companions to a wide range of modern cuisine. Bercher
produces Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris). All the wines go through extended lees-aging and have a wonderful aging potential.

Very deep, opaque colour with purple highlights. Great aromatic intensity dominated by matured blueberries and balsamic notes. Perfectly integrated wood with a sweet fruit and spice finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Petit Verdot

ABV: 14%

The long maceration brings balance to the natural intensity of Loureiro grape, amplifying it's salty profile.

Country: Portugal

Region: Minho

Grapes: Loureiro

ABV: 12.5%

Majority Grenache, this wine boasts floral, fruity and spicy aromas. In the mouth it's super juicy with red fruits, with a cherry and strawberry mix before revealing pepper notes. The roundness of this wine is supported by a healthy acidity. 

Country: France

Region: Rhone Valley

Grapes: 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault

ABV: 14 %

Food Match: It is light enough to match white meats, but with the richness and acidity necessary to accompany a duck confit and gratin Dauphinois.

 Organic

This limited edition Hitchin Honey Gin is a London Dry made with classic botanicals and infused with honey from own hives. The honey used in this small batch was harvested in the Summer of 2019 when our hives were in residence at a local lavender field. Delicious as a simple G&T paired with Elderflower tonic water. Enjoy!

40% ABV

Appearance: Pale, golden, honey
Our hand-harvested, hand-spun honey is what gives this unique gin its distinctive straw-like hues.

Bouquet: Honey, lavender, orange-rind
The distinctive note of our Cardona & Son raw honey is what makes our gins undoubtedly ours, none more so than our lavender edition. Subtle notes of lavender that are found naturally in the honey, with a bright citrus undertone.

Palate: Lavender, honey, citrus fruits
Not quite as sweet as our original Hitchin Honey Gin, but still packed with all of the honey goodness. The honey characters are at the forefront of the gin, with a bright and prominent lavender note. Waxy blood orange flavours and softer cinnamon characters emerge towards the end of the palate as the subtle sweetness is balanced by a refreshing acidity, that cleans the palate into a long, nectar-like, drying finish

A vintage brandy matured in oak barrels for 10 years. With its deep amber colour, KWV 10 Year Old contains complex, dried-fruit and port-wine aroma, enhanced by subtle spicy and nutty flavours. A full-bodied brandy, with a lingering, fruity and slightly sweet finish.
KWV 10 Year Old Brandy is produced by pure copper pot still distillation from carefully selected wines derived from the recognized brandy grape cultivars grown in the best suited areas of the Cape Winelands in terms of soil, climate and location.

Country: South Africa

Potstill content 10 years

ABV: 38%

Grape Spirit: 50% Colombard, 50% Chenin Blanc

KWV The Mentors

KWV is one of South Africa's leading wine and spirit producers, with an impressive international reputation and history. Its new owners brought in a winemaking team led by Wim Truter. With its 72 growers in every region of the Western Cape, it has unrivalled access to all of South Africa's wine regions, and they champion both South African classics and off-beat varieties as well as employ innovative methods such as producing sulphur-free wines using honey bush and Rooibos tea bark. KWV is amongst the Top 50 World's Most admired wine brands as per the Drinks International 2019 report.

Lively, lush, late harvest wine, the natural sugar concentration is balanced by refreshing acidity. Floral, fruity intense aromas, a touch of minerality and fresh fruity lingering finish. 

Country: Hungary

Region: Tokaji

Vegan/Vegetarian

Grapes:  100% Furmint

ABV: 12%

Food Match: Perfect with creamy blue cheese

The Szent Tamás winery was founded by two Hungarian businessmen and the son of Hungary's most famous and influential producers- Istevan Szepsy. They firmly believe the village of MÁD in the remote Tokaj region of Hungary is one of the great wine producing areas of the world. Working with vineyards that were shaped by several volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, their goal is to ensure that the once world renowned Tokaj Crus of MÁD would capture wine world`s attention again. Currently are working with 15 hectares of old vines in 9 different Crus, the MÁD Dry Furmint was created to be a benchmark representation of the village of MÁD through the collaborative work of the Szent Tamás winery and an ever growing number of small landowners.

Rich and dry with a nutty character, with a generous 30 years of maturation in oak adding layers of complexity and flavour.

