Available in Australia only, with proceeds to benefit the KFC Youth Foundation, KFC Inspired Surf Wax: "Get out there and conquer a monster with stability like never before. It’s like the Colonel himself carrying you on his shoulders. For best results, apply in the cool shade of a pine tree. WARNING: KFC Inspired Surf Wax is only for the smell and the swell. Not for eating. Do not consume." 65g is $13.
Herbal teas from Palais des Thés: the Garden Promenades gift set, with 50g tins of four infusions: Tropical garden ("delicious blend of mango, pineapple, papaya and peach, evoking sweet, delicious fruit"), Andalusian garden ("blend of pink grapefruit and lemon peel that evokes the fresh, acidic atmosphere of a luscious garden"), Romantic garden ("blend of peach, pineapple and lemon myrtle that will immerse yourself in the poetry of a garden sprinkled with sweet flowers and sun-drenched fruits") and Queen's garden (" blend of apple, caramelized almonds and cinnamon that evokes the flavours of childhood"). $35. Hat tip to Austenfan, who has tried and likes the Andalusian.
From Portland Syrups, Rose Cordial ("Fragrant, whole dried rose blossoms and petals are slow-brewed in stages with dried rose hips, to capture the flower’s essence at several stages of its expression. It is sweet and tart with a subdued but complex floral character, and is extremely versatile. Wonderfully refreshing on it’s [sic] own, or add clear liquors for an especially delightful cocktail.") and Rose City Tonic Syrup ("Portland's own House Spirits approached us to create a tonic that paired with their award-winning Aviation gin. This authentically-brewed whole-ingredient tonic, made with genuine cinchona bark, features a delicate floral layer that supports but does not compete with Aviation's spice roster. Cinchona, the bittering bark from which tonics get their quinine, delivers a complex, gently astringent tonic “bite.” This makes the driest gin and tonic you'll find — simply stir it with a bit of sparkling water prior to building your drink."). $14 each for 473 ml.
A lemming for a perfumista cocktail party: Zymurgorium Manchester Sweet Violet Gin Liqueur. "Combining sweet violets with a gin base made using 20 botanicals, Sweet Violet Gin is a unique and distinctive liqueur made by Manchester’s original artisan micro-distillery, Zymurgorium. Boasting an incredible parma violet flavour with an underlying gin presence, it manages to avoid the tendency towards a syrup-like viscosity that many gin liqueurs have. The sweet violets used to create this beautiful gin liqueur give it a sweet pastel flavour and provide a strong violet aroma, making this delicious to drink on its own or mixed in cocktails." £27 at Harvey Nichols.
A lemming for cocktail week, although maybe I wouldn't really go so far as to say it's a lemming. It did make me laugh: Unicorn Tears Raspberry Gin Liqueur. With sparkles, of course. "Uh oh. The unicorns are distraught again. They’ve eaten all the raspberries and are blubbing hot pink, berry-infused rivulets down their pudgy mythical faces. We could’ve brought more raspberries to alleviate their suffering, but we’re callous and cold-hearted. So instead we bought a bucket to catch the tears and a funnel to fill these gorgeous miniature 5cl bottles. [...] Combining the finest London Dry Gin with a tang of citrus, the sweet succulence of raspberries and the signature iridescent shimmer, Unicorn Tears are out of this world. Swirl the bottle to create a glittery vortex, we still have no idea how something so beautiful can be created out of so much imaginary distress." £10 for 50 ml at Harvey Nichols.