Have a September to remember with this month’s Real Deals, as we take you on a tour around the world with some quality spirits from Japan, Russia, and Scotland!
Fans of Japanese gins will love our Real Deals on Sakurao, a beautifully balanced gin that is made from the finest botanicals
found on the island of Hiroshima.
When it comes to vodka, no one does it better than the Russians, and Beluga has earned a reputation as one of the best Russian vodkas out there.
Looking for a new everyday dram, you say? Then say yay for Glen Moray, a rich, spicy and approachable single malt whisky from the heart of Speyside.
Get all these Real Deals here all throughout September!
The Sakurao distillery was actually founded with the intention of making whisky, but as with many other modern distilleries they started out by making a gin first.
Its Master Distiller uses 100-years of distilling techniques and know-how to select only the best ingredients from Hiroshima to create the gin, particularly botanicals with a wide variety of aromatic notes.
These include citrus such as the florid-smelling lemon and the rich fragrance of yuzu, as well as aromas from Japanese cypress and oyster shells. The gin also uses cherry blossoms, known as sakura in Japanese, which is the symbol of Sakurao, where the distillery is located.
Both Sakurao Real Deals come with a 500ml bottle of East Imperial Yuzu Tonic.
Sakurao Original Gin
This beautiful Japanese gin is made with 14 botanicals, 9 of which are from Hiroshima, including lemon and yuzu, Hinoki (japanese cypress wood), ginger and red perilla leaves.
Pair this with East Imperial Yuzu Tonic for a refreshing and elegant gin and tonic, and garnish with thin slices of Ginger.
Nose: Beautifully fragrant with lots of citrus and oily juniper
Palate: Lots of pleasant ginger notes with fresh juniper and zesty citrus peel
Finish: Lingering citrus notes with a background of juniper.
Sakurao Limited Gin
Sakurao Limited Gin is made with 17 botanicals from the land and sea surrounding Hiroshima, including Japanese juniper berries, oyster shells, wasabi and Hinoki. It is also distilled using traditional methods from England, the home of dry gin.
This is lovely when used in a Martini, and we also recommend East imperial Yuzu Tonic and Mint as a garnish for a great G&T.
Nose: Citrus peels, balanced by a sea-air and dry juniper earthiness.
Palate: Juniper forms the structure, though the savoury elements remain detectable. A kick of white pepper spiciness appears later on.
Finish: Citrus peels, balanced by a sea-air and dry juniper earthiness.
Specialising in ultra-premium vodkas, Beluga is distilled at the Mariinsk Distillery in Siberia, which has been producing vodka since 1900. The vodka is made from malted barley, which is an unusual base grain for vodka, and results in a crisp and clean flavour with a hint of grain and cereal. Perfect for drinking neat, like the Russians do!
Beluga Noble Gift Set
Beluga released its first expression, Beluga Noble, back in 2002. Distilled from malted barley at the Mariinsk Distillery in Siberia, the vodka is then triple filtered and rested for 30 days before bottling.
The Beluga Real Deal comprises a Beluga Noble Gift Pack with an exclusive Beluga caviar jar and also a quad pack of East Imperial Mombasa Ginger Beer.
Nose: Light oat and citrus sweetness.
Palate: A mellow touch of honey comes through on the palate.
Finish: Hints of spice develop on the finish.
Beluga Transatlantic
A special edition bottling produced in honour of the Russian transatlantic sailing team. After distillation, the Transatlantic goes through an additional filtration through natural cotton and rested for 45 days before bottling. Tiny amounts of sugar syrup, malted barley extract and wild strawberry extract are added for a spirit that truly epitomises Beluga’s status as an ultra-premium vodka.
The Beluga Transatlantic Real Deal also comes with a quad pack of East Imperial Mombasa Ginger Beer.
Nose: A fresh aroma connected with floral notes and spicy facets meet the glass, with a scent reminiscent of a fresh sea breeze.
Palate: Sweet vanilla with citrus notes, the malty base comes out nicely with a bit of cereal notes.
Finish: Surprisingly sweet yet spicy finish.
Located close to the River Lossie in Speyside, Glen Moray has been making whisky since 1897. Their Scotch is very approachable and mainly aged using American Oak. The distillery’s Elgin Heritage range was created to showcase the unique terroir and character of the whisky
Glen Moray 12 Year Old
One of the most value-for-money single malt Scotch whiskies in the market, this 12 Year Old has spent time exclusively in American oak, which imparts a lovely toasted note. Have this one neat or on ice, or even a highball!
Nose: A rich sweet aroma with toffee, vanilla and berry fruits.
Palate: The toasted oak is on the palate with summer fruits and a mellow honey-like sweetness.
Finish: Subtle with a nice apricot finish.
Glen Moray 15 Year Old
The 15 Year Old has been aged in both sherry and American oak, which gives it a gorgeous dried fruit, spice and chocolate note. Enjoy neat or paired with chocolate!
Nose: The chocolate is evident on the nose with light touches of charred oak.
Palate: The chocolate once again comes through on the palate, but now with spice, oak and sherry.
Finish: Warm and long with woody spice.
Glen Moray 18 Year Old
Aged using the finest American whisky barrels, the 18 Year Old exhibits rounded vanilla, gorgeous oak influence while still retaining the distillery character. One to be drunk neat!
Nose: A big fruit aroma of plum and and apricot. A toffee-like sweetness with delicate smoke in the back.
Palate: Complex with heather honey, oak and spice.
Finish: A mellow finish with some spice and ginger lingering on.