Luvians Bottle Shop

22/12/2024

It is a rare moment for our Cupar customers today - Luvians is open on a Sunday. We are here for all you ice cream, deli & tippling needs until 4pm today and the shop is likely to be a lot quieter than the full house we expect on the 23rd & 24th!

22/10/2024

Vines 2024 & The Latest Local Arrivals

Grab your tickets to Fife's biggest wine event, check out all the newest arrivals from our favourite local distilleries and bid some fond farewells!

https://mailchi.mp/844af78dd37d/vines-2024-new-arrivals-at-luvians

17/10/2024

Another day, another fantastic importer announced to Vines 2024! Join us, Condor Wines & 16 other importers for the biggest wine event in Fife on the 2nd of November.

Vines 2024 – The Luvians Wine Fair 🥳

2nd November, 12:45pm-5pm (early admission with Connoisseurs Ticket) 🎟️

One of the great joys of the wine fair is the chance to chat to the experts at every table about the incredible range of wines they bring along. In today’s producer focus we are highlighting Condor Wines, who were founded by Lee & Maria Evans in 2011 & import a diverse range of wines from independent family producers across South America. 🇦🇷 🇨🇱 🇺🇾

As a dedicated South American specialist, Condor provide the backbone of our Argentinian, Chilean & Uruguayan ranges. Nigel Tollerman recommends the a big, rich Chilean red as their must try wine…

Toro de Piedra Carmenere-Cabernet Sauvignon - Maule Valley, Chile
“Often described as ‘a hug in glass’ this deliciously rich blend has a nose of dark fruits & spices, fine tannins and chocolate, roasting coffee & dark intense fruits on the palate.” 🍷

To try the Toro de Piedra and almost 200 other wines, follow the link in our bio and get your tickets now – connoisseur tickets, which include a masterclass, early entry & a light lunch are selling out quickly, so don’t delay. 🚀

14/10/2024

More exciting details about what is on show at Vines 2024!

Join us, Terroir Wines, 16 other importers and 300 wines fans at St Andrews Town Hall on 2nd of November.

Get your tickets today www.luvians/vines2024

Vines 2024 – The Luvians Wine Fair 🥳

2nd November, 12:45pm-5pm (early admission with Connoisseurs Ticket) 🎟️

One of the great joys of the wine fair is the chance to chat to the experts at every table about the incredible range of wines they bring along. In the first of our producer focus posts, we want to highlight Terroir Wines, a specialist Scottish importer and wholesaler of artisanal wines made with passion by small family producers. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

They are bringing along an eclectic selection from Austria to Australia, the Iberian peninsula to South African Cape. We asked Neil Robertson to highlight his must try wine for the day & he nominated a wonderfully intense Italian red…

Marion ‘Cortelavel’ Amarone della Valpolicella 2020 (Veneto, Italy) hails from the Marion winery which sits surrounded by around 20 hectares of vineyard close to Marcellise, between the valleys of Squaranto and Mezzane and just above the town of San Martino Buon Albergo. The Amarone is a wine of classical proportions, fermented in stainless steel and then aged in large old oak botti. Broad and spicy with crushed black peppercorn, cinnamon and clove inflexions to the full fruit aromas, it’s a big, rich and juicy wine with fair freshness of fruit and some candied notes. 🍷

To try the Marion and almost 200 other wines, head over to www.luvians.com/vines2024 and get your tickets now – connoisseur tickets, which include a masterclass, early entry & a light lunch are selling out quickly, so don’t delay. 🚀

Terroir Wines
BID St Andrews
Savour St Andrews

10/10/2024

We are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for Vines 2024 - The Luvians Wine Fair.

Join us at the St Andrews Town Hall on November 2nd to explore almost 200 fabulous wines (and a few spirits) from some the best importers & distributors across the UK, each bringing in vinous delights from every corner of the globe.

There are two levels of ticket:
General Admission gives you access to the main hall for just over 4 hours (12:45 - 5pm), the chance to sample all the wines on show & get advice from the experts at each table, nibbles from our Cupar deli (and mini Fudge doughnut from Fisher & Donaldson!), a Riedel glass worth £10 to take home and 10% discount on any wines you order on the day.
Connoisseurs Admission gives you all that & more! You get early access to the hall (Noon - 5pm) giving you a full 5 hours to explore including that quieter initial period where you can get really in depth with the experts. Crucially you get the chance to choose between one of three fantastic masterclasses held on the day. Taste 175 years of history with Martin Heidsieck of Pol Roger Champagne, explore the world of unique wines created from some of the rarest natives grapes from around Europe with Rob Woodhead of Graft Wines or get deliciously indulgent with Cathy Swift as she hosts a fortified wine & food pairing session full of must try Christmas combos!

