A raft recent spirit launches includes new pours from Salcombe Distilling Company and Laphroaig, as well as charity focused Sis4ers Distillery and Northwest Passage Expedition gins.
‘Home at 10’ limited edition curfew peach gin released
Salford’s Sis4ers Distillery has launched limited edition Home at 10 gin to encourage people to stick to the nationwide 10pm curfew.
The peach flavoured gin comes in a colourful bottle design created from recent Covid alert imagery, with its makers gifting £2 per purchase to hospitality sector charity So Let’s Talk.
“We wanted to release a gin that encourages people to be safely home by 10pm while also reflecting the ever-changing world that we’re living in right now,” Lucy McAvoy, sales and marketing director at Sis4ers, said.
“The hospitality industry across the country is feeling the hit of lockdowns and curfews, which is why we wanted to create a product that supports charities helping people in the sector through this difficult time.
“We want to incentivise people to follow the rules, to ensure businesses can stay afloat and people can stay safe. While we are living with these restrictions, why not make your late-night drink a delicious one.”
Bullards Spirits launch eco-refill pouches
Bullards Spirits has launched a range of eco-refill pouches across its collection of award-winning gins in what it claims is an industry first as it strives to be a zero-waste operation by 2022.
Bullards encourages the purchase of a “bottle for life” in each of its gins – Bullards Coastal Gin, Bullards Old Tom Gin, Bullards London Dry Gin and Bullards Strawberry and Black Pepper Gin – and, to reduce the carbon footprint, subsequent purchases of the relevant gin in sustainable eco-refill pouches delivered flat-packed and contact-free through the letterbox.
After replenishing the Bottle For Life, the empty pouch is easily and responsibly recycled.
“We are committed to our bottle for life concept, as much as we love our bottles, we love the planet more and the eco-refill pouches help us keep to our sustainability pledge,” Russell Evans, founder of Bullards Spirits said.
“The eco-refill pouches enable our customers to keep our beautiful bottles, whilst repeatedly reusing them by refilling with our premium gin.
“Through the pandemic, consumers have happily been buying online and refreshingly, on-trade is equally keen.”
Intercontinental Brands adds Marlin Spike to rum portfolio
Yorkshire-based Intercontinental Brands (ICB) has added Marlin Spike to its portfolio of brands including Cactus Jack’s, Amplify and TW Kempton, as well as new rum brands Palm Beach and Hawksbill.
Based in the Netherlands, Marlin Spike combines a unique blend of rums from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and a fourth Latin American country which the brand keeps secret.
Marlin Spike has recently been awarded a gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as well as a silver medal at the World Spirits Awards in the Gold Rum Premium category.
“It’s a really exciting time for the rum category at the moment, so we’re particularly delighted to come on board as the UK distributor for Marlin Spike which adds a premium option to our current rum offering,” Tony Ince, sales director at ICB, said.
“Marlin Spike is a brand of great quality and heritage, which we think will resonate really well with an increasingly educated and engaged audience here in the UK, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring it to market here for the first time.”
Premier Cru Classé Château Climens unveils cask finished gin with Salcombe Distilling Company
The owner of Château Climens, Bérénice Lurton, and co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Company on the south west coast of England, Angus Lugsdin, have joined forces to launch 46% ABV limited-edition cask finished gin.
Named Phantom, the new pour from Lurton and Lugsdin brings together their combined knowledge, experience and craftsmanship in wine making and distillation. It is made from 16 botanicals and boasts honeyed peaches, rose petals, cypress, lavender and orange blossom tasting notes.
“As a long-term admirer of Sauternes wines, it was an enormous privilege to work in collaboration with Bérénice Lurton and Frédéric Nivelle of Château Climens,” Lugsdin said.
“Often mistakenly overlooked in favour of the more famous Château D’Yquem, the wines from the bio-dynamic estate of Château Climens are fresher and softer, with more finesse and grace.”
Lurton added: “When Angus first visited Climens and explained his idea, we were totally hooked. I was fascinated by Salcombe Distilling Company’s story. We both share a deep respect for the history of winemaking and distilling, and a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.”
House of Hine launches Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2010
The House of Hine will be releasing 42.1% ABV Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2010 cognac, the latest expression in its Bonneuil single-estate series, in November.
