HANKEY BANNISTER

The good news is that the number of much older blended Scotch whiskies is rising; however, it’s still a very small, rarified group. A new addition is a 40-year-old Hankey Bannister (€470, www.hankeybannister.com), a limited release of 1,917 bottles marking the 250th anniversary of when Messrs Hankey and Bannister originally got together and started dealing in wines and spirits. The aromas of this blended Scotch whisky are enticing, with honey, vanilla and orange marmalade. The palate delivers crème caramel, toffee, dark chocolate and a hint of espresso, with underlying dryness. It all adds up to an impressive total.

SMIRNOFF BLACK

Choice is a wonderful thing, but with such a broad range of vodkas available where do you start? One option is the design of the packaging, and the personality of the brand that it conveys. As vodka is one of the most dynamic categories, there are plenty of innovative designs to compare. This also includes a new look for an established vodka brand, with Smirnoff Black (€20, www.diageo.com) having plenty of contemporary appeal. Log on to learn more about the production process... or, simply appreciate the bottle’s style, and the vodka’s mellow, rounded character, which expands across the palate with subtle sweetness balanced by dryness.

TALISKER 57º NORTH

What’s in a name? Well, it can be quite revealing in the case of Talisker 57º North (€55 for 1l, www.malts.com). But it also depends on your knowledge of geography, as the name indicates the northerly latitude of the Talisker distillery, which produces this malt whisky on the Scottish island of Skye. Crème caramel and lively lemon zest unfold on the palate, together with background toasty notes, while the finish combines creaminess and subtle dryness. With a strength of 57% abv (significantly higher than the usual strength of Talisker at 45.8% abv), this bottling is available exclusively in European travel retail.