WARMING DRAM FROM A MOON GODDESS

Named after the Greek moon goddess, Selene, the latest whisky offering from the Dalmore distillery might be described as a divine quality but has little to associate it with her luna coolness.

Aged in two casks underground for over half a century, the resulting combination of the two has created a very special Single Highland Malt, destined to warm the cockles of aficionado hearts and with a hot price of £12,000 per decanter.

“By holding the spirit long in the mouth,” we are told, “the palate will be rewarded with tastes of tangy, thick cut marmalade, roasted coffee beans, spiced ground cinnamon and chocolate cake.”
 
Seems a particularly rich, warm and exotic mixture for a moon goddess but undoubtedly one that is already sparking considerable interest. Just 30 decanters are available worldwide, which Dalmore are confident will be snapped up rapidly.

The decanters are made from the finest Portuguese mouth blown crystal, with an individually numbered neck collar. Each is presented in a solid steel box, inlaid with leather, and each bottle personally signed by master distiller Richard Paterson.

 “Luxury is about enjoying something rare and sublime,” he said, “and we believe this 58 year old vintage will excite our discerning customers and encourage investment.” More information on www.thedalmore.com

WORLD'S TOP VODKA AT 100

‘Drinking rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Working for the Yankee dollar’

The chorus of a song made famous by the Andrew Sisters during the ‘Forties may not be judged politically correct now, and the wholesome image of the sisters clearly helped conceal what it was really about from the folks back home - though not, of course, from the GI’s. But it does represent an early promotion of rum and Coca-Cola, already a staple drink in the West Indies, and which helped spread its popularity around the world.

Since launching a logo guaranteeing Caribbean authenticity under the auspices of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association in 2008, rum has benefited from major international promotion and now is second only to vodka in cocktail sales at London’s leading clubs.

But the best known brand, Bacardi, is not a member of WIRSPA. It began life in Cuba, then relocated to Bermuda as Castro gained power. And this year it celebrates its 100th birthday, launching a limited edition Heritage bottle to commemorate the anniversary.

Just 7,500 cases of this new bottle are available, each with the same alcohol proof as when launched a hundred years ago – 89per cent. And the label still carries the famous Bacardi bat logo, chosen as a good luck symbol and inspired by the colony of bats in the rafters of Bacardi’s original distillery.

On sale at Selfridges and other leading outlets, price £50.