Country: Spain

Region: Jerez

Grapes: Palomino

ABV: 21.5%

Aromas of crushed, black fruit, damson, mint, oak and mocha.

Rich, almost succulent black fruit which has great purity and exuberance. Impressive concentration and elegance.

Country: France

Region: Pomerol. Bordeaux

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5%

This tiny property of 1.3 hectares has seven parcels spread throughout the Pomerol appellation, positioned between Clos René, Château Trotanoy, Château Nénin, and next to Château Le Pin.

Château Feytit-Guillot truly benefits from these wonderful plots on the plateau. The vines have an average age of forty years and are always entirely hand-picked before undergoing traditional fermentation and aging in oak barrels for 14 months. The wine is pure and understated for a Pomerol, with a fresh nose and floral aromas on the palate. It is also one of the best value Pomerols on the market.

Pomerol is a much respected red wine appellation in the Bordeaux region of South ­Western France. Both historically and physically, it stands apart from other Bordeaux appellations. It does not conform to the accepted image of a Bordeaux wine­ district as being a wealthy, Chateau-­laden area with an all ­important classification system. Pomerol is none of these things, yet has managed to earn itself a place among the world's most revered wine region.

Absolutely sublime sweet treat from La Mancha in Spain.

Country: Spain

Region: DO Manchuela, La Mancha

Grapes: Petit Manseng

ABV: 13.5%

Vegan/Vegetarian

Organic

As the lands starts to rise, inland northwest of Valencia, you will find Roselia Molina heading up Bodegas Altolandon. The property consists of 120 hectares with the winery resting right in the centre, not only making it aesthetically satisfying but also extremely practical. At 1,100 metres above sea level, the altitude serves to benefit the grapes with large diurnal variations which encourage even ripening and also helping retain their natural acidity. Organic methods are used to manage the vines utilising only natural fertilisers and some green pruning to further guarantee the quality of fruit prior to hand-harvesting. The grapes are vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and little other intervention. The wines are then aged in French oak and some in clay amphora to retain purity, but build complexity.

A classic Barolo offering structure and elegance, with a red fruit base, floral notes, and hints of spice and tobacco. Perfumed and bright, very approachable yet serious and complex. Polished tannins and fresh acidity lead to a long, persistent finish, showing both immediate appeal for drinking now and excellent ageing potential.

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

15% ABV

Grape: Nebbiolo

Aromas of crushed, black fruit, damson, mint, oak and mocha. Rich, almost succulent black fruit which has great purity and exuberance. Impressive concentration and elegance.

 Country: France

Region: Pomerol. Bordeaux

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5%

One glass of this great wine is simply not enough! Rich, full and outstanding blend of Chenin and Viognier grown on complex, stony soils, with a warm, dry climate and sea breeze unique to the Malgas region. of South Africa Fresh fruit and complex mineral  flavours, this wine carries on for a long while on the finish. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Malgas, Swellendam, Western Cape

Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Viognier

ABV: 14%

Sijnn is prounounced 'sen', or 'seine'

Certified IPW sustainable

The Meth`Imon Acacia Assyrtiko 2022 has seductive aromas of candied lemon, hay, mandarin zest and quince. Fresh and zesty in the mouth with a fleshy mid-palate with 1% of Sauvignon Blanc added to the blend.

Skin contact and 30% whole bunch fermentation gives this wine depth of flavour and a hint of tannin, while still retaining the typicity of Assyrtiko. This wine shows fantastic integration, spending ten months spent on lees in acacia barrels.

Drinking well now but will age up to 10 years.

Country: Greece

Region: Thessaly

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Assyrtiko

Food match: Pairs perfectly with Greek salads, shellfish and grilled white fish.

Dougos Winery was founded in 1991 by Thanos and Louiza Dougos. Thanos is the viticulturist and Louiza is the winemaker and together they make wines from indigenous Greek varieties as well as blends with international grapes. They also operate one of Greece's oldest vine nurseries, which was established in 1950. Production is small, peaking at around 70,000 bottles per year. The winery is located in the Tempi Valley, on the foothills of Mount Olympus, in what constitutes the PDO Rapsani, in the Thessaly region. The vineyards are planted in iron-rich schist soils at altitudes of 450-700 metres. These soils are hardy and the iron content is important as it helps regulate the water capacity of the soil. The vineyards are cultivated without the use of irrigation, at low yields, and are certified organic.

