Top 10 spirit launches in December

“Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch” just about sums up the top 10 spirits launched in December – here’s a look at the releases that caught our attention in the last month of 2013.

December saw an interesting array of spirits launch across the world

Whiskies dominated the spirits scene from single malts to flavoured Scotch and a special release in the US to coincide with the release of the much-anticipated premiere of Anchorman 2.

Elsewhere a new product targeting the Asian markets was unveiled to mark the start of the Chinese New Year, while in Czech Republic Chivas Brothers jumped on the flavoured Scotch bandwagon with its new lime-flavoured Scotch whisky.

Take a look through our pick of the top 10 spirit launches in December and if you think we’ve missed any out, let us know by leaving a comment below.

Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune Edition

To mark the start of the Chinese New Year (31 January) Diageo released a special Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune Edition. Produced in China’s first Baijiu distillery, the new edition is packaged in a red bottle – the Chinese colour of good fortune – with a delicate gold design.

For more information about Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune, click here.

Auchentoshan 1975 Single Malt Scotch

Auchentoshan released a second bottling of a rare 1975 single malt Scotch exclusively into global retail travel. Described as having notes of papaya and pink grapefruit as well as baked pineapple and almond cake, the re-release is available at airports globally.

For more information on Auchentoshan 1975 Single Malt Scotch, click here.

Royal Lochnager and Talisker

Diageo unveiled a series of five triple-matured single malt scotch whiskies exclusively available to the Friends of the Classic Malts fan club. The first two in the series, released in December, are limited editions of Royal Lochnager and Talisker.

For more information about Royal Lochnagar and Talisker, click here.

Ballantine’s Brasil

Chivas Brothers made a bold move in December with its release of Ballantine’s Brasil – a combination of blended Scotch whisky with lime flavouring. The product is described as “both smooth and consistent, with the sweet and creamy flavours of Scotch balancing the refreshing lime taste” and was first rolled out last month in Czech Republic before its global launch in February.

For more information about Ballantine’s Brasil, click here.

Glenglassaugh 40-year-old single malt Scotch whisky

Just months after the release of a 30-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, Glenglassaugh distillery launched a 40-year-old expression. It is described as having notes of “toffee, apples, mango and banana” and is available worldwide.

For more information on Glenglassaugh 40-year-old single maltScotch whisky, click here.

Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye

A surge in demand for premium Bourbon and American whiskey prompted Diageo to launch a higher strength Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye in the UK. Diageo claimed it was in response to calls from the British bartending community for greater diversity of products with which to create rye-based cocktails.

For more information on Buleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye, click here.

Ron Burgundy’s Whisky

Great Odin’s Raven! Ron Burgundy’s Scotch whisky was kind of a big deal in December. It was launched in the US to coincide with the release of Anchorman 2 with Burgundy’s famous words “Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch” etched onto the bottle.

For more information on Ron Burgundy’s Whisky, click here.

The Irishman Cask Strength 2013

It was in December The Irishman had unveiled its annual Cask Strength 2013, available worldwide. It was the first expression released by brand-owners Walsh Whiskey Distillery since the company announced plans to build a multi-million pound craft distillery. 

For more information on The Irishman Cask Strength 2013, click here.

Douglas Laing & Co Braeval 12 Year Old Single Sherry Cask

It was the season of good will and Douglas Laing & Co took note with the launch of its annual charity bottling to support retired and active servicemen through the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The Braeval 12 Year Old Single Sherry Cask is said to have notes of butterscotch, fruit, cinnamon and barley.

For more information on Douglas Laing & Co Braeval 12 Year Old Single Sherry Cask, click here.

Skyy Infusions Georgia Peach and Vanilla Bean

Campari capitalised on the growing popularity of peach-flavoured vodka in the US with two new additions to Skyy Infusions – Georgia Peach and Vanilla Bean. The brand claims peach is the third most popular vodka flavour in the states. The latest releases add to SKyy’s existing catalogue of vodka flavours which include Moscato Grape, Citrus, Dragon Fruit, Ginger Cherry and Passion Fruit among others. 

For more information about Skyy Infusions Georgia Peach and Vanilla Bean, click here.