Portobello Road Gin unveils three historically inspired gins
Created by award-winning master distiller and gin historian, Jake F. Burger, Portobello Road Gin’s new collection features a Sloeberry and Blackcurrant Gin, a Celebrated Butter Gin, and ‘Old Tom’.
Portobello Road’s Sloeberry and Blackcurrant Gin is a 28% ABV take on a traditionally 19th century spirit and is described as a “botanically-intense” spirit.
The London-based drinks maker’s 42% ABV Celebrated Butter Gin is inspired by a book of short stories by Charles Dickens called Sketches by Boz describing the gins found in a London Gin Palace. To create this expression, Portobello Road takes their signature gin and redistills it with English unsalted butter in their tiny thirty-litre copper pot still.
Finally, 47.5% Portobello Road Old Tom has been inspired by how gin was drunk during the original gin craze, according to the drinks maker. The sherry barrel-aged spirit is redistilled with juniper, coriander seed and liquorice root.
The label pays homage to Old Tom, the black cat which was a wooden emblem mounted on the exterior of Captain Dudley Bradstreet’s illegal pub in the 18th century.
Haig Club launches Mediterranean Orange variant
Premium Scotch whisky brand, Haig Club, has launched flavoured pour Haig Club Mediterranean Orange at 35% ABV.
Available from mid-April 2021, the new spirit has been created in tandem with brand partner, David Beckham to appeal to the growing early evening and ‘Aperitivo’ occasion.
Haig Club Mediterranean Orange has been crafted from a blend of marmalade orange flavours, infused with orange blossom extract and the signature scotch whisky notes of Haig Club Clubman.
“The launch of Haig Club Mediterranean Orange is an exciting step forwards for dark spirits,” Violeta Andreeva, whisky marketing director at Diageo said. “We see this as a huge opportunity to recruit a new generation of drinkers as more and more consumers are choosing flavours and sweeter drinks.
“The innovation comes in Haig Club’s signature stylish blue bottle and tastes absolutely delicious mixed with lemonade for those Aperitivo moments but it also tastes wonderful neat.”
David Beckham, Haig Club brand partner added: “Myself and the Haig Club team are continually looking at ways to engage and adopt new consumers to the brand.
“Developing Haig Club Mediterranean Orange has been in the works for some time now and I’ve enjoyed helping select the final liquid.
“The orange perfectly complements the signature Scotch notes of Haig Club and it’s a great long drink for summer.”
BrewDog Distilling Co creates peach and passionfruit pour
BrewDog Distilling Co has unveiled its latest creation, LoneWolf Peach & Passionfruit gin.
The 40% ABV pour is described by BrewDog’s spirits arm as being “loaded with mouth-watering tropical notes whilst still retaining its reassuring juniper bite”.
LoneWolf Peach & Passionfruit gin has been developed “from grain to glass” in Aberdeen over a four month spell during lockdown.
The new launch joins the likes of LoneWolf’s Cloudy Lemon, Zealot’s Heart, Five Hundred Cuts Rum and Rogue Wave Vodka.
Roger Daltrey launches Champagne to raise funds for cancer charities
The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey has unveiled limited edition Champagne Cuvée Roger Daltrey – the profits from which will be donated to Teen Cancer America, which the singer founded with bandmate Pete Townshend.
Created in tandem with drinks maker Eminent Life, the bottles display Daltrey’s signature, the band’s famous bullseye logo and Mike McInnerny’s artwork from The Who’s seminal album, Tommy.
Profits from the premium pour will be donated in light of 14 Teenage Cancer Trust gigs being cancelled due to coronavirus.
Also a patron of the UK's Teenage Cancer Trust, Daltrey said: “I am very excited to have the opportunity to express my passion for Champagne through this limited edition cuvée. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do."
Eminent Life founder and CEO, Jerome Jacober added: "We are delighted to be celebrating half a century of rock ’n’ roll for one of music’s most iconic bands, by producing a limited edition premium champagne.
“We’re thrilled with its success so far and the much-needed money it is raising for Roger's charity, Teen Cancer America and Teenage Cancer Trust.”
Glenfiddich unveils new addition to Grand Series
Single malt whisky Glenfiddich has unveiled 43.8% ABV Grande Couronne, the newest addition to its Grand Series.
A 26-Year-Old whisky, Grande Couronne is matured in American and European oak casks at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, before an extended finish of up to two years in French Cognac casks.
Grande Couronne is the latest addition to the Grand Series, which includes Glenfiddich Grand Cru, aged for 23 years in American and European Oak casks and then finished in French cuvée oak casks, and Glenfiddich Gran Reserva, mellowed for 21 years in bourbon casks before being transferred to Caribbean rum casks.
Glenfiddich malt master, Brian Kinsman, commented: “The Grand Series perfectly encapsulates Glenfiddich’s spirit of innovation and our ability to experiment with aged liquid and intriguing finishes.
“Grande Couronne is the latest to exemplify that approach. It is the only Glenfiddich single malt that has matured in American and European oak casks and finished in rare French Cognac casks.
“The length of the finish, two years, is highly unusual and adds extra layers of sweet-toasted oak and velvety aromas of café crème, brown sugar and soft spice.”
Spirit of Manchester Distillery releases One-Eyed Rebel
The producers behind Manchester Gin and Manchester Spirit Vodka, The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, has released its very first rum, 40% ABV One-Eyed Rebel.
