Bacardi launches new Caribbean Spiced Rum
Bacardi Rum has announced the release of its latest variant, Caribbean spiced (40% ABV).
Marking the brand’s first premium spiced aged product, the newest addition to the Bacardi Rum portfolio has been crafted with pineapple, coconut, vanilla and cinnamon, ideal for creating tropical cocktails such as a Piña Colada, trading up a rum and cola or simply enjoyed neat on the rocks.
The new serve has been aged under the Caribbean sun, with the subtle oaky char from the barrels adding to the smooth and warming taste.
Inspired by her love for her home in the Caribbean, Bacardi Rum blender Noidys Herrera, who has been honing her craft for more than 10 years, worked closely with Bacardi global master blender, Troy Arquiza to create Bacardi Caribbean Spiced Rum.
Herrera said: “The coconut tree has always had a strong link to the Bacardi family, being the emblem of the company symbolising the coconut palm that was planted at the original Bacardi Rum distillery.
“It is also known in my culture as the tree of life. The magic of the new Bacardi Caribbean Spiced comes from the coconut sugar blossom, a unique and widely unused part of the coconut.
“I love to experiment and play with flavours, giving rum fans a sensory experience that will transport them to the Caribbean with every sip.”
Bacardi Caribbean Spiced Rum is available now in 70cl bottle format from Mixlab at RRP £24.
The brand's global ambassador Dickie Cullimore said: “Category research showed us flavoured and spiced are the fastest growing segments in rum and specifically premium rum, and the Piña Colada has risen through the ranks as a top 5 cocktail.
“Even more exciting was our discovery that people were looking specifically for unique flavours and aged rums.
“Understanding this desire was key in creating Bacardi Caribbean Spiced and ensuring the flavours and aged rum quality were intensified to deliver the best craftmanship and taste.
Whitley Neill expands flavoured gin portfolio
Whitley Neill has added two new flavours to its portfolio, Apple & Red Berries and Banana & Guava (both 41.3% ABV).
The new Apple & Red Berries variant boasts notes of crisp green apples with sweet raspberry and black cherry, whilst the Banana & Guava offering taps into the trend for tropical flavours with sweet, ripe bananas and guava.
Both new serves can be enjoyed simply with tonic or lemonade, or as a base for a range of cocktails, from spritzes to fruity martinis.
Halewood Artisanal Spirits global marketing director Rachel Adams said: “With eight generations of distilling heritage behind us, consumers know they can expect great tasting, quality gins from Whitley Neill.
“These two launches with their on-trend, fruity flavours are no exception. We’re confident they will perform well this summer.
“We’re also excited to unveil our refreshed new bottle design which we will be rolling out across the portfolio over the next few months”.
Whitley Neill Apple & Red Berries Gin is available now in 70cl bottles at RRP £28 from the Drop Store while the brand’s Banana & Guava offering is available now via Booker in 70cl bottles at RRP £28.
Black Sheep Brewery shares new stout to mark International Women's Day
Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery has launched a new limited addition stout, Blossom.
Created to mark International Women’s Day 2023, the new serve has been conceptualised, brewed and branded by the women of Black Sheep Brewery.
A strong cherry stout, Blossom (7% ABV) contains dark roasted malts and silky oats at its core, boasting flavours of chocolate and coffee on the palate with a fruity sweetness tempered by a liberal dose of spicy and peppery hops alongside a light and dry finish.
Black Sheep CEO Charlene Lyons said: “Black Sheep Brewery has a rich 30-year history with many incredible women at the heart. We wanted to celebrate this history and our fantastic team through creating a brew made by and dedicated to our women.
“It was great to collaborate and build relationships across different departments, highlighting the team’s hard work and success, and to build on our efforts to support women in other ways as a business.
“We’ve been proud supporters of Women on Tap for the past three years, helping in the organisation’s mission to create an industry where women have equal opportunities, which is extremely important to us at Black Sheep Brewery.
“I am extremely proud of the inclusivity across Black Sheep Brewery and look forward to seeing more women working in traditionally male dominated industries, such as breweries in the future. There’s plenty of space and opportunity for everyone.”
The new limited-edition serve is available now on cask and in 500ml bottles direct from Black Sheep at RRP £5.50 per pint. Read more here.
Luscombe releases new limited-edition serve
Award-winning organic soft drinks brand Luscombe has launched a new ‘bubbly’ flavour in celebration of the upcoming coronation of King Charles III.
The Royal Warrant holder’s latest release, Rose and Cherry Bubbly, balances the sweet tartness of cherries with the floral notes of the rose, naturally sweetened with Muscat grape juice and finished with Sicilian lemons alongside soft Dartmoor spring water.
As with all the drinks in Luscombe’s range, the new serve is free from artificial additives, sweeteners and concentrates.
Luscombe owner and founder Gabriel David said: “Inspired by the rose featured in the Coronation emblem, our limited-edition Rose & Cherry Bubbly has been crafted with Royal celebrations in mind.
“Rose & Cherry Bubbly delivers a burst of rich red cherries, balanced with delicate floral notes from the rose and is perfect served chilled on its own, or if you want to, you can add a premium spirit and citrus garnish - it’s the perfect celebratory drink.”
Luscombe’s Rose & Cherry Bubbly is available in 27cl single serve bottles (24x27cl). For more information or to place an order, visit luscombe.co.uk or contact 01364 64 30 36.
Hogs Back adds to Little Swine collection
Surrey-based Hogs Back brewery has expanded its Little Swine portfolio of low alcohol beers with the launch of flavoured craft ale, Little Ginger Swine (0.5% ABV).
Little Ginger Swine is a full-bodied, flavourful pale ale, brewed with four speciality malts and three hop varieties, including aromatic Cascade from Hogs Back's own hop garden, and dry hopped with Mosaic for a robust citrus finish.
The addition of ginger after brewing gives a spicy kick, complementing the crisp and smooth ale.
Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: "We're delighted to be extending our Little Swine family.
“The strong consumer response to the existing Little Swine beers has shown demand for low alcohol beers with plenty of character continues to grow.
"Little Ginger Swine has all the fiery character you'd expect from ginger with some to spare.
“We think that's all part of its charm. It has a wonderful flavour that offers something different for the increasing number of beer drinkers enjoying low alcohol beers, making Little Ginger Swine a welcome new addition to the Little Swine family of beers."
Little Ginger Swine is available in 500ml bottles at RRP of £2.40 direct from Hogs Back.
Nirvana Brewery announces duo of new beers
East London-based Nirvana brewery has launched a duo of new canned beers, Heavenly and Hell-ish, both 0.5% ABV and vegan.
Heavenly is an orange and thyme sour while Hell-ish is a classic lager brewed with roasted jalapeños.
Both flavours were suggested by Nirvana’s social media followers and are available in mixed cases, dubbed Heaven vs Hell, of 12 or 24 330ml cans direct from the brewery at RRP £30 and £55 respectively or RRP £2.50 per 330ml can.
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 Rebecca.weller@wrbm.com and for any upcoming King's Coronation on-trade launches, please send details and images to Gary.lloyd@wrbm.com by Thursday 6 April.
