May gardens are full of English roses right now signalling the start of the Chelsea flower show. It’s alive and blooming until the 29th May and I’ve been lucky enough to view the stunning Laurent Perrier garden by award winning designer Tom Stuart Smith.
He’s teamed up with architect Jamie Fobert to create an elegant and sophisticated space, which perfectly suits a summery Champagne soiree. Jamie ‘s stunning bronze pavilion is composed of folded copper sheets that overlook Tom’s woodland flora. The show garden is a vision of modern sophistication and well worth a visit; in fact it’s just been awarded a gold medal!
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Posted by Paul Handley on Thu 20th May 2010 at 08:08 AM, Filed in Luxury Drinks
If You are looking for a Premium Vodka, you really want to be choosing the most authentic, The choice favoured by the Russians themselves.
Russian Standard accounts for 60% of all premium sales in Russia. Last year, 2.2 million cases were purchased. Just in Russia. Yes, I know…it’s a lot of Vodka!
There is a strong reason for this and you will be pleased to know its all about the end product, the taste. Made with the finest Russian ingredients, following a formula by the great scientist Mendeleev - an abuse of power, perhaps, The Zsars made him do it.
To quote Russian Standard - “Distilled from the finest Russian winter wheat from the southern steppes of Russia, blended with the softest and purest glacial waters from Lake Ladoga and incorporating time-honored Siberian golden roots which provide a soft taste - Russian Standard Gold is clear, pure, smooth and a strong quality vodka, perfect for any discerning vodka drinker”. Poetry.
But, they are very correct. Russian Standard Gold is smooth, deliciously so. With the kick you would expect, you also get Vanilla, Almond and Honey.
A pureness of taste (that will be the glacial waters) and the subtle sweetness makes this a very pleasurable and mellow Vodka.
The box is of the same standard, quite possibly the best packaging for a Premium spirit at this price level. As impressive as the taste, you know you are on to a good thing as soon as you open the box.
I said price level….and this is the shocking part. You can get this fantastically authentic Premium Vodka for just £20 (RRP - 70cl)
Available from 1st April in selected Asda stores and in Selfridges from May
Harvey Nichols is about to launch it’s new fifth floor terrace installation. Opening up for the first time this May bank holiday and running through to the end of July, a collaboration with TANQUERAY ® NO. TEN™ Gin looks to be the most exciting night out in some time.
TANQUERAY ® NO. TEN™ Gin is the Classic, Award winning, Luxury Gin. Quadruple distilled to give a smoothness like no other, it is the Gin for connoisseurs (and for me, with tonic, ice and slice the best summer drink of all.) TANQUERAY NO. TEN Gin is available from Harvey Nichols priced at £41 for 1 litre.
The Fifth Floor Terrace is all about sleek monochrome styling, The Art Deco shape of the TANQUERAY NO. TEN bottle is reflected in the cut glass candleholders and the overall style of the new terrace. A cool ambience will be driven by green and white lighting. (When it gets a bit nippy, take advantage of the Tanqueray blankets!)
Using the smooth, quadruple distilled TANQUERAY NO. TEN gin, the Harvey Nichols Bar team have created a new drinks list, the highlight of which is The Fifth Floor Martini Cocktail with hints of grapefruit and chamomile underscoring the aromatic notes of the gin. Another highlight is the special Evolution of the Martini Cocktail Flight with three classic martini styles served in miniature glasses, including the Martinez Cocktail (dating from 1887), The 1903 and the Perfect TEN Martini Cocktail. The flight is a flavour history lesson and a must for all martini cocktail lovers.
Fot the ultimate Cocktail experience, book the Martini Cocktail Booth. This is just a great idea, where Cocktails will be made in front of you, with the emphasis on learning the tricks of the trade. The Martini Cocktail Booth can be booked for six people to share the Ultimate Martini Cocktail Experience, consisting of a private cocktail master class, three-course dinner and a martini cocktail kit to take away, priced at £500 (for 6). To book a unforgettable night out, call 020 7201 8786 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (48 hours notice required).
I haven’t even mentioned the food! Jonas Karlsson, the Fifth Floor Executive Chef has devised some new dishes inspired by the citrus and botanical notes of the TANQUERAY NO. TEN. The dishes, which can be matched to the cocktails, include Sautéed tiger prawns, citrus and ras el hanout, Mini venison burgers, juniper infused onion compote and a Chocolate fondue, with candied grapefruit, marshmallows. Heaven? pretty close, I reckon!
For a fabulously upmarket treat of a night out that oozes cool, this has to be on your summer To Do List.
Posted by Paul Handley on Wed 12th May 2010 at 08:47 AM, Filed in Luxury Drinks
The Glengoyne distillery is known as Scotlands most beautiful and most accessable, only 30 mins from Glasgow. Glengoyne has been producing Single Malts for over 170 years. The reputation that they have built up is truly deserved.
Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne has nurtured and perfected the art of producing the authentic taste of Malt Whisky, untainted by peat smoke. The result is a portfolio of multi-award winning whiskies including the core 10, 17 and 21 Years Old range, as well as special limited edition Single Malts, released each year.
The rather special (understatement) 40 year old single malt is now available for the first time. This is considered to be one of Glengoyne’s finest. It typifies Glengoyne’s long standing commitment and enthusiasm for their craft and heritage.
This “real taste of Malt” is backed up by some serious packaging! To have a whiskey this good, it would be a crime to not present it properly. It is only right then, that the Decanter itself is a work of art. The shape of the crystal decanter creates a strong visual feature of the 40 Years Old Single Malt’s dark copper colour, complemented by gold engraving. Each decanter’s individual number, engraved in the base, is accompanied by an etching of Scotland’s most beautiful distillery, reflecting up through the malt itself.
And then there is the 11 times lacquered piano-finished solid oak wood presentation box, complete with gold plates on the front and hand-stitched cream leather interior, further reinforces the excellent quality and showcases the rich, natural colour of the 40 Years Old Malt. An accompanying dark, brown leather and gold foil traditionally bound book, personally signed by Distillery Manager, Robbie Hughes, provides tasting notes and detailed background on Glengoyne’s long and illustrious history as an independent distillery since 1833.
If you ever needed to see such a statement of luxury, of superior quality, this special Single malt is ticking every box. The 40 year old malt is an exciting release from Glengoyne. Just 250 crystal decanters of this unique and treasured Malt are available from specialist whisky outlets in the UK and worldwide, Domestic RRP £3,750.
I was recently invited to check out the newly launched ‘Wine Press’ restaurant at the Harpenden Hotel, a charming Georgian building nestled in a leafy Hertfordshire suburb. This grade 11 listed former convent school now houses the latest venture from Daniel Galmiche, better known as the chief exec of award winning Vineyard at Stockcross. Together with head chef Neal Searcey they’ve designed a French influenced menu complimented by 40 well-chosen varieties of wine – and all available by the glass.
Unsurprisingly the aim is to bring the attention of a good vintage to visitors - yet it’s not pretentious, cuisine is a simple classic affair and very reasonably priced, it’s simply quality without affectation. However, this doesn’t mean the informal dining experience doesn’t feel special; I was seated in a little alcove, able to survey the renaissance style dining room from my cosy pew. With high ceilings decorated with rococo finishes there is a faded glamour to the interior and most couples or families appeared to be celebrating an occasion or special evening together.
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