Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2026-01-14T15:39:24.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: 16 best whiskies to buy as gifts 2026
items: The best limoncello to buy: expert taste test 2026
items: 16 best canned cocktails, tried and tested 2025
items: The best rye whiskey – an expert taste test
items: The best vodka taste tested 2025
items: Best whisky subscriptions and clubs
items: Best gin subscriptions and clubs
items: Best rum - taste tested
items: The best pisco – top bottles to buy in the UK
items: The best white rum taste tested

16 best whiskies to buy as gifts 2026
type: item
date: 2026-01-14T10:33:42.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Alcohol
subject: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Gift
subject: Whisky
description: Give the gift of whisky, whether it's a scotch, bourbon or Irish whiskey – we have identified the best bottles available
encoded: Whisky is a thoughtful gift because there's so much choice, which means you can tailor a bottle to the individual or introduce a whisky fan to something new. But if you don't know your bourbon from your scotch, your Islay from your Speyside, choosing the right brand can be quite a daunting task. We have rounded up the best whiskies on the market. There's something for everyone, whether they’re an ardent scotch drinker, a cocktail king or a budding enthusiast, we've got you covered. We've also done our best to avoid the jargon, because this can make whisky quite intimidating to some. Key to remember is that you have Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey – outside of these two nations, bottlers can decide themselves whether they're keeping or dropping the 'e'. Learn more in our article on 'Whiskey or whisky, what's the difference?'. Best whiskies to buy as gifts at a glance Best Welsh whisky: Penderyn Portwood, £45.96 Best Danish whisky: Stauning HØST, £44.50 Best Taiwanese whisky: Kavalan Sherry Oak, £102.60 Best Indian whisky: Amrut Fusion, £53.75 Best for the whisky buff: Nikka Yoichi single malt, £76.75 Best for sherry sweetness: Balvenie DoubleWood 12, £46.96 Best for fans of smoky whisky: Lagavulin 16-year-old, £73.19 Best for fans of classic flavours: The Macallan 12-year-old, £124.99 Best for English whisky lovers: Bourbon Cask Cotswolds Distillery, £76 Best for trying something new: Daddy Rack Tennessee whiskey, £39.95 Best for Irish whiskey enthusiasts: Green Spot single pot still, £44.13 Best for smooth, fruity whiskey fans: Teeling single malt, £51.95 Best for American whiskey explorers: Maker's Mark 46 bourbon whiskey, £38.50 Best for environmentally conscious whisky fans: Old Pulteney 15-year-old, £74.99 Best whiskey for cocktails: Sexton single malt Irish whiskey, £25.05 Best for the casual whiskey drinker: Jack Daniel's single barrel select, £40.37 Best whiskies to buy as gifts in 2026 Penderyn Portwood – 46% ABV Available from Amazon (£45.96), Master of Mal…

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The best limoncello to buy: expert taste test 2026
type: item
date: 2026-01-05T15:27:40.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Aperitif
subject: best limoncello
subject: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Limoncello
subject: Summer drinks
subject: summer liqueur
description: Discover our pick of the best limoncello to buy. These summery picks include traditional Italian bottles along with modern takes on this classic digestif.
encoded: Limoncello is a distinctly Italian liqueur although some fine examples are being produced in other countries, including the UK. It breathes la dolce vita, offering its drinkers refreshment, relaxation and an aid to digestion. The spirit is typically enjoyed straight from the freezer after a meal but is also the base of many a summertime cocktail, usually poured over crushed ice. Here, we’ve rounded up the best limoncellos available, ranging from revived family recipes from Amalfi to a Cornwall-based brand. Whether you like them sweet and juicy, or bitter, there’s something here for everyone. So, make some space in the freezer, grab yourself a short glass and a place in the sun. For over 400 buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section and find taste tests of gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whisky and much more. Best limoncello to buy at a glance Best budget limoncello: Luxardo limoncello, £18.75 Best limoncello for a spritz: Mamma Mia limoncello, £29.50 Best sherbet limoncello: Terra Di Limoni, limoncello di Amalfi, £21.25 Best Australian limoncello: Manly Spirits Co, Zesty Limoncello, £34.50 Best historic limoncello: Staibano limoncello, £21 Best creamy limoncello: Tosolini limoncello, £28.25 Best fresh limoncello: Dolce Cilento limoncello, £19.99 Best traditional limoncello: Pallini limoncello, £25.99 Best low ABV limoncello: Saint Ives Liquor Company limoncello, £20.42 Best for a digestif: Strega limoncello di Sorrento, £15.95 Jump to: What is limoncello? Where does limoncello come from? The best limoncello to buy 2026 The best limoncello to buy 2026 Luxardo limoncello Available from The Whisky Exchange (£18.75), Drink Supermarket (£20.49) Best budget limoncello ABV: 27% Try this signature bottle from one of the continent’s oldest liqueur makers. This timeless expression by Luxardo is still, for the most part, made to the same family recipe that was first sold in 1905. It is a definitive limoncello, bursting with freshness, and it makes the perfect cello gimlet. Read our …

