Bols unveils Date and Pineapple Chipotle flavours

Dutch spirits producer Lucas Bols has brought back its Blackberry liqueur flavour and launched two new liqueur variants – Date and Pineapple Chipotle.

Bols Pineapple Chipotle and Bols Date have joined the brand’s liqueurs portfolio

Said to be inspired by trends in the US, Bols Pineapple Chipotle is made from fresh pineapple juice and extract of smoked chipotle. It is said to be an ideal ingredient for Martini and Margarita cocktails.

Bols Date appeals to flavours from the Middle East and is made from a maceration of dried dates.

At the same time as unveiling the new variants, Bols revealed a new format for its Bols Around the World cocktail competition, described as the first of its kind to “evolve from a combative, serve-focused” event to an “inclusive, educational initiative”.

This year, a total of 6,000 bartenders from more than 80 countries joined in a series of 12 bartending tasks based on the “12 commandments” of the Bols Bartending Academy.

Entrants collected rewards and accumulated points over a three month period. The 16 bartenders awarded the most points won places at the Ultimate Amsterdam Experience this week.

The experience included a tour of the Lucas Bols distillery, masterclasses, team-building activities, a tour of the city’s bars and a place at the new Bols Business Class event.

This initiative allows bar owners and managers to take part in educational coaching sessions throughout the course of one-day. The Amsterdam event follows other Bols Business Class initiatives in Manchester, Amsterdam, Dubai, St. Petersburg and Moscow.

“This is a truly revolutionary year for Bols as we embark on the next phase of BATW and engage with bartenders in new and different ways,” said Lucas Bols CEO Huub Van Doorne.

“BATW has taken an inspiring twist as we change the competition game by encouraging bartenders to share their personal experiences and skills.

“In addition, we are concentrating more on education with Bols Business Class, which connects bar owners and managers, allowing them to gain insight from their peers on best practice that will ultimately help them grow their business.”

In February this year, the company launched what it claims to be the oldest genever available in US retail since Prohibition.