Whichever option you choose, we look forward to welcoming you and around 300 other wine fans to an event that has been the highlight of our calendar since the 90's.

You'll find all the ticket options at https://www.luvians.com/vines2024/

Terroir Wines
Armit Wines
Condor Wines
Moreno Wines
Hallgarten
Enotria&Coe
Liberty Wines
Justerini and Brooks
Pol Roger Portfolio
Wine Importers Scotland
Alexander Wines
Alliance Wine
Corney & Barrow
graftwine
Mentzendorff & Co
Berry Bros. & Rudd

21/07/2024

194) Dram of the Day – Aberfeldy 15YO Cadillac Cask (70cl @ 43% ABV)

Available on Offer for £50

Bit of Background: In 1846 Aberfeldy’s founder John Dewar began his career in the whisky industry by opening a wine and spirits store in Perth. Over 50 years later, his sons then took on the construction of a distillery in Aberfeldy, and in 1898 it launched into production. This historic project grew steadily and in 1972 underwent significant expansion to keep up with demand! By 2000 the old maltings building had been converted into Dewar’s World of Whisky, and the distiller now offers exciting and informative tours, open to whisky lovers from across the globe. They currently have their permanent range of age-statement whiskies and continue to create wonderful, limited releases for us to experience the expansive new dimensions that can be created using different casks and finishes. Today’s dram is a great example of where wine and whisky meet, aged for 15 years in a mixture of refill barrels and hogshead, then offering those with a sweeter palate the extra delicious Bordeaux dessert wine cask finish.

Nose: Floral, honey, zesty orange peel.

Palate: Peaches, nectarines, tangerines, vanilla with a touch of toffee and cinnamon spice.

Final Thoughts: While it’s still keeping with the classic soft, rounded Aberfeldy style, this Limited Edition finish adds a deliciously juicy component to the signature malt. The sweetness is gentle and fresh without compromising on flavour.

20/07/2024

Proud to be serving our award-winning ice cream at Family Day: Alien Antics at the Wardlaw Museum, St.Andrews University, Scotland today, 12-4pm.

Drop in for some alien family fun!

13/07/2024

Dram of the Day – Compass Box Hedonism (70cl @ 43%ABV)

Available in store for £72.99

Bit of Background: Founded in 2000 by John Glaser, Compass Box are on a mission to bring new levels of creativity and complexity to the whisky game. While single malt whiskies are often heralded as the benchmark of excellence, Compass Box believe that the process of blending offers the same high quality but with more room to play with unique flavour combinations. They believe that by bringing together the highest quality single grains and single malts, they can achieve the textures, flavours and pleasures that single malts alone cannot offer.

Luvians have a long-standing history with Compass Box. We are in fact their second customer since the company was founded. James Saxon, the current whiskymaker is a St. Andrews alum and former president of the quaich society. Today’s dram is one of their earliest releases and a brilliant one for a rainy day. Hedonism is inspired by exactly what Compass Box is all about – pleasure and enjoyment! This rich, creamy, indulgent blend might be just the thing to make a dull Scottish day more gratifying.

Nose: Vanilla, coconut, soft florals, papaya, shaved oak and warm scones

Palate: Creamy vanilla, dark chocolate shavings, icing powder. A smooth texture

Final Thoughts: This sweet and dreamy indulgence is a testament to the power of a good blend. This is one to sip by the fire, perched on a chez lounge under layers of fluffy blankets, surrounded by a feast of delectable treats. Perhaps you find yourself within arms reach of a chocolate fountain, surrounded by freshly baked dipping croissants and a trolley loaded with soft, fluffy Victoria sponge cake by your side - or whatever your own sugar-laced fantasy happens to be. We’re not here to judge. Blend a carefully curated selection.

27/06/2024

Dram of the Day – Loch Lomond 12YO Inchmurrin (70cl @46%)

Available in store for £41.99

Bit of Background: On the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond (or more realistically just five minutes away) lies the Loch Lomond Distillery. This distillery is home to the beloved Porteus Mill, which dates back to the 1950s. However, Loch Lomond are not just keepers of tradition. In the early 2000s they introduced the stainless steel mashtun to their distillery, being some of the earliest pioneers to adopt its use. While the banks of Loch Lomond are far from the shores of the North Sea, there’s a close link between the two. Loch Lomond are the “Spirit of the Open” – official sponsors of the Open Golf Championship and AIG Women’s Open since 2018. We stock several of their fantastic products including Piaff Champagne and Ben Lomond Gin. Today’s dram of choice is their 12 year old Inchmurrin. Aged in three types of American Oak cask, this expression leans in the sweet and fruity elements of their signature style.

