Top 10 spirits launches in August
Autumn will soon be upon us and consumers will undoubtedly be seeking some brief respite from the chill by indulging in warming spicy spirits – but before the leaves start to fall, let’s have a look at the spirits launched in the last month of summer.
Flavoured spirits dominate our list of top 10 spirits launches in August, but premium rum and whiskies also make their markFull of imaginative flavours, creative blending and innovative aging techniques, the drinks industry in August saw a diverse range of spirits launch around the world.
From chocolate to cinnamon, electricity to grass, the flavoured spirits trend was turned up a notch last month. While Pernod Ricard’s Oddka Vodka range turned heads in the UK with its unusual flavours, Bailey’s created a stir with its real chocolate blend.
Smirnoff also expanded its footprint on the flavoured vodka market with its honey and coconut releases. Meanwhile owners Diageo also celebrated the success of Smirnoff Gold – a cinnamon-flavoured expression containing 23-carat edible gold leaf.
Bucking the pervasive flavoured spirits trend was the premium whisky and rum market, with new releases from Glenglassaugh, Auchentoshan, Johnnie Walker and Flor de Caña.
Click through the following pages to learn more about these and other spirits released in August 2013.
Bailey’s Chocolat Luxe
The announcement that Bailey’s had taken the “ground breaking” step of marrying real chocolate with Irish whiskey for its Chocolat Luxe bottling excited chocolate enthusiasts the world-over.
A luxurious blend of Belgian chocolate, cream and Irish whiskey which took three years to develop, the new expression was designed to replicate the experience of drinking melted chocolate.
Inventors experimented with over 200 different types of chocolate from around the world, tirelessly attempting to create the appropriate colour and consistency.
The 15.7% abv expression was available exclusively at Harvey Nichols in London during August for an RRP of £16.99 ahead of its general release across Western Europe in October.
Flor de Cana 25 Year Old
Nicaraguan rum brand Flor de Caña released an ultra-premium 25-year-old expression exclusively in the travel retail sector.
Described by the company as “our jewel in the crown”, the release is the oldest expression in Flor de Caña’s portfolio to date.
The 25-year-old rum also joins the brand’s Centario Collection in receiving a new packaging design to “emphasise its authenticity, age statement and traditional craftsmanship”.
The expression is available across global travel retail for an RRP of US$130.
Oddka Vodka
It was announced last month that Pernod Ricard would be launching a series of weird and wacky flavoured vodkas in the UK through its Oddka Vodka label.
Unusual flavoured including Electricity, Fresh Cut Grass, and Salty Caramel Popcorn, Twisted Melon and Peach Bellini are set to hit UK shelves this month, having already launched in the US, Italy, Austria and France last year.
However, research found that other flavours in the range including Wasabi, Original and Apple Pie would not be embraced by UK consumers.
Packaged in 500ml bottles at an RRP of £9.49-£11.49, Pernod hopes consumers will be encouraged to buy more than one flavour.
Auchentoshan Virgin Oak
Scottish distillers Auchentoshan released a single malt which embraced the bold trend of virgin oak maturation.
The triple distilled dram was matured exclusively in North American oak barrels which had never stored another spirit – challenging the widely held view that whisky must be left to age in ex-Bourbon or ex-sherry casks.
With notes of spiced apple, candied orange, chocolate and maple, it was hoped that the Auchentoshan Virgin Oak would “dispel myths surrounding the process of whisky maturation”.
Bottled at 46% abv, the expressions comes with an RRP of £69.99.
Mozart R.G Chocolate Cream
Heralded as “the most exciting launch in years” by Mozart Distillerie, the new super-premium milk chocolate Mozart R.G joined the ranks of new chocolate-flavoured spirits.
Released ahead of the company’s 60th anniversary celebrations next year, Mozart R.G is a blend of Belgian chocolate, Forastero and Trinitario cocoa from Ghana, Madagascan vanilla, cream, cocoa butter and alcohol.
Master distiller and chocolatier Dietmar Fadinger used a unique maceration process for the liqueur, refining the cocoa macerate in Bourbon casks for at least six months.
It was announced that Mozart R.G would roll out across global travel retail at an RRP of €27.99.
Smirnoff Gold
This cinnamon-flavoured bottling containing 23-carat edible gold leaf endeavoured to give the brand a more luxurious image, as well as eye-catching shelf stand out.
By targeting consumers “looking for a new vodka experience” who might be looking to “trade up”, brand owners Diageo aimed to push sales further through a £4.5 million integrated through-the-line campaign.
To coincide with the release, Smirnoff also promoted a new signature serve called the ‘Smirnoff Apple Bite Gold’ – a blend of Smirnoff Gold, lemonade and apple juice.
The 37.5% abv expression was launched in the UK at an RRP of £21.95.
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label
A blend of single malt and grain whiskies drawn from a number of wooden casks across 20-25 Scotch distilleries, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label is described as “supremely rich and full-bodied”.
With notes of stewed fruit, malty cereal, vanilla, almonds and tangerines, the expression has been heralded as “the brand’s biggest product launch since the introduction of Blue Label”.
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label rolled out across the US at an RRP of US£110.
Stoli Chocolate Kokonut
Stolichnaya embraced the popular chocolate-flavour spirits trend with the release if its Stoli Chocolat Kokonut expression.
Following a successful roll-out in the US, Stoli Chocolat Kokonut was launched in the UK at the end of last month.
The third release in Stoli’s Indulgent range, the expression follows Stoli Salted Karamel and Chocolat Razberi and is available from TheDrinkShop.com at an RRP of £20.40.
Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old
The Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old was announced as the first release by BenRiach Distillery Company since it acquired the Glenglassaugh distillery in March this year.
The launch was also said to be a step towards BenRiach’s goals of brand reinvention and responded to global demand for the popular whisky.
With notes of mango, orange, sherry, toffee and ginger, Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old is one of several releases planned for this year.
Smirnoff Honey and Coconut
Following a successful roll-out in the US, Smirnoff Honey and Smirnoff Coconut were released into the Australian market last month as part of a “rotating pipeline” of flavours to launch in the country.
Thought to be the first flavours of their kind to hit Australian shelves, the bottlings were targeted towards 18-22-year-olds.
The new flavours have been promoted with information for customers on how to create signature serves.
