Spirits

Here’s to indulgence – spirits and alcohol in the Heinemann shop

“Food is a need of the stomach, drink a want of the soul”. This is how 19th-century French author Claude Tillier succinctly summarized the idea that still defines our fascination with fine spirits even to this day; the love of indulgence, the curiosity for unknown aromas, and the atmosphere of conviviality where we enjoy a good drink together. Heinemann opens up the door to an entire world of premium quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits for you. Order popular brands and select rare fins online at Heinemann.

From single malt Scotch to Cognac XO: What are the best spirits?

There are countless different spirits, from world-renowned varieties like vodka and rum to fruity specialties with vodka and rum as the base. All spirits have a minimum content of 15 % alcohol. But what distinguishes these main spirit varieties – and how do they differ from one another?

• Brandy is a distillate of white wine that develops its smooth, rounded flavor during the long aging period on oak wood. The most popular brandies are cognac and armagnac as well as the Spanish brandy de Jerez.
• Whisky is distilled from grain and malt, and also ages for many years in oak barrels. The national drink of the Scots and the Irish has a strong and robust taste – even Japanese and Korean whiskies are highly regarded internationally. By the way: the term 'Whiskey' is used for Irish and US distillates.
• Rum is distilled from sugar cane and sugar cane juice in the Caribbean, Cuba (the world famous Havana Club), and South America. The intense, sweet aroma lends a distinctive character to popular cocktails such as the piña colada or Cuba Libre.
• Vodka (or Wodka) is more popular than any other spirit. This national drink of Russia and Poland is typically distilled from grain and is available in different aromatic variants.
• Gin is an aromatic distillate made from juniper berries and different plant compounds, and is consumed almost exclusively by mixing with other ingredients. This spirit of rich tradition is a truly trendy drink in international bars.

At Heinemann you will find all these and many more spirits from popular international brands – be inspired by our product range.

An indulgence for all your senses – vintage spirits from the Heinemann shop

In many cultures, spirits are closely linked to specific customs and occasions. People drink to celebrate a special moment, to get in the mood for a good meal, or to round out a special evening:

• Aperitifs and digestifs are an indispensable part of food culture, especially in southern Europe – whether the drink has moderate or higher volume of alcohol. The French love a Pernod and their calvados; the Italians their Aperol and grappa; in Greece it’s ouzo and in the United Kingdom, sherry or port are the norm.
• Cocktails are often a prelude to a long night, but they are also enjoyed for relaxation at the bar or at home. It is impossible to imagine cocktails without classic spirits like vodka, gin, rum and whisky – however, modern creations with sherry and fruit brandy are also popular.
• Spirits are often enjoyed neat to celebrate special moments, but also to savor the flavors of premium quality whiskey, cognac, brandy and rum in all their complexity.

Discover new and delectable spirits in the outstanding product range available in the Heinemann shop – take a moment to find out more about Heinemann Special Offers and exclusive Travel Editions of your favorite spirits.