Pernod Ricard-owned Malibu rum liqueur has released a watermelon-flavoured expression, bottled at 21% ABV

Pernod Ricard said the watermelon craze has risen in popularity, growing by 40% year over year, according to Nielsen data.

The expression is said to be ‘easy to mix’ and is recommended for outdoor occasions such as a barbecue. It can be consumed mixed with soda water and garnished with watermelon, or used as the base for a Mojito.

The watermelon variant joins the Malibu range, which includes Original, Pineapple and Strawberry.

Malibu reported a strong performance in 2019, with sales up by 5.5% to 3.9 million nine-litre cases, according to Brand Champions 2020 data.

In the last six months of 2020, Malibu’s organic sales grew 26%.

Last week, Pernod Ricard unveiled a watermelon-flavoured Absolut vodka to tap into the demand for watermelon-flavoured alcoholic beverages.

For more information, go to maliburumdrinks.com

Kentucky Bourbon distillery Bardstown has unveiled Discovery Series #8.

Complex and innovative, this latest expression is made from a blend of 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon (66%), a seven-year-old Indiana rye (17%), a six-year-old Indiana rye (6%), and a 12-year-old aged Canadian whisky (11%).

Known for pushing the boundaries of whiskey innovation, the distillery added a custom selection of five oak staves to enhance the blend’s unique flavour.

The 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon is made of a mash bill with 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The seven-year-old Indiana rye’s mash hill consists of 45% corn, 51% rye, and 4% malted barley; the six-year-old comprises 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The 12-year-old Canadian whisky hails from Ontario and is made from 100% corn.

The stave’s blend is 45% French oak double toast, 25% spice rack, 20% high vanilla, 5% rioja, and 5% charred barrel.

Bottled at 114.1 proof, Bardstown Discovery Series #8 offers maple, dark chocolate, baked cherry, and toasted oak on the nose. At the same time, the palate presents rye spice with luscious oak undertones that lead to a luxurious, long-lasting finish.

For more information, go to bardstownbourbon.com

The Stoli Group has announced the official global launch of their super-premium gin from Scotland.

Taking its name from Tulchan Estate in Scotland, Tulchan Gin is a small batch gin distilled in Speyside, with flavours inspired by the terroir of the Estate located on the banks of the River Spey.

“We are delighted to bring a slice of our wondrous estate to your glass,” commented Damian McKinney, CEO of Stoli Group, in making the announcement. “Distilled in Speyside, in the heart of whisky country, we’re looking forward to introducing Tulchan Gin to whisky drinkers as well as gin lovers throughout the world.”

Born on one of the most admired estates in Scotland, Tulchan Gin is bottled at 45% ABV and has been inspired by its natural surroundings with botanicals including sloe berries, elderflower and blackberry leaves that are found on the Tulchan Estate. Using the Estate’s recipe, the gin does include one unusual botanical, asparagus, which gives the gin a bitter edge and unusually long finish.

Tulchan Gin is presented in a luxury embossed blue glass bottle with the official Tulchan estate tartan running down the side, reflecting the gin’s Scottish heritage. The label on the front of the bottle includes an illustration of the Estate mascot The Grouse Piper playing the bagpipes and the wooden cork stopper has a Scottish thistle stamp. Tulchan Gin™ is a full-bodied, juniper-forward London Dry gin elevated with the Scottish botanicals that shine through

Tulchan Gin will be available initially in the UK and US and will roll out to Latin America, the Caribbean, Panama, and the Dominican Republic in 2022, with Italy, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to follow next year.

For more information, go to tulchangin.com or connect with the brand on Instagram

Small-batch agave spirits brand, Nosotros, has announced the launch of Nosotros Madera, the first release in the brand’s Madera Collection.

Featuring Añejo tequilas, aged in unique ways, Nosotros Madera is aged in white oak barrels for 21 months, creating a sipping experience featuring a dried fruit and light butterscotch nose with a balanced cinnamon-toffee finish.

“This tequila carries complexities that only the finest tequila can provide. Our Madera highlights the expertise of our distillers and provides a unique and premium tequila that will appeal to refined palates and bottle collections,” said Founder and CEO, Carlos Soto.

Guided by the revolutionary hands of Maestra Tequillera Citlali Ovalde, one of the first and only female Master Distillers in Jalisco, we began to make choices that, though subtle in the present tense, would prove significant with the passing of time. This first rendition of the Madera Collection features a blend of two sizes of barrels – a pipone and 200-litre barrel.

“Nosotros Madera is the celebration of an era. As time is not promised, it is important to celebrate that which comes with age,” added Michael Arbanas, Co-Founder.

Bottled with an ABV of 40%, each bottle of Madera includes the unique batch number and is presented in an engraved box, perfect for adding to a true aficionado’s shelf. The brand is looking to expand the Madera collection later this year.

For more information, go to nosotrostequila.com