Whisky is our passion and for some years it’s been our business as well. Available from both our whisky shop in Wiltshire and our online shop is a superb range of single malt whiskies, wines, spirits and beers [...]]]> Recently awarded “Retailer of the Year” (2011) by Whisky Magazine, independent specialist Arkwrights is in Swindon.

Whisky is our passion and for some years it’s been our business as well. Available from both our whisky shop in Wiltshire and our online shop is a superb range of single malt whiskies, wines, spirits and beers from around the world. At the last count we had over 800 different whiskies in stock so we are usually able to despatch your order the next working day at the latest.

Although their range of wines is a bit limited, it is Whisky in all its manifestations that is their strength – the range and choice is impressive!
Good, interesting website with online ordering and easy navigation. shop open 7/7!
UK Delivery = £6.95

Tastings offered
Arkwrights Whisky & Wine, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire, SN6 7PE t: 01793 765071

A family business for over 50 years, Constantine Stores in the tiny village of Constantine, just six miles from Falmouth in Cornwall, draws customers to its [...]]]> Far West in Cornwall you can discover Constantine Stores, an independent wine merchant (amongst other things), Whisky Specialist and home of Drinkfinder.co.uk, the online arm of the business.

A family business for over 50 years, Constantine Stores in the tiny village of Constantine, just six miles from Falmouth in Cornwall, draws customers to its doors from all over the country. Home to one of the largest ranges of wines and spirits in the south-west, this remarkable shop should be on the itinerary of all lovers of grape and grain. There is a quite breathtaking range of over 1000 different whiskies, as well as a comprehensive range of liqueurs and eau-de-vies from around the world.

You will discover 50 different Cognacs and armagnacs, 150 different rums and 50 different gins. The range of over 1,000 wines covers many vintage and non-vintage champagnes and sparkling wines, first, second and third growth clarets, sherries, Madeiras and ports of all kinds.

Impressive selection of wines and spirits, colourful website with online ordering – and a proper shop to browse!

UK Delivery = £5.95

no tasting dates planned

Constantine Stores,30 Fore Street,  Constantine,  Falmouth  Cornwall TR11 5AB   t:  01326 340226

It goes without saying that passion goes a long way to what has made us successful here, (all the wine merchant websites drone on about boring stuff like that) but also emphasis on quality and relationships built up with growers from all over the [...]]]> An independent wine and whisky merchant at beautiful North Berwick

It goes without saying that passion goes a long way to what has made us successful here, (all the wine merchant websites drone on about boring stuff like that) but also emphasis on quality and relationships built up with growers from all over the world. Having a real understanding and friendships with people who make what we drink and sell, I feel is the main reason we love what we do and ultimately our customers feed off that enthusiasm and I’m sure that’s the main reason why they come back to us.

 

We’ve taken the stuffiness out of wine and stripped it back to the basics here, simply one of the funnest things ever. Seriously, it’s pretty relaxed in the shop, just take a look at the state of us when you come in. Perhaps I should speak for myself there, I’ll be the scruffy looking one in the shorts and flip flops.

good website with easy navigation and clean look – online ordering and decent tasting notes.

Tastings offered

UK Delivery – £8.50 on orders <£120 Local Delivery – varies

Lockett Bros.133 High Street North Berwick East Lothian EH39 4HB  t:01620 890799

Founded in 1964 by John and Wallace Milroy, Milroy’s of Soho is London’s original whisky specialist.We carry a comprehensive range of more than 700 hand selected whiskies from around the world. All of [...]]]> Milroys of Soho is an independent wine merchant located in the heart of Central London and is especially strong on Whisky!

Founded in 1964 by John and Wallace Milroy, Milroy’s of Soho is London’s original whisky specialist.We carry a comprehensive range of more than 700 hand selected whiskies from around the world. All of the operating and many of Scotland’s closed distilleries are represented, together with a strong selection from Ireland, Japan, the USA and Canada. The whisky selection is supplemented by a collection of fine Rums, Cognacs, Armagnacs and other spirits. Over the years, the Milroy’s of Soho wine offering has expanded and they now have access to a portfolio of over 2,000 Champagnes, wines and fine wines. We will happily track down any special fine wines or whiskies you are looking for.

Good and informative website (particularly for Whiskies) with easy navigation and online ordering. Regular tastings are on offer.

Tasting dates

UK Delivery = £9.95

(associated with Jeroboams)

Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street   London W1D 4NX   t: 020 7437 2385

Located in a historic part of Skipton, the “Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales”, The Wright Wine & Whisky Company is an essential stop-off point for those making the pilgrimage north to the [...]]]> With an impressive range of whiskies (and some wines), the Wright Wine and Whisky Co in Skipton is well worth a visit.

