Unique Global Spirits That Will Spark Your Travel Senses
Updated: May 22
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Wherever you travel you’ll no doubt want to bring something home to remember the trip, whether that be a tacky souvenir or something a little bit more high end. While I’ve been travelling I’ve noticed that there are a lot of unique spirits that have fascinating stories behind them, and oftentimes these interesting spirits are ones that I haven’t come across in my home country - but luckily most are available online.
The backstories of some of the world’s most popular spirits are very well known, from rum being distilled in the Caribbean to tequila dating back over a thousand years to the Aztecs in Mexico. Today there are many versions of spirits for sale all over the world and each one has an interesting story that’s worth diving into. After all, what better way to get a taste of a new country or reminisce about a place you’ve visited in the past than by settling into a comfy seat and having a nice drink (or a few)?
Here’s a look at some unique spirits from around the world that are a mixture of popular spirit brands as well as artisan spirits that are really pushing boundaries when it comes to new and innovative flavour profiles.
Table of Contents
Gin
Agnes Arber Pineapple Gin
Alcohol is always more interesting to drink with a story behind it, which is why Agnes Arber Gin is an experience in itself. Their gin is named after a 20th century botanical historian who predominantly researched flowering plants. She was the first woman ever to win the Gold Medal of the Linnean Society and by the time of her death she had published many books on botany as well as philosophy. It’s not just the name of the gin that pays homage to Agnes Arber though. The gin itself is infused with 9 botanicals that all relate to her studies.
Agnes Arber Gin is based out of the West Midlands in England, and they have created 3 distinct gins for their portfolio, with their pineapple gin really making waves, especially in the summer months. The Agnes Arber Pineapple Gin is a unique spirit and has a flavour profile not found in most gins. The pineapple is added to the original gin mixture post distillation, along with mango, to give it its unique tropical flavour. You’ll also be able to taste notes of lemon, orange, coriander, and grapefruit which pair together beautifully. As you’re sipping on your G&T infused with pineapple, you may want to add their rhubarb gin to your next shopping list too.
Shipping: UK only
Price: £30
Crossbill Scottish Dry Gin
Crossbill Distilling originally opened its distillery in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, in the very popular town of Aviemore. Today though the Scottish distiller can be found in Glasgow’s East End. They are still very much tied to the idea of the beautiful nature that Scotland has to offer. Their award-winning gins use fresh and wild botanicals that are harvested by hand, macerated, and then distilled in Glasgow. This slow process allows them to create spirits of the best quality, and Crossbill Distilling has become so popular that they’ve now opened a Gin School where people can come and create their own personalized gin on site!
Named after a unique small bird, Crossbill Distilling has truly created something special with their Scottish Dry Gin by using methods that can be dated back to the original creation of gin. Unlike other gin distillers, they use just two fresh botanicals, wild Scottish juniper and rosehip. This creates a pure tasting gin that’s very reminiscent of the Scottish countryside and pine forests that so many people love to visit throughout the year. If you’re yearning to return to the Scottish Highlands, just a sip of this gin will have your senses transported there.
Shipping: UK & EU
Price: £38.00
Highclere Castle Gin
Have you heard of Highclere Castle before? You may recognize the name if you’re a fan of Downton Abbey. Or if you love history as much as I do then you’ll definitely know it as the home of the man who funded the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun - the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. It’s certainly a place with a deep rooted history and a lot of stories to tell from the many lavish parties that have been held here over the centuries. And to tie all of this together Highclere Castle has now come out with its own London Dry Gin distilled in England’s oldest gin distillery!
Using botanicals grown in the castle gardens to give it its unique flavour, Highclere Castle Gin boasts a citrus forward profile which is perfect for drinking on the rocks or as part of a cocktail. It’s the first gin in the world to use oats in its blend, which gives it a creamy finish, and the juniper used has grown on the property since Roman times. If that wasn’t enough, the lavender that features in this gin was first planted in the 9th century by the Bishops of Winchester.
This is one of the smoothest gins you’ll find, so whether you intend to try your hand at a cocktail recipe from the castle’s butler, or want to enjoy its flavour profile on ice, this gin will have you wanting to pack your bags for England and see the origins of Highclere Castle Gin in person.
