Daffy’s Gin and F1 race into Waitrose

Small-batch Daffy’s Gin has partnered with Formula 1’s Manor Racing to create a limited edition bottling for supermarket Waitrose.

Daffy’s is launching a limited edition expression in partnership with F1 Manor Racing and Waitrose

The Daffy’s Manor Racing Edition is the fist limited release from the brand, with 1,000 bottles stocked exclusively in 132 UK Waitrose stores.

Developed using a new recipe, the limited edition liquid sees fresh lime from southern Spain added to Daffy’s signature list of botanicals which includes Lebanese mint leaves, Balkan juniper berries and Moroccan orris root.

The gin is produced using the brand’s slow cook process said to marry “zesty lime and spice with warming flavours of burnt caramel, creamy shortbread”. Serving suggestions include over ice, like a single malt whisky.

Artwork for the bottle design has been created by New York artist Robert McGinnis, representing Daffy, the “goddess of gin”, in seventies racing whites, framed by a winner’s laurel wreath and gold cup.

The design also incorporates Manor Racing’s branding and a race number, while the cocktail recipe neck tag adds further serving suggestions.

“This is Daffy’s first ever limited edition and I’m incredibly proud of the result,” said Chris Molyneaux, master distiller and co-founder of Daffy’s. “We’re thrilled to be working with Manor Racing this year and wanted to create an exciting, fresh gin that captured the spirit, energy and derring-do of Manor Racing and F1.

“Since launching Daffy’s we’ve worked hard to secure key national listings and are thrilled to have both Daffy’s original and our Manor Racing Limited Edition stocked at Waitrose. We’ve been told our limited edition is a complete game changer and can’t wait to hear customer’s response.”

Herchelle Perez-Terrado, Waitrose spirits buyer, added: “The launch of Daffy’s Gin in February this year in national distribution has worked really well at Waitrose and reflects the growth of premium gins where we have seen this grow by +32% year-on-year.

“I’m really pleased to work with Chris to launch this as a limited edition at Waitrose as it’s a great addition to the Daffy’s brand. The Daffy’s Manor Racing Edition makes a fantastic gin martini.”

Simon Pavitt, Manor Racing marketing director, commented: “Since launching the partnership at the start of the 2016 F1 season, Daffy’s has had quite an impact at Manor Racing. The iconic logo looks great on the turning vanes of our race cars and we’ve had so much fun contributing to the limited edition bottle and cocktails.”

Daffy’s Manor Racing Edition is priced at £48 for 70cl, available from 1 August 2016.

Last month, Daffy’s created the “world’s most expensive” Martini costing £50,000 and served with an eight-day, luxury trip around the world.