January 25th 1759: the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert “Rabbie” Burns. This 18th-century proto-Romantic poet has become so synonymous with Scottish identity that his birthday is now more celebrated than the day of the country’s patron saint, St. Andrew. His poems are inextricably linked to some of our most celebrated occasions – you were probably just a few weeks … Read More
2021 Bordeaux – Our Thoughts
Expectations were very low as we headed out to Bordeaux last week for the 2021 primeurs week. We returned with a positive feeling that the wines are better than expected. The negativity in the press was understandable when considering the extreme challenges faced, but advances in wine-making techniques and the push towards more delicate, elegant wines has delivered some remarkable results. … Read More
Revisiting 2016 Bordeaux: a vintage of exceptional quality by William Gardner
– 2016 Bordeaux Vintage – Institute of Masters of Wine – 1st December 2021 – Every year, except last year, of course, the Institute of Masters of Wine organises a tasting of a Bordeaux vintage that has been in bottle for a couple of years. This is a great opportunity to assess the early evolution of the vintage and support … Read More
A visit to Chateauneuf du pape at Domaine Saint Laurent
Chateauneuf du pape is a dynamic southern Rhone region, making France’s most potent red wine (after Bordeaux and Burgundy). Well known for its premium red wine (90% of the production), a small amount of white wine production can also be found. In 1923, Baron Le Roy of Chateau Fortia enclosed the grape growing area, thereby laying the foundation stones for … Read More
The most expensive wine in the world!
Who wouldn’t want to try the most expensive wine in the world, if given the chance? I was one of the very lucky people invited to taste Liber Pater from Loic Pasquet. It all started in the Landiras commune of Graves region (Bordeaux, 90 metres above sea level) in 2004, when Loic decided to produce wine as it would have … Read More
Lock Down With..Wine Documentaries
As we don’t know how long we will have to stay at home, you may choose to curl up with a book, tidy up the pile of papers on your desk, rearrange your garage, enjoy your time in your garden or cook something different. I’ve done all of those- tick! Now, it’s time to have a glass of wine, get … Read More
Peerless 3 Year Old Single Barrel Rye Selected Exclusively for Nickolls & Perks
Our second American whiskey released exclusively for Nickolls & Perks is here! This single barrel rye whiskey from Kentucky Peerless Distillery Company in Louisville, Kentucky was picked after our spirit buyer Jerome Gardener visited the distillery during a road trip earlier this year. Aged for three years and four months, this rye is jam-packed with fruit and spice; juicy cherries, … Read More
Nickolls & Perks Exclusive Single Cask Edradour for Black Friday
This Black Friday we have released a new Nickolls & Perks Exclusive from popular independent bottler Signatory Vintage. The whisky, which Craig Mills from N&P selected at the distillery earlier this year, is a 12 year old Edradour distilled in 2006 and matured in a refill sherry hogshead. Bottled on the 4th of November 2019, just 272 bottles were filled … Read More
Finest Bubble Krug Tasting 20th November 2019 with Essi Avellan
We were fortunate to taste a range of Champagne Krug vintages at 67 Pall Mall on Wednesday evening, expertly organised by Nick Baker of the Finest Bubble, and in the presence of host Essi Avellan MW, the Swedish Champagne aficionado. 13 wines in all including a complimentary 2011 based Grande Cuvee 167th Edition from LVMH, followed by a blind … Read More
Our very own Craig Mills tastes Diageo’s 2019 Special Releases down in London
This year we have eight limited-edition cask strength whiskies selected by master blender Dr Craig Wilson. The theme for Diageo’s 2019 Special Releases is “Rare by Nature”, which seems to evoke the old Flora and Fauna range with some beautifully dramatised illustrations of the wildlife, and flora surrounding the distilleries depicted on the packaging. We were lucky enough to try … Read More