Located in a historic part of Skipton, the “Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales”, The Wright Wine & Whisky Company is an essential stop-off point for those making the pilgrimage north to the Scottish Whisky Trail. We are less than an hours drive from major towns and cities including York, Leeds, Harrogate and Manchester.
A finer selection of whisky in any Yorkshire whisky shop you will not find, and without starting any more feuds, the same can probably can be said about Lancashire whisky shops too!

The extensive range of over 800 whiskies is available to purchase online, but for the wines only a downloadable list is available – for order by phone or email. Although tasting events are promised, no details are currently available on the website(October 2011)

Wright Wine & Whisky Co  The Old Smithy, Raikes Road, SKIPTON North Yorkshire BD23 1NP   t: 01756 700886

…the Manchester Whisky Festival 2011 is has moved to the lavish surroundings of five star Lowry Hotel. There will be more brands, distilleries [...]]]> An opportunity to taste and compare Whiskies comes around too seldom – so head for the Manchester Whisky Festival (part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival) on 15 October 2011:

…the Manchester Whisky Festival 2011 is has moved to the lavish surroundings of five star Lowry Hotel. There will be more brands, distilleries and importers in attendance than ever before and some marvellous masterclasses on offer too. Plus we’re holding the event over two sessions this year, so there’ll be twice as many chances to grab a ticket to this now legendary Festival Highlight. As well as sampling and talking about Scottish, Irish, Japanese, American and Indian whiskies, there will be one or two exclusives too as you will be among the first to taste the highly-commended and critically acclaimed Taiwanese Whisky, King Car (Kavalan in its native land).  Of course, masterclasses a-plenty and more fine drams than you can shake a stick at!

For more info see http://foodanddrinkfestival.com

Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, newcomer to the world of the dram, or just want [...]]]> If you really want to extend your knowledge and appreciation of whisky, then Whisky Live 2010 is the place to head for on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February 2010. Being held at South West London’s Hurlingham Club

Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, newcomer to the world of the dram, or just want a day out at one of the most entertaining events of the year, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone. For its 10 year anniversary Whisky Live London returns to the Hurlingham Club in west London.

Bordering the Thames in Fulham, and set in 42 acres of magnificent grounds, the Hurlingham Club is a gem of international renown. The striking Georgian Clubhouse mixes timeless elegance with up to date facilities and services, and its easy access to tube and train make it the perfect setting for a celebration of the very best whiskies of the world.

In addition to an impressive programme of masterclasses, entry provides access to some of the top names in the world of whisky exhibiting in London – your ticket provides 4-8 sample vouchers to select your choice of tipple from stands featuring individual distillers, big brands and allied products from Scotland, Ireland(Whiskey), USA (Bourbon), Japan – many famous names and others less well-known. Not sure if there will be any Tasmanian whiskies on offer?

The opportunities to taste and compare Whiskies are few and far between – and inevitably rather expensive – but this should provide an ideal way to seek out something interesting!!

For more info see www.whiskylive.com

Our annual Christmas tasting! Once again this will be taking place at St. Gregory’s Hall at the end of the street on the [...]]]> Independent Wine Merchant Vinology has teamed up with top Cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield to offer their annual Christmas Tasting in Stratford (Warwickshire) on Friday 4 December 2009 between 5pm and 9pm!

Our annual Christmas tasting! Once again this will be taking place at St. Gregory’s Hall at the end of the street on the junction of Windsor Street and Henley Street. We will be showcasing a range of over 30 wines with an enticing range of new whiskies, all of which will be able to purchase or order on the night at very competitive prices. We will be joined be many of our suppliers with indepth knowledge on all of the wines and whiskies on offer. This will run between 5pm and 9pm with no booking required, everyone is welcome, just turn up anytime between 5pm and 9pm to taste through as an little or as much as you like at your own pace. We hope you’ll be able to make it and we very much look forward to seeing you there.

Entry costs £5.00 refunded against all orders placed. No booking necessary.
Vinology’s wine list looks interesting with well-chosen and interesting wines from both New and Old World. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff and a really impressive selection of single malts in different strengths and vintages. Only downside is that there is no online ordering!

Vinology 49 Henley Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6QW

T: 01789 264 586   E:info@vinology.co.uk

Constantine Stores in Falmouth, Cornwall is hosted a tasting of wines for summer together with an opportunity to view some works from a local artist on 23 June 2009 at the the Great Atlantic Gallery in Arwennack Street, Falmouth.

