Top 10 spirits launches in June
Make some room on your booze shelf – June provided plenty of innovative and interesting new spirits releases.
The memo last month seemed to be ‘do something completely different’ with Mount Gay playing with Cognac casks, Cutty Sark trying out an RTD and Luxco launching a new Tequila brand.
Meanwhile, a matcha-flavoured liqueur entered the fray and we got a contender for most eyebrow-raising spirits launch of the year with a vodka distilled with the ingredients of a pizza.
Otherwise, we love a birthday here at SB so Teeling’s 10th-anniversary whiskey caught our eye, and The Maclean Foundation also released its third charity whisky, in support of clean water in Madagascar.
For the full list of top 10 spirits launches from June, keep on reading.
For previous round ups, see what ranked as our top 10 new spirits launches in April and May
Maclean Foundation and Isle of Raasay make charity Scotch
The Maclean Foundation and Isle of Raasay Distillery released a five-year-old single cask Scotch together for charity.
All profits from the whisky go towards funding clean water boreholes in rural Madagascar through the foundation’s local partner, Feedback Madagascar. The whisky is the third in a series of single malt releases by The Maclean Foundation, which was founded by whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE and his three sons – ocean rowers Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean.
It was matured in virgin chinkapin oak, and bottled at a cask strength of 61.1% ABV by Hebridean distillery Isle of Raasay. There are 246 bottles of the whisky available, each priced at £115 (US$156).
Hermitage Cognac showcases pre-phylloxera era series
Independent producer Hermitage Cognac unveiled its 1880s Paradis Collection.
The brand, established in 1987 by David Baker, is the owner of some of the rarest Cognacs in existence, distilled between 1850 and 1900. They are said to represent some of the most precious eaux-de-vie from the prephylloxera era.
Baker is offering four of these vintages under its Paradis Collection, a result of meticulous historical research and evaluation, and highlighted by verifiable heritage.
Luxco’s Cortado lights a fire under smoky Tequila brand
Kentucky-based spirits producer Luxco launched a smoked Tequila brand called Cortada.
Created by fourth-generation master distiller Graciela ‘Grace’ Gonzalez, Cortada is described as a premium Tequila ‘cut with a whisper of smoke’. It is made in Los Altos in the valley of Jalisco. The agave used is 100% state-grown Blue Weber, which, after cooking, is smoked using mesquite and Mexican oak to give the Tequila its smoky character.
Cortada launched with two expressions: blanco and reposado. The blanco has a suggested retail price of US$49.99, and the reposado costs US$54.99.
Kayleigh Longo, brand manager of Cortada, said: “Smoked spirits are igniting fresh creativity across the spirits world – and Cortada brings that bold innovation to Tequila.”
Cutty Sark spices things up with RTD
Blended Scotch whisky Cutty Sark entered the ready-to-drink (RTD) market with a Ginger Ale Highball.
The serves combine the brand’s blended whisky with ginger ale and comes in a pre-made 250ml can that sits at 5% ABV. The cans are available in packs of four in the US for US$9.90. Later this summer they will also debut in Portugal and Bulgaria.
Stephen Woodcock, master blender at Cutty Sark, said: “The Cutty Sark & Ginger Ale Highball is the latest chapter in our 100-year legacy of pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities. It offers whisky lovers – and anyone after a simple yet elevated drink – a refreshing, convenient way to enjoy the iconic taste of Cutty Sark, wherever their adventures take them.”
The brand’s parent company, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet, has also created a campaign video to support the Highball’s launch.
Gabriel Boudier spills the tea on matcha liqueur
Matcha is the latest flavour of liqueur released by Dijon-based producer Gabriel Boudier.
The liqueur is made with aromatic powdered Japanese matcha tea. Its profile is described as a “blend of the intense vegetal notes of green tea with light umami sweetness and bitterness”. It sits at 20% ABV, and costs €23.99 (US$32) per 700ml bottle. It is described as ideal for creating innovative cocktails.