First launched in 2005, only 18 casks, each producing 450 individually numbered bottles, are being released.
Bottled on 21 July 2020, Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2010 is a rare and precious Cognac that exudes elegance and will delight both wine and spirits enthusiasts from professionals to lovers of grands crus and single malts, according to its maker.
Ceremony Beverage Company releases Twist hard seltzer
Ceremony Beverage Company has launched vegan-friendly Twist Hard Seltzer – 5% ABV and with 60 calories per 330ml bottle.
Made in North London, Twist is made using a triple distilled spirit with nano filtered sparkling water with natural fruit flavour. The range launches with Strawberry and Rhubarb, Green Apple and Lime; and Passion Fruit and Pineapple flavours.
Following an exclusive week-long launch at Selfridges, Twist is now widely available to purchase from a number of stockists while its creator, Ceremony Beverage Company, is set up as a wholesaler for on-trade queries.
Laphroaig unveils the second instalment in Ian Hunter series
Following the success of Ian Hunter Book One, Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig has unveiled the second instalment in its rare collectable super-premium whisky series that continues to honour the legacy of the last founding member of the Johnston family to run the Laphroaig Distillery.
The Ian Hunter Story will consist of five annual releases, the first of which was launched in 2019. Every year a new chapter is unveiled, uncovering the history behind Laphroaig and the characters who created it.
Following on from Book One: ‘Unique Character’, Book Two is entitled ‘Building an Icon’ and is limited to just four hundred cases.
The limited-edition whisky will be available from selected retailers for an RRP of £760.
Cellar Trends adds Hardy Cognac to drinks portfolio
UK drinks distributor Cellar Trends has announced that Hardy Cognac will be joining its portfolio ahead of the key Christmas trading period.
Founded by Anthony Hardy in 1863, Hardy Cognac remains a family enterprise to this day, with fifth generation Bénédicte Hardy on board as an international brand ambassador.
Cellar Trends’ portfolio will boast three core and award-winning products from the wide Hardy portfolio – Hardy Legend 1863, VSOP Organic and XO Rare.
Cellar Trends managing director, Simon Thomas, said: “Cellar Trends has a longstanding gap in the portfolio for a cognac brand, so we are delighted to be welcoming Hardy cognac into the portfolio as a genuinely aspirational brand boasting exceptional quality liquid.”
Nathalie Egreteau, Hardy Western Europe area manager added: “The Hardy House is proud to delegate the distribution of its cognacs to Cellar Trends.
“The choice to entrust our cognacs to this new partner was an obvious one considering the quality of the brands the Cellar Trends carries in its portfolio.
“The strong partnership already in place with Amber Beverage Group in international markets further encourages us to believe that this new alliance will bring success for both companies in the UK.”
Northwest Passage Expedition Gin to fund arctic row
Northwest Passage Expedition Gin is a new craft pour created by a team of adventurers in a bid to raise awareness of ocean conservation and to help fund their row of the Northwest Passage – the arctic route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Proceeds from the sales of our Northwest Passage Expedition Gin will fund the Last Great First, the 2021 maritime navigation of the Northwest Passage by human power.
Flavoured with botanicals from the shores of Scotland’s Orkney Islands and the Hudson Bay in Canada, the gin boasts unique flavours drawn from Sugar Kelp, Angelica Archangelica, Ramanas Rose and Burnet Rose.
“We are thrilled to launch Northwest Passage Expedition Gin to support our 2021 expedition and raise awareness for ocean conservation,” Leven Brown, seven-time ocean rowing Guinness World Record holder and expedition leader said. “This is our first step towards making history.”
Stephen Kemp of The Orkney Distillery added: “The creation of Northwest Passage Expedition Gin has been inspirational, and we are thrilled to have been part of something so exciting.
“The result is a high-quality gin, created using a selection of botanicals rooted in history and from the same water source that supplied the ships of Captain Cook and Sir John Franklin. We hope existing and new gin drinkers will enjoy it."
Wilfred’s non-alcoholic British aperitif launch
Setting out in an attempt to reinvent the classic spritz, Wilfred’s is a new non-alcoholic British aperitif using naturally bittersweet ingredients to conjure the flavours of a spritz, without any alcohol.
Designed to be served with tonic water, the alcohol-free aperitif is made from a blend of bitter orange, rosemary, rhubarb and a hint of clove.
