An attractive bottle can still be the wrong choice because of its sweetness, aromas or storage requirements. When buying spirits and liqueurs, separate the style you want from the marketing around it. This guide is for people legally permitted to buy alcohol; purchasing and delivery restrictions vary by location.

Distinguish a spirit from a liqueur

Liqueurs generally bring sweetness and added flavours, whereas a spirit may emphasise its raw ingredients, botanicals or maturation. Commercial descriptions do not always make the distinction clear: a flavoured drink is not necessarily a liqueur. Check the product designation, alcohol content and declared ingredients before judging its character from the name or colour alone.

Cream liqueurs also require a check of allergens and their particular storage instructions.

Read tasting descriptions as preferences, not rankings

Look for specific descriptors such as citrus, herbs, wood, fruit, smoke and level of sweetness. An intense flavour description does not mean you will enjoy the product more. Higher alcohol content does not prove better quality either. For a gift, finding out whether the recipient likes dry or sweet flavours is more useful than choosing the most exclusive-looking bottle.

Check what the origin claim actually establishes

Distillation, maturation and bottling can take place in different locations. A geographical reference in the bottle design does not establish provenance by itself. If a protected designation or an age is advertised, look for its identification and explanation on the label. A stated age should not automatically be treated as evidence of a better sensory experience.

Prefer identifiable sellers, batch information and intact seals; inconsistent labelling deserves caution.

Choose a size without being pushed towards excess

Compare the actual millilitre content rather than the height of the bottle. Price per litre helps compare sizes of the same product, but says nothing about flavour and does not justify buying a larger quantity. Gift boxes may contain glasses, miniatures or merely packaging. When preferences are uncertain, a small format lowers the risk of an unwanted bottle sitting unused.

Plan storage before opening

Store unopened bottles as the manufacturer directs, away from heat and direct light. After opening, keep the closure clean and properly secured. Do not assume every liqueur has the stability of a distilled spirit: cream or other ingredients can bring refrigeration requirements and a specific period for use after opening. Alcohol offers no health benefits and drinking it is never necessary.

Spirits & Liqueurs

Products · Spirits & Liqueurs

St-Rémy Signature French Brandy 70cl

Westons Old Rosie Cloudy Still Cider, 4 x 2.25 L Bag in Box

Nemiroff Wild Cranberry Flavoured Vodka 70cl

Benriach The Twelve 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV, 70 cL

Jägermeister Orange 70cl Herbal Liqueur, 33% ABV

Wray & Nephew Wray’s 43 White Jamaican Rum, 70cl, 43% ABV

Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Don Julio Añejo Tequila, 18-Month Aged, 38% vol, 70cl

FLOR DE CAÑA 12 Year Naturally Aged Rum, 70cl, 40% ABV

Aberfeldy 16 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% ABV, 70cl

Glengoyne 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl, 45.8% vol

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Jamaican Rum, 70 cl, 63% ABV

Shanky's Whip The Original Black Liqueur and Whiskey Blend, 1.75L, 33% ABV

Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey, 700ml, 45% ABV

Grey Goose French Vodka Limited Edition Travel Tin, 40% ABV, 70cl

Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey, 1L, 40% ABV

Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl, 43% ABV

Aber Falls Single Malt Welsh Whisky, 40%, 70cl

Espolon Blanco Tequila, 70 cl, 40% ABV, 100% Blue Weber Agave

Cointreau L’Unique Orange Liqueur Triple Sec, 50cl, 40% ABV

Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 70cl, 50% ABV

The Lakes Distillery Classic English Dry Gin, 70 cl, 46% ABV

Jura Caribbean Rum Cask Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Suntory Chita Single Grain Japanese Whisky, 70 cl, 43% ABV

The Glendronach 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky, 43%, 700mL

Finlandia Premium Vodka, 70 cl, 40% vol

St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur Carafe Gift Pack, 20% ABV, 50cl

Cazcabel Coffee Tequila Liqueur, 70 cl, 34% ABV

Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky, 40% vol, 70cl

Chambord Raspberry Liqueur, 70cl, 16.5% ABV

Johnny Cree Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% vol, 70cl

Midori Melon Liqueur 70cl

Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl

Talisker 2021 Special Release 8-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Aperol Aperitivo 11% ABV, 70cl

Martell VSOP Red Barrel Cognac, 40% ABV, 70 cl

Bénédictine D.O.M. French Liqueur, 40% ABV, 70cl

Campari Negroni Ready-to-Drink Cocktail, 50 cl, 26% ABV

Lagavulin 8 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 48% vol, 70cl

Top deals in Spirits & Liqueurs

Talisker Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 45.8% vol, 70cl

Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% vol, 70cl

Whitley Neill London Dry Gin, 41.3% ABV, 1L

Deanston Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46.3% ABV, 70cl

Talisker 10 Year Old Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch, 45.8% vol, 70cl

Jura American Bourbon Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl

Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, 100% Blue Weber Agave, 38% ABV, 70cl

Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold Single Malt Scotch, 43% vol, 70cl

Malfy Rosa Sicilian Pink Grapefruit Gin, 41% ABV, 70cl

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey, 45% vol, 70cl