5 Essential Additions to your Drinks Trolley from J.G Thomson & Co

If you’ve followed The Coolector for any amount of time, you’re likely aware that we’re definitely partial to a tipple or three – especially around winter time. Whilst we’d normally settle for a craft beer, we often deign to push the boat a little during the festive periods and hit the hard stuff. That’s why we’re forever on the hunt for awesome spirits at this time of year and this led us squarely to the door of J.G Thomson & Co and their fantastic line of delicious looking wares.

J.G. Thomson was originally a wine & spirits merchant dating back to the 1700s and occupied the Vaults in Leith which, as it happens, is the current home of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. They take their inspiration from this savvy Edinburgh family that they’ve taken as their namesake and they continue the same founding principles; to create new and exciting tastes that tantalise the adventurous. J.G Thomson & Co’s customers are those who seek spirits that deliver a diverse and authentic taste sensation. By using their core skill and know-how, they have brought J.G. Thomson back to life in 2021, offering an impeccable range of innovative and high-end spirits. Check out our pick of 5 of the best below:


RICH BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY BATCH NO.1 | £42.50

The darkest of the bunch, the Rich Blended malt is a real sherry bomb. The moment you open the bottle you find the dark raisins, black cherries, juicy sultanas, deep orange peel and toasted cocoa nibs. Tasting the dram, you uncover blackberries, figs, soaked currants, dried dates, dark chocolate orange and hints of nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Bottled at 46%, unchill filtered and with no added colour, they have strived to offer you a truly rich whisky.


CITRUS DRY GIN BATCH NO.1 | £35.50

Distilled in the capital of Scotland, this Batch One Citrus Dry Gin is full of verve. Vibrant lemon, lime, orange peel, grated nutmeg, woody juniper and fresh coriander will fragrance the glass once poured. The tastes of nutmeg, cloves, citric orange, clementine, grapefruit, fresh lemon peel, and a hint of liquorice can all be found in this spirit. It is wonderfully juicy on the nose yet provides a classic London-Dry style on the tongue. This  gin will go cloudy in tonic or over ice. Just the way it used to be.


BOLD JAMAICAN RUM BATCH NO.1 | £37.50

J.G Thomson & Co look to set the highest standard when it comes to spirits. This Bold Jamaican Rum is 100% pot distilled. The classic rum “funk” is the first thing you will notice when pouring yourself a glass. Fermenting bananas, pineapple, fresh sugarcane, dark molasses and woody spices can be tasted. The flavour of pear drops, grated ginger, baked cardamom, cinnamon buns, fresh finger limes, melted brown sugar and spiced dark chocolate burst over your tastebuds. They celebrate classic and bold high esters in this spirit.


SWEET BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY BATCH NO.1 | £42.5O

This Sweet Blended malt from J.G Thomson & Co is packed full of delicious flavour. The nose delivers a mix of caramel biscuit, fresh vanilla pods and clean coconut. On the taste you can discover almonds, toasted hazelnuts, rich fudge, cinnamon custard and liqueur chocolates. What makes this so special is their cask selection and type. They use a unique mix of new toasted oak casks, heavy toasted casks with a medium char,  and casks that have a heavy char but extra toasting on the cask heads.


SMOKY BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY BATCH NO.1 | £42.50

Being crafted from 100% Islay malts, J.G Thomson & Co’s Smoky Blended malt whisky gives you something to chow down on. Once the cork is off, you are immediately hit with burning ash, baked seaweed, barbecued fruits and a medicinal undertone. Smoked sugar and salt meet smoked meats, rich clove and delicate honeycomb upon drinking. They use Pedro Ximenez butts and hogsheads for richness and depth and ex-bourbon barrels for sweetness and body. This is a whisky for true smoky fans and those looking to broaden their palate alike.


Leo Davie