I am Colin Hampden-White and I am one of the presenters for The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime. I’m also the Spirits Editor for Club Oenologique, A judge for the IWSC and World Whisky Awards. I Chair the Circle of Wine Writers and am a member of the Keepers of the Quaich.
Being able to work with friends. Before The Three Drinkers came into being, Helena and I have known each other for about ten years and I’ve known Aidy for four. They are two of my closest friends. Being able to taste fabulous drinks is also a bonus!
The Muthaiga club in Nairobi. Perfect G&Ts and Pimms and Lemonade by the pint. My father was a diplomat in the early 1990’s and as members we spent a lot of time there. It was where I continued to learn about drinks in my late teens and early twenties.
London. There is simply nowhere else with the variation and quality of bars within walkable distance than in the centre of London.
Sunny during the day and warm at night. Good drinks and with people who enjoy good drinks. A mix of people I know well and people to get to know.
There are so many brilliant people! Bill Lumsden, Charles MacLean, Ronnie Cox, Doug McIvor, Mark Thomason, Kirsten Grant Meikle, George Grant, Nick Morgan, Colin Dun, Gillian Cook, Jim Beverage, Maureen Robertson, Emma Clarke, Euan Gunn, Georgie Crawford, Ian Taylor, Angus MacRaild, Jonny McMillan, Lora Hemy, Mat Chambers, Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison, Ronnie Routledge, Ian Logan, Billy Abbott, Sukhinder Singh, Ben Ellefson, Johnny Cornthwaite, Gemma Paterson, Richard Paterson, Claire Clarke, the list could go on and on, and I’ve spent lots of time in bars with them all. Someone I haven’t met yet and I’d like to share a drink with is Francis Cuthbert the owner of the new distillery Daftmill.
The Three Drinkers Single Cask Selection 1 Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.
A Negroni, made with several types of gin and vermouth which have had time to rest together.
Incredibly, I haven’t had a hangover for years! A good piece of advice I was given a long time ago, was to drink water whilst drinking and drink lots of water before going to sleep to keep hydrated. I’m sure that helps a lot. I’d also replace electrolytes quickly, which is why sugary drinks like Iron Bru usually help people feel better.
Booze hounds