We recently got a chance to sample Van Gogh, the super-premium vodka from Holland named in tribute to the famous artist which holds a Royal Warrant from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. While Van Gogh is known for some pretty out-there flavors - you may remember Luxist posts on the Double Espresso and Dutch Caramel - our tastes are more conventional and so we opted to try the Oranje and Citroen versions as well as the classic 80 proof. The Oranje's authentic flavor comes from using both the orange pulp and skins. The pulp gives a round, sweet flavor while the rinds offer good intensity and a light bitterness for a perfect balance. Lemons and limes are the basis of Citroen, which has a fresh and intense flavor with a touch of bitterness from the rinds, and a long, clean finish. Van Gogh s produced in the historic Royal Dirkzwager distillery in Schiedam, recently renovated under the supervision of the Holland Monument Society. Master Distiller Tim Vos hand-crafts all Van Gogh Vodkas in small batches through a double infusion method, using only natural ingredients and premium grain alcohol.

William & Son, the luxury goods emporium located in London's elegant Mayfair district founded by William Asprey after his family's business, Asprey of London, was sold off back in the '90s, was recently granted a Royal Warrant to HM Queen Elizabeth II. The firm (which we wrote about last year), offers high-end jewelry, silver, watches, leathergoods, china and crystal, as well as custom-made shotguns and other bespoke services. The Royal Warrant is awarded as a mark of recognition to companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for at least five years to members of the Royal Family. Warrants have always been regarded as a mark of excellence and quality, and are highly prized. Other firms holding the Royal Warrant include Asprey, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Barbour and Laphroaig.

Swaine Adeney Brigg, the 250-year-old London luxury goods maker that holds a Royal Warrant from the Queen of England and the Prince of Wales, has come out with a stunning new leather luggage collection. Paying homage to the Grand Tours of yesteryear, the firm's design director Dominc Laurelli, brought in to freshen up the brand last year, drew inspiration from the coloured stripes, be they regimental, heraldic or racing, once painted on the luggage of soldiers, aristocrats and explorers for easy identification. Made from the finest leather, the stripes lend the pieces a jaunty, sporting air. There are several different styles of holdall as well as a hatbox.

Classic British outerwear company Barbour has come out with a brilliant collection for fall building on the brand's heritage while updating traditional designs and adding subtle new takes on sporting classics. Inspired by the best of British varsity wear and Barbour's own rich lineage - the firm, founded in 1894, holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales - there are new additions to each of Barbour's collections: Heritage, Contemporary, Classic, and Sporting.

Fall ushers in a bold, visually appealing and tactile re-interpretation of Barbour's authentic style. This season sees an expansion in new styles in the company's outerwear, knitwear and shirts ranges, as well as a brand new, full trouser collection with formal, casual and jeans options for both men and women. One standout is the Union Jack International motorcycle jacket (above left) with a super cool British flag lining. Key items feature Union Jack patches and Barbour badges as well, such as the Durelli International jacket with an integral waistcoat. Other trends in the autumn/winter '09 collection include: (continued after the jump)

Tanqueray, the iconic London Dry Gin with a history that spanning 175 years and a Royal Warrant from the Queen of England, has come up with a number of new variations on the classic "T&T" - i.e. Tanuqeray and Tonic, which we hereby present so you can try them at your leisure:

T&T Refreshed

• 1.25 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin
• 1 Egg White
• .75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• Tonic Water

• Shake all ingredients without ice to aerate.
• Add ice. Shake.
• Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass.
• Top with tonic water.

Muddled T&T

• 1.25 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin
• Tonic Water

• Muddle 3 lime wedges at the bottom of a Collins glass.
• Add Tanqueray London Dry Gin.
• Top with tonic water.

Continued after the jump.

Did you know that Laphroaig single malt Scotch whisky offers a lifetime lease of one square foot plot of land on the island of Islay where the distillery is located in Scotland to each consumer who buys a bottle?

All you have to do is register the purchase number found with the bottle at www.laphroaig.com/plot to stake your claim. You will then automatically become a member of the Friends of Laphroaig community and will receive the deed to the numbered plot of land.

Friends are encouraged to visit the distillery to view their plot and claim their "rent" – a dram of Laphroaig. Meanwhile at www.laphroaig.com you can now view aerial photographs to find your plot of land and meet your "neighbors" via an interactive member map. You may discover a fellow Laphroiag enthusiast just down the street and can even send them a private message.

There are more than 364,000 Friends of Laphroaig spread across more than 150 countries registered online. Among the site's many features is Laphroaig TV, offering a look inside the distillery as well as exclusive previews of limited-edition bottlings, live online tastings and educational seminars.

Laphroaig, established in 1815, is one of the richest, smokiest single malts and one of the very best Scotches ever produced. It holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales and bears his heraldic three-feather badge on its label.

