Alex, our strategy director, resident drinks brand expert and Great Taste Awards spirits judge, writes...
The results of the 2025 Great Taste Awards are out! I’ve had the pleasure of judging in the spirits and low/no alcohol categories again this year – a gig I always look forward to. It’s a brilliant panel of experts from across the food and drink world and the judging is done totally blind, so it’s only now that I can go back through my notes to work out which ones are which.
In general, 1-star products are reliably delicious and crowd-pleasing. But as you climb the scale to 2 and 3 stars, expect more complexity, finesse and ambition – they’re exceptional examples of their craft, but they might divide the room a little more too. Think pop banger vs orchestral masterpiece, both may be brilliant but one is more accessible!
Here are some of my personal highlights.
Spirits
Three Stars ***
Savoia Orancio
A refined and sophisticated take on Aperol – made with Sicilian orange wine and exotic Silk Road botanicals. Rich, bittersweet and very very good.
£21.95 – Buy at The Whisky Exchange
Landfall Navy Strength Gin
Punchy at 57% but stunningly smooth – layered with spice, citrus and a herbal lift. An incredibly balanced and brilliant navy strength gin.
£50 – Buy at Stornoway Distillers
The Norfolk PX
A genius hybrid: single malt fortified with Pedro Ximénez sherry. Deeply indulgent with coconut, cocoa, raisin and cinder toffee notes. Pour it over vanilla ice cream. Seriously.
£26 – Buy at The English Distillery
Sappusztai Pálinka
A Williams pear brandy with poise – silky, elegant, stunningly smooth and very moreish. Sadly not available in the UK, but if you ever go to Hungary, buy a bottle (or three).
Somerset Cider Brandy Elderflower Liqueur
Fresh, floral and lightly honeyed – the perfect way to elevate a spritz or serve over crushed ice.
£21.70 – Buy at Somerset Cider Brandy
Two Stars **
V Overproof White Rum
UK-made at 60% ABV, this white rum is tropical, spicy and full-on, but still surprisingly smooth. Big and beautiful! Ideal in daiquiris or punches.
£38.00 – Buy at V Rum
Montzi Sour Cherry Aperitivo
Lip-smacking cherry tang with a bold sour edge – fun, vivid and a proper cherry bomb with 21% ABV.
£27 – Buy at Montzi
Bottlegreen & Edwards Elderflower Vodka Spritz
At just 5%, this pre-mixed spritz is a revelation – light, bright, and refreshingly unsweet. Best I’ve had in the canned RTD category.
Around £2.60 – widely available
Elusa Blanche White Armagnac
A crisp, aromatic take on Armagnac made from Folle Blanche grapes. Delicate, fruity and elegant – a standout in judging which exceeded expectations.
£40 – Buy at Elusa Drinks
Wild Mary Vodka
Vodka for next-level spicy Bloody Marys. Infused with chilli and chipotle – it’s smoky, savoury and has a real kick.
£37 – Buy at Bloody Bens
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin
Bright, juniper-forward with sharp-sweet cowberries (also known as lingonberries). Complex and beautifully balanced.
£39.44 – Buy at Eight Lands
One Star *
Great Bustard Gin
From Downton Distillery in Wiltshire, a bold, earthy gin with real personality. Hearty and herbaceous.
£40 – Buy at Downton Distillery
Too Easy Cool Margarita
A ready-made margarita that tastes fresh and authentic. Bright lime, proper tequila notes, no nasties.
£24.95 – Buy at Too Easy Beverages
Wild Burrow Gin
A small-batch gin from West Cork made for Lidl. Simple, well-made, with good texture and flavour. Great value and perfect G&T material.
£15.99 – Buy it at Lidl
Crusty Juggler Black Strap Pineapple Rum
Made in Cornwall by macerating fresh pineapple in a blend of aged rum, demerara and molasses. Smooth, creamy fudge notes with a lovely natural pineapple taste. So good!
£36.99 – Buy at Crusty Juggler
No stars but a special mention
Snowdonia Wagyu Rum
Hear me out…yes, it’s made with wagyu beef fat and bones. And yes, it’s weirdly wonderful – umami, savoury undertones balanced with velvety smooth caramel and toffee notes.
£38.99 – Buy at Llanfairpwll Distillery
No & Low
Two Stars **
Pentire Paloma (0%)
Grapefruit lovers, this one’s for you. Zesty, fresh, very natural-tasting. Lovely balance – with just 60 calories a can.
From £3 – widely available
Drinks Kitchen Spiced Rhubarb Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
Ginger, chilli and rhubarb in perfect harmony. Deliciously adult and layered with sweetness and a warming spicy kick.
£28 – Buy at Drinks Kitchen
One Star *
NON 1 – Salted Raspberry & Chamomile 0.0%
Non’s website says “Things are different here” and they’re not wrong. Sophisticated and very grown-up, it uses Barossa Valley Semillon verjus (unripe grape juice) as a base. It’s really complex with a long finish. Love it!
£20 – Buy at Non
Teasons Glen Dochus & Black Tea
A non-alc spirit which captures the essence of a lightly peated whisky. A complex journey of taste from buttered popcorn and subtle smoke to sweet malt, with a long finish. Very clever.
Coming soon
Castellore Zerozecco Rosé
I’m not a huge fan of de-alcoholised wines but this is delightful and it's from Aldi! Light, frothy and refreshing – perfect for quaffing.
£2.99 – Buy at Aldi
No stars but a special mention
Drinks Kitchen Herb Verde
Lightly minty, subtly herbaceous and beautifully refreshing – mojito vibes without the booze. I’ll definitely be stocking up.
£28 – Buy at Drinks Kitchen
