The monthly round-up of what’s new in low/no, beer, cider, wine, spirits, RTDs and mixers.
SPIRITS & LIQUEURS
Glenfiddich Grand Yazakura 29 Year Old
45.1% abv
£1,500
USP: William Grant & Sons has said the company’s Glenfiddich brand has created the first single malt Scotch whisky to be finished in rare Japanese ex-Awamori casks. The latest release within the Grand Series, the Grand Yozakura, is a 29 year old whisky matured at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown and finished in oak casks that previously matured the oldest distilled alcoholic spirit in Japan, rice-based Awamori.
Coastal Stone Whisky Nor’easter
£39 (trade price)
46% abv
In partnership with their UK Distributors, bbb drinks, Manly Spirits Co Distillery is launching its signature single malt whisky, Coastal Stone Whisky: Nor’easter in the UK, following the launch of their first limited release, The Element Series.
Masons of Yorkshire Fruits of the Tropics Gin
38% abv
£32.90
USP: Celebrating a decade of distilling, Masons founder Cathy Mason said: “It has been our dream to bring some tropical flair to Yorkshire for a while and it has taken almost ten years and hundreds of recipe iterations and attempts to distill these incredible fruits to perfection. We were delighted that one of our original collaborators Gerard Macluskey, industry expert and master distiller, came on board to help us bring this to life.”
Café del Mar Vodka/Gin
37.5% & 40% abv
£36.95 & £39.95
USP: Café Del Mar Spirits bar in Ibiza has launched its own gin and vodka, which will be distributed in the UK by Babco. A portion of the profile from every bottle sold will be donated to Ibiza Preservation – a conservation group that is working to protect the natural environment on the island. The bottles themselves are made using recycled glass, biodegradable seals and sustainably sourced natural cork stoppers.
Lochlea ‘Sowing Edition’ (Second Crop) whisky
46% abv
£50
USP: This single malt marks the ‘second crop’ of annual small batch bottlings, following on from the ‘first crop’ of releases in 2022. John Campbell, production director and master blender, said: ““Sowing Edition (Second Crop) has evolved in a couple of ways, with some older liquids being used in this release. We have also selected barrels from different levels within the warehouse to produce a Lochlea single malt with a lovely balance between Bourbon cask influence and signature Lochlea fruit, grass and malty notes.”
Absolut Wild Berri
38% abv
£TBC
USP: As the flavoured vodka market expands, Absolut vodka has added a mixed berry edition to its existing range. Launching in the UK in April, the vodka has notes of blueberries, blackberries and wild strawberries along with a touch of spice. It is designed for mixing and cocktails.
Don Papa Gayuma
40% abv
£60
USP: The latest addition to Don Papa’s rum range has been distilled using sugarcane molasses from Negros island, before being aged in the foothills of Mt. Kanlaon for 7 years, resulting in flavours of vanilla, honey and candied fruits. Don Papa Gayuma is available from Threshers.
Whitley Neill Apple & Red Berries and Banana & Guava Gins
41.3% abv
£28 each
USP: Launched in time for spring, the Apple & Red Berries Gin has notes of green apple with raspberry and black cherry, whilst Banana & Guava aims to provide a tropical-inspired offering. The new gins also feature the brand’s redesigned bottles with embossed detailing.
Glasgow 1770 whisky
57.5% abv
£59
USP: The latest launch in The Glasgow Distillery’s Small Batch Series, 1770 combines two spirit styles – peated whisky and triple distilled whisky. The peated whisky was matured in virgin American white oak and finished in Bordeaux red wine casks, while the triple distilled was matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in ruby port casks. 1925 bottles of 1770 have been released, with the distillery due to release more bottles following the success of previous Small Batch Series releases.
The Kraken Black Cherry and Madagascan Vanilla Black Spiced Rum
40% abv
£26
USP: Following the 2022 launch of the Kraken Rum Roast Coffee, Proximo Spirits has expanded its Kraken rum range with a new flavoured offering. It combines the brand’s classic black spiced rum with black cherry and notes of vanilla for a fruity finish.
Glenmorangie Amontillado Finish
46% abv
£75
USP: Available exclusively in Australia and the UK, Glenmorangie Amontillado Finish is the fourth release in the distillery’s Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts. Inspired by Amontillado sherry and aged in Amontillado casks, the finish is said to be “nutty and spicy” with notes of peaches, orange and lemon balsam.
Tobermory 25 whisky
48.1% abv
£345
USP: Tobermory, has released the latest expression in its Hebridean Series – Tobermory 25. The 25-year-old whisky began as the brand’s 15-year-old expression – first released in 2008 – which was then matured in Gonzalez Byass sherry casks for an additional nine years. The whisky is said to celebrate the brand’s Isle of Mull heritage.
Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story
56.7% abv
£105
USP: “The new Cask Strength bottle celebrates the origin story of The Peat Monster, which was first created thanks to Jonathan Goldstein of Park Avenue Liquors joining forces with Compass Box founder John Glaser for an exclusive release in 2003. The heavily peated whisky was so successful that it was released to the worldwide market in 2004 and has gone on to become one of Compass Box’s most popular expressions,” the company said. The release is limited to 9,126 bottles.
Ten Locks Pod Pea Vodka
40% abv
£TBC
USP: Pod Pea Vodka is described as “climate positive” and it is made from 100% British peas. According to Ten Locks, it “is made from peas and it tastes like peas”. The vodka is described as having “sweet vegetal notes, a touch of citrus” and light savoury tones. Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, said: “Pod is perfectly positioned to recruit consumers from gin, hold the attention of vodka drinkers and attract established cocktail lovers, not only that but Pod Pea Vodka should appeal to the foodie and be a perfect solution for the ever-growing savoury cocktail trend. This year we’ll be working hard to bring the brand to life and bring the grocery and retail sector along with us.”
WINE
Artesano de Argento’s white and rosé Malbecs
From £10
USP: Bodega Argento is adding to its range of Argentina organic Fairtrade wines. The company is launching a new rosé (£10) to accompany its red Malbec blend (£10), and its white Malbec – a white wine vinified from red grapes (£14.99) – under the Artesano de Argento brand.
Boco Rosé by House Coren
£26
USP: Boco Rosé by House Coren is 100% Pinot Noir and made in England from Sussex grapes. The sparkling wine, like House Coren’s debut white version, is made using the Charmat method – a winemaking process that creates carbon dioxide from secondary fermentation in large, pressurised steel tanks.
Snoop Dogg x Treasury Wine Estates Cali Rosé
£11
USP: The rosé is the latest addition to the Cali by Snoop portfolio, which rapper Snoop Dogg has launched in the UK during his European tour. It is the brand’s first rosé wine, and follows the launch of Cali Red in 2022.
Billecart-Salmon Clos Saint-Hilaire 2005
£465
USP: The 2005 vintage from Billecart-Salmon Champagne house is derived from a one-hectare plot of old vines – Clos Saint-Hilaire – planted with Pinot Noir in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in 1964. Clos Saint-Hilaire was certified organic in 2022 as the Champagne producer continues to develop its sustainability practices. The bottle’s label is made of cherry wood, with each label varying in grain and colour.
Gusbourne English Rosé 2022
£25
USP: English wine producer Gusbourne is launching its 2022 rosé this April as Gusbourne rolls out new bottle designs. The wine is described as “fresh and fruit-driven”, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and redcurrant, followed by hints of blossom and ginger.
Bollinger R.D. 2008
£350
USP: Bollinger Champagne has launched a recently disgorged vintage from 2008 – a year in which Bollinger saw a “bountiful yield of Pinot Noir and magnificent, botrytis free grapes”. It is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay and will be available at the Bollinger Burlington Bar, Bordeaux Index, Berry Brothers & Rudd, Amathus and Lea & Sandeman.
Black Chalk wines
From £22
USP: Hampshire-based Black Chalk has released the 2020 vintage of its two sparkling wines – Classic (£38) and Wild Rose (£43). This is the first vintage made as estate wines. Meanwhile, Dancer in Pink 2022 (£22), the estate’s still rosé, will launch in April. The company has also lined up its first still Chardonnay, Little White Lie 2022 (£33). The wine is made from grapes grown in Kent and it will be released in May.
BEER & CIDER
Kopparberg Orange Ginger Beer
5% abv
£2.30
USP: Kopparberg describes the new product as an “orange-flavoured alcoholic ginger beer… zesty and refreshing with a delicious blend of ginger spice and citrus sweetness. The orange aroma and taste give it a vibrant and uplifting character, perfect for sipping on a warm summer day or pairing with spicy cuisine”.
Kopparberg Summer Punch
4% abv
£TBC
USP: Available in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Tesco, in Morrisons from April and in ASDA from May, Kopparberg’s limited-edition Summer Punch cider is the latest addition to the brand’s flavoured range. The cider combines Kopparberg’s apple cider with peach flavouring, with Kopparberg’s head of marketing, Rob Salvesen, noting peach as a trending flavour among consumers.
