Top 10 spirit launches in October 2013

Creative and playful releases dominate our list of the top 10 spirit launches in October 2013, which includes everything from glow-in-the-dark vodka bottles, to bee sting-flavoured whiskey.

As our top 10 spirits launches in October 2013 prove, this autumn, an exciting and innovative range of spirits have burst onto the marketplace

While most of our lists of top 10 monthly launches have had some recognisable motif, this is not the case with our October picks.

As the cold, dark nights begin to draw in closer, it seems drinks producers are keen to lift consumers’ spirits with a diverse range of innovative product launches across all categories.

Flavoured whiskey – both Irish and American – retained its reputation as one of the fastest growing spirits categories, with Paddy Irish Whiskey, Red Stag and Jack Daniel’s all introducing exciting new flavour variants.

Whimsy was also found to be a thread running through many of our choices, as Absolut releases a colourful bottle to pay homage to Chicago, Johnnie Walker channels flavours found across famous trade routes, and Drinks by the Dram encourage Christmas enthusiasts to get into the holiday spirit with whisky and gin.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of the top 10 spirit launches in October.

Thinks we’ve missed any out? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Paddy Irish Whiskey flavours

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard boldly entered the flavoured Irish whiskey market with the release of four flavoured editions last month.

Paddy Irish whiskey Bee Sting and Devil’s Apple were unveiled in the US, while new Irish Honey and Spiced Apple flavours hit shelves in France. The releases, said to “challenge traditional perceptions of whiskey”, join only Bushmills Irish Honey in the flavoured Irish whiskey segment.

For more information about Paddy Irish Whiskey flavoured bottlings, click here.

Stolichnaya Night Edition

Stolichnaya vodka has released a glow-in-the-dark bottle to attract attention behind the bar and brighten up consumers’ drinks cabinets.

The edition features an intricate pattern which, after a prolonged period subjected to light source, glows in the dark.

October also saw the brand release Stolichnaya elit – a limited edition made from the water of New Zealand’s Blue Spring and bottled in rare crystal.

Follow the links for more information about Stolichnaya Night Edition and Stolichnaya elit.

Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack

Winter Jack – a blend of winter spices, apple cider liqueur and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey – capitalises on both the US consumers’ growing taste for cider, as well as the burgeoning flavoured whiskey market.

With a taste described as “reminiscent of apple pie”, Brown-Forman recommends Winter Jack is enjoyed warm.

Cider-flavoured whiskey seemed to be a prevalent theme during October, which also saw the release of Red Stag Hardcore Cider flavoured Bourbon.

Follow the links for more information about Winter Jack and Red Stag Hardcore Cider.

Absolut Chicago

Absolut vodka unveiled the latest bottle in its US city-inspired collection which pays homage to Chicago.

Infused with olive and rosemary, the vodka is packaged in a uniquely-designed bottle designed by competition winner Ross Bruggink. The bottles were crowd-sourced through a partnership between Absolut vodka and the Chicago-based design community, Threadless.

For more information about Absolut Chicago, click here.

Bulldog Bold

Bulldog London Dry Gin has unveiled a higher abv expression bottled in a new design.

Contained in a sleeker bottle topped with an eye-catching spiked dog collar, the stronger Bulldog gin has been created from 12 different botanicals including dragon eye, white poppy, liquorice and juniper.

Described as “bolder and fuller in flavour”, Bulldog Bold is bottled at 47% abv, while the abv of the original gin is 40%.

For more information about Bulldog Bold, click here.

Jägermeister Spice

The German liqueur brand launched its hotly anticipated first flavour extension in the US for over 40 years – Jägermeister Spice.

A blend of Jägermeister’s traditional herbal liqueur recipe with additional vanilla and cinnamon, the limited edition is bottled at 25% abv and is designed to be drunk neat, mixed with cola, or taken as a shot at room temperature – unlike the original spirit which is suggested to be served as a cold shot.

“Although Spice is certainly a unique take on our signature recipe, it also stays true to the original blend of Jägermeister, recognized as one of the most iconic spirits brands in the world,” said Michael Volke, member of the executive board at brand-owner Mast-Jägermeister SE.

For more information about Jägermeister Spice, click here.

Johnnie Walker The Royal Route

Diageo’s Johnnie Walker completed its travel retail exclusive Trade Route series with the launch of The Royal Route.

Part of a limited edition series which utilises flavours found along famous global trade routes, The Royal Route channels flavours found in the Far East and along the Mediterranean coast.

Diageo described the new bottling as the “most opulent” in the series as it is inspired by the “majestic history and sights of the royal trading route, famed for bringing the luxuries of the world to the hands of the kings”.

For more information about Johnnie Walker The Royal Route, click here.

The Dalmore 25 Year Old

Officially unveiled at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, The Dalmore 25 Year Old joins The Dalmore Principle Collection of Scotch whiskies.

The oldest expression in the collection, the new release has been matured in American white oak barrels and finished in Palomino Sherry butts and Bourbon casks. It is described as combining the festive aromas of fig, marzipan, vanilla and citrus.

For more information about The Dalmore 25 Year Old, click here.

Tequila Herradura Cognac Cask Finish Reposado

Tequila Herradura has advanced its foray into experimental Tequila aging with the release of its Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado.

Described as possessing “earthy and spicy notes” with “caramel and vanilla undertones”, the new release is matured twice, first in American oak barrels for 11 months, and then again in French oak casks sourced from the Cognac region for an additional three months.

The expression is part of Tequila Herradura Coleccion de la Casa, which will release an experimental new bottling each year.

For more information about Tequila Herradura’s Cognac Cask Finish Reposado, click here.

Drinks by the Dram Whisky and Gin Advent Calendars

Drinks by the Dram has given consumers the chance to celebrate the countdown to Christmas by enjoying whisky or gin, as opposed to chocolate.

The company, part of the Maverick Drinks portfolio, has created four unique calendars, each featuring 24 miniature bottles.

The selection includes the Whiksy Advent Calendar, the Premium Whisky Advent Calendar, the Ginvent Calendar, and the Craft Ginvent Calendar.

For more information about Drinks by the Dram advent calendars, click here.