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16 best canned cocktails, tried and tested 2025
type: item
date: 2025-07-10T10:20:00.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Anna Lawson
subject: Camping
subject: canned cocktails
subject: cocktail in a can
subject: Cocktails
subject: festivals
subject: Picnics
subject: tinned cocktails
description: Ever tried a cocktail in a can? How about gin in a tin? Ideal for picnics, a tinned tipple can be both convenient and delicious. Read our review to discover the best on the market
encoded: Summer is here, and that means, canned cocktail season makes it annual return too. Light and easy to carry, open and drink from, not to mention easy to recycle, cans are the ideal vessel for alcohol on the go. Whether you’re heading to a picnic or going camping, you’re no longer restricted to just beer and cider – the world of convenient booze has exploded and you can now get just about any of your favourite cocktails in a can. Canned cocktails range in style from affordable supermarket ranges of the classics (such as mojitos and a gin and tonic), to innovative new mixes and gourmet creations using top quality ingredients. Pick up a single can in the supermarket or get a multi-pack delivery of something special to feed a crowd at your next barbecue or summer party. They save you the hassle of mixing up individual drinks for everybody and can be popped in the fridge at a moment's notice. The idea of having your favourite cocktail pre-mixed and ready to drink might sound great, but how do these drinks measure up to cocktails made in a bar or at home? We blind-tasted more than 25 canned cocktails, from mojitos to martinis and everything in between. Below are our top picks of the best canned cocktails - judged on having a balanced taste, clear flavours and a finished cocktail we'd want to go back to. For more drinks inspiration, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer's guides, plus taste tests of the best gin, vodka and more. Best canned cocktails at a glance Best canned margarita: Pimentae grapefruit margarita, £32/8 x 125ml Best canned passion fruit martini: MOTH - passion fruit martini, Moth, £26/8 x 125ml Best canned cocktail collection: GATHER flavour collection, £19.99/5 x 125ml Best canned sangria: Daughters of the Vine red sangria, £2.75 Best negroni: Tanqueray Negroni, £4.05/100ml Best cosmopolitan: Ciroc Cosmopolitan, £4.05/100ml Best for a refreshing sip: Minus 196 - Lemon, £2.25/330ml Best paloma: MOTH - Paloma, £4/200ml Best classic gin…

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The best rye whiskey – an expert taste test
type: item
date: 2025-04-09T14:42:42.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Brendan Hodrien
subject: how to make a whisky cocktail
subject: rye whisky cocktail
subject: Whisky
subject: whisky cocktail
description: Have you tried rye whiskey? This American spirit is well worth exploring. Read our expert buyer's guide to find some of our best bottles of rye whiskey and serving suggestions
encoded: Rye whiskey is an American staple, although they aren’t the only ones whipping up the spicy tipple. The history of rye whiskey in North America dates back to the 18th century – by 1808, farmers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania were distilling so much rye that they were selling half a barrel for each head in the country. So, what makes a rye whiskey? Quite simply, it has to be mostly made of rye – the mashbill (the recipe) must contain no less than 51 per cent rye grain – making it a close cousin of bourbon which must contain no less than 51 per cent corn. Although, rye is a much spicier style of whiskey than bourbon. It is best described as a beautiful ball of peppery fruit that melts away into oaky caramel. If you fancy a tipple with a bit more of a kick, this is the style of whiskey for you. Read on for our best rye whiskey to buy. For over 400 buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section and find taste tests of gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whisky and much more. The best rye whisky at a glance Best unorthodox rye whiskey: FEW Immortal rye whiskey, £60.95 Best high-strength rye whiskey: Pikesville six-year-old 110 proof straight rye, £78.49 Best traditional rye whiskey: Colonel E.H. Taylor small batch straight rye, £81.95 Best affordable rye whiskey: Bulleit 95 rye, £38.50 Best for cocktails: Sazerac, £35.75 Best gentle rye whiskey: Knob Creek straight rye whiskey, £48.53 Best cult favourite: Michter’s US*1 straight rye, £60.25 Best rye whiskey from beyond America: Kyrö rye whiskey, £49.95 Best after dinner whiskey: Rittenhouse straight rye 100 proof, £42.25 Best complex rye whiskey: WhistlePig 10-year-old small batch rye, £89.99 Best well-known rye whiskey: Jack Daniel's single barrel rye, £63.75 What is rye whiskey? While bourbon is the United States’ most popular whiskey style, it looks as though rye whiskey slowly catching up, having gained far more popularity in recent years. Two main styles of rye whiskey are available today, American and Canadian, but to be label…

