Top 10 spirits launches from February 2025
From whiskies crafted in Taiwan, Scotland and the US to ready-to-drink spirits and mixers, and cocktails, February was a busy month for new product development.
A new celebrity Tequila joined the fold in February, while a renowned vodka brand extended its portfolio of ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka-mixers, and cocktails. Not only this, but the latest compilation of new spirits launches includes the oldest Jack Daniel's release in more than a century, plus a gin inspired by croissants. Looking for more new spirits product inspiration? Check out our latest ranking of the top 10 most innovative spirits launches of 2024.Kavalan Solist Palo Cortado Sherry Cask
Taiwanese distillery Kavalan has released a whisky aged in a rare Palo Cortado Sherry cask.
Named Palo Cortado Sherry Cask, the whisky completes the distillery’s seven-part Solist collection, which comprises whiskies all aged in a type of Sherry: Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Manzanilla, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel, and now Palo Cortado.
The distillery’s CEO, YT Lee, said: “With Palo Cortado Sherry accounting for less than 1% of global Sherry production, we saved one of the rarest and most unique Sherry casks to the end.”
Palo Cortado Sherry Cask is available in Taiwan, including its Distillery Shop, Kavalan Whisky shops, Whisky Bar, and select whisky retailers.
Ardbeg Eureka!
The Glenmorangie Company released a limited edition Ardbeg bottling to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Islay-based brand’s whisky committee.
The committee was created in February 2000, and now has 200,000 members from more than 140 countries. The celebratory whisky is called the Eureka!, and has flavours dark chocolate, cinnamon, briny seaweed and smoke.
The discovery of its profile was said to give the distillery team a eureka moment, hence its name. Offered at 52.2% ABV, Ardbeg Eureka! is available on the brand’s website exclusively to committee members for £72 (US$90), with a small number available directly from the distillery for visitors.
Jackie Thomson, committee chair and visitor centre manager of Ardbeg Distillery, said: “Ardbeg Eureka! is an exuberant reward for our members’ dedication. Slàinte mhath to 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee.”
Absolut bottled and canned cocktails
Pernod Ricard‐owned Absolut Vodka has added new flavours to its bottled and canned cocktail ranges, as well as its line with cranberry juice brand Ocean Spray.
For the bottled cocktails, an Espresso Martini and Classic Cosmopolitan join the range, both bottled at 20% ABV. The Ocean Spray line has been given a boost with the addition of two new canned variants: Vodka White Cran-Peach and Vodka Cran-Mango.
The 4.5% ABV RTDs were inspired by Ocean Spray’s most popular flavours, and are made with the brand’s cranberry juice, natural flavours, and Absolut. Absolut has also updated its canned-cocktail range with three new classic serves in the 355ml format: a Classic Mule (7% ABV), a Classic Cosmo (10% ABV), and a Half & Half Tea & Lemonade (7% ABV).
Jack Daniel's 14 Years Old
Tennessee whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s unveiled its 2025 Aged Series in February, including a 14-year-old expression. The 14-year-old is the whiskey brand's oldest release since the early to mid-1900s.
The new 14-year-old has a mash bill of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Post-distillation, the new make is filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal like the flagship Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 Tennessee Whiskey.
Clocking in at 63.15% ABV, Jack Daniel’s 14-year-old is described as having flavours of sweet bakery spices, oak, cinnamon, butterscotch, leather and pipe tobacco. It retails for US$149.99.
Mutiny Island Vodka
Chef Todd Manley’s spirits brand, Mutiny Island, has made a vodka with “under-utilised superfood” breadfruit and Caribbean rainwater.
The use of breadfruit, a carbon-sequestering crop, restores soil health, and provides a nutrient-dense sustainable food source.
One of the Mutiny island’s initiatives is planting breadfruit trees, through partnerships with Trees That Feed Foundation and the Breadfruit Institute. The brand said a single tree can produce up to 300 fruits a year, which in turn could feed a family of four for life.
