Christmas gift guide: purveyor of festive cheers
Choosing the perfect bottle of wine or whisky can be a slightly daunting prospect, particularly if you’re buying for a connoisseur. Fortunately, that’s where Cockburns of Leith enters the picture. Established in 1796, they have plenty of experience helping people find their favourite tipple.
Cockburns of Leith opened their flagship store on Frederick Street in June of last year, offering a bright and modern shopping experience in the heart of Edinburgh. Voted Best Regional Wine Shop in Scotland at this year’s Decanter Retailer Awards, they pride themselves on their friendly expert advice. The boutique store boasts an excellent range of hand-selected wines and spirits, and there is a carefully curated selection of sweet and savoury snacks to pair with your purchase.
Founded in the 18th Century, Cockburns of Leith is Scotland’s oldest wine merchant and has catered in the past to distinguished customers such as Sir Walter Scott and CharlesDickens – who was reported to have left it until New Year’s Eve in 1868 to place an order.
However, the business has kept pace with the times. Their shop, and accompanying website, offer a wide selection of boutique wines and spirits sourced directly from family producers around the world, catering for every price point and occasion. They stock a variety of gift sets and unique presents and packaging, placing a strong emphasis on independent bottlers and spotlighting some incredible local producers.
Long-renowned for their eponymous vintage claret, Cockburns introduced their own Founder’s Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky at the start of this year. A finalist for Best Blended Scotch in this year’s Scottish Whisky Awards, it is 88 per cent malt, non-chill filtered, and aged in a selection of casks –Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine barrels for fruitiness, bourbon for sweetness, and sherry for depth. The result is a complex, sweet-nosed dram that should see the firm through the next century and beyond.
They have any extensive collection and Cockburns are more than happy to offer their advice. There is always something delicious open to sample, and you can keep up to date with new products and upcoming tastings on their mailing list and social media. There is something for everyone, but if you really can’t decide – yes, they sell gift vouchers online too.