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International Vodka brand Smirnoff is dialling up the summer fun with the launch of its new Smirnoff Pink Lemonade expression.
Available throughout the US, the flavour comes in three formats – Smirnoff Pink Lemonade, Smirnoff Ice Pink Lemonade and Smirnoff Seltzer Pink Lemonade.
Infused with bright notes of pink berries and the classic flavour and certified colours of lemonade, Smirnoff Pink Lemonade tastes as refreshing as a tropical breeze. Triple distilled, this speciality spirit offers a pleasantly tart and sweet combination of juicy lemon flavour balanced with hints of raspberry and strawberry
Smirnoff Pink Lemonade has an ABV of 30% and comes in both a 750ml bottle and a one-litre format. It is recommended to be served as a chilled shot or with sparkling water.
Meanwhile, Smirnoff Ice Pink Lemonade has been bottled at 4.5% ABV and is available in a pack of six.
The canned Smirnoff Seltzer Pink Lemonade has an ABV of 4.5% and will also be available in a pack of six.
Into The Mix
ARDBEG RELEASES THE SECOND EXPRESSION IN ITS ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION
July 4,2024
Scotch distillers Ardbeg have released The Unicorn’s Tale, the second release in the brand’s ‘rare and strange single malts’ series.
The Ardbeg Anthology Collection is inspired by the brand’s outlandish ‘hybrid’ style, which blends classic expressions with experimental stock to create new flavour combinations.
Named after different mythological creatures, this second iteration tells the tale of the lesser-spotted Islay Unicorn, which was spotted by distillery workers late one night after the clip-clop of hooves was heard echoing around the yard.
Aged in Malmsey Madeira wine and Bourbon casks for 14 years, The Unicorn’s Tale has aromatic and sweet notes of smoke, banana, menthol and lime on the palate, so like the myth itself, this spirit may appear sweet in nature, but it hides a sinister and smoky twist… not to be underestimated.
“The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in this series, which has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in Bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks,” said Dr Bill Lumsden, director of whisky creation at Ardbeg distillery.
“At Ardbeg, we love to experiment with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavour. Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born,” added Lumsden.
Philadelphian craft liquor company Illadelph Spirits has announced the launch of its flagship product, Illadelph Vodka.
Bottled and distilled in the City of Brotherly Love by renowned City Distilling, the Vodka is crafted with organic wheat and triple distilled for ultimate purity. Utilizing the expertise of Master Distiller Nick Capecci, the Vodka offers a harmonious balance of refined aroma, a smooth palate, and a clean finish.
Illadelph Spirits is an extension of the Illadelph Glass brand, founded in 2002. The brand has cultivated a devoted following and earned international acclaim for its innovative and artistic glassware. The female-led brand was co-founded by CEO Irene Cutler, who led the meticulous recipe development and ingredient selection for the Vodka.
“We’re beyond excited to take the Illadelph brand to new heights,” Cutler shared. “Creating a vodka of stellar quality was our top priority. Illadelph’s reputation as a legendary, well-established brand with a cult following gives us the confidence to stand out in a crowded market. We aim to cultivate a loyal following and look forward to introducing additional spirits in the future.”
Luca Falso, co-founder and Creative Director, designed the vodka’s distinctive glass bottle. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s iconic glassware designs, Falso created a bottle with the classic blue Illadelph logo, embodying the brand’s artistic spirit.
“I am thrilled to carry forward the Illadelph lifestyle brand’s legacy by stepping into the spirits industry,” Falso added. “The opportunity to create Illadelph Vodka allowed us to blend our artistic roots with a high-quality product that complements our existing brand.”
North Carolina Whiskey brand Bear Fight has extended its whiskey portfolio with the launch of Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve, a bourbon finished in Reposado Tequila barrels.
With tasting notes of vanilla and caramel, followed by a subtle peppery spice, Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve is a unique bourbon expression that delivers an exceptional finish with a subtle smokiness that lingers long after the last drop has disappeared from your glass.
“Coming off the success of our initial brand launch with Bear Fight American Single Malt, we wanted to push the boundaries of what a bourbon can be”,” says Anthony Moniello Co-CEO of Bear Fight’s parent company, Next Century Spirits.