French producer Gabriel Boudier is known for its innovative bartender liqueurs, which have seen previous releases such as Turmeric and a spicy expression flavoured with chipotle peppers. It also hosts a bartending competition every year, in which the winner is able to produce a liqueur for the brand.
Three cheers for new range of Coppa Cocktails
Spanish Company MG Destilerías added three new flavours to its Coppa Cocktails ready-to-drink (RTD) range.
The three flavours – Spicy Margarita, Paloma Spritz, and Coconut Daiquiri – mark the first new product development for Coppa Cocktails since the brand was acquired by MG Destilerías in 2024. Each flavour has been developed by mixologists using natural juices, real distillates, and layered recipes.
Manu Giró, CEO of MG Destilerías, said: “Our new range combines full flavour, mixology standards and visual appeal. The 200ml format… aligns with the ‘drink less, drink better’ mindset, while the elevated ABV 10% ensures it tastes like the real deal.”
ISCO Spirits serves up a slice of vodka
Rhode Island-based ISCO Spirits launched what it calls the “world’s first” pizza vodka.
Described by the company as “weirdly comforting and undeniably delicious”, the vodka was created with distilled pizza ingredients including organic wheat, herbs, spices, tomatoes, and mozzarella. It is suggested as a shot alongside shredded Parmesan and a pepperoncini pepper, in a drink it has named the Italian Stallion.
The pizza vodka was launched as a limited edition release for the state of Rhode Island, but has since rolled out nationwide across the US. It retails for US$19.99 per 375ml bottle. It joins other unusual expressions in the ISCO (The Industrious Spirit Company) spirits portfolio such as Ostreida Oyster Vodka and Fresh Dill Aquavit.
Mount Gay calls on Cognac casks
Barbados producer Mount Gay used casks from Cognac house Rémy Martin for its latest rum release.
The eighth release in the brand’s Master Blender Collection, the rum is also the first from Mount Gay to be entirely aged in casks that previously held Cognac. It was crafted by master blender Trudiann Branker, who used casks for the ageing of Rémy Martin’s eaux-de-vie, which are crafted from large-grain oak trees primarily sourced from the Limousin forests in France.
She said: “By ageing rum completely in Cognac casks, we’ve allowed the interaction between the rum and the cask to bring forward a unique profile.”
The rum has notes of red fruits, vanilla, and leather on the nose, and cherry, salted caramel, and oak on the palate, with a long finish. The rum has been bottled at 58% ABV, and is available for £220 (US$296).
Arkay Beverages offers vodka alternative
Non-alcoholic drinks company Arkay Beverages launched a line of zero-ABV ‘vodkas’.
The ‘vodka’ alternatives are vegan friendly, gluten-free, and come in seven flavours: mandarin, vanilla, lemon, mango, coconut, strawberry, and apricot. Each variant is made with 100% natural flavours, and contains no alcohol. They are recommended as a base for cocktails or served neat over ice, and are available worldwide for US$39.99 per one-litre bottle.
Arkay Beverages, which was founded in 2011 by Reynald Vito Grattagliano, and offers a wide range of zero-ABV ‘spirits’ alternatives, invites consumers to “join the sober revolution” by “drinking smart without a hangover”.
Teeling raises a toast to 10 years
Ireland’s Teeling Distillery released Birthday Batch, a limited edition whiskey to mark its 10th anniversary.
Birthday Batch features a blend of some of Teeling’s oldest single malt and pot still whiskeys drawn from its Dublin distillery, and was matured in ex-Bourbon casks. Its notes include orchard fruits, caramel, and peppercorn spice. It has an ABV of 46%, and is available on the distillery’s website for €100.10 (US$115).
Reflecting on 10 years since the distillery opened, Teeling’s founder, Jack Teeling, said: “We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. Bringing Dublin whiskey distilling back to life was no small task, but through passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Teeling has firmly established itself among the world’s leading whiskey brands and visitor attractions.”
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