Beefeater Blood Orange
The latest expression is inspired by the Orange Gin distilled by Beefeater’s founder, James Burrough in 1876, using oranges sourced from London’s Covent Garden fruit market. Beefeater’s master distiller Desmond Payne MBE said “Like our founder James Burrough, who created his first Orange Gin to appeal to his contemporaries almost 150 years ago, we have created this zesty new gin for the cocktail and spritz drinkers of 2019, who will love its enticing citrus aromas, bold flavours and statement shade.”
At present, it’s only available for exclusive release in the UK from all good liquor outlets.
Tiki-Lovers Pineapple Rum
Created by the guys from Bitter Truth, this Pineapple Rum is the third expression in the range. It is a blend of aged and unaged Jamaican pot still rum, three-year-old Barbados rum that has been aged in ex-Bourbon whiskey barrels, and some young column still rums from Trinidad and Guyana. The rum blend is then infused with an “all-natural” pineapple extract from South America and allowed to rest for several weeks. Bottled at 45% abv, Tiki Lovers Pineapple Rum is recommended mixed in “all tropical drinks.”
For more information go to the Tiki-Lovers website
Port Ellen 39-year-old
This expression is the first release in the new Port Ellen Untold Stories Series, which features some of the last remaining stocks from the distillery, which closed in 1983. Future releases will follow, designed to explore the “innovative and trailblazing background” behind Port Ellen distillery. Bottled at 50.9% abv, the whisky is said to have aromas of soft peat smoke, sultanas, melon and lime, leading to flavours of mint, smoke, white chocolate and fruit salad on the palate. The finish is described as balanced and spicy.
Port Ellen: Untold Stories The Spirit Safe will have an RRP of £4,500 (US$5,935) per 700ml. It will be available globally from early April 2019.
Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin
The gin is the first expression to launch from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s “Cabinet of Curiosities”, which is said to be “a place of experimental botanic alchemy” at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Scotland. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice has been inspired by the “mysterious and ephemeral delights” of floral blooms during the summer solstice. The new bottling is said to be true to the Hendrick’s original house style but is infused with floral essences and flavours that capture the “aromatic intensity of a midsummer day
Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice will launch in the UK this month and then in the US in May.
Bacardi Spiced
The latest rum from the family-owned spirits maker is said to have “a hint of smokiness” and a “bold, yet smooth taste”. The arrival of Bacardi Spiced to the market, is said to be in response to the “increasing global demand for flavoured rums”. Tine Van Nevel, brand director, Bacardi, Europe, for said: “We’re confident Bacardi Spiced will satisfy the taste buds of long-time spiced rum drinkers as well as converting some new fans with its unique combination of spices and flavours.”
Bacardi Spiced rum is initially available exclusively at Tesco stores for £15.99 (US$20). It will roll out to all major UK retailers from April 2019.
Archie Rose Smoked Gin
The second release under the Archie Rose Concepts label, Smoked Gin featuring ironbark smoked water, juniper, native thyme, wattleseed, caraway and a small amount of distilled chocolate malt. Smoked Gin is a dry, savoury gin with rich, earthy notes and roasted nuts along with accents of barbecue and a blush colour serving as a postscript to a long, hot Australian summer. This gin sings when served with grapefruit juice, soda water or next to smoked meats, barbecued prawns and wood-fired bread.
Archie Rose Smoked Gin will be available from 4 March at independent bottle shops and through the Archie Rose website
