New product round-up
Summer spirits, new look for Innis & Gunn, Sandford Orchards unveils canned format
Harpalion Spirits launches new rum brand Cabal
Scottish drinks maker Harpalion Spirits has launched new rum brand, Cabal. Its first expression, Cabal No.1513, will be available to the on-trade from early June, with the first batch having been bottled on 24 May.
Bottled at 43% ABV, Cabal No.1513 is created using a combination of pot and column distillation techniques with rums from prominent distilleries in Guatemala, Guyana, Trinidad, Panama and the Caribbean, tropically aged at origin. The liquid is then finished in Pedro Ximénez casks in Speyside
“People are at the heart of Cabal’s ethos,” Claire Kinloch, CEO at Harpalion Spirits said. “So, we brought together whisky drinkers, spirit lovers, rum champions, liquid specialists, trade experts, and literally the couple next door, to experiment and sample until we had created our very first expression.
“We make exceptionally high-quality liquids, informed by the consumer. Our rums are distinctive and flexible because they are developed and tested by both real people and industry experts. They have wide appeal and have been developed to offer choice in the way they are enjoyed and consumed.”
Vodka soda brand Two Days unveils new Juicy Peach flavour
Vodka soda brand Two Days has announced the launch of its third flavour, 3% ABV Juicy Peach.
Two Days offers a range of sessionable vodka sodas, created with a single shot of British vodka, a squeeze of natural fruit extracts and lightly sparkling water. Now available in a trio of flavours – Crisp Raspberry, Classic Lime and Juicy Peach – the range is sugar-free and made from natural ingredients, with each serve coming in at less than 70 calories.
“We are so excited to launch Juicy Peach as our third flavour for the summer and for it to be the UK’s first peach flavoured vodka soda,” Two Days founders, Elise Marks and Brendan Bennett, said.
“Peach seems to be having a real moment – from music lyrics to TikTok challenges – and together with the new branding, it’s the perfect flavour to bring people back together this summer.”
Sandford Orchards creates new canned cider range
Devon-based cider maker Sandford Orchards is launching three of its session ciders in a new canned format alongside its full range of flavoured ciders.
Devon Dry, Devon Mist and Rib Tickler will be available in cans from the end of May with Fanny’s Bramble, Old Blossom, Berry Lane and Cider Ginger to follow in June.
“As part of a recent £1.2m investment in our business we installed a brand-new canning line to meet the growing demands for more canned drinks,” Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker at Sandford Orchards commented.
“We recently launched our most popular cider, Devon Red, in a can and the response was overwhelming.
“With BBQ season upon us and large outdoor gatherings now permitted, we felt that this was the ideal time to launch some of our other key ciders in a new can format.
“Cans are light, less fragile than bottles and eminently more portable making it the perfect format for al fresco consumption.”
The Botanist releases limited edition single cask aged gin for 10th birthday
The Botanist has announced an exclusive bottling of one of its oldest aged gins on the market. The 2011 Single Cask Islay Aged Gin has been maturing at Bruichladdich Distillery’s warehouse on Islay since the year that drinks maker launched.
Under the watchful eye of head distiller, Adam Hannett, the gin has matured in a premium red wine cask, soaking up the colour and flavours of the oak barrel and the marine influence of the Islay sea air.
With just one cask available, there are only 418 350ml bottles of this extremely limited-edition liquid available.
“It’s something special to have a single cask of the Botanist, matured from the first year that we realised it out into the world,” Hannett said. “We describe the Botanist as the unique expression of the heart and soul of Islay but obviously the island is best known for whisky. Curiosity and patience led us to this unique experiment. We think it’s been worth the wait.”
Douglas Taylor, CEO of Bruichladdich Distillery added: “This single cask of the Botanist, Islay aged gin is the embodiment of our curiosity, craft and philosophy.
“To think that it has been maturing quietly on Islay, from the very beginning of the brands existence to this point, is really special. I’m delighted to toast the Botanist’s tenth birthday with this incredible and unique spirit."
Innis & Gunn unveils brand refresh
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has unveiled an eye-catching new look for its Originals range.
The overall redesign and repackaging of the portfolio which includes The Original, Caribbean Rum Cask (formerly named Blood Red Sky) and Irish Whiskey Cask, aims to further solidify Innis & Gunn’s position as a brewer of premium, original and unique beer.
The new design will be visible in the on-trade where The Original is available on draught, with updated livery and a new POS range rolling out to support.
“Our new look ‘Originals’ range, led by our flagship beer, ‘The Original’, is another step forward for Innis & Gunn,” Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master Brewer, Innis & Gunn said of the brand refresh. “We have big ambitions and this packaging update supports our growth strategy, especially as we look to roll-out in England, bringing our premium beers to new drinkers.