Shipping: UK, US, EU by third party retailers
Price: £34.99/$49.99/€43.00
Lind & Lime Gin
Although Scotland is famous for its whisky, the Lind & Lime Distillery has drawn inspiration from the history and heritage of Edinburgh to create a London Dry Gin in the historic distilling district of Leith. At the core of their Lind & Lime Gin is juniper and lime, but they’ve added a spicy note to it with the incorporation of pink peppercorns which helps to tie the flavour profiles of the 7 botanicals together perfectly.
So, why lime? It all comes down to two inspirations: an 18th century doctor called James Lind who found that citrus fruits help to prevent scurvy and Rose’s Lime Cordial which was originally produced in Leith. And for those of you visiting Edinburgh in the near future, The Port of Leith Distillery offers a tour and tasting at their distillery which is quickly becoming one of the best things to do in Edinburgh - so don’t miss out!
Shipping: UK only
Price: £37.50
Ramsbury Single Estate Gin
Everyone who visits Wiltshire falls in love with the beautiful countryside, and having visited it briefly on a trip to Stonehenge I completely understand why. This rich and fertile land is perfect for farming, and nestled right in the heart of this picturesque countryside is Ramsbury Estate. They produce one of the only single estate gins made in the UK, meaning that every stage of the gin making process happens on their land. What makes this a unique spirit though is the fact that they use the base of their very popular Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka and re-distill the spirit to create their gin.
The Ramsbury Single Estate Gin is infused with no less than 14 botanicals such as bitter almond, angelica root, cardamon, liquorice, orange, and of course juniper. This is a London Dry Gin with a very tasty and modern twist that’s blended down using their own chalk filtered water. The addition of quince, which has ties to ancient Greece, really makes it stand out and adds a fresh note to the gin. If you happen to be touring Wiltshire you can always visit Ramsbury Estate and join one of their distillery tours to see how everything is made.
Shipping: UK only. Available in the following markets: Italy, Greece, France, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Canada, & Australia
Price: £29.50
Scapegrace Dry Gin
A very unique spirit that you simply can’t miss the chance to try is the Premium Scapegrace Dry Gin. Scapegrace was founded in New Zealand by two brother-in-laws who decided to make their own version of gin using no less than 12 botanicals, 80 year old water from the country’s Southern Alps, and a 19th century whisky still. Their creation is now a global award-winning spirit that holds New Zealand at the heart of everything. It's a clean tasting gin with naturally filtered water flowing through it which is very evident as you take a sip.
Scapegrace has gone with a modern take on the traditional 200 year old Jenever bottle for their own gin bottle, in a nod to the history of gin making. As well as the bottle itself, the contents of their classic London Dry Gin is just as unique. The 12 botanicals used, such as nutmeg, angelica root, and juniper berries blend together to make the base of this gin, but it's the addition of orange and lemon peels that comes through the most. If this isn’t a fun way to get a taste of New Zealand then I don’t know what is.
Shipping: 40 countries worldwide
Price: £34.00/$36.99/€38.50
Smugglers Gin
Whether you’ve travelled to Edinburgh or not, chances are that you’ll know it’s a Scottish city with a very deep rooted history dating back thousands of years. Smugglers Spirits, who are based in Edinburgh, have brought an interesting time in Edinburgh’s history to life with their unique cabinet of spirits. Their spirits have been distilled using inspiration from the 18th century, which was a time of prohibition in Scotland and when smuggling was at its peak. Their spirits are distilled in small batches and are handcrafted using Scottish ingredients.
Smugglers Gin is an award-winning London Dry Gin that’s distilled using naturally grown and hand-harvested Scottish botanicals. This is a very citric forward gin thanks to the use of lemon verbena and lemon balm, but you’ll also catch a peppery note, Scots lovage, and coriander that all help to create a herb-like taste among the citrus flavours. This unique combination means that it’s the perfect gin to have in a cocktail where the spirit is the dominant force. So sit back and enjoy this little taste of Scottish history.
