Top 10 Spirit launches in February

Innovation is the word of the month with a series of one-of-a-kind products announced for release throughout February.

Innovation dominates February’s top 10 spirit launches, as do these brands too

In this month’s top 10 spirit releases, we see companies pushing the possibilities of what consumers can come to expect from their favourite spirits brands.

They include a new spiced rum which claims to be the first low-calorie spirit of its kind on the market, and a wild strawberry-flavoured vodka made using real fruit.

With interest in flavoured gin increasing it was only a matter of time before one of the big brands released a flavoured extension, while Pernod Ricard’s dedication to reviving the single pot still style resulted in the release of a limited edition range from the Midleton distillery.

Have we missed any out? Is there a spirit we haven’t listed here but should have? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Malibu Island Spiced

Malibu’s latest blend has been heralded as the first “low-calorie spiced rum” on the market. This version of the Pernod Ricard-owned spirit uses Truvia: a zero-calorie alternative to sugar and contains only 70 calories per serving. As such Malibu Island Spiced is directed predominantly toward women. “Nearly half of spiced rum drinkers are women but most spiced rum brands’ communication is directed to men,” said Lisa McCann, brand director for Malibu.

Its release follows a series of innovations from the Malibu brand as of late, including a rum-tequila hybrid named Malibu Red, which has sold far beyond what was expected on its release just over a year ago. Island Spiced is available exclusively in the US for an RRP of US$16.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Find our more about Malibu Island Spiced here.

Midleton Single Pot still

A similar single pot still release from Midleton in 2010 sold out as quickly as it hit the shelves, and the Cork-based distillery is expecting a similar reaction this time round. All bottles in this collection were laid down for eight years (between 1991 and 1999) in ex-bourbon casks and are now available in Ireland, France, Germany and the UK.

The presentation of this bottle is very similar to Midleton Very Rare and with only 185 bottles available from each cask expression, whiskey connoisseurs throughout the world will be eager to get their hands on this latest release.

Find out what the Midleton expressions are by clicking here.

Gordon’s Crisp Cucumber

Ten years ago flavoured gin was unheard of, now Gordon’s is revolutionising the gin industry with the release of traditional London Dry Gin mixed with natural cucumber flavouring. This new product will be supported by an aggressive £1m marketing campaign, as Diageo look to capitalise on growing gin consumption and the present popularity of flavoured spirits.

Gin remains an extremely versatile spirit that is relatively unexplored as regards flavour experimentation, so expect companies to capitalise with their own varieties if this launch is a success.

Gordon’s Crisp Cucumber is launched alongside two flavoured RTDs. Read about them here.

SKYY Wild Strawberry

The latest offering in SKYY’s naturally flavoured Infusions editions. In an attempt to veer as far from the unnatural fruit flavour that makes vodka lovers cringe, this spirit, named Wild Strawberry, has been made using real berries. Wild strawberries pack a much richer taste then the ones that can be found in stores.

SKYY also offers eleven other expressions including ginger, cherry, dragon fruit and blood orange. SKYY Strawberry is available in the US ahead at US$23.49 for a one-litre bottle.

Read more about SKYY Wild Strawberry here.

Glenfarclas 31 Year Old Port Cask

The latest expression from Glenfarclas has been laid down since 1981 and is bottled at 42.8% abv resulting in a very long finish. In a departure from the traditional first and second filled sherry casks normally used by the distillery, this edition has been aged in port casks for the full 31 years.

“While we never do any kind of wood finish, we do have some casks in our warehouses which don’t quite fit in with our typical house style but have their own distinctive character,” said George Grant, Glenfarclas’ sales director. Only 480 bottles have been made available exclusively in the UK and France, retailing at £280 per bottle.

Read why the Port Cask is a departure for Glenfarclas here.

Talisker Storm

Created under the watchful eye of master blender Dr Jim Beveridge, this Skye whisky has been blended in a variety of casks and bottled at 45.8% without an age statement. With further expressions to be released later in the year, this smoky whisky – which is designed to communicate the distillery’s character – is expected to be a huge hit with whisky-lovers.

Find out why Talisker Storm is described as the distillery’s most vibrant to date here.

Highland Park The Warrior Series

The Warrior Series consists of six different expressions with three initially released in European travel retail this month. Each variation has been named after an ancient Scandinavian Viking, the first three being: Svein, Harald and Einar. Harald is the pick of the bunch – named after King H. Fairhair, the first King of Norway – is available for €75.

Einar, named after the Earl of Courtney in 1014, retails at €53 for a one-litre bottle while it will cost €40 to purchase the Svein edition that’s named after the Viking chieftain central to the Orkeyinga saga. The final three expressions will be released in the summer in global travel retail.

Find out more about The Warrior Series here.

Teeling Irish Whiskey

The Teeling Whiskey Co, run by Jack Teeling, former managing director of Cooley, is launching its flagship product this month to recognise the family’s involvement in Irish whiskey for 231 years. This grain and malt whiskey is finished in a rum cask and bottled at 46% for a smooth yet spicy flavour. Its release coincides with the announcement by the company that it is looking into opening Dublin’s first whiskey distillery since 1976.

Read more about the Teeling Whiskey Co and its Irish whiskey here.

Camus Cognac 5.150

Priced at US$13,500 this expensive limited-edition Cognac is a celebration of five generations of lineage, aligning its release with the 150th anniversary of the Camus Cognac brand. Launched in New York last month, this new Cognac joins the brand’s Masterpiece Collection. It blends five rare eaux-de-vie strains from Cognac growing regions.

Read more about Camus and its Masterpiece Collection here.

Le Voyage de Napoleon

In France, it is a well-known legend that when forced into abdication and exile, Napoleon Bonaparte choose Courvoisier as the luxury item to bring with him. Ever since the words “The Cognac of Napoleon” has adorned each bottle. Courvoisier’s latest product line is named after the historical emperor. Le Voyage de Napoleon, a series featuring a new VS and VSOP expression, along with Courvoisier’s original XO, comes exclusively to the travel retail market.

The range is presented in suitably sophisticated packaging rich in historical reference (the package celebrates the star which Napoleon used to wish to for good fortune before entering battle). To mark the release, Courvoisier has constructed a specially built bar in the World Duty Free Store at Heathrow Terminal 5.