Whisky was a popular tipple of choice among last month’s releases – but new agave-based spirits and RTDs were also in abundance.

Producers cranked up their experimentation levels to the max in September, exploring unusual base materials and tapping into burgeoning drinking trends.

From Ireland to Japan, and a smattering of countries in-between, there was an eclectic mix of new whisky launches to excite consumers last month.

Furthermore, foodies should take a look at a new ready-to-drink (RTD) canned expression designed to pair perfectly with Indian food.

Or, if cocktails are more up your street, there’s a new passion fruit liqueur screaming to be mixed into your next Pornstar Martini.

For all this and more, keep scrolling to discover our top picks of new spirits launched last month.

Looking for further inspiration? Take a peek at our round-up from August.

Method and Madness Oats and Malt

Distiller Katherine Condon experimented with Irish oats for the latest release from Method and Madness. The whiskey was triple-distilled in copper pot stills from a mash bill of 60% oats and 40% malt.

Sitting at 46% ABV, the whisky is said to have aromas of toasted marshmallow, pine peppercorns and orange zest, leading to flavours of fudge, citrus oils and green chilli on the palate.

The whiskey can be found in Ireland, the UK, Dublin Airport and online for RRP €95 (US$83) per bottle.

Apollo

Passion Fruit Martinis (also known as Pornstar Martinis) are becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, perhaps unsurprisingly Intercontinental Brands sought to tap into the growing trend with its own passion fruit liqueur.

The UK-based company introduced Apollo passion fruit liqueur in September, designed to be a ‘value alternative’ to other brands on the market with a price tag of £9 (US$10).

Bottled at 17% ABV, the liqueur is made with real passion fruit juice and ‘natural’ flavours.

Sollasa & Tonic

The convenient novelty of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages doesn’t look likely to drop off any time soon. So to mark the first anniversary of Sollasa, the aperitif brand partnered with Double Dutch to create a canned RTD.

Brothers-in-law Vishal Patel and Sajag Patel developed Sollasa to pair with Indian cuisine. The RTD combines the spirit with Double Dutch Skinny Tonic Water.

At 6% ABV, the 330ml cans are priced at RRP £12 per pack of four.

Nikka Discovery 2022

Japanese whisky brand Nikka introduced not one, but two limited edition whiskies last month as part of its Discovery range.

The two bottlings were: Yoichi Single Malt Aromatic Yeast (48% ABV) and Miyagikyo Single Malt Aromatic Yeast (47% ABV). Each whisky was created to highlight ‘unique’ aromas generated through fermentation.

The Yoichi expression is said to have an estery aroma akin to ginjyo sake, while Miyagikyo offers fruity notes of peach and apricot.

With 20,000 bottles of each expression available globally, the whiskies are priced at RRP €245 in France, or US$275 in the US.

Diageo Special Releases 2022

The whiskies that form the Diageo Special Releases are highly anticipated year after year. For 2022, the world’s biggest spirits producer curated a selection of whiskies to form the Elusive Expressions.

Unveiled last month, the eight aged whiskies were:

• Mortlach (57.8% ABV, RRP £250/US$270)
• Talisker 11 Years Old (55.1% ABV, RRP £110/US$119)
• Lagavulin 12 Years Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £135/US$146)
• The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Years Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £120/US$130)
• Cardhu 16 Years Old (58% ABV, RRP £160/US$173)
• Oban 10 Years Old (57.1% ABV, RRP £105/US$113)
• Cameronbridge 26 Years Old (56.2% ABV, RRP £275/US$299)
• Clynenish 12 Years Old (58.5% ABV, RRP £175/US$189)

The bottlings are available from select retailers.

Cincoro Gold Tequila

Tequila continues to win the hearts of spirits fans, particularly in US and Mexico. Among the celebrity-owned brands that have to come to market in recent years is Cincoro, co-owned by former basketball star Michael Jordan.

In September, the brand released its fifth expression: Cincoro Gold. The Tequila blends together Cincoro Blanco, Reposado Añejo and Extra Añejo.

Priced at US$349.99 per 750ml bottling, Cincoro Gold will be available in the US.

The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release

To celebrate six decades of the James Bond film franchise, The Macallan unveiled a commemorative bottling. The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release comprises six limited edition bottle designs. Each one is presented in individually designed sleeves, while each bottle has been given an original illustrative design.

Tasting notes for the single malt include orange zest and fizzy sherbet on the palate, with lemon, oak and ginger spice. The finish is said to be sweet and long with complex layers.

The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release is available for RRP £600 (US$800) per bottle.

M&S Distilled

Consumers worldwide are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, creating the perfect time for retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) to launch its ‘more affordable’ spirits range.

M&S’s Distilled collection features 10 spirits, including vodka, gin, rum, brandy, whisky and Tequila.

Jenny Rea, lead product developer for spirits at M&S, said: “Our new Distilled range is all about helping [our customers] to find the best versions of their favourite spirits at a great price, so they can continue to enjoy the classics while also experimenting with new cocktail creations.”

Each spirit is priced at £18 (US$20) and is available from M&S stores and online.

Two Stacks Dram in a Can

Irish whiskey producer Two Stacks also ventured into the canned beverage space last month, but with a twist. Rather than creating a traditional ‘RTD’ drink, the distiller launched an Irish single malt in a canned format.

The 100ml Dram in a Can is a vatting of double- and triple-distilled peated malt, which was matured in ex-Bourbon and oloroso Sherry casks. It sits at 43% ABV. It is the second expression in the brand’s portfolio to be presented in a can.

Priced at RRP £22.95 (US$27) per pack of four cans, or £5.75 (US$7) per individual can, the expression is available in the UK via Enotria & Co and The Whisky Exchange.

Gran Coramino Añejo

In further celebrity Tequila news, actor and comedian Kevin Hart expanded his Tequila line with an añejo bottling. The Jumanji star collaborated with Proximo Spirits to create Gran Coramino, which launched with a reposado cristalino earlier this year.

The latest release is said to have notes of butterscotch, toasted cacao, and coffee beans. The Tequila was distilled and aged at the La Rojeña Distillery in Mexico, said to be the oldest distillery in Latin America.

Gran Coramino Añejo can be bought for RRP US$99.99.