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

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

Gorgeous, natural, silky red made from native Portuguese grapes, the nose could be mistaken for Pinot Noir with it's elegant floral perfumed notes with hints of herbs and ripe crushed strawberry.

Country: Portugal

Region: Bairrada

Grapes: Baga

ABV: 12%

Long skin maceration, giving concentration and complexity. Finally, 18 months in French and American oak, which adds volume and polish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano

ABV: 14,5%

Organic

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%

A rich and aromatic Sauvignon with wonderful complexity on the nose and palate. Ageing and maturation on the lees for 6 months, partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in large wooden barrels give this special Alto Adige Sauvignon Blanc a weight and structure that sets it apart from others.

Country: Italy

Region: Alto Adige 

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13.5% 

Food Matches: Chicken tagine or Thai green curry

Bracing aromas of red currants, blue berries and violets to start, further opening with time to reveal tones of cassis and wet slate. The palate enters focused and seamless, laced with tensile black and blue fruit tannin and extreme poise and persistence.

Country: Australia

Region: Margaret River, Western Australia

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Match: Rump steak

Passel Estate, founded by Wendy and Barry Stimpson, is in the heart of the spectacular Margaret River region. Their six hectares of vineyards are surrounded by an impressive granite outcrop and a pristine nature reserve of ancient flora. Sea breezes from the Indian Ocean provide calming relief in the hot summer months and this special location not only produces some of the region’s finest wine grapes, but also provides sanctuary to the endangered Western Ringtail Possum, whose collective noun is a "Passel”!

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.

Wonderfully light, full of wild strawberry, bitter red cherry and raspberry aromas and flavours.

Country: Germany

Region: Kaiserstuhl, Baden

Grapes: Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)

ABV: 13%

Perfect with roast pork loin stuffed with garlic, onions and sage.

Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Burkheim produces lush and minerally wines that are ideal companions to a wide range of modern cuisine. Bercher produces Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Weisburgunder (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%

Aromas of red fruits and berries with a hint of vanilla and sweet spice. Velvety and soft on the palate with a natural sweetness on the finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Racha, Khvanchkara 

Grapes: Aleksandrouli and Mudjuretuli

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: Cheese board

Giuaani Winery is located in the historic village of Manavi, the heartland of Georgian wine producing region, Kakheti. The Manavi village, cradled by the southern slopes of the minor Caucasus, is a home to one of the 29 PDOs (Protected Denomination of Origin) of Georgia. Its unique soil composition and microclimate provides perfect conditions for vine cultivation, especially for Kakhuri Mtsvane grape variety, and for the production of Manavi PDO white dry wines.

Pale sunshine yellow colour with fresh floral, citrus and melon aromas with hints of almonds. An unoaked, dry, medium bodied white wine with crisp acidity, the Arneis is well-balanced, elegant wine with good complexity and a lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Roero

Grapes: Arneis

ABV: 13%

The history of Vietti can be traced back to the 19th century, when Mario Vietti made his first wines, selling most of his production to local villagers.

Mario’s fame as a winemaker spread and over time the Vietti name became synonymous with brilliant wines, not just in the local area but across the world. Always looking to grow and innovate, the family was one of the first in Barolo to export wine and to release single-vineyard wines that showcase the individual terroirs of the region.

Made only from a selection of the best grapes from organic vineyards. A rich and complex Rioja with a true sense of place; a serious and sophisticated wine that ages fantastically.

Country: Spain 

Region: Rioja Alavesa

Grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Maturana, Graciano andMerlot

ABV: 14%

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

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.

A stunning, elegant red from the volcanic Canary Island of Tenerife. Made from a field blend of red and white indigenous grape varieties, some from very ancient vines up to 150 years old. This complex red has aromas and flavours of wild berries, tomato leaves, black olive, white pepper and has a very long, silky finish. If you love Nebbiolo from the Coste della Sessia or Valetellina, this is the wine for you.

Country: Spain

Region: Valle del Orotova, Tenerife

Grapes: Listán Negro, Bijariego Negro, Castellana, Listan Blanco, Abillo Criollo

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: Game, roast, stewed and braised meat, aged cheese. Perfect with Christmas Turkey too!

Fermentation was in oak barrels using the wild yeasts from the juice. The wine is creamy and textured; full of ripe stone fruit flavours and notes of acacia, nougat and citrus. Mineral finish.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Central Otago

Grapes:  Chardonnay (100%)

Food: serve with scallops and lobster in a beurre blanc sauce or grilled chicken.

ABV: 13.5%

Swartskaap (‘black sheep’).

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5

You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s
famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In
1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing
letters to the locals easier.

150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding
wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce
90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for
South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux
varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.
The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun;
Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the
wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap
(‘black sheep’).

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.

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.