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Top 10 spirits launches in June 2020

Last month’s spirits launches were nothing if not varied, from a £20,000 (US$24,600) Scotch whisky collection and the ‘first’ Mexican whisky to launch in the UK to a smattering of new RTDs. These are the products that grabbed our attention.

The Prima & Ultima collection is part of our top spirits launches in June 2020

While Diageo unveiled a selection of vintage single malts as part of its Prima & Ultima Scotch whisky range, Casa Lumbre revealed plans to launch a Mexican whisky in the UK – thought to be a first.

Meanwhile, the hard seltzer trend continues to trickle into the UK from the States as Smirnoff became the latest brand to move into the category.

And all that comes before we even mention the new gins, rums and ready-to-drink (RTD) bottlings that also came to light in June.

Click through to the following pages to discover our favourite spirits launches from last month.

Is there a product you were excited to see come to market in June that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments below. 

Prima & Ultima

Dr Jim Beveridge OBE selected the eight whiskies for the first Prima and Ultima collection

Diageo unveiled a collectable series of eight vintage single malts last month: Prima & Ultima. Meaning ‘first and last’, the range comprises a selection of casks from a number of Diageo distilleries, including Lagavulin, Mortlach and the Singleton of Dufftown.

The eight whiskies were chosen by whisky maker Dr Jim Beveridge OBE. Bottlings include Caol Ila 1984, Cragganmore1971 and Port Ellen 1979. The collection has a combined RRP of £20,000 (US$24,600).

Beveridge said: “Each of the eight whiskies I’ve selected for Prime & Ultima tells a tale of heritage and craftsmanship, and I’ve chosen them from distillers of great personal importance to me.”

For more information, click here.

Svedka Pure Infusions

Owned by Constellation Brands, Svedka Vodka unveiled a zero-sugar flavoured range in June, called Pure Infusions. The series comes in three variants: Strawberry Guava, Ginger Lime and Dragonfruit Melon.

Each flavour has an ABV of 30% and contains 70 calories per 1.5 ounce serving (approximately 45ml).

Jaymie Schoenberg, vice president of marketing for Svedka Vodka, said: “Pure Infusions combines Svedka Vodka’s leadership in flavour innovation with natural flavours to offer consumers a unique, sugar-free way to enjoy their flavoured vodka no matter the occasion.”

For more information, click here.

Abasolo

Abasolo is thought to be the first Mexican whisky to launch in the UK

Last month, Casa Lumbre unveiled a Mexican whisky that was set to make its debut in the UK in July: Abasolo. The Mexican whisky is thought to be the first to launch in the UK.

Abasolo is made from 100% Mexican Cacahuazintle corn. It is double-distilled in copper stills and matured in new toasted and used oak casks.

Tasting notes include roasted corn, toffee and hints of caramel. Bottled at 43% ABV, Abasolo has an RRP of £34.99 (US$43.50) per 700ml bottle.

For more information, click here.

Smirnoff Seltzer

Hard seltzers are hot property in the US right now and Diageo is hoping to mimic the success seen Stateside in the UK with Smirnoff Seltzer.

Smirnoff Seltzers are a mix of Smirnoff No.21 Premium Vodka, sparkling water and natural fruit flavours. The range has launched with two flavours: Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry and Rhubarb, and Smirnoff Seltzer Orange and Grapefruit.

With an ABV of 4.7% each, the cans are priced at RRP £1.80 (US$2.30).

For more information, click here.

Sir Edward’s Beer Reserve

Sir Edward’s Beer Reserve is the fourth whisky in the brand’s range

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet unveiled a Scottish beer barrel-finished expression for Sir Edward’s blended Scotch whisky in June. Bottled at 40% ABV, the whisky is recommended for sipping neat or mixed in cocktails.

Tasting notes include heather honey, citrus and sweet hops on the nose, with honey, berries, toffee, malt and hoppy spice flavours on the palate. The finish is said to be long, lingering and sweet with gentle spice.

Emilie Cechet, international brand manager, said: “There’s a huge appetite for craft beers right now and this innovative new expression taps into that demand. Seeing the range grow, and exploring new territories is so exciting.”

For more information, click here.

Kopparberg Cherry Spiced Rum

Swedish cider maker Kopparberg moved into rum last month with the launch of Kopparberg Cherry Spiced Rum. The cherry-spiced expression comes off the back of growing interest in spiced rum in the on- and off-trade, according to the brand.

Kopparberg Cherry Spiced Rum is bottled at 37.5% ABV. Its launch was accompanied by a ready-to-drink (RTD) canned format, mixed with cola and bottled at 5% ABV.

The launch is being supported by a fully integrated campaign with the tagline ‘We are Different in the Dark’.

For more information, click here.

Brewdog Distiller’s Cut Rum

Brewdog Distilling has released a limited edition version of its Five Hundred Cuts Botanical Rum, called Distiller’s Cut.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Distiller’s Cut Rum blends Five Hundred Cuts with white rum that has been matured for 15 months in oloroso Sherry casks. It also contains Szechuan peppercorn, green cardamom and clove, and offers “intense” blood orange peel notes. The release is limited to 1,500 bottles.

For more information, click here.

Tarquin’s Cornish Sunshine Blood Orange Gin

English producer Southwestern Distillery created a new limited edition flavour for Tarquin’s Gin designed to be served in a Spritz.

Tarquin’s Cornish Sunshine Blood Orange Gin is infused with blood orange and summer fruits including rhubarb and gentian root. Bottled at 38% ABV, the gin is priced at RRP £36 (US$45).

The gin is recommended served with sparkling wine, a dash of sparkling elderflower and garnished with pink grapefruit or summer berries.

For more information, click here.

Cocktail 43 Fresco

Spanish liqueur Licor 43 expanded into the ready-to-drink (RTD) category last month with the launch of Cocktail 43 Fresco. The ‘fizzy fusions’ are made by combining Licor 43 Original with real fruit juices.

Cocktail 43 Fresco comes in two flavours, lemon and berry. Both are bottled at 5.6% ABV and are available in the Netherlands for RRP €2.49 (US$2.80).

Julian Fernandez, global marketing and innovation director for spirits at Licor 43 owner Zamora Company, said: “The product is inspired by our Spanish roots, packaged in a premium, bespoke bottle with a liquid that offers the signature flavours of our Licor 43 Original blended with real fruit to deliver a delicious, fresh taste.”

For more information, click here.

Glasgow Distillery Malt Riot

The Glasgow Distillery Company took inspiration from the 1725 malt tax riots across Scotland for its first blended malt, which was unveiled last month. The riots were sparked by taxes on malted barley, which protesters wanted reversed.

Liam Hughes, CEO and co-founder of The Glasgow Distillery Company, said: “The story of the malt riots is a really powerful one for us to tell. Not only does it heavily involve the people of Glasgow taking a stand for what they believe in, but it was a catalyst that helped forge the Scotch whisky industry as we know it today.”

Malt Riot is bottled at 40% ABV and is described as having notes of “freshly planed oak, sweet vanilla slices and hints of floral hyacinth” on the nose. The palate is said to have flavours of toffee apples, dry spices and caramelised pineapple.

For more information, click here.

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