Finding Inspiration at Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke

 Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire Distillery, designed by Heatherwick Studio

Everyone has a different source of inspiration. Mat – for instance – has a proper love for inhouse magazines, which you’ll see popping up on more or less any post he does about weekend relaxing or long train journeys.

My inspiration comes mainly from those people I follow online. Those folks who regularly post content that captivates me for longer than the usual split-second, opens my mind a little, and leaves me slightly jealous of their creative eye and ability. I can’t name check everyone here; but, folks like our friend Jordan and our very own Yasumi definitely deserve a mention – their ability to capture different angles and interesting details in everyday objects is impressive beyond belief.

And then there’s Haarkon; an account I’ve been following religiously for the past few months, checking in every time they have a new Instagram post or blog. These guys have an incredible eye and their content – focused almost exclusively on indoor plant life – has a hauntingly beautiful quality that will stop you in your tracks.

Recently, I tried to mimic their style with my own pic (hey – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!) – and then, when the opportunity came to visit the glasshouses at the Bombay Sapphire distillery, I saw my chance to try and emulate them just a little more.

I’m sure many people reading this will have caught a glimpse of the Bombay Sapphire distillery before. It features two striking glasshouses, designed by Heatherwick Studio (the guys behind the new London Routemaster bus), that seem to grow from the bed of the river that runs through the distillery. Twisting and turning their way into the red brick buildings of this former paper mill, it’s as if these glasshouses are an integral part of the gin making process, drawing up the water for the gin and imparting the essence of the plants they house as it sweeps passed.

They aren’t directly part of the process; but, the glasshouses are a perfect reflection of the gin making method, where a neutral spirit is transformed into something flavourful through the introduction of various botanicals; which – in the case of Bombay Sapphire – include liquorice, orris root, angelica, coriander, grains of paradise, and five others.

Christmas Cocktails with Old Forester Bourbon Whisky

Our love for whisky (and whiskey) is well known. Over the past couple of years, we've been tasting what we can, when we can, and growing the drinks cabinet collection. Now Mat has a new house - congratulations to him and Hollie! - there's even more need to get the drinks in; especially as he has way more space for that collection.

There's also a need to focus more on interiors, furnishings, and all the over stuff needed for a home. Before you know it, this blog will be interior design only - and that's totally fine, as long as I can keep the drinks for myself.

Taking a trip to Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings to meet with Old Forester Bourbon, was a perfect combination of the two. This place has that perfect Instagram-able vibe going on. White walls, cool patterns, a long bar sparkling with bottles - the works! I'm sure Mat's house will be looking like this before long, complete with an impressive bar.

As with any masterclass, Old Forester had invited us down to learn more about their brand. America's first bottle Bourbon, Old Forester has been around for well over a hundred years and one of the only few to have survived prohibition in the US.

Unlike its ubiquitous brother Woodford Reserve, Old Forester isn't that well-known in the UK and - of course - that's something the brand's looking to change. A smooth Bourbon, with notes of vanilla and spice and a surprising hint of mint in the aftertaste, it's a light tasting dram for its 43% alcohol.

But, we know not everyone is keen on neat spirits, so Old Forester handed us a recipe - a whiskey smash - which I've tweaked to my own taste for you here:

Raspberry Whisky Smash Cocktail

- 15ml Simple Syrup
- 20ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 10ml Raspberry Liqueur

- A Handful of Fresh Raspberries

- 8-10 Mint Leaves, plus some for a garnish
- 50ml Old Forester Whisky

- Ice

• Take a Boston shaker and crush the raspberries into the bottom. Add all of the ingredients and fill to the top with ice cubes. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds and pour, without straining, into a tall glass.

• Top with a sprig of mint and a couple of raspberries.

• Like all good recipes, this one is simple, easy to create, and needs very little equipment. You don't even have to strain it, as the messy element is part of the drink's charm.

• It's a brilliant drink for this time of year, too - red fruits in a cocktail always go down well at Christmas.

• Give it a try and let us know how you get on. And, if you get chance, head over to the Old Forester website to have a read about their long and interesting history.

You can find Old Forester Bourbon at Tesco priced at £33.95. For more cocktail inspiration check them out on Instagram.

This post is in partnership with Old Forester. Thank you for taking the time to support the brands + businesses that make this blog happen.

You can find Nik at - Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter

Exploring the Isle of Jura with Trakke + Jura Whisky

Image by Willy Iffland

It's not often I arrive home from a trip feeling totally content, but spending three days getting to know the beautiful island, and people of Jura was an experience I'm not likely to easily forget. We were invited to stay on the Scottish island by Jura Whisky, to celebrate their partnership between Glasgow-based Trakke, and the distillery itself – the result being a limited edition waxed cotton backpack.

Travel to this remote island wasn't easy, in fact it took two trains, a overnight in Glasgow, a plane, a ferry and an hour's bumpy taxi ride to reach the town of Craighouse. But it was all worth it just for those views.

