1. Maison Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée Extra-Brut

Forty years on since Maison Bruno Paillard was founded, its Première Cuvée Extra Brut remains the flagship of the portfolio. A Multi Vintage Champagne, the Première Cuvée Extra Brut is a very personal interpretation of the region. Above all, it is a blend of vineyards, varieties and of vintages.

It is a blend of the three Champagne varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. A total of 20% of the blend is fermented in barrel, with up to 50% of reserve wines in the blend. After three years maturation on the lees, and an extra low dosage, this is complex, and intensely elegant Champagne, with a precise, long finish.

Find out more at hedonism.co.uk

2. Skinny Witch Prosecco Rose

Rose prosecco with an award-winning label? Here is the best-performing rose wine made from high-quality Italian grapes. Skinny Witch Rose Prosecco is an award winning lower calorie, carb-free alternative that is also 100% gluten-free.

So, what gives it its award-winning status? Skinny Witch Prosecco Rose is a beautifully balanced lower-calorie prosecco with aromas of rose petals and red berries, a floral and fruity palate, and a strong raspberry note. On the finish, there’s a lingering fresh fruit flavour

Find out more at drinkwell.co.uk

3. La Folie 

Light and bright pink colour, violet reflexes with a fine stream of elegant bubbles. A lovely balance of rich and fresh aromas on the nose with apricot, yellow peach, melon, passion fruit, all tied up by a subtle lavender honey note.

Tense yet ample, with a refreshing acidity that gives depth to a creamy and white fruit flavoured profile. Perfect for an indulgent brunch and all festive occasions.

Find out more at maisonmirabeau.com

4. Della Vite Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore N.V.

Della Vite Prosecco is the first joint venture between Chloe, Poppy and Cara Delevingne. However, it’s not your standard celebrity drinks venture. Supported by its excellent Vivino rating, this is a very well-made Prosecco that’s closer to Champagne levels of decadence than the cheaper bottles fuelling endless bottomless brunches.

Their Foss Marai winery is powered by solar panels, their processes favour a slow hands-on approach over the rush of machinery, and their wines are not fined with animal products, making them vegan friendly.

Find out more at vivino.com

5. Prosecco Rosé from Sea Change 

Hailing from the picturesque Veneto region of North-Eastern Italy, this fizz bursts with red fruit vibrancy, complimented by a gentle taste and fine, streaming bubbles – the perfect fizz to toast to 2022 with family and friends! The simply stylish bottle presents a stunning starfish label, hand drawn to demonstrate the impact of plastic pollution – something that is becoming increasingly alarming as many continue to mindlessly consume. 

What’s more, Sea Change are extending their love to marine environments this year by donating to a chosen marine charity with each bottle sold. So, each glass you enjoy will taste even better knowing that you are doing your bit to help the environment.

Find out more at seachangewine.com

6. Skinny Prosecco 1754

DrinkWell’s Skinny Prosecco 1754 contains up to 60% less sugar than a standard bottle of Prosecco 1754, making it an excellent lower calorie, lower carb wine.

Skinny Prosecco 1754 is produced in a winery in Northern Italy that is over 400 years old, adding a touch of class and a lot of history to the product. Despite being a lower calorie, carb-free prosecco, Skinny Prosecco 1754 has a deep flavour, and a quality that shines through.

Find out more at drinkwelluk.com

7. Searcys Selected Cuvée Brut Champagne

Searcys pride themselves in being experts in all things fizz, with each bottle hand-packed and delivered, complete with a personal message for the perfect gift. 

Searcys Selected Cuvées have been expertly developed by Champagne specialists and chef de cave to ensure a crisp and smooth taste in every sip. An elegant and fruity pour, the Brut white encompasses aromas of peach and plum with notes of citrus.

Champagne is rooted in Searcys history, dating back to 1893 when our own label Champagne was first introduced. Moving to 21st century, Searcys Selected Cuvées are now served in every Searcys restaurant and bar, with over 2,000 glasses poured each month. 

