New product round-up
Iron Maiden, 99 Luftballons and Netflix star drink launches revealed
Ojo de Tigre mezcal
Case Lumbre’s master distillers have created new 37% ABV Ojo de Tigre (Tiger’s Eye) mezcal from two varieties of 100% sustainably grown agaves from two key regions of Mexico.
Espadín is grown in Oaxaca, the heart of Mexico’s mezcal region while Tobalá is from the neighbouring state of Puebla.
The new pour is co-founded by Mexican film star Luis Gerardo Méndez, who stars in Netflix’s Spanish-language comedy series, Club de Cuervos, has appeared alongside Jennifer Anniston in Murder Mystery and featured in the 2019 remake of Charlie’s Angels.
“Ojo de Tigre is a vibrant, sophisticated and joyful mezcal, we can’t wait to introduce our latest offering to the UK market,” Roberto Hidalgo chief marketing officer and partner at Casa Lumbre said. “We have created a drink that doesn’t overwhelm; it is subtle, warming and perfect to be served alone or in a cocktail.”
What’s more, Nick Gillett, MD at Mangrove UK – which will be distribute Ojo de Tigre in the UK from mid-October – said: “As the mezcal market continues to grow it’s a great honour to welcome Ojo de Tigre to the UK, I am confident that British consumers will appreciate it.
“It’s a really accessible drink, for those who are new to the world of mezcal and tequila; I’d recommend you start your journey here.”
Seven Hills launches blockchain certified Italian gin
Seven Hills has unveiled a 100% Italian made, 43% ABV, gin created from botanicals found among the seven hills of Rome and used by the Romans for medical and culinary purposes – including camomile, pomegranate, artichoke, celery, rose hip, blood orange and Italian juniper.
Additionally, Seven Hills is one of the first spirit brands in the UK to be blockchain certified, offering full transparency over what they make and how they make it.
A QR code on the label leads consumers to a website detailing Seven Hills’ ingredients, distillation process and ingredient origins.
Signature Brewery releases Luftballon, Pink Vinyl and Equaliser
London-based Signature Brewery has relaunched its 4.6% Pink Vinyl fruit gose alongside of two new brews; 5.5% Luftballon and 6% ABV New England IPA Equaliser.
Launched at Signature Brew’s Alternative Oktoberfest, Luftballon is a golden festbier named after the biggest German language single, Nena’s 99 Luftballons while Equaliser is a hazy beer that balances tropical fruit and white grape flavours with gooseberry and passion fruit aromas.
Finally, the returning Pink Vinyl is a fruited sour beer that boasts black cherry and raspberry flavours finished with sea salt and a hit of hibiscus.
The Dalmore launches 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Select Single Malt
The Dalmore has added 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Select Single Malt to its Principal Collection.
The new pour balances crushed almond flavours, dark chocolate and cinnamon with a Pedro Ximénez influence and hints of mango, panna cotta and lemon sponge cake.
“The 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Select is elegance personified and an excellent addition to our Principal Collection,” master distiller Richard Paterson said.
“Its full finish in oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks reveals a more floral, light and refined side to The Dalmore.
“It is a truly decadent whisky which celebrates the deep-rooted alliances with our cooperage partners to source the most exquisite casks and truly showcase the depth of The Dalmore’s character.’
Masons Orange & Lime Leaf gin
Masons of Yorkshire has revealed a brand refresh alongside new serve Orange & Lime Leaf gin – the latest addition to a spirit range comprising Masons Original alongside Tea, Pear & Pink Peppercorn and English Lavender variants.
The spirits maker has also confirmed that a new innovation is afoot following a £1m investment in a new distillery and state-of-the-art gin lab.
“We’re taking things up a gear with a bold new look and line up that we are confident will delight both new and existing Masons fans alike, as we embark on becoming one of the UK’s most definitive gin brands,” Karl Mason, who co-founded Masons with wife Cathy on World Gin Day 2013, explains.
“Christmas is a key sales period for premium gin among quality seekers, whether purchasing for themselves, looking for gifts with a twist, or seeking out new experiences in the on-trade. So we are confident that our new image – along with the addition of new Orange & Lime Leaf gin – will help us to take things up a gear.
“We’ve achieved so much in seven years, with major listings in wholesale, retail and on-trade both regionally and across the UK, but there’s still so much more to come. This is just the start of the next chapter of our story.”
Seven Bro7hers Imperial Radler
Manchester-based Seven Bro7hers has unveiled new 6% ABV European-style Radler, Imperial.
The pale lager-based beer is infused with lemon zest in the boil before more lemon juice is added in the fermenter and dry hopping takes place to bring out extra citrus flavour.
