New products round-up
Hendrick's announces limited-edition gin
Hendrick’s releases limited-edition gin
Hendrick’s Gin has announced the latest release in its ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ series, Flora Adora (43.4% ABV).
The new serve boasts floral, fresh and herbaceous aromas alongside Hendrick’s classic house style to offer notes of juniper and coriander on the palate, presented in an eye-catching butterfly motif bottle.
Hendrick’s Gin master distiller Lesley Gracie said: “I find it really relaxing to watch the butterflies and bees busy at work in the garden, it’s fascinating to me how they seem to settle on some plants more than others.
“Certain flowers are more enticing to the pollinators and it’s these blooms I’ve used to create a botanical blend for Hendrick’s Flora Adora.”
Following the launch of Flora Adora, Hendricks’ other limited-edition Cabinet of Curiosities release, Lunar Gin, will be phased out to make way for Flora Adora. However, the brand’s other variant in this series, Neptunia, will remain available.
Hendrick’s global ambassador Ally Martin added: “Hendrick’s Flora Adora builds on our beloved core Hendrick’s Gin.
“Initially on the palate you’ll get juniper alongside classic coriander. The earthy, herbal note of angelica is more apparent here with this serve and brings out some of the herbal notes in the flower we’ve added.
“What’s distinct about the mid-palate is this big floral explosion. There are a lot of flowers here – flowers that are particularly adored by precious pollinators due to their striking scent, abundance of pollen and colour.
“Some are more herbal, others more luscious, and you’ll also get the hoppy, green tea notes of the yarrow and the perfumed orris root comes forward more.
“Hendrick’s signature rose really comes in at the end and lingers elegantly on the palate in a pronounced, very Hendrick’s way by design.”
Flora Adora is available now in 70cl bottle format from Master of Malt at RRP £34.95.
Mermaid distillery launches second rum
Isle of Wight distillery Mermaid has announced the launch of its Spiced Rum variant.
The second rum in the distillery’s portfolio, which also includes a trio of gins and a vodka offering, Mermaid Spiced rum marries Caribbean rums from Trinidad and the Dominican Republic with local fruits and spices from the Isle of Wight.
Mermaid Spiced Rum is crafted from a carefully selected blend of sugar cane and molasses, distilled in column stills and aged between 2-5 years in oak bourbon whiskey barrels.
The Caribbean rums are infused at the Isle of Wight Distillery with Mermaid’s signature botanical rock samphire, fresh white cherries, apricots, honey, and black salt, gently spiced with local holy grass, cassia and vanilla, resulting in a smooth yet complex rum with caramel notes and a fruity spice.
Mermaid Spiced Rum will be available to the on-trade in 70cl bottle format from Tuesday 14 March direct from the distillery and from wholesalers Enotria, Nectar, Tolchards and the General Wine Company at RRP £40.
The brand’s co-founder Xavier Baker said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our Mermaid Spiced Rum and offer customers a slice of tropical coastal charm.
“After a few years of research, we’ve created a rum that encapsulates our Island life. It now feels right as the rum category is growing in popularity, both in households and in bars and restaurants.
“We hope this new edition will be as well received as the other spirits in our Mermaid portfolio.”
The new serve is presented in plastic-free bottles with a sustainably sourced natural cork stopper and tamper-proof seal made from corn and potato starch, designed based on a Mermaid’s tail.
Serving suggestion:Mermaid Spiced Rum Ginger
- Fill a glass with ice, add a measure of Mermaid Spiced Rum and top with Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a maraschino cherry
Bruha launches seasonal cask range
East Anglian Brewery, Bruha, has launched its seasonal cask range for 2023.
Joining Bruha’s portfolio for a limited run starting this month is Bruha Porter (4.5% ABV), a rich and dark beer with notes of caramel and toffee.
Bruha managing director Rob Breakwell said: “Bruha Porter is the first in a line of nine seasonal cask beers we will be launching into pubs and bars this year.
“We wanted to offer our customers a chance to try something new, as well as introduce more people to Bruha and this is a great way for us to sample new styles and provide more choice.
“We want Bruha to become an essential beer brand and be known for creating aspirational beers that are consistently delicious.
“Bruha Porter sits outside of what we typically offer, so serving it as a limited release cask beer allows us to experiment with new brews and attract new customers.”
The new limited-release serve is available now while stocks last. For pricing information, contact Bruha direct and for more details click here.
Ten Locks introduces its first own brand spirit
Distribution brand Ten Locks has launched its first own brand spirit, Pod Pea Vodka (40% ABV).
Made with 100% British peas, the new climate positive serve offers notes of citrus with light savoury tones and a silky finish, fermented, distilled and bottled in Manchester using a bespoke copper still.
Pod Pea Vodka has been developed with modern cocktail menus in mind and is already in use at several venues across the UK including Hammonds, Birch, Hawksmoor and New World Trading Company.
Ten Locks head of commercial Becky Davies said: “We launch Pod Pea Vodka confident we’ve prioritised taste, flavour, and an unwavering belief excellent ingredients can be sourced right here in the UK.
“We’re stepping out with a spirit that represents what Ten Locks stands for, a lively, truly modern drinks brand that raises the bar and inspires conversation while being tightly linked to our key brand pillars around positive change.”
Ten Locks has curated a range of spirits from around the world striving for positive change since its launch in October 2020 and has successfully established brands such as El Tequileño, Savoia Americano, Redwood Empire Whiskey and Nusa Caña Rum in the UK with its portfolio available in some 1,700 on trade and retail outlets.
Davies added: “Pod is perfectly positioned to recruit consumers from gin, hold the attention of vodka drinkers and attract established cocktail lovers, not only that but Pod Pea Vodka should appeal to the foodie and be a perfect solution for the ever-growing savoury cocktail trend.
“Peas are delicious and great for the planet. They feed nitrogen into the soil, which helps to create healthier crops in the long term.
“With Pod Pea Vodka we’re showcasing an incredible British crop in a spirit that is made as kindly as possibly. We're excited to see how the trade play with what we’ve created.”
“This year we’ll be working hard to bring the brand to life and bring the trade along with us and encourage them to give peas a chance.”
Kraken Rum expands flavoured portfolio
Proximo Spirits has unveiled a new flavour of Kraken Rum, Black Cherry and Madagascan Vanilla Black Spiced Rum (40% ABV).
The newest release from Kraken fuses the brand’s signature black spiced Caribbean rum with notes of rich cherries alongside an undercurrent of Madagascan vanilla culminating in a smooth finish, best served with cola over ice and garnished with a lime wedge.
Kraken Black Cherry and Madagascan Vanilla Black Spiced Rum is availble now at Tesco at RRP £26 and will availble to the on-trade through Molson Coors from April.
Additionally, the new serve, which is vegan friendly, will also be stocked at Greene King pubs.
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 and for any upcoming King's Coronation on-trade launches, please send details and images to Gary.lloyd@wrbm.com by Thursday 6 April.