Find out more at searcys.co.uk

8. Pale Fox Rosé Prosecco

New Year is a time of celebration, and every grand celebration calls for some bubbly.

Rosé lovers will be in for a treat as Pale Fox has recently announced the launch of its limited-edition 2020 Vintage Pale Fox Rose Prosecco.

This vintage Rosé Prosecco is beautifully blended with white Glera and red Pinot Noir grapes that create a structured, complex sparkling wine.

Find out more at palefoxprosecco.com

9. Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut James Bond 007 NV

Splash out on this limited edition bottle of Bollinger! Even 007 can’t get enough of it as he’s been enjoying it for over 40 years.

Without doubt one of the very best non-vintage Champagnes around. If you’re looking for a ‘serious’ Champagne. This is a great wine and a lot of fun, then this is the one for you.

Bollinger Special Cuvée scored 93/100 in the recent Wine Spectator Champagne tasting reaffirming its position as a market-leading, premium quality Champagne.

Find out more at virginwines.co.uk

10. Liquid Diamond Wines

Liquid Diamond has a range of sparkling Prosecco to help you celebrate a bubble-filled new year’s eve. Created to make wine more accessible to Millennials and Gen Z-ers, Liquid Diamond is the world’s first wine company to use colourful emojis to indicate wine notes and perfect food pairings. 

For a party feel, Liquid Diamond’s rosé Prosecco is the perfect choice as you serve from its stylish bottle complete with diamond motif and fun fruit tasting notes of blueberries, cherries and raspberries. Or create the perfect celebratory setting at home and pour glasses of sparkling Liquid Diamond’s Prosecco DOC. This vibrant, dry white Prosecco features flavours of apricot, apple and pear, displayed on the bottles with signature emojis.

Find out more at liquiddiamondwine.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Top 10 fizz to pop to celebrate the New Year appeared first on Checklists.

Checklist has gathered 10 of the best and varied whisk(e)ys from around the world for your pleasure.

1. Naked Malt

The new and improved Naked Malt, formerly Naked Grouse, has officially hit the shelves as the ideal companion for year-round adventures and get-togethers, inspiring whisky drinkers both old and new to return to their real, “Naked” selves post-lockdown.

Comprised of the same world-renowned single malts as before, the liquid itself remains unchanged and is extra-matured in ‘Naked’ first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. The Naked Malt blend features hints of buttery toffee and tantalising spice, with notes of vanilla and raisins.

Find out more at nakedmalt.com

2. Kinahan’s Kasc Project Whiskey

First of its kind, The Kasc Project is a whiskey by Kinahan’s Irish whiskey, made in bespoke handmade hybrid casks constructed of 5 different and unusual wood varieties, each bringing a unique and rich flavour to the whiskey.

The first expression ‘Kasc Project’ described as ‘a riot of unconventional flavours’ comprises of a blend of malt and grain whiskeys, bottled at 43% ABV with no filtration and without adding artificial colouring

Find out more at majestic.co.uk

3. Jura Journey Single Malt

Pioneering the combination of Irish traditions with Scottish whisky-making staples, the small Isle of Jura is home to a giant of whisky production.

This perfect marriage of Jura and hand selected American white oak ex bourbon casks results in notes of creamy vanilla, pecan pie and a touch of soft cinnamon and fresh pear. The ideal starting place for exploring the Jura range.

Find out more at jurawhisky.com

4. Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt

Taste the origins of Bunnahabhain with sweet fruit, nuts, vanilla and a delicate coastal influence. Meaning mouth of the river, Bunn-na-ha-venn is the name of the beautiful bay in which their distillery has sat since 1881.

Bunnahabhain use predominantly ex sherry casks to mature the unpeated Islay whisky giving a beautifully rich and full bodied character. Non-chill filtered and natural colour gives our whisky an authentic character and taste.

