Top 10 spirit launches in January

If our list of the top 10 spirit launches in January proves anything, it’s that drinks categories are becoming increasingly blurred.

Here are our top 10 spirit launches in January

The hybrid drinks trend truly took off last month, with a wine-infused gin, cassis-flavoured sparkling vodka, and a Champagne-style rum all released into the market.

Although not featured as prominently as in our top 10 spirit launches in December, Scotch has continued to make its mark on the spirits landscape in January.

The fast-growing Irish whiskey and craft Bourbon market welcomed new editions, while a “royal” vermouth and “folklore” vodka also strived to turn heads.

Click through the following pages to see our list of the top 10 spirit launches in January.

Glenmorangie Companta

Following on from Ealanta, recently named the “world’s best whisky” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014, Glenmorangie Companta is the fifth release in the company’s Private Edition series.

The 46% abv single malt whisky has been non-chill filtered and matured in Grand Cru casks from Clos de Tart and sweet fortified wine casks from Côtes du Rhône.

Click here for more information about Glenmorangie Companta.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 2004

Heaven Hill launched its 19th annual Evan Williams expression in the US last month – a 2004 Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon.

Each bottle of the 43% abv expression has been matured in natural open-rick warehouses and bears serial number of the single barrel from which it was drawn.

Click here for more information about Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon 2004.

anCnoc 1999 Vintage

The anCnoc 1999 single malt Scotch whisky has been described by its brand owners International Beverage Holdings as the first in a series of “exciting developments” for the company.

The 46% abv limited edition has been non-chill filtered and matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks at Knockdhu Distillery in Knock, Banffshire.

Click here for more information about anCnoc 1999.

Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin

The hybrid drinks category welcomed Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin last month.

Infused with Riesling grapes from the Saarburger Rausch site in Germany, the gin merges the worlds of wine and spirits.

Click here for more information about Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin.

Tincup

Said to offer Bourbon lovers as “bolder, spicier alternative”, Tincup American whiskey is a blend of corn, rye and malt aged in charred American white oak barrels.

Tincup is described as having an aroma of citrus, black pepper and ginger, with notes of rye spice, cinnamon and caramel on the palate.

Click here for more information about Tincup.

Malibu Rum Sparkler

Pernod Ricard has ventured further into the hybrid drinks category with its Malibu Rum Sparkler – a sparkling blend of carbonated Malibu and coconut water presented in a Champagne-style bottle with a cork stopper.

Available in Coconut and Peach flavours, Malibu Rum Sparkler joins the brand’s range of RTD cans.

Click here for more information about Malibu Rum Sparkler.

Irish Mist

Gruppo Campari made its return to the Irish whiskey category with the launch of Irish Mist – a development of the brand’s original honeyed whiskey liqueur.

Distilled and aged in American oak casks, Irish Mist is the first Irish whiskey to enter Campari’s portfolio since the company stopped marketing William Grant & Sons’ Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey in the US.

Click here for more information about Irish Mist.

La Quintinye Vermouth Royal

Last month, EWG Spirits & Wine released La Quintinye Vermouth Royal – a collection of three vermouths made from a blend of Pineau des Charentes fortified wine and white wines from the South West of France.

The collection includes: La Quintinye Rouge, La Quintinye Blanc, and La Quintinye Extra-Dry.

Click here for more information about La Quintinye Vermouth Royal.

Voz Vodka

Described as offering consumers a “whole new drinking experience”, Voz Vodka is a Cassis-flavoured sparkling spirit.

Natural mineral water that is softened and deep-frozen is blended with a 100% grain vodka and Crème de Cassis flavours to create the finished product.

Click here for more information about Voz Vodka.

Russian Standard Original Folklore Edition

Russian Standard announced the launch of its first limited edition sleeve inspired by Russian Folklore last month.

Depicting the magical “Zhar Ptitsa” firebird, a famous symbol in Russian tradition, the Russian Standard Original Folklore Edition will first launch in Copenhagen Airport before rolling out across other travel retail markets.

Click here for more information about Russian Standard Original Folklore Edition.