Authenticity and Sourcing

Everything we deliver arrives sealed, in its original packaging, and labelled for sale in the UK. This page explains what that means, the five things you can check yourself the moment a bottle reaches you, and what happens if anything is not right.

Where our stock comes from

Everything we sell is bought from UK wholesalers approved under HMRC's Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme, usually shortened to AWRS.

AWRS is not a badge a supplier opts into. Since 2017, any business selling alcohol wholesale in the UK has had to be approved by HMRC and issued a unique reference number, and it is a legal obligation on us, as the trade buyer, to check that a supplier holds that approval before buying from them. Trading outside the scheme is an offence on both sides of the transaction.

What that means for the bottle in front of you: it came through a registered UK supply chain, UK excise duty has been paid on it, and it carries the labelling required for sale in this country.

What "labelled for the UK market" means

Alcohol sold in the UK has to carry certain information on the label: the alcoholic strength by volume, the net volume, an allergen declaration where one applies (on wine, this is usually contains sulphites), and the name and address of the producer, bottler, importer or seller inside the UK.

A bottle prepared for a different market may not carry all of it. That is one of the clearest practical differences between buying from a UK retailer and buying from an overseas marketplace listing, and it is visible on the back label before you open anything.

Five things to check when your order arrives

• The seal. The capsule or foil should be intact, with no gap or lifted edge where the capsule meets the neck, and no sign of it having been re-glued.
• The fill level. It should look consistent with other bottles of the same product. A noticeably low or uneven fill in a sealed bottle is worth raising.
• The label. Printing should be sharp rather than soft or pixelated, applied straight, correctly spelled, and clean at the edges.
• The batch code. Most major producers laser-etch or print a lot code onto the glass near the base, or onto the back label. It should be crisp and legible rather than smudged or absent.
• The cage, on sparkling wine. The wire muselet should be tight against the foil, and the foil unbroken.

Bottles that carry a number or a certificate

Several of the premium bottles we stock are individually numbered, signed by the artisan who finished them, or supplied with a certificate — this is common across luxury tequila, cognac and limited-edition champagne. Where a bottle is numbered, the number appears on the bottle and again on the box or certificate. The two should match. If they do not, tell us before you open it.

Why buying from a UK retailer matters

• Duty is paid here. UK excise duty is settled before the bottle reaches you, so nothing is owed on delivery.
• The label meets UK requirements. See above.
• Your consumer rights apply. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be as described and of satisfactory quality.
• There is someone to contact. A named business in London, reachable by phone and email, rather than an overseas seller behind a marketplace account.

If something is not right

Contact us straight away with your order number and a photograph of the bottle, including the label and the seal. Our return policy sets out how returns and refunds are handled, and contact details are here. Please do not open a bottle you are unsure about — an unopened bottle is far easier to resolve.

Age verification on every delivery

We operate a Challenge 21 policy. If the person receiving the order looks under 21, the driver will ask for photographic proof of age, and will not hand over alcohol without it. This applies whatever the hour and whoever placed the order.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you buy your stock?

From UK wholesalers approved under HMRC's Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme. Approval is a legal requirement for selling alcohol wholesale in the UK, and checking that a supplier holds it is a legal obligation on us as the buyer.

How can I tell a bottle is genuine?

Check the seal, the fill level, the label print, the batch code and — on sparkling wine — the wire cage. All five are described above, and all five can be checked in under a minute without opening anything.

What does a UK label have to show?

The alcoholic strength by volume, the net volume, an allergen declaration where one applies, and the name and address of the producer, bottler, importer or seller within the UK.

What should I do if a bottle arrives damaged or looks wrong?

Get in touch straight away with your order number and a photograph. Leave the bottle unopened. Our return policy covers what happens next.

Do you check age on delivery?

Yes — we operate Challenge 21 on every order.

Where do you deliver?

Across London, with next-day delivery UK-wide. The delivery areas page has the detail, and the questions answered page covers timings, minimums and how ordering works.