Find out more at bunnahabhain.com

5. Suntory Toki Blended Whisky

To some surprise, the distillery’s of Japan are bearing delicious fruit consistently these days, and Suntory leads the way to bold new flavours with traditional methods.

It’s a concept rich in meaning the world over, but particularly in Japan where respect for tradition and reinvention sparks a powerful creative energy. Inspired by that interplay, Suntory Whisky Toki™ brings together old and new -the House of Suntory’s proud heritage and its innovative spirit- to create blended Japanese whisky that is both groundbreaking and timeless.

Find out more at whisky.suntory.com

6. Glengoyne 12 Year Old

Boasting the slowest stills in all of Scotland, Glengoyne are all about doing things properly. And doing things right means taking your time. Distilled from barley on the doorstep of Glasgow, Glengoyne are determined to continue Scotland’s rich history of whisky.

Lemon zest, toffee apples – and a scent of coconut. Hand-selected sherry casks help create this paradise of flavours and rich, golden colour. It’s the taste of Scotland’s slowest distillation, and Glengoyne’s insistence on barley dried by air, never with peat.

Find out more at glengoyne.com

7. Tamdhu

Pour yourself a dram of 12-year-old expression and you’ll appreciate why Tamdhu mature their spirit entirely in the finest sherry oak casks. Aged in Oloroso sherry casks from the cooperages of Jerez, in Spains ‘sherry triangle’.

The luxury box reveals the stylish bottle, allowing the natural amber spirit to shine from within. You’ll taste the intense richness on the palate and enjoy the deep, long finish it delivers. So sit back and savour.

Find out more at tamdhu.com

8. Deanston Core Range

Matured predominantly in Bourbon casks, the classic Deanston range is unpeated, smooth and sweet with honey and heather notes.

With a smooth and creamy sweetness, hints of fruit, malty honeyed spiciness and soft vanilla, the crisp 12 year old finishes with a satisfying tingle of cloves. If you fancy exploring more of the Deanston range, the next logical step is their award-winning 18 year old bottle. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels, enjoy sweet gingerbread flavours, a kick of black pepper and a twist of citrus in this delicious whisky.

Find out more at deanstonmalt.com

9. Tobermory Ledaig 10 Year Old

Naming themselves ‘The Artisan Distillery’, it’s clear to see that Tobermory do things a bit differently. This extraordinary and distinguished hand-crafted single malt is Tobermory Distillery’s signature smoky expression.

Peated in the long-standing methodology of Scottish whisky, Ledaig is perfect for evenings in by the fire accompanied by good scenery and even better friends.

Find out more at tobermorydistillery.com

10. MacNair’s Lum Reek

A marriage of Single Malts from Speyside and Islay, Lum Reek contains both peated and unpeated spirit for a perfectly balanced yet satisfyingly complex dram. The whisky takes inspiration from the old Scottish saying, “Lang may yer lum reek”, literally meaning “long may your chimney smoke”, which wishes someone a long and healthy life – the perfect sentiment to bring in the New Year!

The recipe, created by industry veteran and Master Distiller/Blender of the Year, Billy Walker, includes both peated and unpeated whiskies, including aged GlenAllachie single malt.

Find out more at macnairs.com

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The post Ten whiskeys to savour this holiday season appeared first on Checklists.

Sloe gin is perfect for wintery evenings, with a fruity subtle warmth that just tops dry gin in the colder months. Stronger, paler and drier than your average Sloe gin, Foxdenton’s classic hip flask-filler is full of juniper on the nose giving way to plum sweetness before a long, crisp finish.

It is naturally lower in strength than other spirits, and so is well-suited to sipping in the afternoon in relaxation. Here are four great Sloe gin recipes to complete your warm winter’s evening this festive season.

Sloe Fizz

A simple twist that yields delightful results every time. If mimosas and bellinis aren’t festive enough for you, try this Sloe alternative that’ll freshen up your tastebuds.

