“We’re absolutely thrilled to be, once again, working so closely with CMBC on the ‘spirit-ual’ side of the business and its extended, and mightily impressive range of brands.

It’s been great fun creating the latest DISTILLED Magazine which, if we say so ourselves, is a bit of a banger – and a handsome devil too!

Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or a budding bartender or bar-back, there’s loads to digest in the latest issue – and plenty of reasons to be cheerful too!

While the bar scene has obviously enjoyed easier economic times in the past, it’s positively thriving under pressure, driving new drinks trends and working incredibly hard to excite and impress an increasingly demanding cocktail consumer.

“For sheer entrepreneurial verve, look no further than DRAM in Soho, disrupting the world of whisky in a very cool way, or 400 Rabbits in Nottingham – epitomising the acutely exciting Agave spirit category.

“Elsewhere, we explore the maturing gin scene with some classics, raise a glass to the runaway rum category, do a deep dive on some really rather distinguished distillers and revel in some retro drinks which, when made properly, are worthy of a renaissance.“

We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did writing it.

Ben McFarland & Tom Sandham – The Thinking Drinkers