Top 10 spirits launches in June
Launches in June were all about bold age statements, summer flavours and old brands learning new tricks.
There was also a gin designed with cocktails in mind and a celebrity-backed Tequila ramped up to ‘still strength’. Here are our top 10 spirits launches from June.Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond
Bacardi-owned Angel’s Envy has made a name for itself with its secondary finishes, but the brand branched out in June with its first unfinished whiskey. The expression, which meets the requirements of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, was available exclusively at the brand’s Louisville distillery, with only 12,000 375ml bottles available.
Hermitage Cognac Siècle D’Or
When it comes to impressive age statements, anything above 30 years tends to grab attention. Hermitage Cognac seriously raised eyebrows in June with its launch of a century-old expression – which it claims is the ‘world’s oldest’ Cognac. We don’t doubt that – but with a price tag of £24,900 (U$31,693) and only 68 one-litre decanters available, we’re unlikely to try it any time soon.
Rosebank Vintage 1989
Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk, Scotland, reopened its doors in June after a 30-year closure – and while the milestone is very impressive, we were equally intrigued by its launch of a 33-year-old single malt. The expression is the distillery’s oldest to date, with only 650 bottles available.
Ultimate Negroni Gin
The ultimate gin cocktail – in our opinion – needs the ultimate gin, and Cornish brand Tarquin’s believes it’s created the perfect pairing for the serve. Developed by the brand’s master distiller, Tarquin Leadbetter, and the team at Holborn Dining Room, Tarquin’s Ultimate Negroni Gin promises to ‘elevate the classic Negroni to new heights’.
J P Wiser’s The Decades Series
There was another bold age-statement release last month, this time in the Canadian whisky category. J P Wiser’s launched The Decades Series, with a 42-year-old whisky as its flagship release. The expression was distilled the same year the brand’s namesake and founder relocated the distillery to its current site.
Ardbeg The Abyss
It was a blast from the past for Islay distillery Ardbeg in June, with the Moët Hennessy-owned brand creating a whisky inspired by its 2008 Committee release of Corryvreckan.
Aged for 34 years, The Abyss was finished in heavily toasted French oak casks – as was the 2008 Committee Corryvreckan release. The ‘unrepeatable’ release is limited to 400 bottles and retails for €25,000 (US$27,190).
White Claw Passion Fruit and Pineapple hard seltzers
Hard seltzer brand White Claw welcomed in summer with two new flavours. Passion Fruit and Pineapple launched in the US earlier this year and in the UK in June. The expressions blend sparkling water, a triple-distilled spirit and natural fruit flavours, with no artificial sweeteners.
Tsukuriwake Series
The House of Suntory brought back its Tsukuriwake Series in June, with this year’s releases exploring diversity, innovation and craftsmanship. The collection comprised three Yamazakis and one Hakushu: Yamazaki Golden Promise, Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt, Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt and Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Mizunara.
Santo Spirits 110 Proof Blanco Tequila
Rocker Sammy Hagar and chef Guy Fieri upped the ante in June by releasing a ‘still-strength’ Tequila bottled at 55% ABV. Santo’s ‘off-the-still’ Blanco Tequila was formerly available only in select outlets, but will now be rolled out to the whole of the US, plus Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and Japan.
Crown Royal Single Malt
All eyes were on Canada this month when whisky brand Crown Royal released its first single malt. Known for its blends and flavoured expressions, the Diageo-owned brand has paid tribute to its Canadian heritage with its newest whisky, which has the slogan ‘Cut from the Cold’.
