Top 10 spirits launches in January 2015
In the spirit of beginning the New Year with a new start, January saw the release of a fresh batch of innovative and varied bottlings across the industry.
Hybrid drinks and eccentric flavours featured highly this month, marked by the release of Magners with Irish Whiskey, and the whimsical flavours of Fluid Movement bottled cocktails – comprising of a Peanut Butter & Jam Old Fashioned to name just one. Crown Royal released its first ever single barrel expression, distilled in a coffey rye still, and Kilbeggan Distilling Company launched a limited edition bottling of its 21-year-old super premium whiskey. 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 January 2015. Click through the following pages to discover which brands made the cut.Aultmore 25 Year Old
Aultmore 25 Year Old is the latest in Bacardi's series of single malt expressions, following the footsteps of its predecessors, Aultmore 12 Year Old and 21 Year Old.
All three malts have been released through travel retail at World Duty Free Group in 10 markets globally, including Canada, France, Japan, Russia and the UK.
Distilled in a remote part of the Speyside region Keith, the area is known as "Foggie Moss" for it’s mysterious thick mists and barren surroundings.
Bottled at 46% abv, the single malt is described as having “sweet, malty and vanilla” flavours.
For more information, click here.
Crown Royal Single Barrel
Diageo’s Crown Royal released its first single barrel expression this month, with limited bottlings available exclusively in Texas.
Crown Royal Single Barrel was distilled in the brand’s coffey rye still – the only known still of its kind in North America.
Diageo named the spirit in honour of the tradition by which local Canadian whiskies are referred to simply as "rye".
Bottled at 51.1% and with an RRP of US$55, the new expression is described as having cream and banana flavours, combined with oak and spice tasting notes.
For more information, click here.
Daffy’s Gin
The new boutique gin, launched this month by former wine-maker and whisky distiller Chris Molyneaux, is made using a unique blend of rare botanicals, such as Lebanese mint.
After being distilled in an ancient copper pot whisky still using malt whisky techniques, the Edinburgh-based gin is then processed with Scottish water.
The end result is a “zesty, spritely spirit”, bottled at 43.4%, with an RRP of £32 per 700ml bottle.
For more information, click here.
Jim Beam Bonded
The latest Jim Beam expression was a special edition created to mark with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.
The act requires the expression to be produced in a single distillery season, at a single distillery, aged for at least four years and carry an abv of 50%.
The newest Beam Suntory release is described as “oaky”, with a “background of vanilla and caramel” on the nose.
Jim Beam Bonded carries an RRP of US$22.99 per 750ml bottle and will be made available in selected locations throughout the US.
For more information, click here.
Magners with Irish Whiskey
This month saw the launch of a new contender in the hybrid drinks category from Magners with its “spirit cider”.
The unique edition is made up of 500ml of traditional Magners apple cider and 25ml Irish whiskey, distilled at West Cork Distillers.
The company says the “game-changing” drink offers Magners and whiskey-lovers alike a taste of something new.
Bottled at 5.5% abv, Magners with Irish Whiskey will be available from Asda stores across the UK.
For more information, click here.
Sipsmith gin cordials
Sipsmith has crafted three new cordials to complement its London Dry Gin.
Master distiller and cocktail historian, Jared Brown, created the Original Cordials for Gin using traditional methodologies and reflecting flavour qualities which were popular in the late 1800s.
The cordials are The Original, a candied ginger cordial with a touch of orange bitters; The Gimlet, with sweet florals with “punchy lime peel”; and The Bishop, Sipsmith’s take on Charles Dickens’ favourite tipple, the Good Bishop.
For more information, click here.
Glenmorangie Tusail
The sixth release from its Private Edition range, Glenmorangie Tusail is a single malt created using “rare” Maris Otter barley.
The barley was first harvested 50 years ago, and by the 1980s found itself at risk of extinction.
However the strain was saved in 1992 after two British seed merchants joined forces to protect the endangered barley.
After being traditionally floor malted, the spirit – which contains flavours of toffee, sweet barley, and cinnamon to name just a few – is bottled at 46% abv. It retails at £75.99.
For more information, click here.
Woodford Reserve Rye
Woodford Reserve rye is the newest addition to the Kentucky Bourbon brand’s portfolio following “multiple requests” from customers.
The Kentucky straight rye was created by master distiller Chris Morris using a mash bill of 53% rye to enhance the natural spice flavours of the original Woodford Reserve.
The 45.2% abv rye will carry an RRP of US$37.99, and will be made available in California, New York, and Texas to name but a few.
For more information, click here.
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
January welcomed a special occasion for the Kilbeggan Distilling Company; namely the limited edition bottling of its oldest blended Irish whiskey.
Released across Europe by Beam Suntory, the 21-year-old super-premium whiskey has been taking its time to mature in former Bourbon, Port, madeira and Sherry casks – selected specially by Kilbeggan master blender, Noel Sweeney.
Available at €99 for 700ml, the limited edition bottling is the latest in the Kilbeggan portfolio.
For more information, click here.
Fluid Movement bottled cocktails
Founders of Fluid Movement, Tom Aske and Tristan Stephenson, have created three whimsical ready-to-serve cocktails in a pioneering new range.
Produced in Mile End, London, the “niche” flavours – Peanut Butter & Jam Old Fashioned, Leather & Walnut Sazeracm and The Revery – are entirely hand-crafted and small-batch produced.
Each flavour is available in 500ml bottles at an RRP of £34.99, £34.99 and £29.99 respectively.
For more information, click here.
