Lillet releases first style for 50 years in UK

Maison Lillet, the brand well-known for being a key ingredient in James Bond's Vesper Martini, has launched its first new style for 50 years, Lillet Rose, in the UK.

Having already enjoyed a US launch, Lillet Rose is a red and stone fruit aperitif with bitter citrus notes designed to be drunk chilled over ice or in summer cocktails. Created from a blend of red and white Grand Cru Bordeaux wine varieties, including Muscatel and Semillon, Lillet Rose is married with a range of orange and fruit liqueurs from Spain, Haiti and Podensac. The spirit, which has an abv of 17% and an RRP of £20, has been launched in the UK through Marblehead Brand Development in Harvey Nichols stores and Majestic wine stores throughout the country, and is available at high-end bars and restaurants including The Dorchester and Coq d'Argent. Dave Steward, business development director for Marblehead, said he was confident the brand would grow successfully over Britain's summer months. “Lillet Blanc and Lillet Rouge have filled a niche and are already very well respected in the trade, so we’re looking forward to a similar success story for Lillet Rosé. "Lillet is known to consumers as a key component of James Bond’s Vesper Martini and we can’t help thinking James might have liked to try a twisted Vesper made with Lillet Rosé in the next Bond film.”