Aperitifs

Pineau de Charentes is a fortified wine, blended of slightly fermented grape must and eaux-de-vie (Cognac). It aged at least 24 months in oak barrel. It is a refreshing aperitif, made from red grape variety such as Merlot and Cabernet-Franc that give sweetness and fullness on the palate.

This Manguin pear aperitif is subtle and fruity and makes the perfect accompanyment to foie gras, goat and blue cheeses as well as many desserts. It can also be added to Champagne to make a delightful kir.

This sweet yet dry savoury apéritif offers tobacco and wormwood. It's very sweet on the mid-palate – a creamy carpet coloured with the taste of orange peel and rooty bitterness. The finish alternates intriguingly between bitterness and the lingering orange sweetness. 
Ronnix Cox, Brands Heritage Director

The utter genius of Tarquin’s Cornish Pastis (beyond the fabulous name) is that it is a gloriously classic Pastis. When making Pastis on a miniscule scale, in an achingly cute little copper pot still on the north coast of Cornwall, it might have been all-too-tempting to swerve wildly off-piste and create something emphatically unusual, merely for the sake of doing so. Instead, this has all the traditional star anise, fennel and liquorice notes that would be expected of this iconic drink, but, when combined with subtle wisps of gorse flower and citrus peel, the ensemble is elevated to the very highest strata of quality. The wickedly moreish finish tempts and teases with a delicate sweetness which makes having only one glass nigh-on impossible. Best enjoyed, at least in my garden, with two parts ice-cold water to one part Pastis but, as always, dilutive beauty is very much in the eye (and palate) of the beholder.
Robert Whitehead - Spirits Buyer

The curious nose of this dark brown liqueur immediately tells of its medicinal bitterness. The “beak” does a natural double-take as the myrrh and botanicals confront it, caged in something reminiscent of gentleman's hair oil. This changes quickly on the palate when the image of medieval herbal laboratories manifests – with menthol, crushed medicinal plants and the odd spike of ginger. Very bitter and dry, it has a wonderful balance and is a thoroughly intriguing drink.
Ronnix Cox, Brands Heritage Director