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The best vodka taste tested 2025
type: item
date: 2025-01-09T17:09:22.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Information
subject: Review
subject: best vodka
subject: Cocktails
subject: drinks review
subject: Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley
subject: Spirits
subject: Vodka
subject: vodka shots
description: If you like vodka cocktails such as bloody mary, cosmopolitan, martini and white russian, buying the best bottle will ensure optimum results. Read our expert guide to this versatile spirit.
encoded: Vodka is celebrated as the perfect mixer, often used to give standard drinks a little more kick. A measure of vodka in your cola or ginger ale, for example, is the ground floor on the elevator to discovering an entire skyscraper of vodka cocktails. However, vodka is no longer just about simply adding alcohol to your apple juice, as producers look at adding character and flavour to their spirit, from the base product to the distillation method. The result is a new order of flavoursome vodkas that work as well in a naked martini as they do in a Moscow mule. To call vodka a flavourless spirit is now to do it a disservice: the flavours may be delicate, but these intricacies and the distinctions between them are to be celebrated. Brendan Hodrien is a lifestyle writer who specialises in drinks reviews. He has written drinks round ups for a variety of publications, including The Independent, i and the Evening Standard, often specialising in whisky reviews. Here, he has picked the best vodkas, from big names such as Absolut, Chase and Ciroc, to interesting small producers and vintage bottles. Visit our reviews section to find over 400 more buyer's guides, including taste tests of the best gin, whisky, rum, brandy and more, plus gift guides such as the best cocktail gifts for a cocktail lover. Best vodkas at a glance Best vodka for a dry martini: Absolut Elyx, £34.89 Best vodka for a party crowd pleaser: Ciroc vodka, £30.99 Best sustainable vodka: Black Cow Vodka, £26.99 Best vodka for an espresso martini: Portobello Road coffee bean vodka, £27.95 Best fresh vodka: Penderyn Brecon Five Black, £32.90 Best Polish vodka: Potocki vodka, £35.50 Best vodka for beer lovers: Adnam’s Longshore vodka, £34.99 Best unique vodka bottle: Crystal Head vodka, £41.95 Best unusual vodka: Chase English oak smoked vodka, £42.30 Best vodka for sipping: Sipsmith sipping vodka, £30 Best fruity vodka: St George all purpose vodka, £40.95 Best London vodka: East London Liquor Company vodka, £26.75 Th…

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Best whisky subscriptions and clubs
type: item
date: 2024-11-14T15:20:12.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
description: Try premium whiskies delivered direct to your door by joining a whisky club - read on for our full reviews of the best whisky subscriptions and clubs.
encoded: Whisky can be an intimidating drink for some. Many are intrigued but mystified by the spirit. For others whisky is a hobby and a passion. Whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or a curious newbie, whisky subscriptions are a great way to go. Subscription boxes are everywhere these days, and that makes sense: as our lives have become busier and more complicated, it is helpful for others to organise our meals, chocolates, beers or even cheeses for us. Whisky is no exception. There are dozens of services out there to keep you in stock of drams of the finest, with options for those looking to learn and explore, as well those who know exactly what they like. We’ve rounded up the best whisky subscriptions on the market so that you can find a service to match your budget and palate. For more unbiased expert buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best English sparkling wine through to recipe delivery boxes. Best whisky subscriptions at a glance Best for combining old and new: Pour & Sip, £29.95 a month Best for learning about whisky: Flaviar, from £158 for 2 quarterly deliveries Best for ultra-premium whiskies: The Dram Team, from £45 a month Best for full bottles of whisky: Summerton Whisky Club, £59.95 bi-monthly Best for letterbox delivery: Whisky Me, from £8.95 a month Best for gifting: The Whisky Tasting Company, from £89 for 3 deliveries Best whisky subscriptions to buy 2024 Pour & Sip Available from Pour & Sip (from £29.95 a month) Best for: Celebrating the old and exploring the new. Powered by Master of Malt, you know you’re in for a treat with Pour & Sip. This subscription service offers punters five 30ml drams of whisky each month with selections ranging from the rare and wonderful to long celebrated classics. Bespoke tasting notes are included to guide you through each drop. The service’s welcome pack includes two Glencairn glasses and there are twice monthly live tasting sessions which are broadcast across Twitter, …