Founded by engineer and inventor Chris Wilfred Hughes, Wilfred’s is free from artificial flavours, sweeteners and colours, and contains just 21 calories per 50ml serving.
Pink Prosecco lands in UK pubs
Pubs and bars across the UK can now get their hands on one of the first rosé Proseccos to hit UK shores with the latest launch from Slim Wine, Pink Prosecco.
A blend of Glera and Pinot Nero grapes, the pink pour is made in Treviso, Italy, in a winery owned by the vice-president of the Prosecco Council.
Pink Prosecco offers hints of summer fruits such as strawberry and blackberry according to its creators.
Paul Anthony Gidley, CEO of Pink Prosecco, said: “There’s clear demand in the market for a strong PINK Prosecco brand and there’s definitely opportunity for pubs and bars to capitalise on the new trend to drive sales and repeat custom.
“There’s a real buzz about Pink Prosecco on social media and it is set to bring a welcome highlight to the end of 2020. We have an amazing raft of events planned for next year, and trade and consumers alike all have the opportunity to attend our Pink Parties.
“Brits are the biggest consumers of Prosecco behind its native Italy and the popular fizz has become as much a part of the culture as a pint of beer, he continued. “Thanks to our experience with Slim Wine, we know that the UK has been shouting out for an innovative new sparkling wine and we are pleased to be among the first to hit the market with this new Pink Prosecco DOC Rosé.”
Mangrove UK adds Clonakilty Irish Whiskey to drinks portfolio
Premium drinks importer and distributer, Mangrove UK, has added Clonakilty Irish whiskey to its portfolio in partnership with founders Michael and Helen Scully.
The waterfront distillery has been distilling since 2019 and in its first year was awarded World’s Best Irish New Make Single Pot Still at the World Whiskey Awards 2020.
The distillery’s cask finish series is made up of three expressions, 43.6% ABV pours Double Oak, Port Cask and Single Grain Bordeaux.
Michael Scully of Clonakilty Whiskey said: “As a genuine Irish Atlantic Ocean distillery, we feel our award-winning spirits offer a pretty unique experience for discerning consumers. We are excited to be working in partnership with Mangrove UK and expanding our offerings into the UK market.”
Nick Gillett, MD at Mangrove UK added: “This is an amazing whiskey. The number of awards that the Clonakilty Distillery has won in just two years highlights the exceptional qualities of this whiskey. A perfect brand for the on-trade, we also expect demand on-line and for independent retailers to be strong.”
The distillery’s Minke Gin will also be available across the UK.
Kirker Greer Spirits has unveiled its latest serve, Bowsaw Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Distilled and matured in the north of Kentucky near the Ohio River, Bowsaw Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a unique mash bill comprising 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley.
It is aged for more than three years in char American oak barrels before bottling at 43% ABV. The result is what its creators describe as a sweet toasted oak aroma with mellow flavours of vanilla and honey with a spicy rye finish.
“We are delighted to extend our Bowsaw range with this brilliant bold bourbon which really packs a punch with incredibly rich flavours - a sweet toasted oak aroma with mellow flavours of vanilla with honey and a spicy rye backbone to finish,” Steven Pattison, CEO of Kirker Greer Spirits said. “Perfect for enjoying by itself or in our suggested serves.
“This first release has been matured over 3 years in new American charred oak barrels, future releases will be further aged as stock is still in cask. The unique hand-finished bottle also complements the whiskey's sense of craft and character.”
La Fée launches new format
La Fée Absinthe has unveiled a new 20cl format for their flagship La Fée Parisienne pour featuring a detachable 12-page cocktail book integrated into the label.
The book not only serves up category history and the origins of La Fée, but offers education on how to drink absinthe, from classic sugar and water to modern twists on cocktail classics.
La Fée founder George Rowley said: “Absinthe has been synonymous with cocktail culture since the very beginning, and with our new 20cl we are giving bars the chance to bring Absinthe from the back of the bar, to the front of the bar without the need for bartenders to decant into smaller bottles.
“We also recognised that as at-home consumption of cocktails continues to grow, we wanted to give the consumer an affordable, but authentic absinthe offering, as well as a way to educate the consumers through our tear off cocktail book and easy link off pack to Difford’s Guide to Cocktails”
