Our buyers’ guide to spirits

Mezcal and tequila

Often found balancing the sharp lime in a Margarita or zesty orange in a Tequila Sunrise, tequila makes summer drinks sing. But lately, it’s gone solo. “People are buying tequila for sipping,” explains Matt Lee, Client Consultant at Selfridges London,. “Luxury tequilas, like Don Julio and Clase Azul, are particularly smooth and easy to drink.,” Kendall Jenner’s exclusive-to-Selfridges 818 tequila brand has also fuelled the buzz. “It’s been incredibly popular and has encouraged customers to discover the huge range of tequilas that are out there,” says Andrew Bird, Selfridges’ Head of Food and Drink. That’s led many of us to mezcal. “Mezcal has a lot of variety and small-scale production, which is exciting,” explains Neil McDonald, Selfridges’ Spirits Buyer. Getting started with mezcal is easy. “You can have your classic Margarita, but swap tequila for mezcal,” explains Matt. “Del Maguey Vida has a smoky character, so it adds more depth and interest – perfect for a Spicy Marg.” 

Whisky and bourbon

“There’s always a fascinating dram and story when it comes to whisky,” explains Neil, “there’s so much variety – in grain, terroir and ageing.” And increasingly, whisky is moving away from cigars and crystal-cut glassware. “Scotch whisky packaging used to be all wild stags and rugged Highlands, but you rarely see that now,” explains Andrew. Instead, he says, “small whisky batches produce a stream of different, collectible blends and expressions.” Fable refers to its whiskies as ‘chapters’, with written stories and illustrations to match. Meanwhile, The Lakes produces whiskies in incredibly limited runs. The first sold out in store in minutes. “These whisky brands have very devoted fan bases,” says Matt. The Lakes is about to launch Odyssey, its third exclusive-to-Selfridges whisky.
Whisky brands are increasingly focussing on their environmental impact, too. “Nc’Nean whisky uses 100% renewable energy and organic malt, and Ardnamurchan is made using hydroelectric power,” says Andrew. 

Grape spirits

Grape spirits can be separated in to two camps. First: distilled wines, like brandy and cognac. “I love Jamie 1 from the famous Familia Torres winemaking house – possibly Spain’s finest brandy,” says Andrew, “It’s a touch more muscular than cognac – darker and spicier. Perfect after a long evening of food.” He also recommends Calvados, the traditional apple brandy of Normandy. “The six-year-old Calvados by Adrien Camut has a smouldering, fruity character. It’s richer than grape brandy. I love it alongside espresso as a ‘café-calva’. 

Then, there are fortified wines, like sherry and vermouth. Vermouth, with its added aromatics, is easy to sip, mix and dilute. The London Vermouth Company make its vermouths with South Downs Bacchus wine and aromatics sourced predominantly from the home counties. “The No.3 S.E vermouth is refreshing. It uses Essex gooseberries and Hampshire Bramley apples along with cardamom, coriander and a touch of Dulwich honey,” explains Matt. “The No.1 Amber Limon vermouth is punchier, with rhubarb and blood orange.” 

Ready to drink

If you’re short on kitchen space or are more of a minimal-effort mixologist, pre-mixed is the way to go. “Not everyone has high-quality bitters hanging around in their drinks cabinet,” Andrew points out. “A lot of work goes into creating the perfect serve – more than you might predict,” explains Neil. “Pre-made cocktails are practical, time-effective and an achievable way to go beyond the classic ‘easy’ cocktails.” Ready-to-drink cocktails have come a long way since the days of watered-down Cosmopolitans. London-born brand Black Lines creates cocktails that are proudly bottled. The brand has the classics, including an excellent Espresso Martini, alongside unexpected mixes such as a fizzy pear and white tea vodka cocktail. For a customisable cocktail offer, Neil recommends EasyMixt. “It’s a ‘just add spirit’ mix that can produce 17 different drinks. It covers the citrus and sugar syrup element that is required in so many cocktails.” 
 

Image: Easymixt