A tasting of wines suitable for summer drinking. Fresh zingy whites, seriously good roses [...]]]>

Constantine Stores in Falmouth, Cornwall is hosted a tasting of wines for summer together with an opportunity to view some works from a local artist on 23 June 2009 at the the Great Atlantic Gallery in Arwennack Street, Falmouth.

A tasting of wines suitable for summer drinking. Fresh zingy whites, seriously good roses and delicious summer reds.
Guests at the wine tasting will get a special pre-view of an exhibition of new work by Neil Davies, a leading landscape painter based in St Ives. Davies’ 2009 collection, which doesn’t formally open to the public until 4 days after the tasting, features 40 paintings and drawings from a small area of West Penwith. Entitled “Bosporthenis – an enduring presence”, the collection focuses on a small, inaccessible valley north of Penzance, just off the coast road between St Ives and St Just.

There will be 10 wines on taste, served with canapés – advanced booking required.

Constantine Stores Ltd, 30 Fore Street, Constantine, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5AB

T:01326 250259  E: andrew@constantinestores.fsnet.co.uk

…structured to take in some of the important milestones in the history of [...]]]> Something to warm the bleak winter days is a Whisky Tasting course in the Cotswolds at Farncombe Estate Centre, near Broadway on 17 January 2009. This all day course run by Barry King of For the Love of Whisky will be

…structured to take in some of the important milestones in the history of whisky. It will go on to explain the bewildering nomenclature shown on the labels on the bottle of whisky, the various types of whisky, the regions and the influences on taste. Barry will explain and demonstrate how to nose and taste whisky in order to identify its various characteristics. Some time will be spent on helping you to develop your sense of smell and taste. The manufacturing process will be described, as will the ingredients of whisky and how they influence smell and taste, together with the effect the cask has on whisky during its maturation. There will be 5 different whiskies which you will be experiencing. You will be encouraged to let your senses explore these in order to identify their various characteristics. Throughout the day, Barry will share with you lots of anecdotes and humorous tales.

Farncombe Estate Centre, near Broadway Worcs WR12 7LJ  T: 01386 854100
Barry King runs a specialist Whisky experience company offering tutored tastings such as this and other events for corporate, charity and other groups – see www.fortheloveofwhisky.co.uk/

William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience [...]]]> With Christmas almost upon us thoughts move ahead to New Year, a celebration which the Scots dominate.
So a timely discovery is Cadenheads, a wonderfully atmospheric, old-style emporium on Canongate, part of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Cadenhead claims to be Scotland’s oldest independent bottler -

William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience of over one and a half centuries ensure that our customers can truly rely on what we put in a bottle. We guarantee that we never chill-filter or chemically alter the products that we bottle nor do we add colouring agents. Each of our bottlings of whisky, and indeed of our rums and cognacs, comes from an individually selected cask.

Hence they offer an impressive range of whiskies (and rum) which are bottled from a single cask – each cask can be quite different even from the same year – factors such as the oak and storage conditions can make a difference to the spirit – not necessarily a uniform product, which the bigger international brands will aim for. This adds a whole new dimension to whisky selection – most consumers now understand the difference between single malt and blended whisky, between Scottish Whisky and Irish Whiskey, and between Highland, Lowland, Islay areas etc. So now you can also choose between different bottlings! This could be a fascinating (if expensive) journey of exploration.

Although seriously Scottish in their history and focus, Cadenhead also bottle rum and are expanding their range into World Whiskies – Single Malt from New Zealand, bourbon from America, whisky from Canada as well as single grain whisky from Scotland. Future bottlings will include Japanese and Australian malts.

Yes, Australian Malt Whisky – which comes from Tasmania, where the climate is rather more temperate than most of Mainland Australia – e.g. www.tasmanianwhisky.com.au/ where the Small Concern Distillery produces Cradle Mountain Malt: ”
Pure rainwater from the isolated craggy peaks of the Tasmanian Highlands helps to produce the unique, smooth taste of Cradle Mountain Single Malt Whisky.
Triple distilled for extra smoothness, Cradle Mountain Malt is made using the world’s finest Franklin barley and one of the purest sources of water on the earth. Cradle Mountain Malt has a pale straw colour with a faintly honeyish nose. It has a smooth palate and is clean tasting with a lingering afterglow.”
William Cadenhead , 172 Canongate Edinburgh EH8 8BN
T: 0131 556 5864 F: 0131 556 2527 E: chws@wmcadenhead.com
also at Campbeltown, Argyll and at Cadenheads 26 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7QF