Top 10 spirits launches in July
July was a great month for world spirits, with a Korean single malt, an African agave spirit and a Swedish aquavit hitting shelves.
There was also a big age-statement Scotch, an alcohol-infused pasta sauce and a community-created vodka. Here are our top 10 spirits launches from July.Ki One
The UK welcomed its first Korean single malt whisky last week, when The Whisky Exchange began offering Ki One. The whisky is made at Three Societies Distillery, located 40 minutes from Seoul. Considering the quality and popularity of whiskies from neighbours Taiwan and Japan, we’re expecting big things.
Sango
Agave spirits are always popular, but the vast majority originate from Mexico. Spearhead Spirits has created its own expression using African Agave Americana from the Karoo desert and Salmiana agave from South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. The plants are harvested by hand, roasted through artisanal methods and double-distilled without additives.
Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old
We always keep an eye out for the big-price spirit launches, and Highland distillery Loch Lomond took the prize this month for its £25,000 (US$32,107) whisky. Only 100 hand-numbered bottles are available worldwide, with the brand drawing from its oldest reserves for the release.
Rozél Rosé Vodka With Raspberry Lemonade
UK brand Rozél Rosé created its first ready-to-drink (RTD) expression in July, blending its fruity and floral vodka with Fever-Tree’s Raspberry and Rose Lemonade. Rozél was one of the UK’s first premium rosé vodkas when it launched last year, and will now offer consumers ‘the ultimate summer Spritz on the go’.
Rejmyre Akvavit
Rejmyre Akvavit is made in a historic glassworks building in Sweden, and has notes of caraway, fennel, fresh aniseed notes and sweet apple and elderflower. Its founder, Bex Almqvist, has made sustainability a priority for the brand, using 97% fossil-free energy and responsibly harvested grain.
721 Vodka
We all have opinions on how to create the best spirit, but Degen Distillery has decided to put its fan’s thoughts to the test by co-creating a vodka. Its community has had a say in how the expression is made and marketed, creating a super-premium vodka that is filtered only once to retain its character.
Glenmorangie The Original
Less of a launch and more of a relaunch – in July, Moët Hennessy-owned Glenmorangie announced its flagship whisky was jumping from 10 years to 12. The Original 10-year-old was introduced in the 1960s with roots going back more than 175 years – we imagine the 12-year-old will be sticking around just as long.
Creamy Creation RTDs
Have you ever wondered why you rarely see a cream liqueur-based RTD? That’s because they need special high-temperature heat treatment, called a retort. Creamy Creation has found a way to create delicious, uncurdled RTDs using pasteurisation instead, with flavour examples including Raspberry Chocolate, Hazelnut Latte and Caramel Fudge. Creamy Creation is a business-to-business developer, so we won’t be seeing these exact creations hit shelves – but we’re looking forward to seeing which brands use the technology.
York Zero
The non-alcoholic market welcomed a new entrant in July, with a 0% ABV ‘spirit’ from the makers of York Gin. Its flavour is inspired by the alcoholic original, with classic juniper and coriander notes that are complemented by fresh zesty orange. To try it out, head to York’s The Star Inn The City, which has created a Mandarin Sour featuring York Zero.
Heinz x Absolut Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce
OK, this last one isn’t quite a spirit, but we love it anyway. After crazy demand for the limited edition pasta sauce last year, Absolut and Heinz have revived their partnership to create enough for everyone. Allegedly the vodka ‘unlocks the flavours and intensifies the aroma’ of the tomato, basil and cheese sauce. Yum!
