Uncle Nearest whiskey launches in the UK

Premium whiskey brand launches in the UK

Award-winning American whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has launched in the UK.

Made from a combination of corn, rye and malted barley in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Uncle Nearest’s UK portfolio consists of two variants: Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey and Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey.

Uncle Nearest 1884 is crafted in handpicked barrels in small batches before being distilled and aged at the brands secondary distillery in Columbia, Tennessee and offers notes of orchard fruit, baked apricot and a hint of orange zest alongside vanilla and a touch of spicy nutmeg.

While the company’s 1856 variant is aged in new American Oak Barrels, offering aromas of buttery vanilla and brown sugar alongside notes of caramelised nuts, oat cookies, sandalwood, mint leaf and milk chocolate on the palate. 

The fully independent, black-owned and female led spirits company takes its name from Nearest Green, affectionately nicknamed Uncle Nearest by his friends and family, and credited by the brand as being the world’s first known African American master distiller.

Uncle Nearest co-founder and CEO Fawn Weaver said: “We tiptoed into the UK several years ago, but our astronomical sales in the U.S. have made it quite difficult to send enough of our award-winning Bourbon to the UK to make any real impact. We are changing that in 2023.

“We are ensuring our Whiskey family across the pond is able to get Uncle Nearest in their favourite stores, bars and restaurants, as well. I look forward to visiting more often and sharing a dram with our friends and family on that side of the world.”

Best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a whiskey or bourbon cocktail, both deviations of Uncle Nearest are available to buy from wholesalers such as Master of Malt and the Whisky exchange as well as Amazon at RRP £55 for the Premium serve and £65 for the Small Batch variant.

Hogs Back urges customers to go 'TEA total'

Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery has announced two new low and no alcohol beers.

The brewer has released Little Swine Low Alcohol 2.8% ABV beer on draught and bottle, and a new Little Swine 0.5% ABV bottled beer, both of which are gluten free.

Additionally, the company’s core tipple Tongham TEA pump clips will invite customers to “Support your local, go TEA total” by enjoying a pint of their favourite ale, repeating the successful January campaign from previous years.

Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “We know this month is going to be a challenge for pubs with worries about the high cost of living combining with the usual new year’s resolutions to cut back.

“We’re helping them appeal both to customers wanting to beat the January blues with a flavourful pint of Tongham TEA, and to the increasing number of consumers with a thirst for beers with full taste but lower strength, which peaks this month.”

Hogs Back Brewery uses a stopped fermentation brewing method to produce its low alcohol beers, which it said is in contrast to the less gentle reverse osmosis or vacuum distillation processes used by some larger global brewers.

Little Swine 0.5% ABV is said to be a full-bodied, flavourful pale ale, brewed with four speciality malts and three hop varieties including aromatic Cascade from Hogs Back’s hop garden and dry hopped with Mosaic for a robust citrus finish. The brewer said the result is a crisp, smooth, well-balanced beer.

Thompson added: “The distinct branding for both the new 0.5% beer and existing 2.8% create a Little Swine family that is clearly part of the Hogs Back portfolio.

“This means drinkers will trust the beers to deliver great taste while also being produced in keeping with our ethos of brewing sustainably and using local ingredients.

“We’re encouraging pubs to broaden their low and no range during January and stock a local brand to help customers show their support for local brewers.”

Read more here​.

Monte Carol Rosé range now available to the on-trade 

Provence Wine’s Monte Carlo Rosé range is now available to the on-trade.

Monte Carlo Blush (ABV 13.5%) is a light, crip, balanced and refreshing wine suitable for all dining occasions while Monte Carlo Prestige (13.5% ABV) is a more indulgent rosé perfect for special moments, grown on the slopes of the Cadiere d’Azur.

According to the company, the Monte Carlo brand will “bring new customers into hospitality who desire delicious tasting rosés and aspire to the lifestyle, ambience and taste of the Cote D’Azur."

Both variants are availble now from the brands webshop at RRP £18.99 per 75cl bottle for the Blush serve and £27.99 for the Prestige offering.

Monte Carlo blush is also available in 250ml can format (12.5% ABV).

Additionally, the brand, which is run by pub owners, also offers an introductory package for the on-trade which includes volume deals, branded point of sale, bespoke POS, experiences, incentives and tastings.

For more information please visit the Provence Wine website.

High Point announces two fermented non-alcoholic spirits 

Non-alcoholics drinks company High Point has announced the launch of two new fermented alcohol-free spirits.

The brand’s Ruby Aperitif, best served over ice with tonic water, offers notes of hibiscus, lavender, wormwood, pink peppercorn, orange zest, and pink grapefruit zest while its Amber Digestif, best served over ice with ginger ale, provides hints of lapsang, ginger, clove, vanilla, cacao nibs, gentian root, oak.

Both serves are infused and blended on the cost of Cornwall using 100% natural ingredients before being fermented for 30 days.

High Point founder Eddie Lofthouse said: “At High Point, we wanted to provide a different type of tonic: delicious non-alcoholic spirits that are as raw and beautiful as the spot on the Cornish coast we call home.”

Both new offerings are available now from the High Point webshop in 70cl bottle format at RRP £19.99.

Lockdown Liquor & Co partners with Mezcal Union 

Lockdown Liquor & Co., the London-based award-winning cocktail company founded in 2020, has introduced its debut Mezcal cocktail, the Mezcal Copita (18% ABV), created in partnership with Mezcal Union.

The perfect introduction to the Oaxaca spirit, Mezcal Copita is crafted with Mezcal Unión Uno to give a touch of smoke alongside a combination of fresh pineapple and Campari. Combined with a hit of citrus and grapefruit bitters.

Lockdown Liquor & Co. co-founder Jack Durling said: “Two decades ago, mezcal was almost non-existent in the spirits industry.

“Today, it has established itself as the latest big spirit category to be discovered that shows no signs of slowing down. People may know mezcal as Tequila’s smoky cousin, but “smoky” only scratches the surface of this amazingly artisanal spirit.

“Similar to wine, each bottle reflects the unique terroir of the region where it was distilled, with each producer using their own artisan methods.

“Myself and our Head Mixologist Omar have been exploring a Mezcal cocktail for some time, Omar’s Mexican heritage helped us bring justice to this beautiful spirit.”

The new serve is available to buy now from the Lockdown Liquor webshop in 500ml bottle format at RRP £25.

Durling added: “Although mezcal is booming, there is a concern it will fall victim to industrial processes to keep up with demand, which would go against the core ethos of the craftsmanship of mezcal.

“That is why we have partnered with Mezcal Union who support local producers and farmers with investments in the development of their land, with the intention of increasing their production volume sustainably, always taking care of a 100% artisan process.”

If you have any new products being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images before Thursday at midday for potential inclusion on Friday’s article to ​​​Erorppn.jryyre@jeoz.pbz​​​​​​​​.​