The Bite Magazine - Autmn/Winter 2020 - Issue 28

Eggnog is one of those drinks you either love it or hate it. The name of the drink is derived from the word ‘nog’ meaning a strong variety of beer to Norfolk natives. Moreover, the term ‘noggin’ refers to one’s head but is also a small drinking vessel in Ireland. The first Americans were also Eggnog drinkers who had theirs with rum along with eggs and milk. When the harvest was done, and there wasn’t much to do, there was plenty of time for celebration, and this is why Eggnog is popular around Christmas. The Puerto Ricans love rum, so they love to indulge in Coquito as the Christmas season approaches. This drink with a mixture of spiced rum, condensed milk, coconut milk or cream of coconut, vanilla and spices such as cloves, cin- namon, and nutmeg is served chilled in a small glass. Some even add ginger or ground nuts to the mix. When adding some eggs to the mixture, it becomes known as Ponche, the Venezuelan or Dominican creamy spiced version of Eggnog with rum. For this coming Christmas season, Speciality Brands have introduced a selection of authen- tic and lovingly crafted spirits from around the world. “From stocking fillers to personalised bottles and luxury drink options, our selec- tion of unique, award-winning spirits will make a thoughtful gift this Christmas.” One of their chosen spirits, Beluga Vodka Celebration, is a limited-edition Beluga Noble Vodka bottle to commemorate the 115th anniversary of Siberia’s Mariinsk Distillery where the vodka is made. Made in the heart of Siberia, Beluga Noble Vodka is an exceptionally smooth, full-bodied spirit. It uses natural ingredients such as pure Siberian water and unique malt spirit, which gives it a distinctive richness of flavour. With modern and traditional techniques, the eye-catching bottle is covered with a layer of gold lacquer and then screen printed to decorate the bottle before the iconic beluga sturgeon is applied by hand. It is ideally served neat and paired with caviar or cold meat or in cocktails. The French Cognac House of Hine has released their H by Hine, Hine Ball Gift Pack in time for Christmas. The new set, ideal for the budding mixologist in the family who wishes to mix drinks with cognac and learn to make a highball serve, has a premium, artisan feel. The ball gift pack includes a bottle of H by Hine VSOP and two premium embossed glasses. H by Hine is made from a blend of a dozen eaux-de-vie with vibrant notes of white flower, jasmine, apricot and yellow fruits. Diplomático from Venezuela is an award-win- ning rum that plans to take full advantage of the growing consumer appetite for authen- tic, premium rums with the release of their Diplomático Selección de Familia. This super-premium spicy, rich dark rum with a robust and elegant body presents a new, sophis- ticated tasting experience to rum connoisseurs. It represents a true celebration of the family-run Venezuelan drink company’s rum-making exper- tise, heritage and provenance. The high-end expression of this spirit master- fully combines quality rums using a rigorous blending process. Primarily distilled in copper pot stills combined with the batch kettle and column distillation, Selección de Familia is made from molasses and sugar cane honey. These are then aged for up to 12 years in American white oak, ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. At 43% ABV, the rum unleases intense aromas of vanilla, toffee, red fruits and oak. Speciality Brands also carry other distinguished spirits in their collection such as Cocchi Negroni in a Box, a stylish pre-mixed version of the world’s most iconic cocktail, the Negroni. The cocktail is a blend of Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, London Dry Gin, and Campari and follows the traditional Negroni recipe. Drinkers can trans- port the boxed cocktail anywhere which instantly upgrades at-home drinking occasions with a touch of Italian type poured over ice. It is the ideal gift for cocktail lovers. A vibrant addition to the Nikka range, Nikka Days Japanese Whisky is a bright and viva- cious blend of malt and grain whiskies from both Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Its medium body hosts an array of floral and zesty flavours which mingle effortlessly with an underlying vanilla-toffee depth and a light, distant touch of breezy peat smoke. A fresh and delicate whisky, Nikka Days makes a delicious sipping dram or sits beautifully in a highball. Michter’s US* 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is batched in a holding tank sized to fit a maximum of twenty full barrels, leaving no margin for ‘blending out’ imperfection and thus necessi- tating excellence from every barrel. It is made from a carefully selected mash bill that features the highest quality American corn, which is then matured to the peak of perfection. The bourbon bitedrinks