ARCANIST RUM  

We met Alexander Martin, Founder and Director of Arcanist Rum.  With a previous background in Physics, Alexander has crafted a truly original rum – the Arcanist Caribbean Pineapple Spiced Rum.  Produced by using Guyanese rum infused with Costa Rican pineapples, the drink notes include caramel tones with a hint of spice and pineapple – absolutely delicious with an unexpected smoothness and fruity flavour.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED        www.arcanistrum.com

AZRA CHOCOLATES

We were bowled over by the unusual chocolates produced by Azra Chocolates.  Entirely original, Azra combine women’s love of chocolate and shoes by handcrafting elegant high heel chocolate shoes.  They also produce handbags, a range of chocolate shoes for men and a strong collection of gifts and favours (we loved their chocolate lipstick packs which we will be ordering).  These luxury chocolates are individually handmade in Yorkshire using the best ingredients and the finest couverture chocolate.  If you want something really different and sweet for Christmas check out the AZRA website.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED                       www.azrachocolates.co.uk

STEEPLECHASE DISTILLERY

It was great to meet with Adam again – Founder and Director of Steeplechase Distillery.  It was pleasing to see how his range has developed since we last saw him at the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival last summer and we were delighted to try one of his new products – DESSIE – a vanilla, fig and clementine gin.  Inspired by the fan favourite and revered grey, Desert Orchid, this gin has all the facets of a beautiful winter infusion.  Carefully steeped with Juniper and Vanilla (a spice that comes from the Orchid plant) and distilled with an exciting blend of 14 botanicals, with a final vapour infusion of fresh clementine peel dried fig,  this is a wonderfully balanced dry gin with a natural and creamy sweetness.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED        www.steeplechasedistillery.com

NANA LILY’S & LHG  (LUXURY HAMPERS AND GIFTS)

Owned by the same family, we firstly discovered the wonderful four generation, award winning, Nana Lily’s Christmas pudding.  Made using a traditional recipe and including Kilbeggan Whiskey and double award winning Whiskey butter, we found it so irresistible on sampling we immediately bought two!  Wonderfully moist, full of fruit with that lovely tang of Whiskey.

We also perused the fine hampers produced by the sister company, LHG – beautifully presented hampers whose contents have been carefully curated to appeal to all customers, both individuals seeking gifts for family occasions and business users.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED       www.nanalilys.co.uk    www.luxuryhampersandgifts.co.uk

O’DONNELL MOONSHINE LTD

We have seen these exhibitors before and they never disappoint.  For the non-initiated all their drinks are produced in Mason Jars, following the tradition of the era of American prohibition when these were used to avoid suspicion from the authorities.  We tried their Tough Nut – hearty hazelnut meets fine caramel – we found this to be the perfect balance of sweet and strong, very ‘moreish’.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED                                               www.odonnellmoonshine.co.uk