Gimmick bottles have been a staple in the spirits industry for the last couple of years. Whether bottled within a skull, an alien, a devil, a tusk, oil drums or pistols, you sometimes need to stand out to be heard on the shelves. It’s amazing to say that all the examples above are vodka (withContinue reading “Firestarter”
Tag Archives: dave marsland
Beluga
‘Made with Pride’. It’s great to read this statement when looking into a brand for the first time. It evokes feelings of wonder as you ponder the craftsmanship that has been placed into creating the liquid. The question is though, does it actually define the brand? Or is it a loose term to gain someContinue reading “Beluga”
LUX
Vodka is a fickle category, Marmite so-to-speak. You can speak to some and they will despise all its worth. Speak to others and they will praise to the vodka Gods. Some drink it straight, some only in cocktails and mixers. Creating a premium vodka in this day and age means you need to be eye-catching,Continue reading “LUX”
Outerspace
The shape and look of a bottle can really define a brand in the modern age, but does the liquid ever hold up to balance out the product? We’ve had Crystal Head within a skull, Mamont shaped like a tusk and 666 portrayed within a Devil likened bottle, but how about an alien head? OuterspaceContinue reading “Outerspace”
Matugga
East Africa is not renowned for their craft rum. Mauritius may be your closest, that at least i’m aware of, but there’s a brand to look out for now that uses heavy East African influence. Welcome to Matugga. Although not rich in history as it’s a relatively new brand to hit the UK, it doesn’tContinue reading “Matugga”
Mr Black
Coffee liqueurs are a staple of many a bar and restaurant, with the likes of Tia Maria and Kahlua some of the mainstays. But as with a lot of spirits these past few years, there’s been a call for some re-imagination. Mr Black, the cold press coffee liqueur, is such that. Back in 2012, twoContinue reading “Mr Black”
Old Forester
Repeal Day. Some of you may have come across this day. It’s a celebrated event as it marks the occasion of the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, accomplished with the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 5th 1933. It’s with this historic day in the history ofContinue reading “Old Forester”
The Buffalo Trail Stopped For Food At Hawksmoor
Last week, the Buffalo Trace Trail came into Manchester as it meanders its way across the UK. Working alongside restaurants within key cities such as London and Liverpool, UK Buffalo Trace Brand Ambassador Tim Giles hosted an evening at the ever-popular Hawksmoor, a venue that Time Out has said is “a place to blur dayContinue reading “The Buffalo Trail Stopped For Food At Hawksmoor”
Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix Hits Manchester
The Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix rolled into Manchester this afternoon as The Liars Club played host to eleven of north England’s best bartenders as they competed to impress and earn a place to the UK final. Yours truly was sat on the judging panel, alongside Havana Club Global Brand Ambassador Meimi Sanchez, UK Brand AmbassadorContinue reading “Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix Hits Manchester”
De Kuyper Shows Off Its Mystery Box
Last week saw myself invited down to judge once again a cocktail competition with a difference. Hosted within 1812 Lounge Bar in Bournemouth, De Kuyper were supporting the UKBG and their Mystery Box competition semi-final, which saw 20 bartenders from across the south coast of England battle it out, yet having no idea what theirContinue reading “De Kuyper Shows Off Its Mystery Box”
DRINKS ENTHUSIAST 