Strong stuff
SPIRITS & LIQUEURS
Gin might still be the UK’s number one spirit, but premium rum, vodka, whisky and liqueur brands are making their voices heard, too, as our round-up over the next six pages reveals. Enthusiasts and retailers alike will be pleased to see that NPD across the category continues apace. By Lauren Phillips Set up by two friends following a backpacking trip around Southeast Asia, Tarsier Spirit produces two gins, a Tarsier Southeast Asian Dry Gin and an Oriental Pink Gin. The former is a citrus-forward spirit with Thai sweet basil, galangal and red & black Kampot pepper (RRP £35 70cl 45% ABV). The latter is flavoured with red dragon fruit, lychee and raspberry (RRP £35 70cl 40% ABV). tarsierspirit.com
South Devon-based Hattiers Rum has been producing rums for Fortnum & Masons, Harvey Nichols and highend indies since 2017. Its collection includes a 70cl Premium Reserve – a sipping rum described as an “exceptional base to cocktails” (trade £25.90 plus VAT, RRP £42) – and a 70cl blended aged white rum (trade £22 plus VAT, RRP £36). Available via Diverse Fine Food. hattiers.com
A SUPPLEMENT TO FINE FOOD DIGEST
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has created a new gin made with ingredients from countries he visited during his career: English botanicals, Australian ginger, and Indian Darjeeling tea. Declaration Gin is described as “zesty” with “powerful orange and citrus on the nose” and is available to the trade via Hammonds with an RRP of £44.99 for 70cl and £34.99 for 50cl. declarationdrinks.com
British Polo Gin has moved into the rum category with its new Organic Double Spiced Rum. ‘Double spicing’ involves distilling orange, cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger with organic white rum before macerating the spices in the distillate. This produces a “rich and vanilla mouthfeel with citrus and subtle spice”. Available via Cotswold Fayre, RRP £6, 5cl bottle and £39.95, 70cl bottle. britishpologin.co.uk Bristolian company 6 O’clock Gin has expanded its RTD cocktail range with the release of two new flavours and a lighter alternative to its classic London Dry gin & tonic (7% ABV). The new flavours are an Exotic Orange Gin & Tonic (7% ABV) and a warming Damson & Ginger (5% ABV). The launch marks the brand’s 10th anniversary. 6oclockgin.com
As the hard seltzer craze picks up speed in the UK, Long Shot Hard Seltzers has joined the furore with its three debut flavours: Grapefruit, Strawberry & Rhubarb, and Raspberry & Blackcurrant. RRP £2.75, 250ml can (4% ABV). longshotdrinks.com Norfolk-based Black Shuck’s new rum collection consists of Spiced White and Honey Liqueur varieties. The honey rum liqueur (24% ABV) is the latest addition and is made by infusing Norfolk honey with white rum. blackshuckltd.co.uk
Primo Negroni is the first cocktail in the ready-to-serve collection from Primo Aperitivo. Available in 50cl bottles, it is a blend of dry gin and vermouth (RRP £29). primoaperitivo.com The owners at Harrismith Rum have created a new rum punch mix named after their restaurant on the Caribbean island, Cutters of Barbados. Available separately or as a gift set with Harrismith Rum, trade price £23.90 per case of six (RRP £29.88). cutters.bb / harrismithrum.bb Massingberd-Mundy Distillery in the Lincolnshire Wolds has created its second craft gin. Marie Jeanne’s Pink Gin is a French-style gin named after a historical figure from the South Ormsby Estate. southormsbyestate.co.uk
HIGH SPIRITS 2020-21
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