New serves available to tempt customers

Two single malt variants launched by Cotswolds Distillery 

Whisky producer The Cotswolds Distillery has launched two single malt variants – Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky, the latest addition to the distillery’s Cask Collection, and Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky.

Cotswolds Distillery founder Dan Szor said: “We planned to launch a Bourbon Cask Single Malt ever since 2014 when we founded the distillery. Our house style is to produce spirits with big flavours and by using first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, which arrive at the distillery with their staves soaked in Bourbon whisky, we ensure a full and rich flavour for this wonderful cask strength expression.”

“Our new Reserve Single Malt joins our range of single malt whiskies. We’re excited to launch this smooth, elegant and approachable whisky expression which has been aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks and STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) ex-red wine casks.”

The Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour-based company’s range of single malt whiskies are made with traditionally floor malted barley, grown in the Cotswolds, and the sweet and malty cask strength Bourbon Cask expression, bottled at 59.1%, has classic notes of vanilla and honey from the premium American oak barrels. This new expression is aimed at cask whisky drinkers and joins the rest of the Cask Collection, which encompasses Cotswolds Founder’s Choice, Cotswolds Peated Cask and Cotswolds Sherry Cask.

Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky, bottled at 50% ABV, is aged in ex-Bourbon and STR ex-red wine casks at a ratio of 80:20 – 80% Bourbon and 20% STR. The result is a spirit that is claimed to provide classic notes of vanilla, honey, butterscotch and a hint of coconut, resulting in a smooth, elegant and well-balanced dram.  

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky is available now at an RRP of £64.95 per bottle while Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky will be available to buy from 1 November with an RRP of £49.95.

Camden Town Brewery launches TV ad with Marmite​

North London-based Camden Town Brewery has teamed up with Marmite again to launch a TV advert.

The move, which will see a remake of an advert from 2001 known as Marmite Kiss, comes after the duo recently launched limited-edition beer, Camden Love Hate Marmite Ale. The beer “that has divided the nation” was released in September.

A fresh take on the 2001 ad, the advert features two people on a date enjoying a kiss, until one is disgusted by the taste of Marmite Ale. The camera then pans over to a can of Camden Marmite Ale, with Marmite’s famous tagline ‘Love it or Hate it’. ​

The commercial was first aired during an episode of Great British Bake Off. Camden Town Brewery head of marketing Zoe Wulfsohn-Dunkley said: “We couldn’t be happier with consumer reaction to our Camden Marmite Ale. In true Marmite style, it has caused debate among beer lovers across the country, but we’d like to think we’ve surprised a few haters out there with our fresh tasting beer.”

Coconut flower beer debut for Neitiv​

Vegan beer brand Neitiv has launched what it said is the UK’s first coconut flower beer. The company said the three-strong range of British lager uses coconut flower drops as a key ingredient and is “entirely vegan, sustainably produced in the UK and with low-calorie content”.

Targeted at exorcising gender bias in the beer market, Neitiv wants to “smash negative gender stereotypes and empower all people to enjoy beer without negative consequences”, and said only 17% of women drink beer in comparison to 53% of men in the UK, according to The Gender Pint Gap. 

The range of three types of lager: Ninkasi (sweet with a rich coconut finish at 1.5% ABV), Menquet (bright and light with a hint of hops at 2% ABV) and Dea Latis (crisp and soft with a mild hoppy finish at 4%). While the calorie count is as low as 24/100ml. 

Neitiv claimed the beers are nutritional and rich in antioxidants, and the coconut flower drops contain more than 20 minerals and are high in protein and amino acids, as well as having a low glycemic index.

Neitiv co-founder Vaani VetriKo said: “As a woman from Malaysia, growing up I learnt that drinking beer was frowned upon and something I wasn’t able to enjoy. Neitiv was created to empower all people to enjoy great tasting beer. As part of this, we’re supporting projects such as All Yours Period Poverty as we want to enable people in all areas of their lives. We have exciting plans for the future with new product launches and support for more projects that help to empower all people.”

