Four exquisite luxury spirits that will not break the bank

There are some spirits that outperform others in terms of pure `drinkability` and enjoyment by far. Here, in no particular order, are some of the finest spirits you can currently buy without busting the budget – WinWin!

Beefeater 24 Gin

Slow distillation of this spirit inside traditional pot stills – following 24 hours of gently steeping its 12 natural ingredients together – give Beefeater 24 its exceptional flavour and unique character. The recipe, which includes exotic botanicals like orange and grapefruit peel, as well as Japanese teas, took Desmond Payne, the company’s master distiller, almost two years to perfect.

Absinthe Superieur, Vieux Carre

Available since 2008, Vieux Carre’s Absinthe Superieur was the first East Coast absinthe to be created and sold in almost a century. Using a process known as ‘double maceration’ during distillation, it is laced with star and green anise, two wormwoods and a selection of herbs and spices. It’s traditional, yet unique flavour profile; character and jewel-like, deep colour are the result of using nothing but 100% natural herbs.

Extra Old Cognac, Comandon

A blend of 80 of the eponymous region’s eaux-de-vie, Comandon’s divine Extra Old Cognac is aged within limousine oak casks for 20 to 30 years. A rarity exclusively created in-house since 1821, Cognac XO features an introductory flavour of passion fruit and orange. After giving way to a mocha-like theme of coffee and chocolate, the flavour-experience then culminates in a gentle vanilla flavour laced with just a hint of fine, sweet leather notes teasing the palate.

Bowmore 18 Single Malt Scotch

Founded on Islay, a tiny Scottish island, in 1779, Bowmore Distillery is famous for the smokiness of its whiskeys, and this smokiness comes through to perfection in the Bowmore 18. This single malt is aged into the well-balanced, long dram it represents in oak casks, and Bowmore’s famed smokiness is tempered by the aroma of ripe fruit, chocolate and caramel. As a whole, this Scotch is as easily paired with a fine dessert as it stands alone.