SB’s most-read stories in April

April was all about flavour, with a fruity whiskey and a coffee-flavoured fan favourite making our top 10 most-read stories.

Outside of product launches, a trademark battle between two not-so-similar Tequilas (as the judge ultimately ruled) and a celebrity-backed vodka brand got SB readers clicking last month.

Keep scrolling to discover what captured our audience’s attention in April.

Bushmills adds 14YO whiskey to core range

While limited edition releases are always appreciated, it’s not often that established brands make changes to their core range – and it’s big news when they do. Last month Irish whiskey brand Bushmills added a 14-year-old single malt to its portfolio; finished in rare Malaga wine casks, the new expression joins five other whiskies in its core range.

Bushmills said the switch from first and second-fill Bourbon barrels to the wine casks gives the resulting liquid ‘exotic summer fruit notes’ and ‘warm mellow spices’.

Ardbeg marks Fèis Ìle with Port-aged whisky

Are you heading to Fèis Ìle this month? If you’ve failed to sort out your transport plans, this release from Ardbeg will cheer you up and let you celebrate Ardbeg Day from home. Named Ardbeg Spectacular, the single malt has been aged in Port wine barrels.

And if you are heading to Islay, Ardbeg is inviting guests to the distillery for a ‘dark circus’ – expect tastings, games and plenty more.

Glenmorangie launches Triple Cask Reserve

Highland distillery Glenmorangie joined Bushmills in revamping its core range last month, with the LVMH-owned brand creating a single malt matured in three different casks. The Triple Cask Reserve has spent time in Bourbon, new charred oak and rye whiskey barrels, and is initially available in the UK, Germany, France, the US and South Africa.

The big interview: Ricky Gervais, Ellers Farm Distillery

Celebrity-backed brands always excite our readers, and last month’s cover star was no different. Comedian Ricky Gervais joined Ellers Farm Distillery as co-owner late last year but the move certainly isn’t a cash grab. He told us how the company’s sustainability and ethical credentials drew him in.

Rampur reveals The Kohinoor Indian Dark Rum

You might typically associate rum with the Caribbean, but Rampur Distillery is out to prove that India can produce quality sugarcane spirit. Its latest expression is a dark rum that has been aged in ex-Indian single malt, American oak barrels, and finished in ex-Cognac XO casks and ex-vermouth casks.

House of Suntory creates GTR-exclusive whiskies

SB readers must have been planning their summer travels and, most importantly, their airport shopping last month, with a duo of travel-retail exclusives making the top-read list in April. The House of Suntory announced the release of two Japanese whiskies: Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak and Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak. Let us know which one you’re going after.

Patrón XO Cafe is back

It’s been two years since Bacardi announced it was discontinuing its XO Café expression, but SB fans didn’t give up hope. News that the liqueur was making a limited-time comeback rocketed into our top 10 list as soon as the story broke. Stock is still available on the brand’s website, so move fast if you haven’t already.

William Grant debuts Wildmoor whisky

William Grant & Sons made the top 10 in April by launching not one, not two, but seven whiskies, as part of a new range called Wildmoor.

The blended whiskies are intended to pay tribute to Scotland’s ‘wild elements’, with expressions aged between 21 and 40 years.

Clase Azul loses trademark case against Casa Azul

Two Tequila titans went up against each other in April, with Clase Azul claiming Casa Azul’s branding would cause confusion between the two companies. Clase Azul – a favourite of The Real Housewives – lost the case as the judge ruled that the two products were different, have different packaging, and target different consumer audiences.

Crown Royal unveils newest flavour

Flavoured expressions often get a bad rap, but our most-read story from April proves there’s a definite appetite for them. Canadian whisky brand Crown Royal launched a blackberry variant and said it was anticipating blackberry and lemonade will be the drink of the summer. Only time will tell if this launch will reach the cult-status heights of its previous release, Crown Royal Peach.