Shipping: UK and Northern Ireland
Discount: TravelSpirits for 10% off all orders
Price: £37.95
Rum
Admiral’s Old J Spiced Rum
Rum is one of the oldest spirits in the world, with a history dating back to the 17th century when it was first distilled in the West Indies. From then on rum grew in popularity throughout the Caribbean, and eventually North American and Europe. The story behind Admiral’s Old J Spiced Rum is an interesting one dating back to 1740. At this time the admiral enforced a reduction in the strength of the British Navy’s rum, which was of course met with complaints until he suggested adding lime and sugar to the rum to make it taste better.
Old J was created in honour of the admiral, by using his original concept with a few modern additions. After over 60 trials, Old J Spiced Rum was born using the best quality Caribbean rum from Trinidad and Barbados. You’ll be able to taste a variety of spices and flavours, including toffee, sweet vanilla, and Persian lime. The flavours are traditional which creates a smooth drinking experience that can be enjoyed just about anywhere. After all, rum and history always go hand in hand.
Shipping: UK only
Price: £21.00
Canerock
Do you have Jamaica on your bucket list? Or maybe it’s one of your favourite places to visit and you can’t wait to go back. Well the team at Maison Ferrand have come out with the ultimate taste of southern Jamaica in the form of Canerock rum. The rum is infused with natural spices and aged in old Sherry casks for an added punch of flavour. Sherry comes from the historic town of Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain and is known for its sweet flavour profile so the casks have given Canerock a unique finish that adds to its complexity.
You’ll also notice a touch of ginger, coconut, and Madagascan vanilla pods which makes this rum ideal for sipping by itself or mixing into a tasty Caribbean cocktail. Canerock is a sweeter rum than most, but it has an exceptional flavour that will have you dreaming of the beaches of Jamaica and get your travel juices flowing.
Shipping: Worldwide from local distributors
Price: £40.00/$58.00/€42.00
Dark Matter Spiced Rum
If whisky isn’t really your thing, why not try out Scotland’s first rum instead? Dark Matter Distillers has created a spiced rum that’s got a lot of people talking. They were founded in 2015 by two brothers in Banchory, Aberdeenshire who searched far and wide for the best ingredients to add to their distinctive rum. This area of Scotland is very popular for people wanting to escape the hustle of Scottish city life, so it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re planning a trip to Aberdeen or the surrounding area.
Dark Matter Spiced Rum is handcrafted with a lot of unique flavour infusions, including allspice berries, ginger from the orient, Thai green peppercorns, and Indonesian long pepper. All of these ingredients combined provide a punchy rum with a bit of sweetness which is great either on the rocks or with your favourite mixer. For those of you wanting a unique global spirit to try, this one certainly hits the mark in all the right ways.
Shipping: UK only
Price: £30.00
Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum
Island life and rum go hand in hand, which is why the Gosling family has been producing rum in Bermuda since the early 19th century. The secret behind their rum is a blend of three different rums which are aged independently, and the final blend is aged in American oak casks that once held bourbon. The brand’s flagship Goslings Black Seal Rum was originally called Old Rum, and until World War I it was only sold in barrels. It eventually became so popular that following the war they began selling it in champagne bottles which had been reclaimed from the British Officer’s Mess and sealed using black sealing wax - hence the name “black seal” rum!
Today Goslings is the only company that both blends and bottles its spirit in Bermuda, and it’s the largest exporter of a Bermuda-based product. Their award-winning Black Seal Rum has a lovely flavour with notes of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch which makes for a very smooth tasting experience. To get a real taste of Bermuda you can always make the national drink of Bermuda, Dark ‘n Stormy®, using the Goslings Black Seal Rum and ginger beer as well as many other refreshing cocktails that are perfect for summer nights or to accompany your trip planning from the comfort of your own home.
Shipping: US, Canada, UK, and Europe
Price: £23.99/$24.99/€28.00
Pull the Pin Flavoured Rum
Would you dare to pull the pin? Don’t worry - this rum isn’t going to explode or anything like that, but it is designed for the adventurous spirits out there, with a subtle nod to the military in its design. The co-founder of Pull the Pin Spirits spent a number of years in the British military, travelling to places like Albania, Norway, and the Jordanian desert. From these experiences he was able to experiment with a number of different spirits, flavours, and spices which would eventually turn into Pull the Pin’s spiced rum.
