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The top 10 best value for money speciality and pre-mixed drinks

The continuing popularity of the after-work apéritif and the rise of at-home cocktail-making indicates a bright future for speciality and pre-mixed drinks. SB presents the best value for money expressions on the market.

These are our best value for money pre-mixed and speciality drinks

The Spirits Business held its annual Speciality and Pre-Mixed Masters last month, where an experienced panel of judges recognised the best bottlings in the business.

Looking across multiple categories, from vermouth to pre-mixed classic cocktails, absinthe to partially-made cocktails, a wide range of expressions were awarded the top accolades of Master and Gold medals for their quality.

The individual scores of each entrant have not been revealed, however these are 10 of the highest rated medalists in the competition, in no particular order.

While some expressions are not standard priced, our judges have given each speciality and pre-mixed drink listed here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality within their respective price categories.

Click through to the following pages to view the top 10 best value for money speciality and pre-mixed drinks of 2017.

Bramley & Gage Dry Vermouth

Price: £30

A Gold medal was awarded to Bramley & Gage Dry Vermouth in the Vermouth flight. Praised for its “lovely character, full of body and complexity”, the expression is made using wormwood, botanicals, fruits and spices combined with English vermouth. It uses 12 botanicals and fruits that are infused in a dry wine for a “distinct aromatic flavour”.

Riga Black Balsam Cherry

Price: £19

Riga Black Balsam Cherry was awarded a Gold medal in the Bitters/Amaro flight. The expression was praised for its “sour and sweet” notes. The new variant was released in August to coincide with the 265th anniversary of the creation of the brand’s original recipe. Bottled at 30% abv, Riga Black Balsam Cherry has been made by combining Riga Black Balsam with cherry juice.

Valhalla by Koskenkorva

Price: €18

Altia’s Valhalla by Koskenkorva secured a Gold medal in the Bitters/Amaro flight. One judge praised it for being “incredibly well-balanced with pronounced flavours of clove, cherries and plenty of herbs”. Valhalla is said to take its name from the strong, stoic character in Nordic people. The liqueur is made using Nordic herbs, including angelica, wormwood and yarrow.

La Fee Parisienne Absinthe Supérieure

Price: £47

Described as having a “clean and greenage” nose, La Fee Parisienne Absinthe Supérieure was awarded a Gold medal in the Absinthe flight. The newly-refined expression has been created with 100% natural ingredients. The level of grand wormwood in the distillation has been increased by 60% and the green and star anise has been slightly softened. The natural colour is obtained through the maceration of herbs in spirit.

Kaland

Price: £23

A Gold medal was bestowed upon Maennerhobby distillery’s Kaland in the Aquavit flight. One judge praised the expression for its notes of “spicy cereal and cumin in a well-structured, round composition, as well as a nice lingering finish”. Kaland is recommended served as a digestif due to its “intense aromas of cumin, lemons and anise”.

Tipplesworth Espresso Martini Mixer

 

Price: £6.99

A Gold medal was awarded to Tipplesworth Espresso Martini Mixer. The “rich and velvety” expression is handcrafted in England using the finest coffee beans. It is recommended served with vodka and ice to produce an Espresso Martini.

Cold Distilled Absinthe

Price: £60

A Master was also awarded to Atom Brands’s Cold Distilled Absinthe, which was described as “well-balanced for a 91.2% abv spirit”. One judge was impressed by its “incredible aromas of nutmeg and baked fennel”, while the palate had flavours of “key lime pie” along with hints of “eggnog and turmeric” on the palate.

Bottega Vermouth Rosso

Price: €15

Bottega’s Vermouth Rosso was lauded with a Master medal in the Vermouth round, with one judge noting its “sweet Sherry nose and rich unctuous character”. Bottega, based in Veneto, sourced grapes from its local area to create the product. The expression is made with Merlot and contain more than 30 herbs, flowers and spices.

Striganov Vodka Crush Guava

Price: £6.19

Within our Pre-Mixed Masters, a Master was bestowed upon Aldi Stores’ Striganov Vodka Crush Guava in the Classic Spirit and Mixer with a Twist flight. A member of the judging panel said: “It was really delicate, which is surprising for an ready-to-drink.” While another judge praised its “fruity” nose and “great taste”.

The Boulevardier Cocktail

Price: £38

The Handmade Cocktail Company’s The Boulevardier Cocktail secured a Gold in the Pre-Mixed Contemporary Cocktail flight. “It has that classic, spicy, cinnamon and clove flavour of a Negroni, and I got some tannin at the end,” said one judge. Another praised the expressions “authenticity”, claiming “I’d definitely pour this over ice”.

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