Nose: Peach, apricot, pear drops and cut grass icing sugar

Palate: Raisins, vanilla fudge and a sharp peppery finish

Final Thoughts: We’re delighted that Loch Lomond have beautifully redressed our window today, showcasing a selection of the products that we carry. If you love golf, whisky and Scotland, there’s much to love about Loch Lomond!

26/06/2024

171) Dram of the Day – Benromach 10YO (70cl @ 43%)

Available in store for £38.99

Bit of Background: “How far is’t call’d to Forres?” A great question indeed – especially, if you are looking for a dram. Sadly, from St Andrews, it’s approximately 153 miles. But, among other things, this historic town is well-worth a visit for Benromach Distillery. Down-to-earth, they are committed to keeping things simple and honouring the years of experience that have gone into creating great whisky by hand. Tradition at its best... and without bloodshed.

Nose: An undertone of smoke is immediately noticeable, but gentle, with fruity and warm overtones of pear and toffee.

Palate: A warming malty front with a waxy texture that has whiffs of a distant bonfire – it then gives way to green apples, clove spice, and liquorice.

Final Thoughts: Exceptionally priced for a whisky with an age statement, sherry maturation, and a bit of peat … from Speyside!

25/06/2024

Dram of the Day – Blair Athol 12YO Flora & Fauna Series (70cl @ 43%)

Available in store for £56.99

Bit of Background: Located in Pitlochry and operating on-and-off since 1798, Blair Athol is a distillery that mostly produces spirit for blending in such whiskies as Bell’s, Johnnie Walker, and Black & White. The Flora and Fauna Series, then, has provided us with a real treat, as when it is bottled independently, the spirit’s quality finally speaks for itself and does no less than dazzle.

Nose: Rich fruitiness immediately hits with notes of Mirabelle plums and dried apricot, followed by a hint of pancakes splashed with golden syrup.

Palate: Foreshadowed by the nose, the front is fruity and sweet (apple pie), but has an undertone of nuttiness to it (fresh water and walnuts). The mid has a spicy and toasted woodiness that gives way to a long mellow finish of leather, toffee, and white pepper.

Final thoughts: A seriously fine dram – fingers crossed for Blair Athol’s continuing to make its amazing spirit independently available.

24/06/2024

Dram of the Day – Cragganmore Distillers Edition (70cl @ 40%)

Available in store for £59.99

Bit of Background: Trains. Who doesn’t love them? Especially if you’ve got whisky to transport! Up in the highlands, along the Great Highland Railway line you will find the Cragganmore Distillery. Founded by the legendary Big John Smith in 1869, the distillery was built to take advantage of its proximity to the fresh spring water of the River Spey and the accessibility of the railway route. This brilliant combination has led to the creation of a unique malt that is so good the supply can hardly keep up with demand! Their core range includes the multi-award winning Distillers Edition. This high profile offering is double-matured in ex-bodega port cask wood, giving a rich, succulent and complex depth to the regular release.

Nose: Gentle smoke, baked apples, fresh rye bread

Palate: Black pepper, toffee, bananas and cocoa powder

Final thoughts: It’s easy to see why this one has collected an array of awards. It’s a gold standard distillers edition, offering all the smoothness of Speyside with just a hint of the smoky Highland classics. Cragganmore have found themselves on the right track. The Distiller’s Edition hasn’t derailed the core spirit, in fact it’s got us all aboard. We hope production continues at full steam ahead. Ok, we’ll depart from the train puns here and conduct ourselves with a little more class. First class. Choo choo.

22/06/2024

Bruichladdich 18YO Re/Define (70cl @ 50% ABV)

Available in store for £149.99

Bit of Background: When it comes to striking expressions of distillery character, hardly anyone can compete with Bruichladdich’s waxy and citrusy spirit that shines through just about any sort of cask, be it virgin oak, ex-Bourbon, Sauternes, Port, Madeira, Amarone, Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends from Pauillac, and more. The 18 YO is primarily matured in ex-bourbon casks. But, with so many great casks at their disposal, Bruichladdich has for good measure also made use of the influence of both Sauternes and Port casks.

Nose: Elegant notes of peaches and creamy oats, with the complex floral sweetness of honeysuckle covered in morning dew.

Palate: The classic Bruichladdich waxy/creamy texture comes through immediately on the front, with balanced flavours of apricot, melon, and hints of citrus. The mid does a slight crescendo into flavours of custard with a dash of cinnamon. And, the finish brightens up again to reveal more gentle citrus.

Final thoughts: Easily, the best standard Bruichladdich release that we have tried. And, at £150, not completely out of reach for an 18YO in terms of price.

19/06/2024

Join us for a Portuguese Wine Tasting on 26th of June 2024! - https://mailchi.mp/83cb35e6feeb/juneisforindies