7 of the Best Calvados – The Independent
“This luxurious French spirit will bring a touch of sophistication to any home bar” says The Independent about the lesser known French brandy, Calvados. The article features 7 of the best on the market including our very popular Chateau du Breuil 15 Year Old Pays d’Auge Calvados. “Winner of a gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, you don’t have to just take our word for it that its good.” We have always loved this beautifully presented calvados from the top cru. “With its waxed lid and red-rope fastening, opening a bottle of this one feels like a ceremony in itself.” The presentation is matched admirably by its aroma and flavour ….. Imagine the smell as a child, coming home from school just as granny is taking a fruit cake out of the oven, this calvados is full of sultana and baked apple aromas and a rich baked apple taste. It is made from 80% fallen apples (which have a higher sugar content) and these account for its unique and delicious flavour. So, with Father’s Day around the corner, what are you waiting for?
We are delighted to inform you that, the United States of America has suspended the 25% Tariff on imported 
For Christmas deliveries to addresses in the UK please ensure your orders are with us by 10 am on Tuesday 22nd December 2020.
We have lots of bargains running during November which will hopefully ease the pain of another Lock Down a little. We are having our usual Black Friday Weekend Sale from 27 – 30 November inclusive. Look out for some irresistible bargains to boost your drinks cabinet this Christmas. Remember to check the website early as stocks will be limited.
We have often reported how the drinks industry is changing its production methods to become more environmentally friendly but now the products themselves are under the spotlight. A European group, the Circular Economy Platform for Glass Collection & Recycling, is aiming to have 90% of all EU glass packaging recycled by 2030; the figure currently stands at 76%. A consumer survey found that 80% of Europeans still prefer buying wine and 
XO brandy, XO cognac. XO armagnac. Why is the term XO used so often when few of us actually know what it means? Originally, XO stood for Extra Old. In terms of age, up until 2018, an XO cognac had to be at least 6 years old but this was also the required minimum age of Napoleon Cognac. So, after decades of promising change, the controlling body of cognac, the BNIC, agreed to make the minimum barrel age of an XO cognac 10 years old. This is important because cognacs do not mature once they have been taken from their oak casks and placed in glass. Armagnac also stepped into line and now age their XO brandies for a minimum of ten years.
Launched last year, Avallen Calvados has been hitting the headlines as a ‘product with a purpose’. Created by Healthy Hospo founder Tim Etherington-Judge and wine and spirits specialist Stephanie Jordan, they set out to make the most sustainable spirit possible and so chose 
Six months ago, the US imposed hefty tariffs on the import of some European wines, whiskies and liqueurs following a long running dispute over EU import tariffs and subsidies. Last December, the US government considered imposing similar US tariffs on other EU wines and spirits, including 
There cannot be a soul who has not been affected by the current coronavirus pandemic but the On Trade has been hit particularly hard. With pubs and restaurants closed worldwide their future is uncertain. A bitter blow, especially as the ONS recently reported that the number of pubs and bars operating in the UK rose last year for the first time in a decade. Here in the UK staff have been furloughed and emergency legislation has given all commercial properties a 3 month rent reprieve. In other attempts to keep the industry afloat, the WTSA called for the collection of alcohol duty to be suspended for 6 months and denounced the timing of the Scottish government’s move to introduce a bottle deposit return scheme. UK duty did not get suspended, but the government did add off-licences to the list of businesses deemed “essential” during the lockdown. One trader in Maryland is trying to keep service going by using its pet boxer dog to deliver orders to the public in the carpark. This follows the WHO advice that pets cannot carry the virus. We have certainly seen some ingenious ways to keep businesses running recently. We are all grateful to the many 
We are open for business as usual so you can send a special gift or birthday present to a loved one you cannot visit or treat yourself during this particularly difficult time at home. We have wonderful French