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Best gin subscriptions and clubs
type: item
date: 2024-11-08T11:24:37.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best gin
subject: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Cocktails
subject: Gin
subject: Gin cocktail
description: Looking to order gin online to arrive direct to your doorstep? Read our expert review of the best gin subscriptions and clubs.
encoded: If you’re into good gin but don’t fancy scouring supermarket shelves or the time-consuming researching of products online, we have the perfect solution – a gin subscription. A gin subscription will regularly deliver gin direct to your door to save your bar cart ever going dry. Subscriptions range from big bottles of premium gins paired with an array of tonics and snacks, to more niche and personalised small-batch deliveries focusing on craft gins and independent bottles. Fixed-length subscriptions also make great gifts for the gin lover in your life. So, do you want a big bottle with all the frills each month or do you want something distilled just for you and your fellow club members? Our drinks expert Brendan Hodrien has tested the best gin subscriptions and deliveries to find the perfect on for you. A lifestyle writer who specialises in drinks reviews, Brendan has previously written about the best drinks for The Independent, The i, and Evening Standard, more often than not waxing lyrical about Islay whiskies. For more unbiased expert buyers' guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best English sparkling wine through to recipe delivery boxes. Looking for offers? These are the best Prime Day alcohol deals our experts have found this year. Best gin subscription boxes at a glance Best gin subscription for a special night in: Craft Gin Club, from £45 a month Best subscription for regional gin: Craft56 Scottish Gin Club, from £40 a month Best budget gin subscription: I Love Gin, £17.50 a month Best gin club for amateur mixologists: Think Gin Club, from £44 a month Best for expertly selected gin: interGin, from £44 a month Best gin subscription for miniatures: Little Gin Box, from £11 a month Best gin subscriptions to buy 2024 Craft Gin Club Available from Craft Gin Club (from £45 a month) Best gin subscription for a special night in Craft Gin Club really pull out all the stops, giving you everything you need for a night of relaxi…

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Best rum - taste tested
type: item
date: 2024-05-03T11:47:49.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best rum
subject: best rums
subject: best spirits
subject: drinks review
subject: Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley
subject: Rum
subject: Rum cocktails
subject: spirits review
description: Read our expert review of the best rums, from dark and spicy versions to versatile spirits for sipping or in cocktails
encoded: Rum is a spirit made from sugarcane; most are made using molasses, while agricole-style rums are made using sugarcane juice. The origins of the spirit can be traced back to the Caribbean sugarcane plantations of the 17th Century with plantation owners squeezing the crop for every last penny, distilling the byproducts of sugarcane production into rum. Fast forward to the modern day, and we have rum of different colours, styles, and flavours. Dark rums get their colour from barrels during the ageing process, white rums are typically unaged and colourless as a result. With regards to strength, there are navy proof and overproof rums; the former clocks in around 57% ABV, the latter coming in above that. Each style has its merits, some are more useful for cocktail making, others are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Whatever your preference, we’ve rounded up the finest rums for any occasion or budget. Best rums at a glance Best Jamaican rum: Appleton Estate 12 Year Old, £44.99 Best XO rum: Captain Bligh, £44.03 Best Guyanese rum: El Dorado 12 Year Old, £37.00 Best Cuban rum: Havana Selección de Maestros, £56.36 Best dark overproof rum: Goslings Black Seal 151 proof rum, £41.99 Best for gifting: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum Legendary Survivor Series - The Lighthouse Keeper, £36.25 Best white overproof: SVS, £47.66 Best Japanese rum: Kiyomi, £47.89 Best coconut rum: Aluna, £22.99 Best agricole rum: Rhum JM XO, £65.94 Best for rum and cola: Planteray Cut and Dry, €38.99 Best rums to buy 2024 Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Available from Amazon (£44.99), The Whiskey Exchange (£48.50) Best Jamaican rum Star rating: 5/5 The Appleton Estate is Jamaican Rum; according to the history books distillation first took place on the estate way back in 1749. Situated in the lush Nassau Valley, Appleton Estate purports to be one of the only rum producers with a terroir, owing to the heavenly combination of limestone filtered spring water, a lush climate and daily showers you can set your wat…