Based in Saint Croix, an island in the Caribbean Sea, the brand has four products in its range, including a flagship vodka, smoked hot pepper, an expression made with Puerto Rican Coffee, and one with ginger and turmeric. products are bottled at 40% ABV and retail for US$26.99.
Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition
Jameson Irish Whiskey has added a Chestnut Edition to its Triple Triple range.
A follow-up to the first Triple Triple release – triple-distilled and blended from a combination of ex-Bourbon and oloroso Sherry casks – the second whiskey now includes hand-selected sweet chestnut casks in the production process.
The use of the chestnut wood is said to emphasise dark chocolate and toasted almond tones in the profile, which go alongside fudge, vanilla and mild nutty undertones, all complemented by orchard fruits and toasted wood.
Bottled at 40% ABV, Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition is priced at RRP US$29/£29. Master distiller Kevin O’Gorman said the chestnut brings a “luxurious layer to Jameson whiskey’s much-loved character, making it an excellent new addition to the family”.
Four Pillars x Lune
Australian gin producer Four Pillars and bakery chain Lune have teamed up to create a croissant-flavoured gin.
While actual croissants were not used in the distillation process, Four Pillars head distiller Sarah Prowse instead used Lune’s clarified French butter.
Prowse said of the concept: “Lune croissants are made with nearly double the butter of your average croissant, so we knew that butter had to be a key part of the gin.”
Other ingredients in the 41.8% ABV gin included almonds roasted in the Four Pillars kitchen, wattle seed, nutmeg, and juniper. Lune founder Kate Reid added: “Infusing our Lune magic into my favourite gin was a dream come true.” A bottle retails for AU$80 (US$51).
Sexy Fish Vodka
Japanese restaurant and bar Sexy Fish has expanded its own-label spirits brand with a premium vodka.
The vodka was created in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers in the UK’s North Wessex Downs. The process saw the spirit double-distilled, triple-filtered and finished with a touch of honey. It has an ABV of 42% and is available at Sexy Fish locations in London, Manchester, and Miami, in either 50ml serves for £14 (US$17) or by the bottle for £400 (US$498).
Xavier Landais, director of beverage at Caprice Holdings, owner of Sexy Fish, said: “At Sexy Fish, we focus on delivering the best 360-degree experience across dining and drinking, so creating our own vodka was a natural step. Distilled in England from the finest local grain, Sexy Fish Vodka offers bold, smooth flavour, and a luminous label that makes it a striking centrepiece for any celebration.”
Shak.r
French spirits company and distributor Spiribam has launched Shak.r, a line of premium ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails.
The RTDs represent four classic cocktail flavours, and come in shakeable 125ml cans. The range includes an Espresso Martini, a Pornstar Martini, a Strawberry Daiquiri, and a Margarita. The flavours are bottled at 14% ABV each.
Shak.r made its debut at trade show Wine Paris last month, and aims to be an efficient solution for handling service peaks at festivals, events, and concerts. Additionally, the shakeable design is said to allow for easier use by professionals, as well as guaranteeing consistent quality, while also providing an optimal experience for customers.
Further expressions will be introduced in the future, and Spiribam will distribute the range via its network in France.
Chicas Divertidas Tequila
Musician Megan Thee Stallion has launched a Tequila brand, Chicas Divertidas, starting with a blanco and a reposado.
Chicas Divertidas is produced at Casa Centinela from 100% Blue Weber agave, and is described by the American rapper as “smooth, sultry, and premium”.
The bottle design, meanwhile, was inspired by the poisonous Angel’s Trumpet flower, which was chosen for its bold colours and striking appearance. The blanco (bottled at 40% ABV, and priced at US$70) features citrus notes and herbal hints of rosemary and green tea, while the reposado (bottled at 40% ABV, priced at US$80) delivers caramelised agave, American oak, and cooking spices.
Both Tequilas are available in limited numbers in the US.
