The whisky has notes of baked apple and almond cake, toffee sauce and lemon, followed by the more savoury flavours of freshly baked sourdough, olive oil and baking spice. Each small batch of the 42% ABV pour – which has hints of tobacco, cocoa, vanilla and leather – is handcrafted by award-winning drinks maker Don Fortino Ramos, who for the past 40 years has dedicated himself to distilling mezcal. Together with his daughter Xitlali and the local mezcal-producing community in Oaxaca, their sustainable approach follows artisanal methods.

Halewood to move production of JJ Whitley vodka from Russia

Out of respect for the situation, we have removed all references to the ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all our JJ Whitley communications.” ​ The new pour is dry hopped with Ernest hops – a UK hop known for giving fruity notes of apricot, citrus, spice – which are grown at Hukins Hops, located only three miles away from the Nightingale orchards. The Co-op and Morrisons have removed Russian vodka from shelves. Marks & Spencer has suspended shipments to its Turkish franchisee's Russian business and offered millions of pounds in aid to Ukrainian refugees and families affected by the war.Vermò, a 17% ABV modern take on the classic vermouth di Torino Rosso, is handcrafted in Piedmont, Italy, and made with a blend of trebianno and chardonnay grapes alongside 31 high quality botanicals. Jeremy Hill, managing director of Proof Drinks – the sole distributor in the United Kingdom – adds: “We’re hugely excited to be at the forefront of pushing the boundaries on premium mezcal. The more common botanicals used include wormwood, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, juniper, orange, sage and rhubarb while Vermò also infuses less mainstream botanicals such as mint, lemon, ginger, white pepper, galangal and aloe. The moment the guys at Hukins Hops told me about Ernest, I felt that it could have all the right characteristics we were looking for, the new world profile- fruity, fresh with citrus and spice that could work with the wine like acid driven ciders we make.

Halewood brings vodka production back to UK - The Spirits

The firm said it had removed all references to its ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all communications for JJ Whitley. JJ Artisanal Vodka is the result of the determination to create a high quality vodka with a difference. Thanks to our unique production process, the liquid has acquired a distinctive smoothness. JJ Artisanal Vodka punches well above its weight with a compelling price point, premium branding and a superlative quality liquid. Hoppy Cox is all about the delicate balance of bringing two very local Kentish and Tenterden grown flavour togethers,” Sam Nightingale, Nightingale Cider founder and cider maker, explains.

Switch isn’t a full-on murk bomb but it certainly draws on the key characteristics of being soft, juicy, and full of ripe fruit flavours. We’re delighted with the outcome so expect others to follow.” The latest addition to UK drinks maker Jatt Life’s range of five-times distilled French grain 37.5% ABV vodka is infused with a blend of zesty orange and sweet pineapple flavours. Kent-based small batch cider maker Nightingale has unveiled its first dry hopped cider, 5.5% ABV Hoppy Cox, a lightly sparkling off-dry cider made from Cox and Jonagold apples.