Guides and tasting notes
Cognac and Armagnac Gifts for Christmas: Grande Champagne, Bas Armagnac and Vintage Years
How Cognac and Armagnac differ, what Grande Champagne, VSOP, XO and a vintage year mean on the label, and the family-made bottles we would give this Christmas.
Rye Whiskey Explained: What Makes a Rye and What to Buy
What the word rye means on American, Canadian, Australian and European labels, how rye tastes next to bourbon, and three classic rye cocktails to make at home.
Scotch Whisky Regions Explained: What the Label Tells You and What It Doesn't
What Speyside, Highland, the Islands, Islay, Campbeltown and Lowland mean on a Scotch label, why the region is a starting point rather than a flavour guarantee, and bottles to try.
Cocktail Cherries Explained: Luxardo Maraschino Cherries vs the Bright Red Kind
Why a Luxardo Maraschino cherry is a different thing from the bright red candied kind, how Luxardo makes them from its own marasca cherries, and how to use them in cocktails and desserts.
Champagne for Christmas: Gift Bottles From Gosset, Paul Bara and Philipponnat
Non-vintage or vintage, brut or rosé, half bottle or magnum: how to choose a Champagne gift this Christmas, with bottles from Gosset, Paul Bara and Philipponnat.
Japanese Whisky Explained: What the Label Means and What to Buy
What Japanese whisky actually means on a label since the industry standard took full effect, how to build a proper highball and mizuwari, and an honest guide to seven Japanese blends.
What Is Eau de Vie? Fruit Brandy, Kirsch and Williams Pear Explained
Eau de vie is clear fruit spirit, usually unaged, that tastes vividly of pear, cherry or plum. How it is made, how it differs from brandy and schnapps, how to serve it and which bottles to start with.
What Is an Aperitif? Types, Examples and How to Drink Them
An aperitif is the drink that opens the evening. Here are the main families, from quinquina and gentian to bitter red aperitivo and fruit wines, with easy serves and bottles to start with.
What Is Vermouth? Sweet, Dry and Blanc Vermouth Styles Explained
Vermouth is wine flavoured with wormwood and other botanicals, and usually fortified. Here is how sweet, dry and blanc styles differ, which bottle suits a Negroni or Martini, and how to store it once opened.
White Rum Guide: Styles, Strength and the Best Bottles to Mix
White rum is clear rum, either unaged or aged and filtered. Here is how the styles differ, what the strength on the label means, and which bottle suits your Daiquiri, Mojito or highball.
Christmas Liquor Gift Ideas: Spirits for Every Personality
The best liquor gift is the one that matches how someone already drinks. This guide sorts Christmas spirits gifts by personality, from the rum lover and the gin enthusiast to the whisky collector and the person who has everything.
The Hugo Spritz: How to Make It at Home, and Which Elderflower Liqueur to Use
How to make a Hugo Spritz at home in millilitres, with the Suro maison serve and four elderflower liqueurs side by side. It also covers a gin Hugo, an alcohol-free Hugo and the bottles to give a Hugo fan this Christmas.
Rum for Christmas: Gift Bottles for Every Rum Drinker
Single bottles of rum to give this Christmas, from Dos Maderas 5+5, which comes in a gift pack with glassware, to old Guyana and Panama rum. Each pick says who it suits, with 2005 and 2008 vintages for milestone birthdays.
Tequila Gifts for Christmas: Clase Azul and the Hand-Painted Alternatives
Which tequila to give this Christmas, bottle by bottle: Clase Azul Reposado for the famous decanter, Gran Cofradía Reposado for a hand-painted bottle without the Clase Azul outlay, and picks for sippers, mixers and mezcal explorers.
Bourbon Gifts for Christmas: Willett Family Bottles, Kentucky Classics and More
Single bourbon and rye bottles to give this Christmas, led by the Willett family labels from Bardstown, Kentucky. Each pick says who it suits, from the collector to the bourbon and cola drinker.
Christmas Cocktails 2026: Ten Drinks for a Hot Australian Christmas, and the Bottles to Make Them
Ten Christmas and Boxing Day cocktails for an Australian summer, each made to the IBA or producer recipe in millilitres. Every one is linked to the bottle that makes it, with Luxardo cherries for the drinks that call for a cherry.