Win 6 of 2019's must-try drinks!

If you're one of those people who loves to read 'trends' pieces about what's going to be hot in the coming year here's your chance to win six drinks that are going to be very much on-trend in 2019. THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

They're all stocked by spirits specialist The Whisky Exchange which has two London shops in Great Portland Street and Covent Garden in addition to a great online shop.

Here's the run-down on the six bottles in their 'Tryanuary' case:

Non-alcoholic spirits – Ceder’s Classic

It’s been like music to the ears of every designated driver or non-drinker on the planet - something other than Diet Coke to drink! There’s absolutely no doubt that this is a booming trend as more producers look to create interesting and flavoursome ‘spirits’. Ceder's is distilled in the same way as gin, just without the alcohol. This classic version focuses on juniper, coriander and rose geranium botanicals and is delicious served with Mediterranean tonic. Ceder's was created by a husband and wife team who combined their origins of South Africa (botanicals) and Sweden (spring water) to craft unique alcohol-free spirits.

Rum – Hampden Estate

There’s something special happening in rum at the moment. People are paying attention to styles of rum that challenge the pre-conceptions, and misconceptions, of rum. We’re seeing producers create liquid that’ll make any whisky-drinker fall for rum. You could call it ‘pure rum’ – craft styles such as pot still or agricole, with more attention to quality and flavour.

Hampden Estate is created using wild fermentation and packed full of funky fruity flavour. On top of that there's no added sugar, it's all distilled in pot stills and it's fully matured in the tropics: a combination that adds up to rum heaven.

Mezcal – Ilegal Joven

We love gin, we really do, but there comes a point when the madness gets too much and we need something new. Now it is mezcal’s turn to shine. Mezcal is made in the Oaxaca province of Mexico from agave plants, in the same vein as tequila but with different agave species. This delicious Ilegal Joven is superb mixed with tonic or in place of gin in a Negroni.

History lesson alert! Desperate for a good Mezcal to stock at his bar, Café No Sé, John Rexer began smuggling artisanal Mezcal from Oaxaca to Guatemala in 2004. Once in his bar, it didn't take long for word to get out about this smooth and smoky spirit that was only available from the backroom at Café No Sé. Soon, this Mezcal was being carried in the luggage of travellers passing from Guatemala to America and beyond. In late 2009, Ilegal Mezcal became legal.

Whisky – JP Wiser’s Dissertation

It’s not all about Scotland, Japan and the USA. The world is on the whisky train and one nation that’s really booming is Canada, with more variety in flavours and styles. Like Japan they’ve actually been producing whisky for decades but it’s taken some time for people to sit up and pay attention. Well, pay attention people because you’re going to love it.

‘Dissertation’ is the latest release in the Rare Cask series from JP Wisers and the prominence of rye in its mash bill and 46.1% ABV provide this whisky a thick, punchy profile full of sweet cereal flavours, rich toffee, plenty of oak spice and big clouds of airy vanilla floating overhead.

Calvados – Dupont VSOP Calvados

We’re heading for a revived love affair with French alcohol. Perhaps it’s because we know they make great wine so we have confidence in their spirits. Perhaps it’s because we all secretly wish we were hanging out in Parisien left bank cafés. Either way, this elegant VSOP calvados from Dupont will whet your appetite. Aged for a minimum of 4 years in both new and old casks to give a balance of richness and mature spirit flavours.

Pre-mixed cocktails – Ely White Tiger

Pre-mixed cocktails have moved on somewhat in the last few years and there are some excellent quality products launching. It’s the ultimate way to embrace cocktail culture at home if you don’t feel confident or lack time to do it yourself. White Tiger is a lightly sour gin cocktail from Paris's Ély, purveyors of fine bottled cocktails. It takes Tanqueray gin and mixes it with Belvoir elderflower cordial, Marie Brizard crème de poire (pear liqueur) and lime juice. It's a punchy and fresh-tasting cocktail, ready to serve over ice.

If you want to be in with a chance to win it make sure you enter by the closing date for the competition which is 11.59pm GMT on Thursday January 31st 2019. You must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.

ENTER HERE

Terms and Conditions

1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Drinks, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw

2. No purchase is necessary.

3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible.

4. The prize consists of the case of six bottles detailed above and will be drawn at random. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.

5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on Thursday January 31st 2019. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by Monday February 18th and will be notified by e-mail.

6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.

7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.

8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.

9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after February 28th 2019.

If you found this post helpful and would like to support the website which is free to use it would be great if you'd make a donation towards its running costs or sign up to my regular Substack newsletter Eat This, Drink That for extra benefits.

CONTRIBUTE HERE