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Handmade heaven

When asked if we wanted to sample some handmade Belgian chocolate truffles, filled with a delicious chocolate ganache and Warwickshire Gin Company’s very own gins and rums, the answer was unequivocal: ‘yes’. The stunning truffles are a collaboration between two south Warwickshire businesses – Warwickshire Gin Company and Dale’s Handmade Ltd. The gin truffles, made […]

Honey, I shrunk the gin!

At Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine we hear about new product launches all the time and we’re fortunate to be on the mailing list for an increasing number of producers and marketing agencies; we receive beers, wines and spirits that come in all shapes and sizes. But, we’ve never received a drink that has been reduced […]

Smooth single malts

The process of ageing and maturing spirits in previously used barrels dates back hundreds of years, but was more than likely discovered by chance when new products were transported in old barrels, resulting in the new liquid taking on some of the characteristics of its original wine or spirit. Over the centuries the process of […]

New formats drive expansion

Shanky’s Whip has added three new formats of its Irish Whiskey Liqueur to its range in the UK, including 350ml, 1 litre and 1.75 litre bottles, which are now available to drinks retailers and hospitality operators now through Craftwork, the company’s distributor. Each variant supports critical pillars in Shanky’s Whip’s global expansion strategy; the full […]

Don’t worry, be hoppy

November 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of Hop Hideout, an award-winning Sheffield-based beer shop and tasting room. Owned by Jules Gray, Hop Hideout is one of just a handful of female-owned beer shops in the country. Jules has planned a weekend of celebrations starting on Friday 10 November, which will include the launch of their Thornbridge […]

Dunfermline on the map

There are many reasons to visit Dunfermline, a town that was conferred city status in October 2022 by King Charles III — part of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The city, which was the capital of Scotland until 1452, has much to offer locals and visitors, alike. There’s Dunfermline Abbey, which was built on […]

Shanky’s success down under

Irish Whiskey liqueur, Shanky’s Whip, has signed a new distribution deal with global drinks distributor Amber Beverage Group, a move which signals the brand’s increasingly global appeal Shanky’s Whip is distilled in County Cavan and then blended and bottled by Shanky and Shireman in Ireland. The whiskey liqueur is perfectly positioned to bridge the gap […]

16 steps to beer heaven

A family of entrepreneurs from Warwick have taken their first steps into hospitality with their new craft beer bar and shop, which recently opened in the centre of the town. Paul and Jacqui Brown, together with their sons Harvey and Regan, have launched The Craftsman, a bar that celebrates and promotes the artisan and craft […]

Shaken and stirred

Here at Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine we get to sample and review a wide range of drinks, including a variety of fine spirits. We only ever taste spirits without mixers, so that our reviews are based entirely on the quality of the unadulterated product. So, when we were sent a selection of cocktails from Jack […]

Love, share, enjoy

St Maur was first produced for the guests who attended the wedding of the Earl and future Countess of Yarmouth, which took place at Ragley Hall in Alcester. The success of the unique liqueur spurred on the young couple to turn the production of St Maur it into a full-time family business at the start of […]