Sherry-finished whisky from Isle of Raasay in time for Christmas 

The Isle of Raasay Distillery is launching a festive sherry-finished whisky for Christmas this year.

Claimed to be a departure from the distillery’s core style, this variant is matured in ex-rye whiskey casks and finished in a combination of ex-Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry quarter casks, and is priced at £85 per 70cl bottle and available to pre-order.

The company said it boasts hints of peppery spice, roasted nuts, sweet dark fruits, and floral notes along with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Isle of Raasay distillery co-founder and distiller Alasdair Day said: “There’s nothing better than relaxing with a dram or two of special Christmas whisky during the festive season. We want to celebrate this specific occasion on Raasay this year by releasing a seasonal speciality which departs, yet builds on our signature single malt, pushing the complexity and depth of our Scotch whisky flavours even further.”

French invader to bring alcohol-free cider to UK​

Normandy-based cider-maker Sassy is set to bring its 0% ABV organic cider to British shores in December.

Xavier d’Audiffret Pasquier of Sassy said: “What William The Conqueror started, Sassy is aiming to continue, an all-conquering invasion of Britain’s gastronomic shores.

“This is the first time in 169 years that we have ever created a Sassy 0% organic cider, which is odd because low-alcohol ciders have been in my family’s blood since we first made cider at Chateau de Sassy in Normandy in 1852.

“Our objective has been to create something beautiful and refreshing, effervescing with complex flavours. We wanted it to have layers of attractive flavours, belying the fact that it would have no alcohol to give it that habitual texture and power.”

Sassy said it has used a variety of five types of apples, grown in its family’s orchards, for the cider due to their own special flavours and attributes that will add to the blend. “These apples are exclusively cider apples, rather than an eating or cooking apples,” said d’Audiffret Pasquier.

Sassy UK sales manager Alexander Darley added: “We see a massive opportunity for Sassy 0% organic in both the off-trade and in hospitality. Just look at the success of Seedlip in non-alcoholic spirits; and of Heineken 0%, Brooklyn Special Effects and others in beer.”

Sassy organic cider has an RRP of £1.10 per 27.5cl and will be available in Corbin & King sites plus Direct Wines and  Laithwaites.

Ten Locks brings four new El Tequileño variants into stable​

Drinks importer and distributor has built on the success of El Tequileño tequila in the UK, by adding four products to its portfolio from the brand’s 1959 range.   

Available to pubs, bars and the wider hospitality sector now, the four-strong El Tequileño 1959 range is set to land in the UK this month with Ten Locks confirmed as the exclusive UK distributor.

The four variants are Platinum, Reposado Gran Reserva, Añejo Gran Reserva and what Ten Locks claimed is the world’s first and only Reposado Rare. Prices range from £40 RRP for the Platinum (70cl) up to £150 RRP for the Reposado Rare (70cl).  

El Tequileño was established in 1959 by Tequila pioneer Don Jorge Salles Cuervo.

Ten Locks head of commercial Becky Davies said: “Tequila has been gaining momentum over the summer season with El Tequileño doing a great job in educating the trade and consumers on the virtues of agave spirits. There’s a clear trend for trading up as drinkers are prepared to spend that bit more on an indulgent or unusual drink so we know the UK is ready for the premium, high quality 1959 tequila range from El Tequileño.  

“We brought the first El Tequileño products to the UK in October 2020 and we have had a phenomenal response, especially from bartenders, so we see real promise for the new 1959 range, especially in the run up to Day of the Dead in November and the busy festive season.”

El Tequileño’s third generation master distiller Antonio Salles still employs the same processes devised by his grandfather to produce the Tequilas. All expressions are made using sustainable production techniques that will keep the 60-year-old distillery active for generations to come.

If you have any new products that are being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​​.