Fall heroes: Discover autumn’s finest new drinks launches

This is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness - and well rounded Cognc-aged rums, pineapple-tinged whiskies and Frank Gehry-designed XO. As the days shorten and the barometer drops, it is time to dust off the leather armchair and bring in the wood for the fire - or just pour yourself a stiff one. We bring you the finest new spirits, sparkler and suppers to get you through the coming season. 

With most exotic travel currently off the menu, this autumn you can bring the warm evenings to you with the stunning new Equiano rum. The first of its kind using both African and Caribbean rums, it is a marriage between liquids from Barbados' Foursquare - aged in white American oak - and Gray's Distillery of Mauritius - aged in French limousin oak and Cognac casks. With notes of marmalade and stem ginger, it makes for a seasonal smash hit. £49.95, equianorum.com

From invoking balmy tropical evenings to recalling fondly the pineapple upside down cake of his childhood, Glemorangie’s Cake is master blender Dr Bill Lumsden’s homage to the sweet treats of yore. Infused with passion fruit, honeycomb and peach, it is a the perfect accompaniment to a slab of gateaux or, with this new collaboration, master patisserie Dominique Ansel’s twist on a pineapple upside-down cake. £75, glenmorangie.com

Moving away from sweet-toothed to some limited edition corkers, The Dalmore has historically released distillery exclusives to those who make the pilgrimage to its Highland stronghold. For those who prefer negotiating the streets of Knightsbridge to the gorse-flecked moorlands, these are available for the first time at Harrods. Created by master blender Richard Paterson to celebrate his 50th year with the whisky, the exceptional 2003 is a showstopper single malt with a small run of 100 bottles. Aged in white American oak ex-bourbon casks and finished in premier cru Bordeaux wine bariques, it dances with fig and blood orange, finishing with a note of rich roasted coffee (£1,500). Meanwhile, the corking 2006, finished in marsala casks is rich with Demerara sugar and liquorice, with hints of sticky toffee pudding is £200 and available in a run of 450 bottles, thedalmore.com

Next up - he has designed some of the most iconic structures in the world including Bilbao’s Guggenheim, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and London’s Serpentine Gallery. Now, Frank Gehry has turned his hand to Hennessy XO with an extraordinary new crinkled bottle design forged from 24-carat gold-dipped bronze to celebrate the house’s 150th anniversary.  For the bottle's unusual shape, Gehry was inspired by the light reflecting on the water in the Charente River, which runs alongside the Hennessy distillery in the town of Cognac, west France. Just add a black polo neck and Charles Eames chair… hennessy.com

He has designed some of the most iconic structures in the world including Bilbao’s Guggenheim, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and London’s Serpentine Gallery. Now, Frank Gehry has turned his hand to Hennessy XO with an extraordinary new crinkled bottle design forged from 24-carat gold-dipped bronze to celebrate the house’s 150th anniversary.  For the bottle's unusual shape, Gehry was inspired by the light reflecting on the water in the Charente River, which runs alongside the Hennessy distillery in the town of Cognac, west France. Just add a black polo neck and Charles Eames chair… 

hennessy.com

It’s not all about high ABV spirits this autumn. Moët & Chandon has launched fabulous bar in Selfridges, recalling a London phone booth. Situated between the food and beauty halls the cosy nook not only serves an array of the Maison’s vintages but celebrates the capital with delicious cocktail recipes created in partnership with some of London’s most celebrated cocktail bars from Soho’s Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration ’to Bethnal Green’s Coupette. Bottom’s up! 

moet.com