200-year-old London luxury goods firm Asprey has been making some of the world's most exquisite games for decades, of the sort that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. One of their latest offerings is a beautiful handmade gentleman's poker set in black polished genuine crocodile skin with ceramic poker chips and royal purple Asprey playing cards (above). Priced at about $8,000 it certainly brings new meaning to "poker night". Asprey, founded in 1781, holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, one of several granted by the British Royal Family over the years. As we reported last year, Asprey decided to return to its roots and focus on its core business of luxury goods representing a high-water mark of taste, refinement and quality after having branched out into clothing and footwear.

[via JustLuxe]

For its Spring / Summer collection which we previewed back in March, famed British clothing company Barbour has come out with an updated version of its classic waterproof waxed jacket. While this time of year usually calls for seersucker, the weather just isn't co-operating so waterproofs are de rigeur. The New Utility jacket (above), part of the company's Contemporary line, features slimmer proportions, cargo-style pockets and a smaller collar. Lined in classic Barbour Tartan, the jacket is made of the company's classic mediumweight 6 oz. Barbour Sylkoil waxed fabric. Barbour, which was founded in 1894 and holds Royal Warrants from Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Prince of Wales, is further expanding on tradition with artfully updated designs like this one.

Even when dad's not available I like to spend Father's Day with the family – the Johnnie Walker family. They have a Scotch for every occasion, and, as it happens, every dad as well, with five varieties ranging in age, complexity and exclusivity. Having tried (and tried and tried) every blended Scotch on the market over the years, I long ago settled on JW as the best; judging by the Royal Warrant on the bottle, that famous souse the Queen of England agrees. For one thing, it's the only one that's got any real peat to it, and of course we've always been fond of the "Striding Man" on the bottle; We like to think he's striding off in search of a damn drink after a long day's foxhunting, hoping the family is lined up waiting at home. Let's meet 'em:

The classic Red Label (which dates from 1906) and Black Label (1909) are old standbys, of course. We like the former with soda and the latter on the rocks. Originally known as Extra Special Old Highland Whisky in the 1800s, Red Label ($23) is a combination of 30 spicy, smoky malts, such as Talisker, and lingering, lighter grains. It has notes of clove, butterscotch, spice and vanilla, with a robust, smoky character and a warm finish.

Black Label ($34) contains as many as 40 whiskies all aged in oak casks for at least 12 years, including Talisker and Cardhu. The result is a rich combination of dry smokiness, with malt and peat overtones balanced by hints of cedar and fruit, with trademark dark chocolate and vanilla notes.

On to more recent innovations: Green, Gold and Blue Label. Green Label ($60) is actually a blend of 15-year-old Island and Speyside malt whiskies. Notes of spice, green fruit and nutmeg, are accompanied by an aroma of green apples and pears with a hint of sandalwood.

Gold Label ($85) is crafted from blend of 15 different whiskies, each aged at least 18 years. It's a very mellow Scotch, with a creamy, honeyed body and a slight caramel and vanilla nose. Some folk like to freeze it for 24 hours to release its true character as the whisky warms in the mouth.

Finally Blue Label ($220) is the ultimate luxury blend. Many of the rare whiskies come from distilleries that no longer exist, hence the pricetag. The nose has hints of smoke, sherry and fruitcake, while the body is soft and mellow with sherry, honey and vanilla notes married with peat and dark chocolate. The bee's knees.

Last month we told you about the super-cool new collaboration between Japanese designer Tokihito Yoshida (aka To Ki To) and famed British clothing company J. Barbour & Sons, known for their iconic waxed jackets. For spring / summer, Barbour, which was founded in 1894 and holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales, is further expanding on tradition in the form of a new "Britprep" collection. They hope to evolve as a lifestyle brand appealing to a wider customer base with the development of more contemporary products focused on rugged tailoring and fit.

With the collection Barbour "brings authenticity to a look that defines the lifestyle of a British summer." Layers for men and women are "worn with character and wit to create an individual style." As befits a company with such a rich history, Barbour's heritage, which continues to inspire these new designs and developments, lies at the heart of the new collection. So what exactly is "Britprep"? According to Barbour, the look is not quite as clean and crisp as American Preppy. Simple, stylish, and contemporary, the collection "pays particular attention to fashion, color and tradition capturing the essence of 'Britishness.'"

Barbour has never really gone in for logos, but with the Britprep collection (above) they're employing a new crest. Unlike designers who invent crests, it's an authentic bit of heraldry deriving from the original Barbour family coat of arms originating in Galloway, Scotland. It is seen in a few variations throughout the entire collection, from subtle prints on inside jacket linings to the bold emphasis directly on the chest of polos, rugby shirts, a blazer, and even a version of Barbour's classic quilted Liddesdale jacket (pictured above left and in the gallery).

