Hennessey XO Cognac

Still the best cognac for under £100 a bottle, the Hennessey XO is a blend of Eau de Vies that combine to provide the epitome of a cognac drinking experience. A sniff of the glass will make one’s eyes water, and that first sip will burn the lips, warming the throat and instantly evaporating off the tongue like a spectral liquid.

Served in all of the best bars around the world, one would do well to have a bottle of this in their home collection. It goes very well with a cigar, after coffees and petit fours. It deserves to be drunk out of a fine crystal cognac glass.

Springbank, Campbeltown Whisky

Established in 1828 by John and William Mitchell, this Campbeltown distillery is one of the world’s last remaining independent distilleries, overseeing the entire whisky making process themselves. Still owned by the same family, they malt their own barley, then distil, bottle and mature their product all on the same premises using time tested methods and no fancy modern processes. If ever there was a traditional whisky of a bygone era, this would be it. And long may it last.

The house style of this distillery is somewhat salty and oily, with hints of coconut, though bottles vary in texture and flavour depending on what you choose. Prices start at around £30 for a 10 year old bottle, rising through the spectrum up to £1,000 for the 45 year vintage.

I tried the 1992 Port Wood at £47, and was very pleased with the experience. A light amber colour and a variety of tastes from briny to honey sweet, the whisky is reminiscent of a rugged Scottish coastline, enveloped in an awe inspiring natural beauty.

A bottle of Springbank should be in every whisky connoisseur’s collection. Available from all good specialists.