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The best pisco – top bottles to buy in the UK
type: item
date: 2024-05-02T13:55:45.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Brandy
subject: Chile
subject: Chilean
subject: Mike Gerrard
subject: Peru
subject: Peruvian
subject: pisco
subject: pisco sour
subject: pisco sour recipe
subject: Spirits
description: Have you tried pisco yet? This South American brandy made in Peru and Chile from fermented grape juice is famously used in a pisco sour cocktail. Discover our top bottles
encoded: Where there is wine there is brandy. An age old tradition repeated across the globe, for centuries people have been taking the leftovers from winemaking and turning it into brandy, grappa, aguardiente, firewater, pisco; particularly in Italy with grappa, these distillates were for those who couldn’t afford wine. Over time brandy stopped being incidental to winemaking, going from a peasant pour to a sophisticated sip. Famous as the signature ingredient in the Pisco Sour, pisco hails from the Andean region of South America with Chile and Peru both claiming to have pioneered the spirit. The differences between the two countries’ pisco making traditions are nuanced, with Peruvian pisco being typically unaged and made using only grape juice whilst Chilean pisco can be aged and it is permitted to add water during the process. Whilst pisco can be an intimidating spirit for the unacquainted, there is plenty to explore and enjoy. We’ve rounded up the best bottles on the market, breaking down the ideal bottle for each taste and use case. Best pisco at a glance Best introductory pisco: BarSol Primero Quebranta, £30.99 Best for complexity: BarSol Acholado, £35.94 Best Chilean pisco: Waqar Pisco, £40.89 Best for pear notes: Demonio de los Andes Pisco Acholado, £28.68 Best balanced pisco: La Diablada, £37.49 Best for floral notes: El Gobernador, £29.50 Best for jasmine notes: ABA Pisco, £19.99 Best newcomer: Macchu Pisco, £35.99 Best bottle: Viñas de Oro Acholado, £26.67 Best for bartenders: Campo de Encanto Acholado, £34.55 Best pisco to buy 2024 BarSol Primero Quebranta Available from Amazon (£30.99), The Whiskey Exchange (£32.75) Best introductory pisco Star rating: 5/5 Hailing from Ica in Peru, BarSol’s name was born from the ambition to bring pisco produced under the Ica sol to bars across the world. This expression is made solely using the Quebranta grape, one of the most traditional grape varieties when it comes to Peruvian pisco. The Quebranta is a non-aromatic variety, m…

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The best white rum taste tested
type: item
date: 2024-04-25T13:00:14.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
description: White rum, aged for a shorter time than dark rum, is essential to piña coladas and mojitos. Read our expert review of the best bottles to buy, including brands such as Montanya Platino and Bacardi.
encoded: Rum is one of the most ubiquitous and versatile spirits in the world. We’ve been enjoying this sugarcane-based booze for centuries, and you'll find it in bars across the world either poured over ice in a short glass or at the base of a refreshing cocktail. The story of rum is an uncomfortable one. Common consensus says that it was born when slaves in the Caribbean and Americas started to ferment molasses, a 'waste' product from the sugarcane industry. The spirit eventually became mainstream and it was common practice for a sugar plantation to distill its own rum. Naturally, rum became a staple of naval life. Up until the mid-20th century, the British Royal Navy served each sailor a ration of rum a day. Over the years the spirit also became inextricable from pirate lore. Best white rums at a glance Best overproof white rum: Sunset Very Strong rum, £47.71 Best white rum from a female-owned distillery: Montanya Platino white rum, £35.75 Best Bacardi rum: Bacardi Facundo NEO white rum, £55.50 Best Venezuelan white rum: Diplomático Planas white rum, £28.99 Best Scottish white rum: Ninefold Pure single rum, £38.34 Best English white rum: Cape Cornwall white rum, £32.49 Best white rum for a Piña Colada: Chairman's Reserve white label rum, £23.95 Best white rum for sweet palates: El Dorado 3 year old white rum, £26.25 Best white rum for sipping: Real McCoy 3 year old white rum, £41.75 Best eco-friendly white rum: Copalli white rum, £35.50 Best white rum to buy 2024 Sunset Very Strong rum (84.5% ABV) Available from Master of Malt (£47.71), VIP Bottles (£48.99) Best overproof white rum Clocking in at an imposing 84.5% ABV, this may be a step too far for some. But if you're willing to take a leap of faith then you’ll be handsomely rewarded. This is a rum packed with as much flavour as alcohol. Just the right amount of water and a big squeeze of lime will give you a vanilla and raisin-laced tumbler of refreshment. Read our full Sunset Very Strong rum review. Available from: Mas…

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