In this section, we dive into the stories, botanicals, and distilling processes behind the spirits featured in the book. Each bottle was carefully chosen by Tyler for its character, craftsmanship, and how it complements the recipes and cocktails throughout the pages. From the unique botanicals of small-batch gins to the deep heritage of bourbons, every spirit here has a story and a reason it earned its place in the collection.
Willem’s Wermoed is the first Dutch vermouth. What’s nice about this fortified wine is that its story began at the Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus. This centuries-old botanical garden served as the inspiration for the recipe. The herb garden contains many plants that are used both in cooking and in the creation of vermouth. We’ve also used several Dutch herbs, such as dried cherry stems, fireweed, and pine tips.
To add a touch of warmth to the flavor, we also use cinnamon and cloves, which pair beautifully with the slightly sweet Spanish wine we use to create our Original vermouth. This wine has been aged for at least two years in PX barrels, making Willem’s Wermoed Original an excellent match for a cheese platter. In addition, vermouth is a wonderful base for (classic) cocktails such as the Negroni and Manhattan.
Edinburgh Gin is a craft-distilled gin born in Scotland’s capital, combining a London-Dry base with botanicals deeply rooted in the Scottish landscape, from pine buds and heather to seaweed for its coastal edition. The distillery operates in small batches, drawing on heritage stills and academic collaborations, and even releases gin series that honour the city’s botanic gardens and historic castle. The result is a spirit that tastes of place and purpose, perfect neat or elevated in a classic G&T or martini.
NOLET’S Gin emerges from one of the Netherlands’ most storied distilleries, the Nolet family has been distilling in Schiedam since 1691. While steeped in heritage, the brand presents a modern take on gin: floral and fruity botanicals such as Turkish rose, white peach and raspberry replace the juniper-forward profile you might expect. I visited the distillery myself and was struck by its warmth and tradition blended with innovation: every detail from the copper stills to the packaging felt deliberate. The result is a gin you can savour on its own, or use as the premium anchor in a refined G&T or martini.
Ginraw is a premium gin from Barcelona, crafted by four masters, a chef, a sommelier, a mixologist, and a master perfumer. Distilled under vacuum using an innovative Rotaval still, it preserves the delicate aromas of its Mediterranean botanicals, including juniper, lemon peel, bay leaves, and black cardamom. The result is a refined, aromatic gin that can be sipped neat or elevated in sophisticated cocktails, perfectly reflecting Barcelona’s culinary creativity and avant-garde spirit
Sir Edmond Gin is a premium Dutch gin that reimagines tradition with a bold twist: it's infused with real Bourbon vanilla from Réunion Island. Crafted at the esteemed Herman Jansen distillery, this gin undergoes a meticulous eight-week process. Juniper, angelica root, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom are distilled separately in copper pot stills. The Bourbon vanilla is then hand-prepared and cold-infused for six to eight weeks, allowing its rich, creamy sweetness to meld seamlessly with the botanicals. The result is a gin that offers a harmonious balance of vanilla warmth and aromatic spice, perfect for sipping neat or elevating cocktails.
Vording's Gin is a distinctive Dutch gin with a unique infusion of hand-toasted cedar wood. Crafted in Schiedam, it blends traditional botanicals like juniper, orange peel, and cinnamon with the rich, smoky notes of cedar, creating a harmonious and refined flavour profile. Vording's Gin is perfect in a Negroni, especially when combined with Willem’s Wermoed, where the cedar notes and herbal vermouth merge beautifully for a balanced, flavourful twist
Woodford Reserve is a premium small-batch bourbon from Kentucky, celebrated for its rich flavour and meticulous craftsmanship. Distilled in copper pot stills and aged in charred oak barrels, it develops a deep, complex profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and toasted nuts. Its balanced sweetness and warm spice make it an ideal sipping bourbon, while also lending depth and elegance to classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan
Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka
Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka is one of Poland’s most iconic spirits, known for its unique flavour and the single blade of bison grass placed in every bottle. The grass, harvested from the Białowieża Forest where wild European bison roam, gives the vodka its signature herbal, slightly sweet taste with notes of vanilla, almond, and hay. It’s smooth, aromatic, and distinctly different from other vodkas, perfect served chilled, mixed with apple juice, or used as a creative twist in cocktails
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a bold Caribbean rum infused with a secret blend of spices that give it its signature dark, mysterious character. Named after the legendary sea monster, it’s rich and full-bodied, with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and caramelised sugar. Its deep colour and smooth spice make it perfect for mixing into dark cocktails or enjoyed neat over ice.