Diageo expands draught cocktail portfolio

Diageo announces new draught cocktail 

Diageo has expanded its draught cocktail offering with the release of Captain Morgan's Strawberry Daiquiri (10% ABV).

Crafted with Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum variant, the new on-tap serve provides flavours of sweet ripe strawberries and juicy lime alongside notes of vanilla and rum spice.

The new draught offering joins Diageo’s existing range which includes Smirnoff Passionfruit and Espresso Martini’s and Gordons Pink Martini.

Additionally, all draught cocktail installations by Diageo are free, including a front, glassware and social media images as well as support and guidance on how to make the most of the offering following installation from Diageo's on-trade website, Diageo One.

Speaking of their experience with Diageo Draught Cocktails, a spokesperson from Market Place, London, said: “Draught Cocktails have been a great addition to our existing cocktail line.

“The quality is easily comparable to hand-made cocktails, and we feel the attractive font on the bar has helped drive sales.

“Staff love the speed of service, and we feel customers appreciate the consistency of taste and presentation.

“With ongoing staff shortage problems in the trade, they have helped us maintain a high-quality cocktail line with very little training. I’ve also been able to keep an attractive gross profit while having to stock less lines to achieve the same goal.”

For more information contact your Diageo representative. 

Black Sheep Brewery launches final addition to 2022 seasonal cask range 

Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery has announced the return of its sessionable festive brew, Blitzen (4% ABV), the final addition to its 2022 seasonal cask beer range.

A blend of Cascade and Goldings hops, brewed with dark, caramel malts, mixed peels and muscovado sugar, Blitzen is a well-balanced, full-flavoured serve offering aromas of raisins, biscuits and dark fruits.

Black Sheep Brewery head of marketing John Scott Paul said: “We’re delighted to announce Blitzen is back by popular demand this festive period.

“Following two years of restrictions, we recognise the desire to share special moments with friends and family this Christmas is more profound than ever.

“We’re hoping the launch of beers like Blitzen will encourage drinkers to share those moments down their local at this important time of year for the pub trade.”

Blitzen is availble now for a limited-time only direct from the brewery in both cask and bottle form.

Luscombe releases new cherry serve 

Organic Devonshire drinks brand Luscombe has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Cherry Crush.

The new serve is a lightly sparkling blend of organic sour cherries, Sicilian lemon, Madagascan vanilla and Dartmoor spring water with no artificial additives, sweeteners or concentrates.

Boasting an intense cherry taste, Luscombe Cherry Crush is ideal for consumers looking for a soft drink during yuletide celebrations, best served on its own over ice or in festive cocktails and mocktails.

Additionally, the new offering pairs well with chocolate, rich meats or soft and creamy cheeses such as Brie.

Luscombe Cherry Crush is availble now at RRP £21.80 for 12x27cl bottles direct from the brand’s webshop.

Salcombe Distilling Co announces special-edition sloe gin

Award-winning Salcombe Distilling Co. has announced the launch of its new special edition, small batch cask aged sloe and damson gin, Snapes Point (38% ABV), crafted using locally foraged sloes.

The ruby hued gin offers aromas of fresh plum with a hint of almond on the nose alongside notes of dark fruits and tawny port on the palate followed by a smooth finish with subtle hints of sherry and vanilla, best sipped neat or served alongside plenty of ice and a premium Indian tonic water with a slice of orange to garnish.  

Produced at the brand’s South-Devon distillery, the fruit liqueur takes its name from Snapes Point, near Salcombe, where many of the sloes were hand-picked from the nearby coastal footpaths overlooking Kingsbridge Estuary.  

Once picked, the sloe berries and damsons are steeped separately for two months, with the damson spirit then distilled in 60 litre copper pot stills to amplify the flavours, before finally being blended together with Dartmoor water and a touch of honey.

Salcombe Distilling Co. Snapes Point is available now in 50cl bottles at RRP £40 direct from the brand’s webshop.

Craft breweries unite to bring people together 

Craft breweries Fourpure and People’s Captain have joined forces to launch Steadfast, a new 4% ABV IPA with a view to bring communities together.

A fruity and seassionable IPA, Steadfast offers notes of apricot and citrus with a hint of spiciness.

The collaborative brew is set to be launched at a ‘takeover’ event today (Friday 2 December) at the Fourpure taproom, with all proceeds from the ticket sales and beers sold at the event to be donated to the People’s Captain Foundation to support the foundation’s goal of raising £1m for mental health services.

Fourpure owner Steve Cox said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with People’s Captain as a likeminded craft beer brand on such an important mission.

“Every year one in four people in England alone struggle with their mental health, we hope the taproom takeover and launch of Steadfast will help to raise awareness of the problems people face and play a small part in encouraging people to turn mental health into something we’re not afraid to talk about.

“We hope to raise as much money as possible for the People’s Captain Foundation and will continue to encourage discussions around mental health within the craft beer sector.”

The new serve is available for the on-trade in keg format. 

For more product information, contact igc@stormcom.co.uk.​

Smokehead debuts new whisky expression 

Smokehead Whisky has debuted its latest expression of Islay single malt whisky, Tequila Cask Terminado.

Produced by maturing Smokehead’s Islay single malt whisky in an ex-Bourbon barrel which has been finished in a Mexican Tequila oak cask, Tequila Cask Terminado provides top notes of smooth toffee with vibrant lime and ambrosian peaches.

The result is a unique whisky where fiery peat flavours mix with wild agave, smoke mixes with chewy meringue, and fresh blood orange builds with barbecued pineapple to create a sweet finish with a touch of heat.

Smokehead brand director Iain Weir said: “Smokehead is a brand that constantly pushes the boundaries of what a single malt whisky is – and how it’s perceived.

“By embracing contemporary methods of finishing, we’re at the forefront of innovation, both as a brand and within the industry at large.

“Tequila Cask Terminado is more than a passion project for us. It’s an embodiment of everything Smokehead stands for; rule-breaking, ‘pouring-less-boring’ and defiance.

“We’re so proud to launch Tequila Cask Terminado into the unique Smokehead family.”

Smokehead Terminado (43% ABV) is available now from Amazon in 70cl bottle format at RRP £60.69. 

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​​​​​​​​.​