What is Rum? Rum (also known as Rhum in French and Ron in Spanish) is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from the by-products of sugar production, i.e. molasses, or from sugar cane juice and is made by fermentation followed by distillation. Rum can be distilled in continuous or pot stills and is usually aged in […]
Gin Mare, the Mediterranean Gin
Gin Mare is a made in a 19th century chapel in the small Spanish fishing town of Vilanova i la Geltrú on the Costa Dorada (“the gold coast” in English) which is an area located on the coast of Catalonia next to the Mediterranean Sea. Gin Mare is marketed as “the Mediterranean Gin”. When you […]
Pernod Absinthe Recette Traditionnelle
Pernod Absinthe was relaunched a few years ago, complying with the legislation of the time, as Pernod aux Extraits de Plantes d’Absinthe. It was said to be “inspired” by the original Pernod Absinthe recipe – this lead to some discussion, certainly amongst my customers, as to how authentic it was and as to whether it […]
Chase Vodka
Chase Vodka – English Potato Vodka Chase Vodka is an English potato vodka distilled and bottled at the Chase Distillery located on a farm some 30 miles north west of Cheltenham in Herefordshire. All of the potatoes and apples used in the production of Chase Vodka and Gin are grown at the farm. The first […]
Taylors Velvet Falernum
Taylors Velvet Falernum is a famous alcoholic mixer from Barbados made by R L Seale & Co Ltd at the Foursquare Distillery on Barbados. It was developed by John D Taylor, of Bridgetown, in 1890 and is considered by many to be the original Falernum. Taylors Velvet Falernum is a blend of water, fine cane […]
Genever – What is Genever?
What is Genever? Genever, which is sometimes known as Jenever or Genievre, is also known as Dutch Gin. It is a strong, alcoholic spirit distilled from grain and flavoured with juniper and it is often considered to be the forerunner of the spirit Gin. Traditionally, it is made in The Netherlands or Belgium but under […]
Pisco – A Grape Brandy from Chile and Peru
What is Pisco? Pisco is type of grape brandy made in Peru and Chile. It is thought to have originated with the 16th Century Spanish Settlers, or Conquistadores, who created it as an alternative to the imported Spanish pomace brandy, Orujo. The Conquistadores brought cultivation of grapes and wine prodcution to South America, so it […]
Brandy de Jerez
Spanish Brandy & Brandy de Jerez Spanish Brandy available at Fareham Wine Cellar. Spanish Brandy seems to be one of the most under-rated brandies in the UK and this is perhaps due to the cheap and cheerful Spanish Brandy that seems to be flowing when you go on holiday to Spain – great in cocktails […]
The King’s Ginger Liqueur
The King’s Ginger is a ginger flavoured liqueur bottles at 41% abv and produced in The Netherlands exclusively for the famous wine merchant for Berry Bros & Rudd. The King’s Ginger was created for King Edward VII in 1903. The story goes that the Royal Doctor was worried about the monarch’s health as King Edward […]
Somerset Cider Brandy
Somerset Cider Brandy is produced by Somerset Royal at Pass Vale Farm in Burrow Hill near Martock. The current owner is Julian Temperley who has over thirty vintages to his credit. There are historical records of cider brandy production dating back to 1678 but the revival of Cider Brandy production really took off when the Somerset […]