The wines are very true to their origin and are always elegant, refined and expressive, and never dominated by new oak. The 300 litre acacia barrels used for the Assyrtiko are always only lightly or not at all toasted, in order to not overpower the intricate qualities.

Wonderful aromas and flavours of dried fruit, vanilla pod , sweet spice and dried herbs.

Native botanicals used: wormwood (magical plant), bay leaves, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon balm, chamomile, hibiscus flowers, lemon pulp, sweet orange peel and bitter. Dark red hue with highlights of copper, this vermut awakens in the mouth a perfect combination between sweetness, acidity and bitterness. The nose has sweet fruity notes along with pastry, which are mixed with light spices and balsamic. It has great length and complexity on the palate.

Country: Spain

Region: Galicia

Grapes: Albarino

ABV: 15%

From an artisan, small batch producer of exquisite, craft vermouths. Based in Galicia and using Albarino wines as the base for their vermouths. The distinctive bottles are inspired by Salvador Dalí and handmade from porcelain.
Native botanicals used: wormwood (magical plant), bay leaves, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary,
thyme, sage, lemon balm, chamomile, hibiscus flowers, lemon pulp, sweet orange peel and bitter.
Dark red hue with highlights of copper, this vermut awakens in the mouth a perfect combination
between sweetness, acidity and bitterness. The nose has sweet fruity notes along with pastry, which
are mixed with light spices and balsamic. It has great length and complexity on the palate.

Floral and elegant nose of violets and strawberries. Light and delicate palate.

Country: Italy

Region: South Tyrol

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13% 

We love this hidden gem of a wine. Erbaluce is a grape you've probably never heard of, we're baffled as to why it's not more famous! Fresh, saline and lemon zesty on the nose, the palate is clean, but slightly textured with a hint of wax. The finish is long, minerally and has note of lemon sherbit, in a really grown up kind of way.

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte, Canavese

Grapes: Erbaluce

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Grilled prawns with parsley or hard Italian cheese.

The vintage is dense in colour, retaining a purplish-blue hint typical of wines that are slow to develop. Chewy and rich, with dried fruits and fresh herbs. Full and chewy.

Country: France

Region: St Emilion, Bordeaux

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Merlot

"Aged in a 400-litre Spanish ceramic amphora for one month, this wine is focused and bright, yet possesses depth. It exudes the aroma of white flowers, garden herbs, Earl Grey tea, beeswax, nuts, lemon peel and quince. Approachable and youthful, it captures the essence of a sunlit garden, beautifully blending structure and terroir" - Lilla O'Connor, Decanter Magazine February 2024

Grapes: Rkatsiteli

Country: Ukraine

Region: Mykolaiv

ABV: 13.5%

Food pairing: roast chicken with French beans and onion gravy.

Beykush Winery is a family winery located close to the Black Sea in Chernomorka village, Mykolaiv region. Beykush vineyards consist of 14 hectares of French, Italian, and Georgian clones.

Red berry fruit, full of spice, white pepper and floral notes. Supple, intense palate with fine tannin matched by plenty of fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Syrah

Food match

Braised lamb and blue cheese, pecorino with rosemary and sundried tomato gremolada!

At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape.

This 5 year aged rum is crafted with a medley of spices including pink peppercorns, star anise, cloves and cinnamon and infused with raw honey from our own hives. Delicious served in a warming spiced rum hot toddy. Enjoy!

40% ABV

Appearance: Hazy, sunburst orange, gold
Sunrise in a glass. Just as the sun creeps over the horizon with a golden glow, the rum shines with bright orange hues through a haze of honey that creates a warm and inviting glass.

Bouquet: Waxed orange, autumnal spice
The nose erupts with soft subtle hints of waxey orange rind, and a sweet autumnal spice such as cinnamon and nutmeg. All brought together with a delicate note of our honey.

Palate: Vanilla, honey, toast, blood orange
To taste, the rum is bright and vibrant displaying its youth. The honey is prominent and balanced perfectly with notes of toast and vanilla from the oak ageing of the base spirit. The acidity is juicy and holds a character of blood orange, not too sweet and not too tart. The autumnal spice present in the bouquet holds strong on the palate and marries up the other flavours well.

This is definitely as fun and as lively as our previous honey-infused concoctions however, this is a much more serious and sophisticated beast.