But it isn’t just spiced rum that this North-Devon based brand is known for. Their Passionfruit & Pineapple Silver Rum is a nice light rum with a dash of orange zest added to the flavour profile. It’s perfect for adding to refreshing tropical cocktails in the summer. Their other flavoured rum is the Raspberry & Strawberry Pink Rum which has a quintessential British taste to it by using sweet berries to bring out a fruity flavour. Whether you’re a spiced rum kind of person or like to have some natural flavours added to your rum, Pull the Pin have created both types of rum which will take you on a journey across the world and the British mainland.
Shipping: UK and Northern Ireland
Price: £36.00
Two Drifters Signature Rum
With Two Drifters Signature Rum you get a great tasting spirit that’s been distilled with absolutely no harmful impact on the environment - impressive, right? Their carbon negative rum story began on the western coast of Canada and when they eventually settled in Devon, England they set out to make a positive impact on the drinks industry. Everything from the electricity in their distillery to the carbon neutral packaging helps offset the CO2 produced from shipping and other unavoidable stages in their production. Overall, Two Drifters Distillery removes more CO2 than they produce which is a rarity in the drinks industry.
Their Signature Rum is made from 100% cane molasses and gets its distinct flavour profile from the French Oak, ex-Madeira casks that are imported into Exeter. You can expect hints of muscovado sugar and orange peel from the first sip of this dry rum, and it pairs perfectly either with your favourite mixer or on ice. Two Drifters Signature Rum will quickly become one of your go-to spirits, especially if you like to support sustainable small businesses.
Shipping: UK only with distributors in Canada and Europe
Price: £37.00/$69.99 CAD
Tequila
Padre Azul Super Premium Tequila Reposado
Tequila is a spirit that’s deeply tied to Mexico, and while there are a lot of versions of tequila on the market today, Padre Azul, who is based in Austria, has gone a step further and created one of the most unique spirits you’ll come across. Everything from the handcrafted bottle to the leather sleeve and beautiful skull lid have been carefully designed and made in Mexico to make the experience of drinking this premium tequila even more enjoyable and memorable.
The tequila bottle itself is probably one of the quirkiest that you’ll come across, but what about the taste? Padre Azul has three main tequilas available, which you can sample by purchasing one of their tasting sets before choosing which one you prefer. The Tequila Reposado was created to surprise the person drinking it, by using 100% blue agave that’s cooked and fermented for several days before spending 8 months in a hand-selected oak bourbon barrel. The result is a very sweet and smooth finish that will have you tasting a mixture of vanilla, coconut, caramel, and white chocolate from the barrel and the cooked agave, banana, and other fruits from the first stages.
The love story tied to Padre Azul has helped to bring quality tequila to Europe. The blue agave is grown close to the town of Tequila in Mexico, in the valleys of Amatitán in Jalisco. If you’ve ever travelled to this part of Mexico then I’m sure you’ll know all about the soil and climate that makes it ideal for the agave to flourish. Padre Azul will no doubt have you wanting to plan a trip to Mexico so you can explore the home of tequila in person.
Shipping: UK, US, and EU
Price: £99.95/$75.99/€93.50
Vodka
Pincer Vodka
If you’re the type of person that likes a pure vodka tasting experience, then you’ll certainly enjoy Pincer Vodka. This botanical vodka is produced in Scotland using the finest wheat, soft Scottish water, and an infusion of botanical extracts of milk thistle and wild elderflower. The result? A very creamy balance of warmth and sweetness that’s unlike any other vodka.
The combination of the two botanicals as well as the wheat creates a fruity and floral taste with a texture like honey and a very clean finish. And by using pure Scottish water in the distillation process Pincer Vodka is a great example of a fully Scottish vodka with a unique texture. This type of vodka can really spruce up a cocktail, or many people prefer to have it mixed with soda water to bring out its flavour profile. For those of you hoping to add to your global spirits collection, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Pincer Vodka.
