Global mixer brand Fever-Tree is excited to bring back the brand’s refreshingly light Damson & Sloe Berry Tonic Water for a second year to supermarket shelves in the UK this Autumn. 

Becoming a firm crowd favourite when it was initially released last year, this Autumn / Winter expression makes for the ultimate seasonal sip. Designed to elevate a G&T into something unique, the expression is made from hand-picked damsons from the fields and hedgerows of Herefordshire and foraged wild sloes from the foothills of the Black Mountains.

With an enticing plum colour, evoking the Autumnal hues of the English countryside, the expression uses sustainably sourced ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, colourings or preservatives.

The rich, vibrant fruity tartness of damson combines perfectly with the intensity of the sloe, and the warming spice including cardamom, star anise, nutmeg and cinnamon, makes this expression a stunning staple to add to your drinks cabinet.

“Damson & Sloe was crafted together with local suppliers from here in the UK, and it’s their expertise and passion for nature’s best ingredients which makes this liquid so special,” said Ross Haddow, Fever-Tree’s Head of Innovation. “For me, it’s everything you want in an Autumn / Winter drink. Rich, warming and spicy it makes for the ideal welcoming drink when friends and family arrive for festivities.”

The more inventive among us can try a ‘Damson and Sloe Fizz,’ a simple cocktail to get the party started, made by mixing with a little Cointreau and Prosecco. A fan of deep purple? Pour with Whitley Neil Blackberry Gin and garnish with lemon zest for a deliciously deep Bramble G&T.

For more information on Fever-Tree, go to fever-tree.com

A new Tequila brand, Casa Obsidiana, has been launched by the Beckmann Gonzalez family of Jalisco, Mexico and the Boisset family of Burgundy and California.

Set to merge the heritage art of Tequila making with the culture of modern Mexico, the brand has been crafted by a trio of masters: A master tequilero, a master vintner, and masters in the tequila world.

For this new venture, Jean-Charles Boisset, a world leader in wine hailing from Burgundy with wineries in France and California, joined forces with Jorge and Roberto Beckmann Gonzalez, who have inherent expertise from over 260 years of family experience in tequila making.

PIN IT

To celebrate its recognition by Drinks International as The World’s Most Admired Whiskey, Michter’s is releasing one of its rarest offerings, a 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“This release commemorates a truly special moment for us,” commented Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “The last time we released a 25-Year Bourbon was in 2020.”

Personally selected by Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee and Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson, the release offers an outstanding flavour experience without the overly oaked, dusty old whiskey character.

“This release of the 25 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, ” observed Wilson, “… is a wonderful journey with its transition through sweet and savoury depth, world spices, dark chocolates, fruit characters and nut oils, almost as if you are eating through a box of fine chocolates. It is an exceptional whiskey for an exceptional achievement in the whiskey world.”

Mckee added, “I am proud to work with a talented team of individuals who strive to create great whiskey,” said McKee. “From Michter’s US*1 Bourbon to our 25 Year Bourbon, our team takes tremendous pride in the lineup of whiskeys we are offering. This release is a truly special one.”

For more information, go to michters.com

Mexican liqueur brand Ancho Reyes has launched the newest addition to its award-winning portfolio, Ancho Reyes Barrica.

A complex new spirit unlike anything seen or tasted before, Barrica is aged in ex-bourbon barrels for added richness, depth and complexity.

Building upon the robust flavours of the Ancho Reyes Original, the result is a unique blend of heat, sweetness, smoke, and spice, offering rich flavours reminiscent of dulce de leche, spiced vanilla, cinnamon, and orange zest layers atop the signature warm chilli heat for which Ancho Reyes is known.

“Ancho Reyes Barrica is a completely new type of barrel-aged liqueur that has the depth and complexity of Ancho Reyes Original but now as an elevated sipping spirit,” said Global Managing Director for Spirits at Campari Group, Raul Gonzalez.

“In Mexico, we often finish a dinner or a great meal with a drink shared amongst family and friends, and Barrica is the perfect sipping spirit to toast to that moment.”

