I have a soft spot for Victoria Street in Edinburgh. I love its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. It’s also the location for one of my favourite places – Demijohn, a liquid deli (right next door to another favourite, I J Mellis). I am biased of course! I first met Angus Ferguson, Demijohn’s owner soon after it opened in 2004. I often took eager Discover the Taste participants along for tastings particularly on Saturday mornings as part of the Farmers’ Market food tour.
Seville Orange Gin (for illustration only)
If you have the good luck to meet Angus, you’ll find he is one of the most enthusiastic people you’ve ever met – he has such passion for his products. Demijohn is now a great success and has expanded to Glasgow and York.
Demijohn is a celebration of prime British ingredients – liqueurs, spirits, whiskies and vinegars – all specially selected from a lady who creates vodkas on her kitchen table to (slightly) larger operations.
The idea is simple, you choose a glass bottle from all sorts of shapes and sizes and have it filled with your chosen tipple. Once you’ve finished the bottle it can be refilled with whatever you choose.
There is always something different to try (and the staff will encourage you to do so). My current favourite is the Seville orange gin – glorious – and the raspberry vodka is to die for. The fruit types of fruit vinegar are always guaranteed to astonish.
Oh, and there are single estate olive oils to try too.
For those of you far from Edinburgh, don’t despair, you can do mail order too! What do you fancy trying?
Follow Demijohn on Twitter @demijohnthedeli
