This season we’ve stocked The Hunger drinks cabinet with some intoxicating curiosities that promise to keep you warm, happy and refreshed throughout the holidays...
This season we’ve stocked The Hunger drinks cabinet with some intoxicating curiosities that promise to keep you warm, happy and refreshed throughout the holidays.
Whiskeys
Single Malt Talikser Ten Year is dry and peppery, with a subtle peatiness in the finish and juniper berries in the top notes. Perfect for late evening relaxation or after ice skating. Distilled on the Isle of Skye.
Penderyn Single Malt is distilled in Wales by a young female whiskey maker. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Madeira casks, their signature Single Malt is creamy yet sharp, with notes of vanilla and caramel.
Talisker Special Strength is whiskey with an extra kick, perfect for getting through those long evenings with the family. Keep yourself going by adding some to a hot toddy or two.
Auchentoshan’s Classic from Scotland is triple-distilled and aged in American bourbon barrels. Often called the ‘breakfast whiskey’ for its easy drinkability, it is smooth, syrup-sweet, and our favourite all-rounder. Likely to please bourbon lovers and even those who think they don’t like whiskey.
Editor’s whiskey pick: Laura Bradley chose Jameson Select Reserve Black Barel: "whilst traditional Jameson ages for 5-7 years, Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel matures for an average of 12 years in flame-charred bourbon oak casks. It has a rich, deep flavour with notes of vanilla, toasted spices and stewed apples; perfect for the winter months. I like it straight, on the rocks or with ginger ale. Available in the US for a limited period, track down a bottle if you can."
"Auchentoshan’s Classic from Scotland – often called the ‘breakfast whiskey’ for its easy drinkability, is smooth, syrup-sweet, and our favourite all-rounder"
Champagne
Veuve Clicquot vintages, such as the 2004, perfectly accentuate any special occasion. And for the ultimate luxury, Veuve’s 1980 cave privée vintage is nothing short of ambrosial. Viscous with notes of coffee and syrup, it goes well with aged cheese, such as comté.
Veuve’s Yellow Label is ideal for parties or mixed with orange juice on Christmas morning. Originally created by Madame Clicquot Ponsardin for the English market in the 1800s, it set the modern standard for drier champagne.
Nyetimber’s Sparkling Rosé vintage 2007 is a relatively new release from these British wine-makers located in Sussex. Drier and more complex than many sparling rosés, the mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offers a bold minerality that can be paired with a festive menu or served on its own. Ideal for greeting guests.
Unexpected
Kammerlings is a ginseng spirit containing 45 botanicals, created by young British drinks aficionado Alex Kammerling after years of research and experimentation. This exceptional blend tastes of refreshing pine and citrus, and is evocative of the season. One of the most-talked about new entries to the UK drinks market, it is an excellent base for inventing your own signature Christmas cocktail, or on its own as a digestif.
Sipsmith Sloe gin is a vibrant take on this seasonal drink. You can make your own sloe gin by infusing gin with foraged sloes, but if you don’t get around to it, the version produced by this microdistillery in London is robust with a traditional touch; pleasantly strong on its own or fruity and mellow when mixed.
Miodula Presidential Blend is a Polish honey vodka liqueur that doesn’t taste much like vodka, but is warming and sweet with the flavour of wild honey. Newly available in the UK, only 4000 bottles are produced each year (500 of which are reserved for use by the Polish president), and each bottle is signed and numbered.
Fattoria La Vilalla Vin Santo is biodynamically produced on their farm in Tuscany and the taste lies somewhere between a sherry and a dessert wine. We mentioned it recently in our Hampers’ Special, alongside Daylesford Organic’s sweet plum brandy liqueur, both of which are perfect for after a big Christmas dinner.
Enjoy your holiday imbibing.
Text by Ananda Pellerin and Neil Wissink
Ananda Pellerin is a London-based writer and Neil Wissink is a visual artist also based in London. More from The Hunger here, and contact The Hunger here.
