Top 10 new products of the month

The drinks business picks out the top 10 product launches that have caught the imagination.

Highlights from the new product launches in the UK over the past month are on the following pages and include Tom Conran’s Tequila, rhubarb liqueur, frozen cocktails and a whisky bringing India and Scotland together .

Read on for our pick of the past month’s most intriguing product launches.

1. Tequila Chamucos

Tequila Chamucos (“little devil”) is distilled using 100% weber blue agave and has been launched in the UK by Tom Conran.

He is a restaurateur and entrepreneur and has four independent establishments in Notting Hill, West London.

Chamucos is an authentic, premium Tequila originating in Jalisco, Mexico. It is presented in three styles; Blanco (white or unaged), Reposado (rested in white oak barrels for 7 months) and Añejo (old, aged in white oak barrels for 18 months).

The product was conceived by a Mexican film director and his two friends. One is a graphic designer and cartoonist, the other is a businessman. The cartoonist created the label to honour the work of José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), a famous Mexican caricaturist. 

2. Spirit of Broadside

Brewer Adnams has announced the launch of its Spirit of Broadside.

The spirit is distilled from its Broadside beer at its Copper House Distillery in Southwold.

It will be released this month and is timed to coincide with the 340th anniversary of the Battle of Sole Bay on 28 May 1672 which marked the opening of the third Anglo-Dutch War.

Adnams first brewed its Broadside Beer 40 years ago to commemorate the tercentenary of the Battle of Sole Bay which took place just off the coast of Southwold – a bloody naval encounter in which both sides claimed victory.

Chairman Jonathan Adnams explained: “After opening the Copper House Distillery in November 2010 we began producing our award-winning gins and vodkas for immediate release. At the same time we produced whisky spirit, which is maturing well in casks and will be on sale in 2013. It was not long before we realised that we had the perfect beer in our bottled Broadside at 6.3% abv to distil into an eau de vie de biere (sometimes known as bierbrand).”

3. Glenlivet single cask editon

The Glenlivet is to release a series of rare expressions as part of its single cask editions range.

Each expression in this range is offered non chill-filtered and bottled at its cask strength.

The new additions to the range include The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition, an 18 year old whisky which was hand-selected by members of The Glenlivet Guardians – the brand’s online community – at an exclusive event in London in 2011.

Aged in a second-fill Sherry butt, just 631 bottles will be available exclusively to purchase or sample to The Guardians of the Glenlivet.

In addition, The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition, a 20 year old non chill-filtered single malt aged in a second-fill hogshead cask, and The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition, named after the well that provides water to the distillery will both be available in specialist outlets globally.

4. MyCocktail

MyCocktail has launched the first frozen ready-mixed adult drinks in the UK.

The MyCocktail Strawberry DaiqGOri and the Lime MarGOrita are served in individual pouches, designed to be “freezed, squeezed and enjoyed”.

The Strawberry DaiqGOri is a take on the bartender’s classic with a mix of strawberry puree and white rum.

The Lime MarGOrita has a shot of lime juice and Tequila, and both can be enjoyed frozen or served chilled.

MyCocktail frozen pouches are a new product from The Manchester Drinks Company, specialists in pre-mixed adult drinks and classic cocktails since 2004.

  5. Spirit Summer Berry flavour and “Brit Pack” design

Sourz has announced the launch of a limited edition flavour for summer 2012, which includes a new “Brit Pack” design.

The aim is to help consumers get sorted to celebrate a “Great British 2012,” as its release coincides with this unique Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics year.

The Sourz summer limited edition bottling is available in both on and off trade outlets and the launch is part of a summer investment of over £10 million in the Sourz brand.

The “Sorted 4 Summer” campaign will include a number of high profile marketing initiatives including associations with music and a focus on weekend celebrations.

A refreshed “Get sorted 4…” strategy also aims to increase consumer awareness through experiential marketing, PR and digital platforms.

6. Rhuby

Drinks industry veteran Ylva Binder is behind the creation of the rhubarb premium liqueur, Rhuby.

Rhuby is produced by the addition of sugar and bourbon vanilla beans to juiced Swedish rhubarb stalks.

The liqueur comes from the first organic distillery in Sweden, located in Ylva’s home town of Åkers Styckebruk in the region of Södermanland. The area is famous for its rhubarb harvest and annual rhubarb festival.

She said: “The idea behind a rhubarb liqueur came out of these childhood memories and the lack of presence of this loveable flavour in any well-stocked cocktail bar.

“My memories of biting into a stalk of rhubarb as a child have always stayed with me. I loved it and for me it was a feeling of complete happiness.

“Rhuby is as close as I can get to bottling that feeling – delicious.” Batch produced and handmade, Rhuby is 40 proof (20% abv). Other rhubarb flavoured drinks have been launched in the UK market by Magners.

7.  Worthington’s ale Seasonal variations

  Brewer Molson Coors is launching four seasonal variations of its Worthington’s ale, available in the on-trade to suit the time of year.

The first to launch, Worthington’s Spring Shield, has an ABV of 4.2% and is available until the end of May.

Later in the year will see launches of Worthington’s Summer Shield, Autumn Shield and Winter Shield.

Brewed at William Worthington’s Brewery located at The National Brewery Centre the range accompanies the recently launched Worthington’s Red Shield and Worthington’s White Shield, which is now nationally available on cask.

Jim Appelbee, master brewer at William Worthington’s Brewery says: “Our seasonal range is a mark of the success and growth of the William Worthington’s Brewery, and we’re really excited to give ale drinkers the chance to try them this year.

“All four variations are packed full of character to perfectly match the season. The first, Worthington’s Spring Shield, will evoke feelings of awakening and freshness with its light golden colour.”

8.  Seven Islands Vintage Whisky

A luxury single malt scotch whisky bringing together India and Scotland has been unveiled in London.

The brand is owned by leading Indian whisky producer Tilaknager Industries, which makes Indian made foreign liquor and is a major player in the sub continent’s drinks industry. It owns brands such as Senate Royal whisky, Mansion House brands and Madira XXX rum.

The Seven Islands Vintage brand story was showcased at an event in London using a narrative, a live saxophonist, guitarist and contemporary dance performance.

It has been created exclusively by Ryan50 Scotland Limited, UK, in strategic association with The BenRiach Distillery, Scotland.

Sanjay S Dash, director of marketing and sales, Ryan50 Scotland Limited said: “We are extremely proud and happy to be launching this brand in the UK market as we wanted to have a global launch befitting “Seven Islands Vintage” that brings together Indian culture and the Scottish art of making whisky.”

9. Talavent Vin de France 2011

Following the release of its single varietal Carignan and Malbec wines, Southern French specialist LGI-Alain Grignon Wines has added a third indigenous Languedoc grape to its portfolio – Talavent Vin de France 2011 which is made from 100% Grenache grapes.

10.  Limited Edition Glengoyne “Auld Enemy Dram”

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky has launched a special limited Edition “Auld Enemy Dram” in time for Father’s Day – 17 June 2012.

It has been launched to recognise the great sporting rivalry that exists between Scotland and England.

The “Auld Enemy Dram” is said to have a robust nose and powerful palate, thanks to Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling.

Retailing at £175 per bottle (reduced from £195 for Father’s Day), The Limited Edition Glengoyne “Auld Enemy Dram” is now available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh stores and online at www.glengonye.com

All proceeds from sales of The Limited Edition Glengoyne “Auld Enemy Dram” go to support Help for Heroes and The Bill McLaren Foundation.