I don’t subscribe to Dry January. I never have. It’s one of those concepts that I just don’t fully understand - much like Morris Dancing, ‘Flat Earthers’ and how Danny Dyer continues to be gainfully employed as an actor… Now. People will have their reasons for taking part, whether they be personal, charitable or otherwise,... Continue Reading →
Bareksten Spirits
I would love to say that my annual abstinence from Movember was a personal choice. And I guess, in a way, it is a choice…my second choice. I could write and tell you a multitude of reasons that I stick to a look of, at best, ‘morning shadow’ stubble; ‘I can’t take part in Movember... Continue Reading →
Dunnet Bay Distillery; Rock Rose Smoked Orange Edition Gin
It’s fair to say that the aroma that was rising from my clothes, so pungent that I had half expected to see a visible haze, was reminiscent of a smoked ham (if that ham had been smoked in the fumes of Chilli Heatwave Doritos, undercooked Pot Noodles and week old socks)… I was returning home... Continue Reading →
Dunnet Bay Distillery; Rock Rose Autumn Edition Gin
As the summer months begin to peter out, with the days becoming shorter and the evenings becoming darker, the inevitable changing of the seasons is nigh. For most people, Autumns arrival will conjure imagery of rust coloured tree tops, seemingly alive with the burning oranges and yellows of a blinding sunset, whilst simultaneously signalling the... Continue Reading →
Hanbury Gin; Islington’s newest attraction
Islington, London. One of the most densely populated restaurant hubs in the UK, home to Europe's third longest escalator, and the resting place of Jeremy Beadle (turns out, he’s no longer ‘about’!). Yet all being told, other than a quick scour of the internet, I know absolutely nothing about the place. This, in itself, is... Continue Reading →
World Martini Day 2022; Dry (Martini) Another Day – Part 2
Everyone loves a bit of suspense when they’re at the cinema right?! The thrill of the fight. The pure adrenaline rush. The fuel tanker hanging precariously from the suspension bridge, whilst our intrepid hero is winched down in to the heart of danger to once again save the day. Because ‘whenever there’s a problem, round... Continue Reading →
World Martini Day 2022; Live and Let Dry (Martini) – Part 1
The names Vallis. Jules Vallis. Emerging from the exotic waters, like Bond Girl ‘Honey Ryder’ in the 1962 classic ‘Dr. No’, Julian (Jules) Vallis returns to the scene with World Martini Day’s 2nd ever birthday. And his latest project comes armed with a License to Thrill! As for who looks better in a white bikini,... Continue Reading →
Junipalooza 2022; The Gin Shelf recommends…
A lot of people joke about being bad with geography. But I am so useless with directions, I literally got lost getting out of a tent once… No, really. It sounds far fetched, I know, but I genuinely got lost with a 2 meter radius and was completely bamboozled by the whole situation. I was... Continue Reading →
Martin Miller’s Gin & ‘Oh La La! Macarons’; From madness to genius…
I just got an email from Martin…otherwise known as ‘The Boss’. And I’ve got to be honest…it’s a little bit awkward. You see, in the run up to Valentines Day, he’s invited me down to London for the evening to meet with him on his boat, on a promise of drinks and sweet treats. And... Continue Reading →
The House of Botanicals; Do you believe in magic?…
I’ve never been a fan of Harry Potter. I don’t know what to tell you - I could just never get on board with the lad… I remember picking up the first book in the series, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoned’ I think it was called. After suffering through the first 2 and a... Continue Reading →
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