We spent three days on Jura - a mountainous and boggy island, located west of mainland Scotland. An island famous for its whisky, but vast in its community spirit, local quirks and plush landscape. By intergrated ourselves into the community; drinking and dining with the locals, learning about the island's history and exploring the endless rocky terrain, we experienced a true sense of what it might be like to live somewhere so remote.

When the collaboration between outdoor brand Trakke and Jura Whisky was shared with me, I was instantly intrigued, but learning about the reasons behind why these two companies were coming together made for a more meaningful experience.

Johnnie Walker + Jude Law | The Gentleman's Wager Part II

We’re really not trying to show off (at least, one of us isn’t), but our year has been filled with cars. It started with a short road-trip down to Brighton, before Mat was then whisked off to Switzerland, France, and Germany to indulge himself in some of the finest motors the industry has to offer.

Meanwhile, there I am, driving a tiny Toyota around Northern France and taking a cheap American waggon through the wind-swept lanes of Scotland. One of us most definitely drew the short straw there...

Now, Mat's on the hunt for a car. Nothing too flashy, I don't think, just as long as it's navy, just as long as it's navy coloured (although I said he should get one that matches the Buckets & Spades branding). It'll certainly be nothing like the cars we feature on our Transport Pinterest board - unfortunately for Mat - and definitely nothing like the car in Johnnie Walker's latest short film, The Gentleman's Wager Part 2.

As you'd expect from a Johnnie Walker film, this is a no-expenses-spared luxuriously film, featuring an antique of a classic car (a Delahaye Type 135S, if you're interested), a race to Monaco, a huge villa, Jude Law and Giancarlo Giannini. It's a slick film, with some stunning scenery, including that view over Monte Carlo - a view that's definitely in my top 10 travel wish-list.

Perhaps once Mat has his car, it'll be time to plan another road trip... But for now, just pour a dram, sit back and see who wins the wager. You can see a making of the film here.

This post is in partnership with Johnnie Walker. Thank you for taking the time to support the projects + businesses that make this blog happen.

You can find Nik at - Twitter | Instagram | Editions Newsletter

Exploring Scotland on The Last Great Malts Tour

Scotland was never on my radar much before last year. I visited once, maybe twice before, but it had always been that classic case of 'it's local, and it's not going anywhere'. That may be true, but it's not a particularly good excuse for neglecting a bit of exploration - and we're always meaning to broaden our horizons.

Scotland, it turns out, has a lot to offer this blog - stunning countryside, happening towns, whisky galore, and very friendly people. Last year's Glenrothes trip could have filled a number of posts - and we were only there for one night. In the end, we stuck with some damn fine distillery shots and a piece on a VW graveyard.

This year, it was back to almost the same spot in Speyside, on Scotland's East Coast: an area packed with whisky distilleries. And this time, rather than just one, we'd be visiting five, covering six hundred miles of the Scottish Highlands. So, you can probably guess that this post on its own won't really do the experience justice. Sorry in advance for that.

Reflecting on a Year of Freelance | #MakeHistory with Jim Beam

It's coming to that time of the year where we all step back and look at what we've achieved over the past 12 months. Evaluating the ups, downs, successes and potential missed opportunities is an invaluable task to helping us grow and move forward. For me, the year of 2014 has been a very significant one -  I ran full steam ahead into freelance life, started to seriously plan for the future and set myself realistic and attainable goals. Not everything went the way I'd planned (I ended up becoming a Yes Man and taking on too much) of course, we can just try our best. It's trial and error in some ways, but being motivated + inspired to push to the next level is always the aim. We choose to make our own history - you can either go with the flow or take control.

Jim Beam is a company no stranger to progression, they've been distilling their famous bourbon since 1795, and the fact that they're still producing today is a testament to the brand's willingness to evolve. They constantly take a fresh approach and cover new grounds, in the same way as we do as creatives. Their #MadeHistory campaign not only highlights what significant work they're doing in their chosen field, but ourselves as individuals too – which got me think about how each week I'm consciously (and subconsciously) laying the foundation for my own future.

Here's how I make my own history each week:

Planning Ahead + Setting Goals

I have a strict routine when it comes to my working week. I set up and plan for the week ahead every Sunday without fail - making lists, filling in spreadsheets, planing content, arranging my diary to set the ball rolling. I have a clear vision of what I want to achieve and Sunday's are imperative to making it a successful one. Certain things will inevitably get in the way but if you stay focused and motivated then the week will fall into place. If you hit the wall then try this short exercise to help regain focus.

Staying True To Yourself + Do What You Love

Doing something I love each week - be that work related or not - is not only good for the soul but is a great way of keeping yourself grounded. Hollie loves jigsaws, I bet if she picked one up more often she'd be less stressed about her day job. As a visual person I'm drawn to certain things like a magpie - to say I'm a collector is an understatement. Sometimes my possessions are met with weird looks and remarks, but this is what makes us individual. Beer mats, cartoon figures, comics, stamps, coins, baseball caps, pencils....they're all a part of me (thanks Grandad). These tokens remind me of a places I've been or an event in my history, and will play an important role in my future.