Ingredients

• 25ml Foxdenton’s Sloe Gin
• 200ml champagne or prosecco of your choice
• Optional: lemon juice or fruit purée

Method

1. If opting to jazz up your drink with lemon juice or any variety of fruit puree, mix your Sloe gin and additional ingredients first.
2. Pour your Sloe gin into the bottom of a tall-necked glass. Top up with your champagne.
3. Garnish with a lemon slice or fresh berries for some extra flavour and style.

Mulled Sloe

This winter warmer is a cosy alternative to mulled wine, offering a different flavour profile while still resembling the iconic festive beverage. This recipe makes full use of Foxdenton’s Sloe Gin’s plum sweetness and floral tones.

Ingredients

• Foxdenton’s Sloe Gin
• Apple or orange juice
• Festive herbs and spices, such as clove and cinnamon sticks
• Orange slices

Method

1. Warm up your pot on the stove and add your orange slices first. This will add some caramelisation and citrus to the base of the drink.
2. Add your fruit juice and Sloe gin, at a ratio of 4:1, to the pot and begin warming through.
3. Add your spices and cinnamon sticks and warm through. Take care not to let the pot boil as it will ruin your beverage.
4. Once warmed through, safely ladle your delicious drink into heat-proof glasses or mugs. Then, sip away at your leisure.

Sloetini

This one is for the refined socialites who want to mix it up during the holidays. With a more fruity palette than the traditional martini, this might just be your new favourite cocktail.

Ingredients

• 25ml Foxdenton’s Sloe Gin
• 50ml Foxdenton 48 Dry Gin
• 15ml berry purée of some variety
• Berries to garnish

Method

1. Fill your martini glass with ice to chill.
2. Add the Sloe gin, dry gin and fruit purée to a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake well until the shaker is cold to the touch.
3. Empty ice from the martini glass. Strain the mixture in the shaker into your martini glass.
4. Garnish with berries to finish.

Sloe Collins

This recipe is inspired by the classic gin mixture, the Tom Collins. Created by ‘the father of American mixology’ Jeremy Thomas in 1876, the Tom Collins is a sweeter long drink to be enjoyed in the summer. It’s about time the traditional recipe got a wintery update.

Ingredients

• 50ml Foxdenton’s Sloe Gin
• Juice of half a lime
• Sparkling water, or lemonade if you prefer it sweeter

Method

1. Fill your cocktail mixer with ice. Press the juice from the lime into the shaker, and add your Sloe gin. Put some ice cubes in a tall glass.
2. Shake until the exterior of the mixer is cool to the touch. Then strain into your tall glass.
3. Top with sparkling water or lemonade to finish.

Discover more wonderful recipes and products at foxdentonestate.co.uk

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The post Sloe gin cocktails and recipes for luxurious nights in appeared first on Checklists.

If you’re hunting for the next living room discussion drink, look no further than Checklist’s top 10 Christmas spirits.

1. Beeble Honey Spirits

Beeble is a sustainable drinks brand on a mission to celebrate and support bees. Creating their own honey-infused whiskey from leftover hives, the company are highly invested in the wellbeing of their colonies and their continuing delicious alcohols.

Handcrafted in the UK, Beeble’s range of award-winning honey liqueurs make great stocking fillers and gifts this Christmas. The range includes a Honey Whisky and most recently, Honey Vodka, both made in close collaboration with Strathearn Distillery to create a subtly sweet liquid.  

Find out more at beeble.buzz

2. The Botanist Gin

This one is for the refined gin and tonic fans, and those who fancy something a bit different to the usual gin brands.

Produced on the Island of Islay, The Botanist is made with 22 hand-foraged, local herbs and flowers delicately and slowly distilled with nine classic gin botanicals.

This highly complex gin, with floral, citrus and menthol notes can be enjoyed neat, in a G&T garnished with seasonal botanicals and garnishes, or in a cocktail. 

