Top 8 staff picks

Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old Rum - 70cl 40% - Beautiful balance between notes of dry fruits, vanilla and spices followed by a long-lasting smoky finish. Soft and complex with character for distinguished cocktails and sipping. The history of Varela Hermanos S.A dates back to 1908, when Don José Varela Blanco, a young Spanish immigrant, established in the town of Pesé the San Isidro Sugar Mill, the first sugar mill in the Republic of Panamá. Hence why the distillery has the luxury of growing their own sugarcane.

Michters US*1 Small Batch American Whiskey - 70cl 41.7% - Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, the US1 Unblended American Whiskey is aged in a way that utilizes whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve a rich and unique flavour profile. In late 2013, Master Distiller Willie Pratt agreed to re-release the US1 Unblended American Whiskey after a nearly three-year absence from the market, deeming it as “the best it’s ever been.” Crucially, this release never contains grain neutral spirits – hence its “unblended” distinction.

Stalla Dhu Cask Strength Ardmore - 60.5% 70cl - Ardmore is the original, peated Highlander. This multi-award-winning expression has been left at Cask Strength, a whopping 60.5%, which makes it rather special as the high alcohol volume carries the whisky extremely well. It coats and cleanses the palate whilst the complexities gently dance together. Caol Ceo on the label can be translated from Gaelic to “Light Smoke” (or a thin mist).

Old Forester Statesman - 47.5% 70cl - Old Forester Statesman was originally released as a tie-in with the 2017 movie, Kingsman: The Gold Circle. Where many tie-ins are often limited time offerings, Old Forester has kept Statesman on as a permanent line expression. It is a no age statement bourbon, but at the time of its initial release, it was said that it contained bourbon under 5 years old. According to Old Forester’s website, Statesman is a blend of hand-selected casks from the warmest places in their warehouse.

Bruichladdich Scottish Barley Classic Laddie - 50% 70cl - The foundation for the Classic Laddie is not a recipe set in stone. Bruichladdich has no interest in consistency or uniformity, instead – year by year – the variety and provenance of their barley shapes their spirit, and an ever-increasing range of casks are sourced to evolve the suite of flavours in their warehouse. Each batch of the Classic Laddie will, by nature, be unique and subtly different, but it is ultimately Bruichladdich’s Head Distiller who curates this assemblage of finest spirits, to showcase the classic, floral and elegant house style.

Glendronach 18 Year Old Allardice - 70cl 46% - The GlenDronach 18 year old has been named after the renowned founder of the distillery, James Allardice. This exceptional sherried single malt features natural colour and it’s bottled at 46% ABV. Matured in the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, this sublime richly sherried malt is truly unforgettable. Rich dark and seductive. Remarkable flavours of stewed fruits and all-spice marry together with classic aged Oloroso sherry and toasted walnut bread combined with chocolate orange.

Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Rum - 41.3% 70cl - Eminente is the rebirth of XIXth century Cuban rum, elaborated by César Martí the youngest Maestro Ronero (Rum Master) of the island and aged 7 years minimum in white oak barrels. Not only suitable for sipping, over ice or in cocktails, Eminente Reserva has the aesthetics of a traditional Cuban light rum with the complexity and depth of a very old one.

Suntory Roku Gin - 70cl - In Japanese, Roku translates as the number six. Inside every bottle of Roku Gin, you will find six very special botanicals that are sourced in Japan. These represent Suntory’s commitment to only use the best ingredients harvested from the best growing areas in Japan. Every aspect of Roku Gin is crafted by Japanese artisans with a centuries-old tradition of meticulous attention to detail.