Beyond being a first-of-its-kind liqueur, Ancho Reyes Barrica is a versatile elixir that caters to seasoned mixologists and aficionados seeking bold and distinctive flavours. Whether sipped neat, used as a base for innovative cocktails, or paired with culinary creations, Barrica offers a multitude of ways to indulge in its exceptional taste:

• Sipping: Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to savour the complex flavours of the barrel-aged chilli peppers. The rich, smoky, spicy notes make it a delightful sipping liqueur.
• In Cocktails: For classic cocktails like the Manhattan, swap your traditional whiskey and sweet vermouth for Ancho Reyes Barrica for a unique twist on a classic. Or, try Ancho Reyes Barrica with a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar and a dash of bitters for a smoky and spicy Old-Fashioned variation.
• Paired with dessert: For the perfect after-dinner treat, Ancho Reyes Barrica complements your favorite dessert or dark chocolate square for a delightful alternative to traditional digestifs.

Ancho Reyes Barrica marks the first new offering from the Ancho Reyes portfolio since the successful release of Ancho Reyes Verde in 2017.

For more information, go to anchoreyes.com

Mexican Tequila brand Jose Cuervo has expanded its Reserva de la Familia range by releasing its new Añejo Cristalino Organico expression.

Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico is the culmination of tequila craftsmanship passed down over ten generations and builds upon the brand’s legacy rooted in more than 250 years of Mexican history.

Juan Domingo Beckmann, the 11th generation family member of the Cuervo Dynasty, created the fast-emerging Cristalino category in 2009 with Maestro Dobel Diamante Cristalino, the first-ever Cristalino tequila introduced to the market. Since then, the Cristalino subcategory has continued to outpace the total tequila category growth and gain share.

PIN IT

Handcrafted from start to finish, the new Añejo Cristalino Organico utilises the most mature organic agaves harvested for cooking in traditional stone ovens before a long fermentation process. It is then distilled in small-capacity copper pot stills, following the Cuervo family processes that date back to 1795. The liquid is then aged in new American oak barrels for over a year before finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

To turn the añejo spirit into the Cristalino tequila style, the deep amber liquid is filtered through charcoal to produce an incredibly smooth, bright-tasting tequila, crystal clear in colour while retaining the rich flavours and textures imparted by the barrel. The final result is a tequila with an extra Sherry softness and complex flavour profile that features notes of cooked agave and dried fruits, with lasting notes of oak and a bright, refreshing finish.

“Cristalino tequilas continue to see significant growth as tequila enthusiasts seek premium offerings with unique finishing and ageing features,” said Alex Coronado, Head of Production and Master Distiller for Reserva de la Familia.

“Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico embodies everything that makes Cristalino tequilas so dynamic. The handcrafted production process paired with the unique finish from Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks makes for a remarkable tequila that is ideally suited for tequila aficionados seeking a luxury sipping experience.”

PIN IT

The Cuervo family is proud to share that this new addition is certified organic, joining Reserva de la Familia Platino and Reposado variants as the brand’s latest organic offering. Organic certification is a key next step in Reserva de la Familia’s mission to produce the finest luxury tequila possible.

“Cristalino tequilas continue to see significant growth as tequila enthusiasts seek premium offerings with unique finishing and ageing features,” said Alex Coronado, Head of Production and Master Distiller for Reserva de la Familia. “Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico embodies everything that makes Cristalino tequilas so dynamic. The handcrafted production process paired with the unique finish from Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks makes for a remarkable tequila that is ideally suited for tequila aficionados seeking a luxury sipping experience.”

Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico features:

• Colour: Bright and clear with distinct tearing and a pronounced body.
• Aroma: Sweet notes of cooked agave, honey, and dried fruits with lasting light oak notes.
• Flavour: Sweet and soft on the palate with rich, smooth notes of stone fruit and a refreshingly bright finish.
• Finish: Fresh and complex.

For more information, go to cuervo.com