By Molly Malsom

Published: Thursday, 02 December 2021 at 12:00 am

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Best gin for the ultimate drinks trolley

Gin has come a long way from its medieval roots as a medicinal liquor and today there are countless varieties, all with different balances of botanicals so you can find the perfect one for your taste. These are all delicious starting points…

Silent Pool Gin, £38, from Silent Pool Distillers

Buy gin from Silent Pool Distillers

Gin77, £25, from Bristol Distilling Co.

Buy Gin77 from Bristol Distilling Co.

Tarquin’s Handcrafted Cornish Dry Gin, £35, from Tarquin’s Gin

Buy Handcrafted Cornish Dry Gin from Tarquin’s Gin

Aber Falls Small Batch Gin, £32, from Aber Falls Distillery

Buy Small Batch Gin from Aber Falls Distillery

Mermaid Gin, £38, from Isle of Wight Distillery

Buy Mermaid Gin from Isle of Wight Distillery

Best flavoured gin for the ultimate drinks trolley

Mix things up and enjoy a new gin experience with one of the many flavoured varieties available – whether you enjoy with tonic, as part of a cocktail or on its own, here are some delicious options… 

No.1 Wildflower Gin, £34.95, from Cotswolds Distillery

Buy No.1 Wildflower Gin from Cotswolds Distillery

Whitley Neill Quince Gin, £26, from The Drop Store

Buy Whitley Neill Quince Gin from The Drop Store

Sloe Gin, £25, from Sipsmith

Buy Sloe Gin from Sipsmith

Slingsby Marmalade Gin, £21.50, from Spirit of Harrogate

Buy Slingsby Marmalade Gin from Spirit of Harrogate

Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin, £27.50, from Master of Malt

Buy Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin from Master of Malt

Best rum for the ultimate drinks trolley

From mojitos to daiquiris, pina coladas to mai tai, rum is an essential of the cocktail cabinet, but it can also be enjoyed on its own or over ice – here are some good quality options to try… 

Ron Zacapa Reserva Limitada 2019, £89.95, from The Whiskey Exchange

Buy Ron Zacapa Reserva Limitada from The Whiskey Exchange

Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum, £22.75, from The Whiskey Exchange

Buy Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum from The Whisky Exchange

Cut Overproof Rum, £39.33, from Master of Malt

Buy Cut overproof Rum from Master of Malt

Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Rum, £43.95, from Master of Malt

Buy Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Rum from Master of Malt

Havana Club Añejo Especial, £17, from Waitrose

Buy Havana Club Añejo Especial from Waitrose

Best bourbon for the ultimate drinks trolley

A type of American whisky, bourbon has been distilled since the 17^th century an today is a feature of cocktails like the Manhatten and the Old Fashioned, as well as being suitable with simple mixers or drunk on its own. 

Angel’s Envy Bourbon, £56.90, from House of Malt

Buy Angel’s Envy Bourbon from House of Malt

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, £31.20, from Master of Malt

Buy Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon from Master of Malt

Peerless Small Batch Bourbon, £72, from Native Spirits

Buy Peerless Small Batch Bourbon from Native Spirits

Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, £46.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon from The Whisky Exchange

Ezra Brooks Black Label Bourbon, £25.90, from Master of Malt

Buy Ezra Brooks Black Label Bourbon from Master of Malt

Best scotch for the ultimate drinks trolley

The clue is in the name, and Scotch is simply a malt or grain whisky (or a blend of the two), which is made in Scotland. Here are some option for your next dram…

Old Pulteney 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £35, from Old Pulteney

Buy 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Old Pulteney

Contrasts: Peat Smoke Sherry Cask, £49.99, from Benromach

Buy Peat Smoke Sherry Cask from Benromach

Tamdhu 12 Year Old, £40.95, from Master of Malt

Buy Tamdhu 12 Year Old from Master of Malt

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt, £69.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt from The Whisky Exchange