One-Eyed Rebel is a premium spiced rum created with ginger spice and cassia contained in a bottle featuring eclectic colours and features, unique patterns inspired by bone inlaid furniture and, a brass belly band inspired by old rum barrels.
“We’ve always loved rum; it’s our second favourite spirit and we’ve been working non-stop for the last year to use everything we’ve learnt in gin distillation to create the perfect spiced rum,” Spirit of Manchester master distiller Seb Heeley said.
“With Manchester Gin, we’ve gone on a real journey, experimenting with how to get the most out of flavours.
“We’re so proud to be releasing our British Botanical Rum, distilled and crafted in our distillery in the heart of Manchester.”
Meantime Brewing Company teams up with Royal Observatory Greenwich
Greenwich-based Meantime Brewing Company has launched Spring Forward pale ale to coincide with the clocks going forward an hour, signalling the start of British Summer Time.
The limited-edition 4% ABV pale ale has been brewed with longer summer days in mind from Australian Galaxy hops and boasts aromas of passion fruit and peach, supported by a biscuit like malt base.
To launch the new beer Meantime has teamed up with the Royal Observatory Greenwich – also known as ‘The Home of Time’ – to host the first official tasting of Spring Forward in the Meridian Courtyard.
“This launch is a very proud moment for our brewing team, as a fellow Greenwich based institution, we’re proud to be associated with The Royal Observatory,” Thorsten Fischer, head brewer at Meantime Brewing Company said. “We look forward to working with them, and other members of the Greenwich community, in the future.”
Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate launches new beers
Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst, Kent, has launched two new beers: Jake’s Lager and Jake’s IPA as part of the Jake’s Drinks range alongside Jake’s Kentish Cider, Jake’s Orchard Cider and Jake’s Tree Apple Juice.
A 5% ABV pour, Jake’s Lager is crafted from a Kentish hop, Ernest, with an apricot and citrus flavour blended with an American classic Sterling, that brings earthy spices and citrus fruit elements. The Pilsner style lager remains in tank for three months to allow the flavours to develop.
Jake’s IPA, a 4.5% ABV pour, is a blend of three Kent hops. East Kent Golding, a Kent classic with lavender, thyme and honey on the nose, and a slightly bitter taste; Boadicea, a modern hop with delicate orchard blossom aromas; and Bramling, popular in the 1800s with smoothening aromatic qualities.
Jake Balfour-Lynn, who manages the beer and cider arm of Balfour Winery commented: “The goal over the last six months of recipe developing is reconnecting.
“Reconnecting with friends and family in person and being able to share good times with a quality drink.
“We are excited to share our beers, excited to start working with our new distributors Matthew Clark and excited for the future.”
Martini creates trio of RTD cocktails
Bacardi-owned Martini has announced the launch of three new ready-to-drink expressions; Martini Fiero & Tonic, Martini Non-Alcoholic Vibrante & Tonic and Martini Non-Alcoholic Floreale & Tonic.
Launching across Europe from April, the new drinks from the aperitivo brand are the result of master of botanicals, Ivano Tonutti and master blender, Beppe Musso working together to bring Martini’s 150 years of wine and botanical expertise to the RTD category.
Discussing the new launches. Victoria Morris, vice president of Martini said: “With the increased demand for on-the-go drinks, I am delighted to announce that we have expanded our offering for Martini Fiero and Martini Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo with the new RTD formats.
“We know outdoor socialising will be key this spring and these three new RTDs are an easy way to enjoy a delicious drink without foregoing quality for the sake of convenience.
“We are really excited for people to try them as they start to enjoy time spent with friends once again.”
Langley’s Gin joins Ten Locks’ on-trade portfolio
Ten Locks has added Langley’s London Dry, Old Tom and First Chapter gins to its portfolio – marking its entry into the English gin market.
Ten Locks launched in 2020 with a raft of global brands including Mary White Vodka, Nusa Caña, Australian gin Applewood, West Cork Irish Whiskey, Salford Rum, Diablesse Rum, Banhez Mezcal and El Tequileño.
Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, said: “Having worked alongside Langley’s for many years on both sides of the bar, I have always admired its dedication to honing classic gins that sit at the heart of the category and showcase the very best of what it offers. In my experience, every brand holds dear its firstborn, flagship liquids, and Langley’s is no exception.
“In searching for an English gin with appeal that would endure, there was no competition – Langley’s was the natural choice.
“The boom we’ve seen in gin will prevail, as innovation keeps coming and consumers continue to buy into premium spirits which offer excitement.”
Hawkes adds Pineapple Punch to core range
Carbon negative London cidery, Hawkes, has introduced Pineapple Punch to its recently redesigned core range – now comprising flagship Urban Orchard, Dead & Berried and Pineapple Punch, which combines a Kent Bramley and dessert apple blend with fresh pineapple.
On the announcement of the new core range, MD of Hawkes Cidery, Sarah Warman commented: “I’m really excited about the range of ciders we’ve locked in for this year.
“Urban Orchard is a firm favourite, and its new packaging better reflects the ‘Urban’ in its name. Dead & Berried also has a really loyal following and proves fruit cider can be just as sophisticated as a fruit-forward wine.
“Pineapple Punch adds a totally different dimension to our range, but it is an absolute beauty. It’s zingy, fresh and totally tropical, like liquid sunshine in a glass! We recommend pairing with Ray Bans.”