“We wanted to craft an innovative bourbon that allowed us to tap into two growing liquor categories, and by leveraging ex-reposado barrels to finish our whiskey, we know we will not only stand out on shelves but also index our business into the thriving bourbon and tequila categories,” Moniello continued.
The mash bill for Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve stands up strong with a mix of 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley to deliver a well-rounded sensation of flavor. This approachable expression comes in at 45% ABV giving a slight heated effect down the palate.
The expression is available at select liquor stores in CT, KY, IL, MN, NJ and through the brand’s website.
GRAN CORAMINO TEQUILA RELEASES 'ONE-OF-A KIND' REPOSADO TEQUILA
June 26,2024
As Gran Coramino Tequila approaches its second anniversary, it has released a new one-of-a-kind Reposado Tequila, which offers the complexity of an aged tequila paired with a long, smooth, brandy-laced finish.
The brand’s founders Kevin Hart and 11th-generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckmann, are expanding the portfolio to enter the rapidly growing Reposado segment. Gran Coramino Reposado tequila is the brand’s third expression and combines over 250 years of tequila-making expertise and innovation with a relentless dedication to quality.
“I know we’ve created a product unlike anything else in the Reposado category,” said co-founder of Gran Coramino, Kevin Hart.
“When we started our process of developing Gran Coramino Reposado, I told the team that it had to deliver the same smooth and slightly sweet finish that people love in our Cristalino and Añejo variations, and I meant it.
“I wanted to bring something new to the category and show people that they deserve a high standard of quality at a more accessible price,” Hart continued.
The new Reposado variation is 100% agave tequila crafted from the piñas (hearts) of hand-selected Blue Weber agaves picked at peak maturity, then slowly roasted in traditional brick ovens for up to 40 hours at La Rojeña Distillery in Tequila, Mexico – the oldest distillery in Latin America.
The fermented juice is double distilled for smoothness, aged for months in new American and French white oak barrels, and then expertly blended with Extra Añejo tequila matured in brandy barrels. The result is a golden honey-coloured Reposado with an incredibly smooth and complex flavour that ends with a unique brandy-laced finish.
“Our quality standard is built upon a centuries-long technique and perfecting a process that guarantees an unparalleled smoothness,” adds Juan Domingo Beckmann, co-founder of Gran Coramino Tequila.
“Gran Coramino Reposado has a unique taste due to its blend with Extra Añejo tequilas matured in Brandy barrels. The resulting tequila delivers a complex agave aroma and slightly sweet wine finish, making it an approachable aged tequila for our audience to discover
THAT BOUTIQUE-Y WHISKY COMPANY UNVEILS FIVE LIMITED EDITION RELEASES
June 25,2024
UK whisky brand That Boutique-y Whisky Company has announced the launch of its first limited-edition releases.
Designed as extensions of its core range, the releases will come in 70cl bottles but otherwise retain the look and feel of the brand.
“Our limited edition range embodies our dedication to exceptional whisky and artistic storytelling,” explained Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at That Boutique-y Whisky Company. “Each bottle is a testament to our passion for bringing unique and memorable experiences to whisky enthusiasts.
“The bottles that are in keeping with their new core range style, but without losing any of the brand history that has been established over the last (almost) twelve years,” Simmons continued.
The Limited Edition Core Selection features five new whiskies:
Islay: 12-year-old Caol Ila emerges from the salinity with creamy, sweet notes, ripe fruit, and a hint of ginger. It has been finished in an ex-rum barrel, yielding 349 bottles.
Speyside: The 10-year-old Mortlach has fruit and nut chocolate notes, as well as coffee grounds, dark wood, spicy cinnamon, and hints of liquorice. It has been aged in a refill hogshead and finished in an ex-rum cask, yielding 371 bottles.
Highlands: 11-year-old Balblair has vanilla custard, white chocolate, Chai Latte, green banana, herbal notes, and a good pinch of pepper. It has been finished in a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel to yield 292 bottles.
North British Distillery: 35-year-old Single Grain has custard, spice, and mature warehouse notes on the palate. It was distilled in 1988 and matured in a refill barrel to yield 274 bottles.
Canada: 8-year Corn Whisky is subtly smokey with a big spice explosion and rich maple sweetness. It was finished in Pedro Ximenez and ex-Islay octaves.
All limited edition releases are bottled at 45.8% ABV and are always non-chill filtered and naturally coloured.