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Lowland Single Malt, £41.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Lowland Single Malt from The Whisky Exchange

Best cognac for the ultimate drinks trolley

A type of brandy produced in France, Cognac is a great digestif, with a taste that’s distinct from standard brandies, and is also a versatile cocktail ingredient

Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru Grande Champagne Cognac, £45.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru Grande Champagne Cognac from The Whisky Exchange

Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac, £41.25, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac from The Whisky Exchange

H by Hine VSOP, £34.90, from Master of Malt

Buy H by Hine VSOP from Master of Malt

Rémy Martin XO Excellence, £155, from Fortnum & Mason

Buy Rémy Martin XO Excellence from Fortnum & Mason

Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac, £52, from The Wine Society

Buy Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac from The Wine Society

Best tequila for the ultimate drinks trolley

Its bad rep can be put down to the poor-quality varieties often served in bars, but buy a good tequila and it’s a whole different ball game, and makes for a smooth shot on its own, or a distinctive flavour in cocktails.

No2 Reposado £37.95, from El Rayo Tequila

Buy No2 Reposado from El Rayo Tequila

Fortaleza Reposado Tequila, £62.44, from Master of Malt

Buy Fortaleza Reposado Tequila from Master of Malt

Patron Reposado Tequila, £49.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Patron Reposado Tequila from The Whisky Exchange

Cazcabel Reposado Tequila, £29.99, from Proof Drinks

Buy Cazcabel Reposado Tequila from Proof Drinks

Código 1530 Rosa Tequila, £49.95, from Master of Malt

Buy Código 1530 Rosa Tequila from Master of Malt

Best vodka for the ultimate drinks trolley

The staple of many a cocktail, this ubiquitous clear spirit can also be drunk neat. Although Russia is most famous for producing vodka, the drink is now made in countries across the globe. Here are some quality varieties to try… 

Grey Goose Vodka, £38.45, from The Whiskey Exchange

Buy Grey Goose Vodka from The Whisky Exchange

Original Potato Vodka, £38, from Chase Distillery

Buy Original Potato Vodka from Chase Distillery

Vestal Polish Potato Vodka, £20, from The Drop Store

Buy Vestal Polish Potato Vodka from The Drop Store

Black Cow Vodka, £25, from Black Cow

Buy Black Cow Vodka from Black Cow

Belvedere Single Estate Rye Vodka Smogóry Forest, £52.50, from The Drop Store

Buy Belvedere Single Estate Rye Vodka Smogóry Forest from The Drop Store

Best vermouth for the ultimate drinks trolley

Great in a negroni or martini, Vermouth is a fortified wine, flavoured with various botanicals. You can find various types of both sweet and dry vermouths and these are some good ones to get you started…

Otto’s Athens Vermouth, £19.09, from Amathus Drinks

Buy Otto’s Athens Vermouth from Amathus Drinks

Punt E Mes Red Vermouth, £14, from Master of Malt

Buy Punt E Mes Red Vermouth from Master of Malt

Sacred English Amber Vermouth, £18.95, from Sacred Gin

Buy Sacred English Amber Vermouth

Vya Sweet Vermouth, £19.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Vya Sweet Vermouth from The Whisky Exchange

Antica Formula Carpano Vermouth, £32.10, from Master of Malt

Buy Antica Formula Carpano Vermouth from Master of Malt

Best flavoured liqueurs for the ultimate drinks trolley

Ideal for rounding off a meal, flavouring a cocktail or as a tasty gift – there are so many flavoursome novelty liqueurs out there and these are a few favourites…

Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur Spirit, £29.95, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur Spirit from The Whisky Exchange

Beeble Honey Whisky, £31, from Beeble

Buy Honey Whisky from Beeble

The King’s Ginger, £23.50, from Berry Bros & Rudd

Buy The King’s Ginger from Berry Bros & Rudd

Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco Liqueur, £27.45, from The Whisky Exchange

Buy Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco Liqueur from The Whisky Exchange

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