Star blogs: The best of 2011

Throughout the past year, together with Martell Cognac, we've recognised the best writing by our esteemed bloggers, rewarding the top post of each issue with a bottle of Martell XO. Here they all are: the collected Star Blogs of 2011.

Raiders of the Lost Rum

'To sample a rum that was bottled before the invention of the Coffey still, before Jerry Thomas ever Blue Blazed even before Peter Dorelli started bar backing at the Savoy hotel (now that’s old !)'

Ian Burrell

The strawberry daiquiri and other loathsome drinks

'...the customer who orders the Strawberry Daiquiri does so without a giggle, they consider it to be a serious drinker’s drink unlike the raucous nature of the June Bug or the Sloe Comfortable Screw.'

Scott Tyrer

I May Not Know Much...

'...it was first a shock, and then deliciously amusing to find that maybe, just maybe, that’s an area I now know a bit more about than one of the grand old men.'

Jo Eames

Earth, wind & fear

'Why do producers of other food and beverage products seem to be striving for regional recognition whereas those who have been traditionally defined by it seem to be shying away?'

Mark Deamer