If you are looking to shake up your range of liqueurs and sweet and fortified wines in 2021 then you would do well to start here with our IWSC round up from this year’s competition.
Sweets & Fortifieds
Tokaji
Mád, Late Harvest Tokaji, 2017
RRP £19
IWSC 97 Points
An excellent example of a Tokaji nose with lovely dried apricot, honey, straw and lime peel notes. The palate is rich and ripe with lovely acidity and freshness. Loads of spice and real finesse. A benchmark for Tokaji.
Icewine
Peller Estates Winery, Andrew Peller Signature Series Vidal Blanc Icewine, 2017
RRP £35
IWSC 95 Points
A wine of ethereal quality to cause solemn silence and rapturous gaiety. Layer upon layer of toasted brioche, rose petal and candied orange wax and wane in waves of deliciousness. Full, complex and buoyant with an extended, pure finish. Magnificent.
Late Harvest Riesling
Casas del Bosque, Noble Late Harvest Riesling, 2018
RRP £13.49
IWSC 91 Points.
An aromatic and alluringly fresh style of Riesling, revealing plush peach and apricot. With notes of nut and orange marmalade, this shows depth, freshness, and life
Port
Sandeman, 30 Year Old Tawny Port, NV
RRP £65
IWSC 96 Points
Delicate and refined aromas of tangerine zest and dried flowers. On the palate, a splendid combination of salty roasted almonds, dried apricots and light vanilla blossom. Lusciously sweet and smooth but still packing a good punch. Delicious
Port
Kopke, Colheita 2001, Port
RRP £48
IWSC 96 Points
Warm, lifted nose of candied fruits and nougat. A hedonistic, intensely sweet palate of orange peel, raisins and succulent pineapple, balanced by a lovely acidic bite. The lightly savoury finish adds to the already impressive complexity. A supremely enjoyable wine.
Sherry
Harvey’s, Very Old Palo Cortado Blend Sherry, Medium VORS
RRP £37.55
IWSC 94 Points
Expressive and rich aromas of figs and rum cake advance sleekly on to the palate along with a velvety concentrated array of dark fruits. Possesses vast epicurean length. Truly delightful.
Sherry
Lustau, San Emilio Pedro Ximenez Sherry, NV
RRP £14.50
IWSC 92 Points
Intense dried sultana and Christmas cake aromas carry through to a soft, lusciously textured palate that oozes dark treacle, sweet raisins and plums, with hints of dried tobacco and nutmeg.
Liqueurs
Baiju
Shanxi Xinghua Cun Fenjiu Distillery, Zhuyeqing Jiu 10 YO Baijiu Liqueur, China
RRP £70
Very complex, with wood and creamy notes, as well as spices and nuts. Spicy, meaty and earthy undertones with a bit of umami.
IWSC 95 Points
English Spirit
English Spirit, Sambuca Liqueur, England
RRP £38
A classic style with a solid aniseed nose and complex aromas of caraway, black pepper and cinnamon. On the palate the sweetness is supported by the alcohol and flavours making this a lifted, sweet, bright and flavoursome example.
IWSC 98 Points
Liqueur
Bristol Distilling Co, 77 Black Cold Brew Coffee & Vanilla Liqueur, England
RRP £18
Exotic fruit, vanilla, toffee and caramel with baking spices aromas on the nose followed by a well-rounded texture and nice complexity, which gives a good long finish to the liqueur.
IWSC 92 Points
Liqueur
Distillerie Combier, Royal Combier Liqueur, France
RRP £28
Rich and complex impressions of herbal and bitter orange aromas. Good intensity on the palate where the liqueur finishes with a hot impression.
IWSC 91 Points
Liqueur
Mozart Distillerie, Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Austria
RRP £15
Super rich, very intense and very bold; melted chocolate creates a rich and indulgent impression, leaving a mouth-coating texture and elegant and rich praline finish to this chocolate cream based liqueur.
IWSC 95 Points
