Whether they’re a gift for a loved one, or to stock the drinks cabinet for the festivities, here ARE our top 10 recommendations for the best drinks to buy this Christmas.
WL Distillery 1st Edition Handcrafted Gin
WL Distillery is a North East-based, award-winning distillery set up by founder Scott Wilson-Laing.
His 1st Edition Handcrafted Gin features refreshing flavours of juniper with touches of apple, pear, raspberries and blackberries. Scott’s gins are inspired by his memories of summer in his grandad’s back garden – and so it was of fundamental importance for him to recapture the charm and the nature that the North East boasts. Think Seaham’s Blast Beach, Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Water.
£40, wldistillery.com
Blacksmiths SP
From Northumberland Spirit Co comes this delicious blend of Alnwick Sloe Gin and the finest Portuguese Ruby Port. Trust us, it’s outstanding and the perfect festive tipple for Christmas morning or afternoon. Expect redcurrants and blackberries, with a hint of juniper spiciness coming through.
£29, northumberlandspirit.co.uk
St May’s Rum
From Clarence Spirits is the amazing St Mary’s Spiced Rum. You’ll find heaps of spice and citrus in this winter warmer of a drink. Expect tasting notes of orange peel and cinnamon, with toffee and vanilla sweetness.
£35, clarencespirits.square.site
Poetic License Fireside Spiced Gin
This warming spiced gin by Poetic License Distillery is best enjoyed while cosying up around the fireplace, so grab that blanket you’ve had stored away all summer, and enjoy Poetic License Fireside Spiced Gin, perfectly served hot or cold. With classic gin notes from juniper and coriander and a blend of spiced cinnamon and anise, you’ll get that warm feeling inside out.
£27.95, www.poeticlicensedistillery.co.uk
Holy Island Spiced Rum
On the tidal Island of Lindisfarne is Lindisfarne Mead, which also produces the Holy Island range. The Spiced Rum is a powerful and creamy drink with an aroma of toffee and vanilla and hints of warm spices. A unique but complimentary taste of slightly toasted coconut lingers on the palate.
£28.99, www.lindisfarnemead.com
Triple Six Dry Gin
‘A Gin Like No Other’ – Triple Six Dry Gin is a premium gin made by expertly blending tinctures. It features passionflower, wormwood and black walnut. It has a complex balance of floral and herbal characters that will make for a mean festive Martini. The brand was set up by entrepreneur Mitchell Carr in 2020 – and as well as conquering the UK, he’s not taking over the USA with his award-winning gin.
£39.99, www.triplesixdrygin.co.uk
Hepple Gin
Hepple is a very special gin, made on the hills of Hepple in Northumberland. Young juniper berries are grown on the estate and used to make this fresh, crisp gin. Elegant and intense, Hepple Gin is best served with a premium tonic and slice of lemon, to let its taste shine through – or use to elevate classic cocktails to the next level.
£38.00, hepplespirits.com
Puffing Billy Vodka
A unique drink from the Borders Distillery in Northumberland, this vodka is full of character with an incredibly creamy mouthfeel. What’s unique about Puffing Billy (the vodka) is that while a lot of vodkas will be filtered as a liquid, Puffing Billy (the still) steams the spirit vapours through charcoal inside the still itself. First, they pot-distil spirit from locally-grown barley, then re-distil it into vodka using Puffing Billy, the specially-commissioned Carterhead Still. Regular filtration would strip away the delicious flavour and texture of the locally-grown barley, so instead the spirit is steamed through charcoal inside the still itself and never filtered as a liquid. It is the only vodka in the world made this way.
£33.00, www.thebordersdistillery.com
Hexham Gin
From the Northumberland Gin Company comes the Hexham Premier Cru Gin, which shares its name with the enchanting market town of Hexham, which is in Northumberland! This beautifully balanced and smooth gin uses only eight botanicals including Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit with a hint of Liquorice.
£30.00, www.northumberlandginco.com