Find out more at thebotanist.com

3. The Macallan Harmony Collection

The Macallan has unveiled The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao, the first limited edition whisky in an innovative new series of single malts that will see the brand progress its journey towards sustainable packaging.  

To create the first edition in this new limited annual release series, The Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan embarked on a unique journey to Girona, Spain, where she immersed herself in the world of chocolate, exploring the chocolate-making process and uncovering distinctive flavour profiles.

Find out more at themacallan.com

4. Cointreau Tropicool

A beautiful addition to any drinks cabinet collection, the Cointreau limited edition bottle is also an essential ingredient for those looking to whip up festive Margaritas this season.

Inspired by the original Margarita cocktail, this bottle’s limited edition design takes you on a one-way trip to Mexico where the original Margarita was created in 1948. The perfect Christmas gift for lovers of design, taste and originality, the bottle features a striking aesthetic that blends the essence of the Acapulco lifestyle with Cointreau flavours.

Find out more at cointreau.com

5. Bruichladdich Whisky range

This Scottish distillery prides itself in both its innovation and ability to stay true to the traditional techniques and processes that earned its reputation. Bruichladdich create distinct non-peated natural whisky on the Isle of Islay.

Their wide range of products are sure to satisfy even the most particular whisky aficionados that may grace your living room.

Find out more at bruichladdich.com

6. Conker Cold Brew Decaffeinated Coffee Liqueur 

Conker Spirit has ensured espresso martini lovers no longer have to endure sleepless nights after the launch of its much-anticipated Decaf Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.

The perfect one-bottle solution for a flavoursome decaf espresso martini, the new Conker Decaf Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is made with speciality decaf coffees from Brazil and Columbia, meaning you only need ice. 

It is also available caffeinated if you want more of a traditional coffee buzz.

Find out more at ocado.com

7. Bullards Spirits

Bullards have burst into the gin scene in the UK after reinventing themselves in 2018. The gin makers recently opened three tasting stores across London.

They offer four different varieties of their original contemporary gin: Coastal Gin, Strawberry and Black Pepper, Bullards’ London Dry and Old Tom.

Their range of gins cover any drinkers palette, and are sure to be a hit with all the adults this Christmas.

Find out more at bullardsspirits.co.uk

8. Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum

Fancy a post-roast tipple for the grown-ups? This smooth-sipping rum is perfect for late evening relaxing by the fire.

Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum was originally produced exclusively for members of the Gosling family. Bottled once annually, Old Rum is created from an incomparable blend of rums that are left ageing, completely undisturbed in hand-selected, once-used bourbon barrels.

Produced in the same way for seven stubborn generations, Old Rum is a rare, authentic sipping spirit worthy of being savoured.

Find out more at waitrose.com

9. METAXA 12 Stars

The one-of-a-kind amber spirit from Greece makes the perfect gift for lovers of dark spirits. METAXA’s signature 12 Stars bottle brings a welcome twist to your cocktails this year. 

In a year when travel has been tricky, this spirit offers an escapist taste of Greece. Produced straight from the island of Samos, this smooth liqueur contains Muscat wines, aged wine distillates and Mediterranean botanicals offering a unique gift to toast with.

Find out more at metaxa.com

10. Sixpence Pud Gin Liqeur

From the team behind Snow Globe Gin, The Sixpence Pud Gin Liqueur is as decadent as it is delicious. The ‘Sixpence Pud’ is set to be the centrepiece of your Christmas celebrations.

The gin liqueur is rich and warming with a golden shimmer boasting notes of candied fruit, Christmas spices of cinnamon and orange and a vanilla and caramel sweetness running through it.

Simply drink neat in a glass with ice, used to create a festive cocktail or add to a glass prosecco to create the perfect aperitif. Gently shake the bottle to release the golden shimmer.

Find out more at harveynichols.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Spread the festive cheer with these top 10 Christmas spirits appeared first on Checklists.