Top 50 innovative spirits launches of 2025: 50-41
In 2025 scores of spirits brands expanded the possibilities of their craft, resulting in a host of inspirational releases.
Join us every day this week as Melita Kiely counts down our choice of the 50 most innovative spirits launches of 2025.
50. Amoon Vodka
Based in Indianapolis, Amoon Spirits created a 40% ABV vodka encased in a bottle with a patented Vortex Control Unit system that can be controlled with an app. Described as the ‘world’s first smart vodka’, Amoon’s bottle has an internal stir bar that creates its vortex.
49. Dropworks Distiller’s Drop English Chestnut Cask
This rum sold out in 48 hours – but email subscribers will be first to know about the next limited edition release. For this particular rum, Dropworks utilised English chestnut casks – not your typical wood species – to mature the spirit for 17 months. The wood imparted a nutty flavour profile of praline, roasted chestnut, with cherry and brown butter notes. It was bottled at 52.3% ABV.
48. Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado
This expression of Clase Azul Tequila boasts a subtle touch of smoke, and embraced traditional mezcal-making methods during production. Blue Weber agave was cooked in pits dug into the ground, and lit with firewood and volcanic rocks. The latter, rather than the flames, gives the Tequila its delicately smoky profile. It clocks in at 45% ABV.
47. The Spirit of Kashmyr
Indian Saffron Vodka Indian producer Radico Khaitan debuted its saffron-infused vodka last July. The vodka is crafted with glacier Himalayan spring water and grains, and is infused with Pampore saffron from Kashmir. At 37.5% ABV, it marked the parent company’s first move into high-end vodka.
46. Saint James Nectar du Maître de Chai
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet created an infused aged rum under its agricole rum brand Saint James. The rum benefits from a controlled maceration of prunes and bourbon vanilla pods, which were matured in the brand’s homeland, Martinique. At 40% ABV, the rum has flavours of vanilla, subtle wood, macerated fruits, and almond kernels.
45. Veso Anchovy Vermouth
Many thought tinned-fish brand Fishwife was having a laugh when it announced its uniquely flavoured anchovy-infused vermouth on April Fool’s Day. But when the product became available to purchase on 3 April, all 400 bottles were snapped up in 30 minutes. Created with liqueur brand Veso, the savoury liqueur sat at 18% ABV.
44. Two Stacks Fruit Drops
Indie bottler Two Stacks, based in Northern Ireland, embraced brandy cask finishing for its Fruit Drops range. The trio of 50% ABV whiskeys – Apricot Fruit Brandy Cask, Apple Fruit Brandy Cask, and Blackberry Fruit Brandy Cask – were created to bring more drinkers into the whiskey community through new flavour profiles.
43. Eden Mill Golf Gin
Scottish distiller Eden Mill took to the Old Course golf resort in St Andrews, Scotland, to source botanicals for its Golf Gin. Botanicals foraged from the 38-hectare course included gorse, heather, lavender and seaweed. Described as juniper-forward, the gin sits at 42% ABV.
42. Blue Run Glimmer
To create Blue Run Glimmer, Kentucky straight Bourbon was finished in toasted and charred American oak barrels that had held Barr Hill Tom Cat gin for seven to 12 months. Bottled at cask strength (51.6% ABV), Blue Run Glimmer’s aroma has delicate botanical notes, leading to honeyed sweetness, cardamom, herbal notes, and cocoa on the palate.
41. Zarpado
Latitude Beverage Co turned up the heat for Zarpado Tequila, which was infused with Carolina reaper and habanero peppers. It’s thought to be the first Tequila infused with Carolina reaper, which is the world’s second-hottest pepper. The spicy blanco Tequila (40% ABV) is made in Jalisco, Mexico, using 100% Blue Weber agave.
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