From vodka and tequila to gin and bourbon, we’ve put together some of our favourite spirits from around the globe.

1. Absolut Lime (R200)

Origin: Sweden

No stranger to local vodka lovers, Absolut has a new flavour – the first release in four years. Serve a tot of Absolut Lime over ice, topped up with soda water, and add a wedge of fresh lime. Yum!

2. Bloedlemoen Gin (R500)

Origin: South Africa

There is no shortage of top-quality gins on the market, but one of our faves is Bloedlemoen (meaning Blood Orange), a brand that recently launched a limited-edition gin that’s aged in Hungarian oak for six months. Only 300 bottles were made, and the labels were designed by illustrator and designer Marlize Eckard.

3. Fortaleza Agave Tequila (From R750)

Origin: Mexico

This small-batch hand-crafted pure agave tequila hails from a family-owned distillery on the slopes of an extinct volcano in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, where the same method has been used to create it for five generations, without any of the tech associated with the 21st century. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the real deal. Olé!

4. Crystal Head Vodka (From R650)

Origin: Canada

This premium vodka was conceived of by actor Dan Aykroyd and artist John Alexander. It is smooth, with a hint of sweetness and vanilla. Milannese glass-packaging maker Bruni Glass designed the fab bottle.

5. Woodford Reserve Bourbon (R499)

Origin: USA

This super premium small-batch bourbon whiskey, made in a Kentucky distillery with a 200-year history, is best suited to cocktails like the classic old-fashioned: Combine 25 ml Woodford Reserve, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 2 dashes bitters in a mixing glass and half-fill with ice. Stir, strain into a tumbler filled with ice, add a further 25 ml Woodford Reserve and garnish with a curl of orange zest.

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Whether you’re a rum and coke drinker or you like your cane juice neat, it’s time to give some of our locally distilled artisanal rums a try. Above and below are some of the brands on our hot list.

1. African Blackstrap Rum, R590

Origin: Inverroche, Stilbaai

Only 800 of these bottles of limited-release rum, crafted from African blackstrap treacle molasses, are released each year. The flavour profile includes sweet citrus, vanilla and a dry smoky character, with a delicious butterscotch finish.

2. Die Warm Rasta Rum, R400

Origin: De Vry Distillery, Free State

The Free State climate and specially charred barrels for culturing are what give this rum its distinctive flavour.

3. Mhoba Rum, From R150

Origin: Mhoba Distillery, Mpumalanga

Mhoba rum is made from “liquid sugar” squeezed out of locally grown sugar cane – as opposed to other rums that are produced from molasses, a by-product of sugar production. After the distilling and filtering processes, the rum is aged in toasted American white oak to add colour, aroma and flavour.

4. Durbanville Distillery White Rum, R269

Origin: Durbanville Distillery, Cape Town

This small-batch rum is cold-distilled. By avoiding conventional boiling temperature, harsh notes are prevented.

5. Time Anchor White Rum, R429

Origin: Time Anchor Distillery, Johannesburg

With aromas of coconut and vanilla, this double-distilled rum made from African blackstrap molasses has a gentle macadamia nut and caramel finish.

6. Tapanga Gold Rum, R439

Origin: Tapanga Distillery, KwaZulu-Natal

This barrel-aged rum is distilled from freshly cut sugar cane grown on Windermere Sugar Estate in Zululand. It has a prominent vanilla nose and well-balanced, dry taste.

7. Zulu Rum, From R179

Origin: Zulu Rum Distillery, Durban

This brand is available in three varieties: Zulu Rum (white rum), Zulu Impi Rum (dark rum) and Zulu Gold (amber colour). The white rum is particularly suited for mixing with fruit juices, and the dark rum with cola.

IMPORT ON OUR RADAR:

Spytail Black Ginger Rum, R350

Origin: Spytail Distillery, The Caribbean and France

Distilled in the Caribbean before being aged, spiced, blended and bottled in France at a small family-owned distillery in the Cognac region, this rum is now available in South Africa. It is named after a legendary submarine, its bottle shape is a nod to another old submersible, and the portholes embossed on the front and back continue the theme.

Missed our round-up of local gins? Click here to browse nine of our favourites.

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