“We can’t wait to add the Imperial Radler to our range, as it’s different to everything else in our portfolio,” CEO Keith McAvoy, said.
“Radlers are really popular across Europe and arguably more uncommon in the UK. We wanted to capture that little part of European holidays many of our Seven Bro7hers fans missed out on this summer but making sure it packs a punch as we head into autumn.”
Trooper launches 2020 Day of the Dead limited edition
Heavy metal band Iron Maiden and Cheshire-based Robinsons Brewery have launched a limited-edition Day of The Dead variant of their award-winning Trooper beer.
Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated annually with one of the most popular parts of the holiday being people turning themselves into skeletons adorned with flowers and bright colours.
Following the success of 2019’s release, the bottle features a new design of Iron Maiden mascot Eddie and references artwork from their 1990 album No Prayer for the Dying.
“We are delighted to be bringing a new version of this wildly popular limited-edition label for a second year,” Trooper brand manager, Dean Etchells, said.
“We loved the response to last year’s version and this time we’re going bigger and better with wider distribution of Trooper Day of the Dead through our export and off trade partners. We hope that everyone will get a chance to get their hands on one.”
Beavertown Brewery launches Lazer Crush
Beavertown Brewery is entering the alcohol-free market with new 0.3% ABV hoppy IPA Lazer Crush, a 83kCal brew’s that follows the creation of low ABV pour Nanobot earlier this year.
“An exciting first entry into the alcohol-free market, Lazer Crush was tailored to match the increasing demand for alcohol-free options while staying true to our carefully crafted, bold tasting, full-bodied beers,” Logan Plant, founder and CEO of Beavertown said.
“An important new edition for Beavertown, it continues to mark our progress and growth as a company.
“Our dream is to have a Beavertown beer on every street corner and in order to do this we wanted to make sure our creations provide drinkers with the tastiest choice of beer for them and this includes non-alcoholic options.
“After all, whether a pint is alcoholic or not, it’s still a fundamental part of coming together with friends.”
Copalli Cacao, cacao-infused craft rum
Belizean craft rum distiller Copalli has launched new limited-edition spirit Copalli Cacao, an organic, single estate rum, sustainably crafted at the Copal Tree Distillery in the heart of 20,000 acres of tropical rainforest in Southern Belize.
Made from just four ingredients; non-GMO heirloom sugar cane, yeast, cacao nibs grown and roasted at the distillery and pure rainforest canopy water from the surrounding jungles, Copalli Cacao is the world’s first sustainably crafted, cacao-infused rum according to it creator.
“Copalli Cacao is based on our award-winning Copalli White Rum, naturally infused with proprietary, organic cacao and cut with soft rainforest canopy water,” Jon Welch of Copalli Rum commented.
“The fresh and fruity cane-juice rum works in perfect harmony with sumptuous dark chocolate notes.
“We think the results are pretty special and we can’t wait to share this unique release with rum lovers and bartenders alike.”
Radico Khaitan launches world’s first Single Malt Whisky finished in Indian Wine Casks
Radico Khaitan has announced the launch of 45% ABV Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky, a pour it claims represents the first time that a single malt matured in American Bourbon Barrels has been finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks.
Rampur Asava joins Rampur’s Indian Single Malt Whisky range which currently comprises Rampur Select, Rampur Double Cask, limited edition Rampur Sherry PX and Rampur Signature Reserve.
“We are always striving to make each Rampur expression of the highest quality and exciting for malt whisky drinkers,” Anup Barik, master distiller at Rampur Distillery, said. “The diverse weather conditions at the distillery have enabled us to be creative and experiment with our single malts.
“I was inspired to create Rampur Asava as I wanted to see how the dark fruit flavours of an Indian Cabernet Sauvignon would develop the flavour of Rampur Single Malt Whisky.
“I am delighted with the results as there is an impeccable balance of taste in this finely perfected golden nectar that lingers on your taste buds.”
East London Liquor Co unveils brand refresh
East London Liquor Co (ELLCo.), the six-year-old independent distillery based in Bow, East London, has unveiled a brand refresh.
The new look for the distiller’s range, produced in tandem with branding agency Ragged Edge, delivers a clean aesthetic designed to refocus consumer attention on the liquid inside its bottles.
“Britain, and especially the East End of London, has had a love affair with great gin that stretches back to the 17thCentury,” Alex Wolpert, ELLCo.’s founder explained.“It’s seen us through plagues, social upheaval and community celebrations without drilling a gaping hole in our wallets - until recently.
“Since day one, ELLCo. has delivered great booze for great people at great prices – that’s what we do. But it’s time to call out those who are using this ‘craft’ term to overcharge for our beloved national drink.”
