Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Image: Supplied

1. BOURBON’S BOOMING

With bourbon enjoying a worldwide explosion in popularity of late, Buffalo Trace is a welcome new arrival to our shores. Distilled, aged, and bottled at the most award-winning distillery in the world, this American whiskey is made from the finest corn, rye, and barley malt, then matured for years in new oak barrels before being shipped around the world. Serve it neat, on ice, or with ginger ale.

2. BLOEDLEMOEN’S BACKSTORY

This premium, locally produced gin was co-crafted by a powerful trio: a sommelier (Pierre Strydom), a chef (Mike Jones), and a winemaker (Stefan Coetzee). The result: an award-winning small-batch gin, acclaimed for its contemporary twist on a classic. Featuring warm spices, traditional gin botanicals, and a twist of local flavour, Bloedlemoen is the first blood-orange gin in the world. Judging by its ever-growing popularity, it certainly won’t be the last. As good to look at as it is to drink, its packaging was created by internationally renowned local miniatures artist, Lorraine Loots.

Bloedlemoen gin.
Bloedlemoen gin.
Image: Supplied

3. KEN FORRESTER THE FMC 2019

Ken Forrester’s team set out to create the world’s most iconic chenin blanc, and this is the result. Having first identified a parcel of older vines renowned for producing exceptional fruit and extremely low yields, this wine was spontaneously fermented with native yeasts in large, 400-litre French-oak barrels for at least 12 months. Richly textured, with layers of dried apricot, vanilla, honey and almond, this wine is exceptional now, and will be even better in years to come. Enjoy with special friends and an exotic eastern dish.

Ken Forrester The FMC.
Ken Forrester The FMC.
Image: Supplied

4. TAAIBOSCH CRESCENDO 2018

Situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain, with panoramic views stretching to Cape Point and Table Mountain, Taaibosch’s unique positioning provides the perfect ripening conditions for cabernet Franc and merlot in particular. Expertly blended together to create this elegant red, notes of cloves and red berries are carried through from nose to lingering finish.

Taaibosch Crescendo 2018.
Taaibosch Crescendo 2018.
Image: Supplied

5. 50 YEARS OF VONKEL

It’s been 50 years since South Africa’s first Cap Classique was ever made — the iconic Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel. To mark this milestone, Simonsig has introduced a new look for its ever-popular Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar and Satin Nectar Rosé. Brightly decked with unmistakable icons of the Cape’s floral kingdom, the new packaging represents a fresh, jovial approach and hints at the effervescent life that awaits inside.

Simonsig Vonkel Satin Nectar and Satin Nectar Rosé.
Simonsig Vonkel Satin Nectar and Satin Nectar Rosé.
Image: Supplied

6. MIX WITH THE BEST

If three quarters of your drink is the mixer, it only makes sense to mix with the best. Fever-Tree’s range of premium mixers is comprised of the world’s finest ingredients, including quinine from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ginger from Côte d’Ivoire, India, and Nigeria, and lemons from Sicily. No wonder it’s won Best Selling & Top Trending Tonic Water for seven consecutive years by Drinks International’s surveys of the World’s Best Bars.

Fever-Tree mixers.
Fever-Tree mixers.
Image: Supplied

Perfect Serve: 50ml Bloedlemoen Gin topped with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, poured over ice with a slice of orange (fresh or dried) and a cinnamon stick or a piece of cassia bark.

 With over two decades of experience in the luxury-drinks market, Wade Bales’ passion is sourcing really great drinks and sharing them with really great people.

 From the April issue of Wanted 2021.

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