1. AN XO TO ELEGANCE
The Camus XO Elegance is an explosion of lavish, fruity notes mingled with just the right amount of wood and spices. The result of a careful selection of Camus’ best eaux-de-vie matured for at least 10 years in small oak casks, this intensely aromatic cognac is as golden on the eyes as it is on the palate.
2. A GREAT NEW SERIES
With its garnet-red colour, warm vanilla aromas and smooth, seductive mouthfeel, Vilafonté’s series m 2017 is a real symphony for the senses. An elegantly balanced blend of merlot, malbec, and cabernet sauvignon (aged for 21 months in new and old French oak), this beauty is immediately engaging, but will certainly reward the patient collector.
Drinks Cabinet
Cognac, vodka, whiskey: Six new tipples to add to your drinks cabinet
Wade Bales handpicks a range of drinks, from aromatic cognac to single malt whiskey, to add to your collection
Image: Supplied
1. AN XO TO ELEGANCE
The Camus XO Elegance is an explosion of lavish, fruity notes mingled with just the right amount of wood and spices. The result of a careful selection of Camus’ best eaux-de-vie matured for at least 10 years in small oak casks, this intensely aromatic cognac is as golden on the eyes as it is on the palate.
2. A GREAT NEW SERIES
With its garnet-red colour, warm vanilla aromas and smooth, seductive mouthfeel, Vilafonté’s series m 2017 is a real symphony for the senses. An elegantly balanced blend of merlot, malbec, and cabernet sauvignon (aged for 21 months in new and old French oak), this beauty is immediately engaging, but will certainly reward the patient collector.
Image: Supplied
3. FRESH EIRE
From its distinctive hexagonal bottle through to the fact that it’s an Irish single malt (a rarity in South Africa), The Sexton Irish Single Malt is set to send shivers through the local whiskey world. Made from 100% Irish malted barley, distilled in copper pot stills and exclusively matured in hand-selected sherry casks, The Sexton is also triple-distilled and thus oh-so-smooth and drinkable.
Image: Supplied
4. L’ORBE VODKA X CAVIAR
L’Orbe is intent on creating an entirely new category of luxury white spirits, and so uses patented infusion technology to combine ingredients that would otherwise be impossible. For this first edition, L’Orbe homed in on the iconic marriage of caviar and vodka. The combo of Dankowski Diamond-rye vodka and Baeri Royal caviar is a buttery, oceanic flavour fusion that’s as decadent as it is desirable. Enjoy in a cocktail, as a martini twist, or straight with caviar or seafood.
Image: Supplied
5. VILLA ASCENTI GIN
Steeped in Italian provenance, Villa Ascenti Gin celebrates the beauty of its home region through locally sourced ingredients like freshly picked moscato grapes, mint, and thyme. During the final distillation, the grapes are infused with Tuscan juniper berries, resulting in a light, fresh take on gin.
Image: Supplied
6. KRUG GRANDE’S 168TH EDITION
Every year since 1843, the House of Krug has endeavoured to create the very best champagne. This year is no exception. A blend of no fewer than 198 wines from 11 different vintages, the Krug Grande Cuvée 168 spent some seven years in Krug’s cellars and is a sublime blend of pinot noir, chardonnay, and meunier.
Image: Supplied
• 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.
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• From the September edition of Wanted, 2020.