Guinness Nitrosurge
£25
USP: Guinness has launched its Nitrosurge device, which allows home drinkers to create the “Guinness surge” with nitrogen bubbles. The device is activated by clipping it onto the top of a compatible Guinness Nitrosurge can before pushing the button and pouring. Neil Shah, head of Guinness GB, said the Nitrosurge will give off-trade consumers the “option of enjoying the iconic two-part pour and the cold, smooth taste of Guinness wherever they are”.
Sandford Orchards Coronation Devon Red Cider
4.5% abv
£2.30 (500ml)
USP: Launched in celebration of the upcoming May coronation, the cider is made using British apples grown in the orchard’s red soil. Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker, said: “We wanted to mark the occasion with the launch of our Coronation Limited Edition Devon Red Cider, which is created from British apples grown and pressed in Devon, using traditional methods, at the oldest working cider mill in the UK.”
Asahi Super Dry 0.0%
£2.90 (620ml)
USP: As the low/no category continues to expand, Asahi has launched its non-alcoholic beer in the UK. Sam Rhodes, marketing director, Asahi UK, said: “We know that moderation is not simply a trend or seasonal choice, it is part of a daily lifestyle, and we believe beer lovers should never have to compromise on quality of taste, whether they’re opting for an alcoholic option or not.”
Fourpure Pacific Pale Ale and London Haze
5.2% and 5.3% abv
£2.60 each (330ml)
USP: Bermondsey-based craft brewery Fourpure has added two limited-edition pale ales to its existing range which is made up of Fourpure Lager, Citrus IPA, Session IPA, Hazy Pale Ale, and an Oatmeal Stout. Pacific Pale Ale has flavours of nectarine, lemon and passionfruit, while London Haze is said to have a “rich malt base and low bitterness to deliver a fruity, full-bodied, and refreshing beer.”
Hogs Back Brewery Little Ginger Swine
0.5%
£2.40 (500ml)
USP: Surrey-based Hogs Back brewery has added to its Little Swine low-alcohol beer range with a ginger-flavoured craft ale. Described as a “full-bodied, flavourful pale ale”, it combines ginger extract with four malts and three hop varieties including Cascade hops grown in Surrey.
RTDS & MIXERS
Captain Morgan Strawberry Daiquiri
5% abv
£2.59
USP: Tapping into the burgeoning pre-mix RTD category, Diageo said its new Captain Morgan Strawberry Daiquiri pre-mix can “provides consumers with a high-quality, classic cocktail, from a brand they know and love to enjoy during social occasions”.
Fever-Tree Sparkling Cloudy British Apple
£2 (500ml)
USP: The latest addition to Fever-Tree’s range is made from Dabinett apples – a variety of cider apple – which is combined with mint for a “crisp” and “subtly sweet” drink. It will be available in Sainsburys.
The London Essence Co White Peach & Jasmine and Pink Grapefruit Crafted Sodas multipacks
£3.75 6x15cl multipack cans
USP: Britvic’s mixer brand The London Essence Co has expanded its crafted soda range with the launch of its White Peach & Jasmine and Pink Grapefruit Crafted Sodas into multipack can formats. The cans sit alongside the range’s 50cl bottles.
Bolney Sussex Negroni
£28
USP: Bolney’s ready-to-drink Negroni combines its gin and Russo Vermouth with a bitter produced by Hove-based micro-distillery Madame Jennifer. The end result is described as “complex, bitter and smooth”.
Fever-Tree Margarita, Mojito & Espresso Martini mixers
£4.50 (500ml)
USP: Designed specifically for home cocktails, Fever-Tree’s new range of mixers features three drinks for combining with spirits. Rose Cottingham, head of innovation, said: “We know our consumers love the idea of re-creating an ‘at bar’ experience at home…We have spent many months and countless hours refining our new cocktail range, ensuring we have arrived at three fantastic mixers that will give consumers the confidence to create enticing and sophisticated cocktails with ease.”
Bombay Pressé Citrus Collins
6.5% abv
£24 (12 x 250ml)
USP: Inspired by the Tom Collins cocktail, the ready-made drink combines Bombay Sapphire’s gin with lemon and soda water. It is the latest addition to the brand’s RTD range as the popularity of home cocktails continues to rise.
Whitebox Cocktails Whisky Highball
8% abv
£5.50 (330ml)
USP: Described as a “unique take” on the classic Highball serve, the Whisky Highball RTD cocktail combines Whitebox’s own whisky with peach and tea for a “crisp finish”. Alex Lawrence, co-founder of Whitebox Cocktails, said: “Whisky highballs have grown in popularity all over the world and we’re really happy to add to the category with something that feels brighter in profile but with true respect to the origins”.
