Top 10 spirit launches in June 2015
The world's first cider cask-aged Irish whiskey, vodka inspired by Breaking Bad and a classic Victorian style gin are all among our pick of the top spirits launched last month.
Martini also unveiled a new collection of "traditional" vermouths, while one Edinburgh-based distiller launch a gin which pays homage by the coast of the Scottish city. History also inspired the latest offering by Tanqueray gin, which uses a recipe created by Charles Tanqueray’s son, Charles Waugh Tanqueray. Meanwhile, Paul Masson revealed its latest flavoured offering, and Jim Beam prepared to officially release its highly anticipated Scotch and Bourbon hybrid. Looking at those which were made available on the market, as well as those which were unveiled to be released at a later date, this is our roundup of the top 10 spirit launches in June 2015. Click through the following pages to discover which brands made the cut.Seaside Gin
In collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, Spencerfield Spirit Company has released just 1,000 bottle of its new Seaside Gin - containing seaweed, scurvy grass and ground ivy among its list of unusual botanicals. Described as slightly sweet with a mineral taste, the gin is made using ingredients from the coast of Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Seaside Gin is currently only available from the Edinburgh Gin Distillery and its Heads & Tales bar.
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Tullammore Dew Cider Cask
William Grant & Sons has claimed to be the first distiller to age Irish whiskey in cider casks with its latest release. Tullamore Dew Cider Cask whiskey, exclusively available in global travel retail, has been triple aged in Bourbon barrels that previously held pressed Irish apples for “several months”. It is said to have a flavour of “toasted oak and cider sweetness”.
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Martini Vermouth di Torino Collection
Martini's Vermouth di Torino Collection is comprised of Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino and Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato, both of which have been created in homage to the traditional methods used by the first Martini master herbalists. Martini Reserva Speciale Rubino is made using Langhe DOC Nebbiolo wines blended with extracts of Italian Holy Thistle and red sandalwood, while Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato is produced using Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines to create a “light-bitter” taste.
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Heisenberg Blue Ice Vodka
Heisenberg Blue Ice Vodka is inspired by hit US television series Breaking Bad and features popular quotes by the “Heisenberg” alias of the series’ main protagonist, Walter White. The gluten-free potato vodka has been launched by Blue Ice Vodka owner 21st Century Spirits in collaboration with Sony. Breaking Bad centres of the life of chemistry teacher White has he turns to a life of crime, producing and selling crystallised meth after he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
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Green Spot Château Léoville Barton
In another precedent for Irish whiskey, Irish Distillers has claimed to have produced the first single pot still expression finished in Bordeaux wine casks, called Green Spot Château Léoville Barton. The whiskey was initially matured in a mix of ex-Oloroso Sherry, ex-Bourbon and new American oak barrels before being transferred into the ex-Bordeaux wine casks to age for between 12 and 24 months.
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Paul Masson Grande Amber Red Berry
Following on from the hugely successful Paul Masson Grande Amber Peach variant, which has catapulted the brandy brand's sales over the past year, Paul Masson has unveiled a Red Berry flavoured bottling. Only the second flavour in the US label's portfolio, Paul Masson Grande Amber Red Berry is described as a “delectable fusion of smooth tasting Paul Grande Amber Brandy and the flavour of ripe, red berries”.
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Gin Lane 1751
Created by Thames Distillers’ Charles Maxwell and The Bloomsbury Club, a group of “gin lovers” and drinks industry professionals, the Gin Lane 1751 range is created in a "classic Victorian style". The brand has been named after both William Hogarth's famous Gin Lane painting, and also the landmark Gin Act 1751, which led to gin becoming less readily available in the UK and as such “more respectable”. Created in small pot still, the range consists of a classic London Dry expression, London Dry Royal Strength, Victoria Pink Gin, and Old Tom Gin.
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Herradura Ultra
Herradura Ultra is a blend of Casa Herradura's Añejo and Extra Añejo Tequila, which have then been further aged for 49 months in American white oak barrels. Following its initial launch in Mexico, the expression has now commenced its US roll-out.
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Tanqueray Bloomsbury
The latest limited edition introduced to the Tanqueray gin portfolio is inspired by a recipe from the 1880s that was created by Charles Tanqueray’s son, Charles Waugh Tanqueray. The gin offers “prominent notes of Tuscan juniper”, blended with botanicals such as coriander, angelica, winter savoury and cassia bark. Each one of the 100,000 bottles of Tanqueray Bloomsbury features the signature of Charles Waugh Tanqueray, alongside a marque bearing his initials.
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Jim Beam Kentucky Dram
Beam Suntory finally revealed the details of its much anticipated Bourbon and Scotch hybrid, Jim Beam Kentucky Dram, in June, eight months after the product was first announced to the public. Described as a “premium Bourbon infused with Highland Scotch whisky”, the travel retail special is said to have a “smoky flavour” along with“vanilla and oaky notes”.
For more information, click here.