“There is no change to the beers themselves in terms of taste or the methods we use to brew them. Our drinkers love our beers and Innis & Gunn performs well around the world, so there is absolutely no need to change their recipes. Additionally, these beers have been awarded at the highest levels, most recently at Monde Selection, where each was awarded Grand Gold.
“We believe this rebrand simply brings our packaging in line with the quality of beer within the bottle,” he continued. “We are extremely proud of the beer we make. Each of our ‘Originals’ is just that, original. The new look is standout both in its design and its confidence. We are clearly showing the different liquid colours of our beers, better describing their provenance and our innovative brewing methods and we are sure this will be welcomed by current and new drinkers alike.”
‘World’s first’ African and Caribbean rum maker launches light expression
The team behind the multi-award-winning Equiano Rum Co – inspired by Nigerian-born writer, entrepreneur, abolitionist and freedom fighter Olaudah Equiano – has announced its second African & Caribbean blend, Equiano Light.
The idea behind the blend was to create a lightly aged rum with a flavour profile of days gone by including ripe sugarcane, natural vanilla and citrus.
Equiano Light comprises of molasses rum distilled at the award-winning Foursquare Distillery, in copper pot stills that give the rum greater complexity and depth of flavour. It is then blended and aged in once used Bourbon barrels for a minimum of three years.
In honour of Olaudah Equiano, £/$2 of every bottle of rum sold through equianorum.com goes towards Equiano Rum Co.’s charitable grant, helping abolish modern slavery in all its forms around the world through Anti-Slavery International.
Foxhole Spirits announces Hyke Gin Very Special
Foxhole Spirits has unveiled 42% ABV super premium pour Hyke Gin Very Special.
Hyke Gin which launched in March 2019 is made with surplus table grapes from the supermarket supply chain. To date, Foxhole Spirits has reclaimed and reimagined over 6.3m grapes.
The new spirit includes 19 botanicals, including grapefruit, lavender, and earl grey plus the addition of Foxhole Spirits’ very own brandy, aged specially for this purpose in ex-cognac barrels.
The launch of Hyke Gin Very Special sees the discontinuation of Foxhole Gin, Foxhole Spirits’ first release also made with English wine grapes.
“The launch of Hyke Gin Very Special is an incredibly important step for Foxhole Spirits,” James Oag-Cooper, co-founder and MD of Foxhole Spirits commented. “We set out to prove that in our hands, surplus produce can make finer spirits than specially grown, single -purpose materials and now after three award winning releases; we are ever more confident in our mission.
“In the last few years, we have learnt a lot about different production techniques, botanicals, and presentation. Hyke Gin Very Special brings all this learning and expertise together. We believe we have reached ‘peak gin’ here; it’s rich on the palate with a depth of flavour and complexity our customers will be delighted with.”
Salcombe Brewery Co launches new pilsner
Salcombe Brewery Co has announced the launch of its new Salcombe Pilsner (ABV 5.4%).
“We are so excited to see hospitality businesses reopening and thrilled that we are now able to offer them a brand-new pilsner in addition to our established range of award-winning beer,” head brewer Sam Beaman explained.
“It is a gap in our collection that we have been wanting to fill for some time and we have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating the perfect pilsner just in time to celebrate the lockdown relaxations.”
“We have spent considerable time perfecting our newest addition and we are extremely pleased with the results,” he continued.
“Salcombe Pilsner is a crisp drink with delicate hop and floral aromas, a light malt character and a clean citrus finish.
“It is a highly quaffable pint in its own right but it is also a great accompaniment for chicken and fish. We think it will be a hugely popular choice of refreshment for the post-lockdown summer ahead.”
Big Drop collaborates with cycling brand Paria to launch Tailwind IPA
Alcohol-free brewer, Big Drop, has collaborated with Paria Cycling Clothing to create all-new 0.5% brew Tailwind IPA alongside a limited-edition Big Drop cycling jersey.
“Paria’s culture is embedded in collaboration, especially with like-minded people and brands, who appreciate the quality product and excellent design,” Sam Morgan, director of Paria Cycling Clothing, said of the partnership. “We jumped at the chance to work with Big Drop, and when we tasted their beer, the deal was sealed.
“They have truly joined forces with Paria for this collaboration, ensuring we have been involved in designing the kit, the can and feeding into the beer.
“As more and more people in the cycling world are turned onto low ABV beers, it's great to see the support for two wheels Big Drop are bringing to the road.”
Nick Worthington, commercial director of Big Drop, added: "At Big Drop, we love collaborating with like-minded, energetic brands that share our lust for life. That’s why we’re super excited to be working with renowned cycling apparel gang, Paria, who share our passion for cycling and great craft beer.
“Together we’ve created a winning combination - a premium club-cut jersey and a refreshing IPA oozing tropical fruits - that we hope will inspire people to Go Big – to get out there and let loose on two wheels, donning the hottest drop of the season."