Trying A Fresh Approach

When something isn't working we need to adapt and try a fresh approach. Often I hit a brick wall with my writing, it doesn't come as natural as I'd like  it to sometimes. Taking a step back and starting a fresh works wonders - determine what's stopping you from completing your task and leap over it with a new outlook. Sometimes we can be reminded of this with something as simple as a new screen saver, or even looking back on past sucession. Nik recommends clearing by going for a run to clear your head but who'd have thought we'd be training with the NFL!?

Investing In Your Passion

I love nothing more than traveling to new places + experience local cultures. It has to be said I spend a lot of my time in London, but I still make a point of wondering into new areas or down unvisited streets, for the love of discovering something unknown. Investing your money into things like cameras, train/plane tickets, night courses, sports, computer programmes or even a new pair of walking boots can give you the drive to achieve things you never thought you could. Remember the excitment of buying your first SLR camera or developing your first roll of film? We could do with more of that feeling.

Meeting New People "In Real Life"

I was given some advice while studying at uni, "every single person in your class is a gateway to a new opportunity". I didn't take that as go looking for people to befriend, but rather to meet people who you feel you have a connection with and share similar interests. Many of us are hooked on social media, but making the time + effort to connect with people "in-real-life" rather than behind the computer screen has an endless amount of benefits. We form relationships with people in all walks of life, and to finally meet the people behind the avatar is very satisfying.

Buckets & Spades would be a lonely place if it wasn't for the real people. Above is one of my highlights of 2014, when I had the opportunity to work with Olivia + Remi on the ASOS On Tour: Tourism Ireland project.

It's times like these that remind me why I love blogging so much. 2014 has been a stonker but I can't wait to see what 2015 may hold. Time to take control. How do you go about making your own history?

The post is in collaboration with Jim Beam for the #MakeHistory Campaign

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Visiting The Glenrothes Whisky Distillery

The Glenrothes Distillery, Speyside, Scotland

Scotland to me is like the old bus analogy – you wait for ages, then two come along at once. A couple weeks after I visited the Johnstons of Elgin Wool Mill I found myself preparing to catch the plane back up to the very same part of the east coast of Scotland. Bags packed for two days in Rothes at The Glenrothes' own house, for a tour of the whisky distillery, food and "outdoor pursuits". I'm not the manliest of guys but this trip was sure to hoick me up the ladder.

Another 4am rise for Buckets. People keep saying, "you must be getting used to it by now", yet it never gets any easier. But the thing is, just like my 3:30am rise for our trip to Paris, these travel opportunities rarely disappoint. In steps The Glenrothes, one of the most prestigious and acclaimed Single Malt Whisky Distillers of them all. I'm not one to doubt 130 years in the business. My knowledge of whisky mostly stems from Hollie's Dad's drinks cabinet – where I've been known to work my way through his Japanese selection – so in the scheme of things I know very little.

With something so specialists + subjective as whisky it's best to listen to the experts, and The Glenrothes team have it running through their veins. The live it. After a quick meet-and-greet with our travel partners (Foodepedia + Toms Whisky Reviews) and bag drop at The Glenrothes cottage we made our way through the local woodland to the famous distillery.

GIVEAWAY - Alexander & James Whiskey + Gin Set

For this week's giveaway I've teamed up with the spirits experts Alexander & James, who are offering one Buckets & Spades reader the chance to win a Whiskey & Gin set worth £70! The prize includes a Talisker Single Malt Whiskey (very much to my taste), aged for 10 years and Tanqueray No.10 Gin, both in 70cl bottles!

Alexander & James is a newly launched online store, dedicated to premium spirits and craft, heritage and the passion that goes into making them. The site boasts a wide range of swanky whiskey, gin, rum, tequila and vodka, something to suit everyone. Their product selection ranges from the affordable blends to small batches which are usually reserved for the dedicated connoisseurs and collectors out there.

To win the Alexander & James Whiskey + Gin set all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below, by following Buckets & Spades in some way. If you're having any troubles with the form just post a comment below stating you would like to be entered. Remember, if you subscribe to my blog you can enter this giveaway daily! This giveaway is open to UK residents only, and you must be over 18 to enter. Thanks again to Alexander & James for the prize. Good Luck everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Small Batch Bourbon Collection

This really is the good stuff, just imagine receiving this set from the Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Now I don't profess to be an expert and haven't got the "nose" you here so much about but after stumbling into a whiskey tasting session at Beacons Festival, it's proper given me a taste for it. From now on I'll be making more of an effort to try ones I would normally avoid because of the price tag or for lack of knowledge.

I reckon the Small Batch collection would be a pretty good starting point. 

For more information on the collection click here.

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