6 suave spirits to have on your radar this season

Looking for the next big botanical hit?

A sweet vodka, a tequila to tickle your taste buds, or a celebrity whisky – by none other than Beyoncé – to raise the bar?

Here’s what’s making waves with tantalisingly delicious flavours, depth, complexity, and balance…

1. Absolut Hunni Flavoured Vodka, £22, 70cl, Tesco

When it comes to cheeky cocktails, this honey flavoured vodka from the mavericks at Absolut will leave you buzzing with excitement. Sweet and smooth with honeyed aromas and a hint of wildflower, flavours of golden liquid honey unfold alongside spice, vanilla and cacao beans.

The suggested serve is a Hunni Lemon Drop Martini: Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 50ml Absolut Hunni, 25ml lemon juice, 25ml simple syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

2. Kraken Dark Caramel & Sea Salt Spiced Rum, £26, 70cl, Morrisons

Dangerously drinkable and unbelievably tasty, if you like spiced rum, this top drop delivers decadent spicy depths. With sweet toffee aromas, rich, dark caramel and Cornish sea salt in the mix, toasty toffee notes and buttery vanilla are enveloped in a liquid blanket of dark rum. Irresistible served over ice.

3. Nine Tines Potato Vodka, £42, 70cl, Nine Tines

One of the most versatile spirits, vodka has many virtues – and with its creamy mouthfeel, potato vodka is cited as the king of vodka with its sweet, earthy taste and subtle spicy note. Made from Lady Claire potatoes grown in the heart of North Yorkshire, it’s smooth, complex and can be enjoyed ice cold, straight up. Awarded a Silver medal at the IWSC Spirits Awards 2024, it’s worth seeking out.

4. The Gardener French Riviera Gin, £55, 70cl, Amathus Drinks

A postcard from Provence, this beautifully presented gin with its fluted bottle is one to imbibe a Riviera lifestyle – a collaboration between Brad Pitt, Famille Perrin (the winemaker behind his Miraval Rosé) and Tom Nichol, former master distiller of Tanqueray Gin. Floral with a silky, rich palate, top notes of juniper, citrus and coriander blend with the zestiness of sweet and bitter orange, with lemon peel bringing a vibrant freshness.

5. Casa Noble Reposado Tequila, £76.75, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange

With its slim elegant bottle shape, this highly awarded, ultra-premium reposado tequila will bring your bar cart bang up to date. Triple distilled for a smooth, soft landing, it’s aged in French oak; with sweet, oaky notes, flavours of cooked agave, honey, vanilla and lasting hit of spice on the long, lingering finish. Sip neat over ice.

6. SirDavis Whisky, Sherry Cask Finish, American Rye Whisky, £78.95, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Beyoncé is the latest celebrity to enter the luxury spirits arena… taking time out to launch an American whisky, teaming up with Moët Hennessy to release SirDavis.

A tribute to Knowles-Carter’s great-grandfather – who distilled whisky four generations ago – it’s blended and bottled in Texas. With characteristic American rye flavours, think smooth and silky with layers of dark fruits, cinnamon, toffee; biscuity notes coming into play with hints of honey and lingering spice… satisfying, stylish and worth splashing out for.