Smythson of Bond Street, suppliers of luxury stationery and leatherbound diaries to the Queen of England, is being put up for sale. According to the company however this is not a distress sale, rather the result of several parties having expressed interest in acquiring the business, the London Telegraph reports. Smythson was bought for £16 million in 2005 by a consortium led by Goldman Sachs banker Mike Sherwood. Sales have increased considerably since then and are expected to be around £20 million for the previous year-to-date. Nonetheless this seems like an odd time for any investor to pay a premium for a luxury goods company.

Founder Frank Smythson opened his first London shop in 1887. His trade card described his business as "First class stationery, leather goods and cabinet work." In addition to its UK shops Smythson now has stores on New York's 57th St. and Beverly Hills' famed Rodeo Drive. Smythson was granted a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen in 1964. Other warrants followed: HRH The Prince of Wales in 1980, HM The Queen Mother in 1987, and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2002. Back in September we reported on Smythson's luxurious $6,500 watch cabinet.

Classic British outdoor clothing company Barbour has teamed up with Japanese designer Tokihito Yoshida to launch a new limited edition capsule collection for Autumn Winter '09. J. Barbour & Sons, known for their iconic waxed jackets, was founded in 1894 and holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales. A graduate of Kuwasawa Design School, Tokihito previously designed for companies including Blades Savile Row in Japan before founding his own brand, To Ki To, in 1997. Consisting of five waxed and three waterproof jackets for men, the inspiration for the new To Ki To range came from Barbour's rich archive, which goes as far back as 1908, along with technical innovations and a modern fit.

Tokihito is renowned for the detail that he adds to his garments and he has taken Barbour's distinctive style and added his own signature design to create a unique collection that includes a wax Trench Coat, Bicycle, Horse Riding (above), Motor Riding and Driving jackets. Special features include zip on/zip off detachable helmet-style hoods, detachable padded vests, water-resistant map pockets, and integral storm skirts. On the trench coat, the vent and the front of the jacket combine to make a pair of "culottes" with the button features. Pricing has not been announced but Michael Williams at A Continuous Lean tags it at about $799 - $999 apiece.

Birmingham gunmaker Westley Richards was established in 1812 - three years before the battle of Waterloo - by founder William Westley Richards. In less than 30 years he secured a royal appointment to Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert, and a "continuous stream of technical innovations" put the Westley Richards name firmly on the map. In addition to beautiful craftsmanship, the company introduced notable improvements in breech loading, military gunmaking and ammunition, and a Westley detachable lock is still the trade standard for many modern shotguns.

Today the firm is thriving, having just moved into new $9 million headquarters in Birmingham's old Gun Quarter to house a revamped retail operation and an ever-expanding team of in-house craftsmen. The 21,000-sq.-ft. site, converted from 19th century brick warehouse buildings, is dedicated to all aspects of the gunmaker's craft. State-of-the-art workshops, a full tannery, engraving studios and an underground shooting range are complemented by an opulent new retail showroom, stocking sporting clothes and accessories, including bespoke leathergoods, books, art and ephemera. It's designed to be the "perfect blend of expert outfitters and enthusiasts den."

A new Westley Richards gun may take anywhere upwards of 600 hours to complete – 800 for a double rifle, "unbeaten in its ability to place two shots in rapid succession precisely on target" - depending on the level of engraving required. The gunroom creates an average of 30 pieces per year, with finished rifles and shotguns dispatched internationally. From consultation to delivery, a Westley Richards handmade double rifle or shotgun will be in production for up to two years; hence the maxim "Passion and patience go hand in hand for a Westley fan." They also stock a selection of second hand guns.

As my colleague Deidre Woollard reported the other day, Hardy Amies, the Queen of England's dressmaker for more than 30 years, is in danger of failing financially. Now the Queen's china supplier Royal Worcester has been put up for sale, leading to fears that the UK's "heritage brands" are becoming an endangered species, the London Times reports. Royal Worcester, which dates back to 1751, received its first royal warrant in 1789, and employed more than 1,000 people at its height. However, it has gotten into difficulty due to competition from abroad, cheaper products flooding the market, and changing tastes in tableware. For traditionalists however, Royal Worcester remains the gold standard.

Famed deluxe London department store Harrods, owned by the late Dodi Fayed's financier father Mohamed Al-Fayed, just announced plans to expand its private label product lines to put them on a par with the famous name merchandise it has long carried. Harrods branded products will soon include everything from golf and ski accessories to baby wear and plus-size collections, Vogue UK reports. The million square foot store, located in Knightsbridge, is the largest and one of the most luxurious in the world. It holds several royal warrants from the likes of the Queen, the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales.