Spirits

Here’s to indulgence – spirits and alcohol in Heinemann 

According to the 19th-century French author Claude Tillier, 'Food is a need of the stomach, drink a want of the soul.' This succinctly captures the enduring allure of fine spirits - the passion for indulgence, the intrigue of unfamiliar aromas, and the convivial atmosphere surrounding the shared enjoyment of a good drink. Heinemann invites you to explore a diverse universe of high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits. Browse through well-known brands and unique finds online at Heinemann, available for both Click & Collect and Shop & Collect.

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 specialities with vodka and rum as the base. All spirits have in common the 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 flavour during the long ageing 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: for Irish and US-American distillates, the term 'Whiskey' applies.
• 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 longdrinks such as Cuba Libre.
• Vodka (or Wodka) is a spirit that is more popular than any other. This national drink of Russia and Poland is typically distilled from grain and is available in various 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 – get inspired by our range.

An indulgence for all your senses – vintage spirits at Heinemann 

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 off a special evening:

• Aperitifs are an indispensable part of food culture, especially in southern Europe - be it a drink with moderate or higher volume of alcohol. The French love a Pernod and their calvados; the Italians their Aperol and grappa; in Greek 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 as a small time out drink at the bar or at home. It is impossible to imagine cocktails without the classical 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 savour the flavour of premium quality whisky, cognac, brandy and rum in all their complexity.

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