Top 10 spirits launches in July
From a cocktail that looks like a can of soup, to a Tequila flavoured with the zesty notes of tamarind, July was packed with product launches that caught our eye.
Brands really embraced the flavours of summer last month, with plenty of seasonal releases perfect for the warmer months. From a zingy limoncello perfect for alfresco Spritzes to a tonic that will bring your perfect serve to life, keep reading to find out which 10 launches from July came out on top.Tequila Don Ramón Tamarindo
July saw the introduction of a tamarind-flavoured Tequila into the US market by spirits producer Don Ramón.
Tequila Don Ramón Tamarindo is made entirely from Blue Weber agave, sourced from Los Altos de Jalisco in Mexico, and is said to be ‘bright and slightly spicy’ with ‘delicate’ notes of tamarind. The Tequila is recommended served as a chilled shot or in a cocktail.
“We’re eager for customers to try this unique blend of zesty tamarind and the exceptional smoothness of premium Tequila," said Ernesto Acuña, marketing director of Casa Don Ramón.
Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic
For those looking to elevate their perfect serve this summer, mixer producer Double Dutch delivered in July with the launch of a new elderflower-flavoured tonic water.
The new expression is said to be soft and rounded with a uniquely fragrant, fresh and fruity finish, alongside an aroma of orchard sweetness, and it is recommended paired with floral gins, vodka, Prosecco or Champagne.
Avril Lavigne's BeatBox Pink Lemonade
Sk8er Boi singer Avril Lavigne moved into the world of RTDs (ready-to-drink) in July, collaborating with boxed cocktail brand BeatBox.
Together, they launched a Pink Lemonade cocktail, which marks the latest collaboration in the brand’s wider ‘Creator Series’, in which the RTD producer teams up with with globally recognised ‘tastemakers’ to create exclusive, uniquely designed flavours and packaging that are distributed through the brand’s large retail network.
Described as a ‘lemonade stand for adults’ and created with a fusion of ‘tangy’ lemons, the Pink Lemonade ‘Party Punch’ is offered at 11.1% ABV, and presented in a 500ml resealable ‘eco-friendly’ container.
Martingale Cognac
Last month, veteran Pernod Ricard executive Guillaume Thomas announced plans to launch Martingale Cognac this autumn, which will honour his family’s 100-year legacy of Cognac production.
Offering a ‘fresh and more fragrant style of Cognac for a new generation’, Martingale is described by its chief commercial and marketing officer, Andrew Weir, as “exceptional”, and compared to other spirits categories “such as premium whiskies and Tequila”, the sector has seen “relatively lower levels of innovation”.
Bladnoch Samhla Collection
The Lowland's oldest working Scotch distillery launched this trio of 'ultra-rare' whiskies last month, which is said to embody three generations of the brand's history.
The collection is made up of three vintages: The McClelland, distilled in 1966 and limited to only 15 bottles; The Prior, distilled in 1990 and limited to 50 bottles; and The Sage, distilled in 2008 and limited to 100 bottles.
So exclusive is this collection, those wanting to acquire any element of it need to register their interest at www.bladnoch.com/thesamhlacollection (and get ready to flex some plastic).
Black Tot Master Blender's Reserve 2023
To mark Black Tot Day on 31 July, Elixir Distillers-owned Black Tot Rum released the fourth edition of its ‘perpetual’ rum blend: Master Blender’s Reserve 2023.
The blends in the Master Blender’s Reserve portfolio are made using a modern-day adaptation of a lost blending practice, with one third of the blend held back for another year to be blended again, thus creating what is called a ‘perpetual blend’, with the heart of the blend always consistent.
This year's bottling combines a range of rums from some of ‘the best distilleries in the world’, with casks selected from Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica. Furthermore, this year a rum from Grenada, distilled in 1993, was added to bring depth to the blend.
Silver Circle Bloody Mary
Is it a can of soup, or is it a cocktail? Judging by the fact that it has been launched by Wales-based distillery, Silver Circle, we can confirm this quirky packaging contains the latter.
The Ultimate Bloody Mary is made with the producer’s Black Garlic Vodka, tomato juice, apple caramel, white shoyu, a dash of jalapeño, red pepper hot sauce, and vegan Worcestershire sauce, and is designed to be ready-to-pour from a 400ml ‘tomato soup can’.
Clocking in at 7% ABV, the Bloody Mary is recommended served chilled with two ice-filled glasses, and garnished with a celery stick. Each can contains two servings.
Erbe Gin
Made with 14 botanicals including lime and sage, Erbe launched its inaugural gin last month, which was awarded a Gold medal at The Spirits Business’ Gin Masters 2023.
The sage used to make Erbe Gin – Lime & Sage was sourced from Piedmont and lime was retrieved from Sicily. The new expression is also made with pure spring water from the Italian Alps.
Mount Gay PX Sherry-finished rum
Barbados-based rum producer Mount Gay unveiled the sixth limited edition expression in its Master Blender Collection last month: The PX Sherry Cask Expression.
The expression has been crafted usihng pot and column still rums that have been aged in ex-American whiskey casks for a minimum of 20 years in the tropical heat and humidity of Barbados, which is said to have accentuated the interaction between the spirit and the wood.
The rums were then finished for an additional year in PX Sherry casks, and the resulting liquid is described as round and complex, with a nose that is full of maraschino cherries, stewed fruits, charred oak and butterscotch, and a palate that brings red fruits, salted caramel, banana, toasted vanilla and oak.
Victuallers Special Edition ‘Liquore Citrodora’
Devonshire-based Salcombe Distilling Co unveiled its latest seasonal small batch release last month: Victuallers Special Edition ‘Liquore Citrodora’ limoncello liqueur.
This zesty limoncello liqueur has been made using a base of the distillery’s gin, which has been steeped with lemon verbena, chamomile flowers, and Szechuan and black peppercorns with fresh lemon peel, before being blended with soft Dartmoor water ready for bottling. The result is a liqueur with bright sherbet lemon and subtle herbal flavours on the nose, with fresh zesty lemon on the palette and buttery background flavours of chamomile, giving a smooth mouthfeel alongside a refreshing layered citrus finish.
To make the perfect summer Spritz with Victuallers Special Edition ‘Liquore Citrodora’, check out our recipes round-up for August.
