Tag: calvados

This year we have expanded our online offering to include more spirits and liqueurs than ever before.  So, in addition to our award-winning cognacs, armagnacs and calvados, we now have organic whiskies and gins, liqueurs and grappas, eaux de vie and vermouths.  Do take a look at our website, we really do have Christmas gifts for everyone! For Christmas deliveries to addresses in the UK please ensure your orders are with us by 12 noon on Wednesday 22nd December 2021 Generally, UK orders placed before 12 noon will be delivered the following working day but please be aware that although we are able to process… Read more

“This luxurious French spirit will bring a touch of sophistication to any home bar” says The Independent about the lesser known French brandy, Calvados.  The article features 7 of the best on the market including our very popular Chateau du Breuil 15  Year  Old Pays d’Auge Calvados.  “Winner of a gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, you don’t have to just take our word for it that its good.”  We have always loved this beautifully presented calvados from the top cru.  “With its waxed lid and red-rope fastening, opening a bottle of this one feels like a ceremony… Read more

We are delighted to inform you that, the United States of America has suspended the 25% Tariff on imported European brandies that was levied at the beginning of this year.  It had been hoped that the recent change of administration would look more favourably on European goods so this ‘Tariff Suspended’ news is great for our industry. All our products, with an abv of 40%, or above, and which originated in the European Union, were affected. Initially the Tariff suspension will be for four months but we are all keeping our fingers crossed that it will become a permanent arrangement.

For Christmas deliveries to addresses in the UK please ensure your orders are with us by 10 am on Tuesday 22nd December 2020. Generally UK orders placed before 12 noon will be delivered the following working day but please be aware that although we are able to process orders within 1 working day, Parcelforce are not always able to meet their normal delivery times at present. Our deliveries to America are also taking longer than usual due to a shortage of flights so all orders to the rest of the world should be placed as soon as possible please.  More… Read more

We have lots of bargains running during November which will hopefully ease the pain of another Lock Down a little.  We are having our usual Black Friday Weekend Sale from 27 – 30 November inclusive.  Look out for some irresistible bargains to boost your drinks cabinet this Christmas.  Remember to check the website early as stocks will be limited. Free Delivery on all UK orders over £100, including VAT, is in place again until Lock Down is lifted.  Please be aware that although we are able to process orders within 1 working day, Parcelforce are not always able to meet their… Read more

We have often reported how the drinks industry is changing its production methods to become more environmentally friendly but now the products themselves are under the spotlight.  A European group, the Circular Economy Platform for Glass Collection & Recycling, is aiming to have 90% of all EU glass packaging recycled by 2030; the figure currently stands at 76%.  A consumer survey found that 80% of Europeans still prefer buying wine and spirits in glass bottles and spending on products packaged in glass has risen 51% in the last 3 years.  The ‘Close the Glass Loop’ group, supported by Spirits Europe,… Read more

XO brandy, XO cognac. XO armagnac. Why is the term XO used so often when few of us actually know what it means? Originally, XO stood for Extra Old. In terms of age, up until 2018, an XO cognac had to be at least 6 years old but this was also the required minimum age of Napoleon Cognac. So, after decades of promising change, the controlling body of cognac, the BNIC, agreed to make the minimum barrel age of an XO cognac 10 years old. This is important because cognacs do not mature once they have been taken from their oak casks… Read more

Launched  last year, Avallen Calvados has been hitting the headlines as a ‘product with a purpose’.  Created by Healthy Hospo founder Tim Etherington-Judge and wine and spirits specialist Stephanie Jordan, they set out to make the most sustainable spirit possible and so chose calvados. Avallen means ‘apple tree’ in Old Cornish and is made without the addition of sugar, caramel or boisé.  It is packaged in a lightweight bottle with a label that sends the message ‘Bee-ing positive has never tasted this delicious’.  Its packaging won a Master medal and €0.50 from each bottle sold will be donated to organisations… Read more

Six months ago, the US imposed hefty tariffs on the import of some European wines, whiskies and liqueurs following a long running dispute over EU import tariffs and subsidies. Last December, the US government considered imposing similar US tariffs on other EU wines and spirits, including cognac, and raising tariffs by up to 100%. Fortunately for our industry, the situation remained unchanged but Scottish whisky and American whiskey have already suffered huge export losses. Spirits Europe and Discus (Distilled Spirits Council of the US) are now advocating free trade between the US and the EU as they are each other’s… Read more

There cannot be a soul who has not been affected by the current coronavirus pandemic but the On Trade has been hit particularly hard. With pubs and restaurants closed worldwide their future is uncertain. A bitter blow, especially as the ONS recently reported that the number of pubs and bars operating in the UK rose last year for the first time in a decade. Here in the UK staff have been furloughed and emergency legislation has given all commercial properties a 3 month rent reprieve. In other attempts to keep the industry afloat, the WTSA called for the collection of… Read more