Shipping: UK & EU
Price: £35.00
Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka
Interested in trying one of the only single estate English vodkas in the UK? Ramsbury Estate is located in Wiltshire, a county in southwest England known for historic sites such as Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. If you’re not familiar with the term “single estate” it means that every process from planting, harvesting and distilling takes place in a single location. Ramsbury prides themselves on their spirit-making processes as well as being environmentally friendly in all that they do. Even the spent grains are fed to animals on their farm to eliminate waste.
Ramsbury is a very unique English distillery, and with that comes an equally unique vodka. Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka uses just two ingredients to create an extremely smooth spirit: winter wheat and their own chalk filtered water. By using just two ingredients Ramsbury has been able to create notes of dark chocolate, caramel, dried fruits, and a beautiful creamy texture. Wheat is definitely at the forefront of this vodka, which will no doubt have you dreaming of the English countryside.
Shipping: UK only. Available in the following markets: Italy, Greece, France, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Canada, & Australia
Price: £29.50
Shanty Spirit Seaweed Botanical Vodka
Do seaweed and vodka really pair well together? The team at Shanty Spirit believe so and have perfected a very unique spirit that expertly blends 5 hand foraged organic British seaweeds to create an umami flavour that I guarantee you’ve never tasted before in a vodka. Shanty Spirit is based in Dorset, and draws on the founder’s connection to this beautiful coastline. After many experiments he found just the right ingredients to distill a unique and complex unlike anything else on the market.
The seaweeds used in this unique small batch vodka are sustainably hand foraged from along the British coastline. The flavours chosen are frequently found in Asian dishes which help to create an enhanced flavour profile. The seaweeds include kelp, wakame, gutweed, sea lettuce, and pepper dulse which is known as the “truffle of the sea”. These seaweeds are paired with botanicals such as bergamot, yuzu, and sea buckthorn (among others) and the vodka blend is eventually finished off with Dorset sea salt.
What’s also interesting about this vodka is that it’s vacuum distilled to keep the flavours as fresh as possible. Just one sip of Shanty’s Seaweed Botanical Vodka will have you transported to the Dorset coast, especially with the bottle’s unique artwork created by a local artist that adds to the experience.
Shipping: UK only
Price: £39.00
Smugglers Scottish Vodka
If you’ve never tried vodka from Edinburgh then you’re truly missing out. Smugglers Spirits have designed a range of small-batch spirits that are inspired by the 18th century tales of smugglers during the prohibition era in Scotland. At this time the smugglers were the true heroes of the city, though they faced the death penalty if they were caught. In the end though, after a very large rebellion against the captain of the City Guard, smuggling continued in Edinburgh. With the past as inspiration, and with sustainability in mind, Smugglers Spirits have come up with a very Scottish vodka.
Inspired by the beauty of Scotland, Smugglers Scottish Vodka is distilled using pure Scottish water with wheat grown in GMO-free soil. This is a very smooth and creamy vodka, with hints of citrus, honey, and fresh bread which all comes together for a crisp finish. They use only three ingredients (water, wheat, and yeast) so it’s a very impressive taste that may surprise you. The Scots love their whisky, but having lived in Scotland for a number of years I know they also enjoy their vodka - sometimes even more than whisky!
Shipping: UK and Northern Ireland
Discount: TravelSpirits for 10% off all orders
Price: £32.50
Whiskey/Whisky
Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon
Kentucky may produce a large majority of the world’s bourbon, but let’s not forget about Texas. Blackland Distillery is based in Fort Worth, Texas and they create spirits that are sourced from locally grown grains. Their name comes from the nearby Blackland Prairie where the dark rich soil allows native tall grass to grow and thrive. This area is beautiful to visit in the warmer weather so if you happen to be visiting Fort Worth in the near future it may be worth adding to your itinerary.
Blackland’s latest unique spirit, Texas Pecan Brown Sugar, is a small-batch bourbon with a gentle pecan taste on the front palate, a dash of sweet sugar bourbon, and a smooth finish that’s perfect for drinking on ice. If you’re like me and like your cocktails though, there are plenty of recipes that it pairs well with. This bourbon is presented in a beautiful bottle as well which helps to round off the elegance of this spirit.
Shipping: UK and US
Price: £45.99/$47.00