CORDIALS

Campari is a bitter aperitif created by Gaspare Campari in the 1860?s. It is a complicated mix of more than 60 natural ingredients including herbs, chinotto (a bitter citrus), vegetables, spices, barks and fruit peels that, when perfectly combined, produce an elegant, lingering, bitter appetite/palate stimulant. There is a saying about Campari: ?It is the third drink that will win you over.? That is because 1 and 2 are such a surprise to your palate. Try this on ice, with an orange wedge squeezed into it and soda water to the top, or in a marvelously delicious cocktail (Negroni, Americano, Three Faces? etc.).

Originally created on the French Indochine ginger root estate of Domaine de Canton, this aromatic elixir first became popular among the colonial French aristocracy. A hand-crafted infusion of superior VSOP Cognac and baby ginger, Domaine de Canton is the world's first premium ginger liqueur. Enjoy it in a cocktail and discover a rare union of tropical romance and continental sophistication.

Carolans Irish Cream is a unique tasting, high quality Irish cream liqueur. The fact that cream liqueurs originated in Ireland is no coincidence since Ireland has a great tradition in producing fine quality dairy products and distilling spirits. (The oldest whiskey distillery in the world was founded in Ireland in 1608.)It is the marrying of these two traditions with Irish expertise that lies behind the success story of Carolans. Carolans combines Irish spirits and whiskey with rich double cream and derives its superior taste from the subtle blending of flavours, principally honey.It begins with aromas of creamy condensed milk, toasted almond, vanilla, sultanas, heather honey and fragile spice. These evocative scents articulate themselves throughout a lithesome, silky palate entry with a pleasantly sweet delicate body that is surprisingly balanced for being as rich as it is. The finish resolves these flavors in a clean long fade. Having never met an IrishCream I didn?t like, I wholeheartedly recommend this. Have it on ice, in coffee or tea, or in a tasty cocktail.

The luxurious taste of Chambord - the rich, intense flavour of black raspberries mingled with a hint of honey and creamy vanilla - makes it one of the world's most versatile liquers, and an unparalleled addition to both cocktails and culinary creations.

The luxurious taste of Chambord - the rich, intense flavour of black raspberries mingled with a hint of honey and creamy vanilla - makes it one of the world's most versatile liquers, and an unparalleled addition to both cocktails and culinary creations.

Chareau is a refreshing blend of native California fruits and botanicals. Subtle hints of cucumber and muskmelon are complimented by a touch of mint. Lightly herbaceous, there is a mild sweetness from the vine fruits while fresh cut aloe gives a refreshing finish.

Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolong is made using the same processes and the same secret formula as the traditional liqueur, and by extra long ageing in oak casks it reaches an exceptional quality. A subtle, mellow after dinner liqueur which should be consumed very cold.

LIQUEUR FABRIQUEE PAR LES PERES CHARTREUX82PF FRANCE

This is a connoisseur's treasure. Robert Parker said: "Never have I been so enchanted by a before drink as this." That sounds like fair praise to me. Christian Drouin Coeur de Lion Pommeau de Normandie is a delicate blend of young Calvados with un-fermented apple juice. After fortifying the apple juice (with the Calvados) it is aged a minimum age of 14 months in oak barrels (for the appellation rules.); Christian Drouin's Pommeau is aged 3 or 4 years to achieve a more integrated balance with no alcohol showing. The nose reveals an ebullience of fruit characteristics, starting at concentrated apple juice, blossoms soaked in honey and evolving to caramel and dark wood. The taste displays the aromas, but it's not as sweet as implied by the scents and eminently much more complex. It also shows delicate spices and herbs dancing in the juicy sweetness— so delicious. The finish carries all this in a clean, full and lingering display. Try this neat, chilled, with food, before food, with bleu cheese, melons, dark chocolate... you get the idea.