Polish bartender Krzysztof Rathnau prevailed from a 20-strong field to take the honours in Helsinki and a winner’s prize of US$15,000. Twelve judges critiqued bartenders on the “art, style and craft” of their drinks. Contestants were tasked with creating an aperitif, long drink and ‘quick mix’ cocktail, with a Finlandia product required to be the primary ingredient of each. While Rathnau accumulated the most points overall, Monica…
Released to worldwide markets from March, the single malt is limited to 6,000 bottles and is a combination of 14 ex-bourbon barrels and seven ex-sherry hogshead casks, selected by master distiller James MacTaggart from 1999 stocks. According to the Highlands island distillery – which opened in 1995 – the new dram takes its name from the pair of golden eagles that nest in the mountain above…
Perthshire raspberries, pure cane sugar and the company’s “classic” juniper led gin is used to create the 20% abv liqueur. The product is available in 50cl and 20cl bottles for £17.99 and £10.50 respectively. According to producers, the taste is “not overwhelmingly sweet” and has a “tart raspberry flavour” which is suitable for consumption over ice or with soda, lemonade, champagne, cava or prosecco “to…
Patrón XO Cafe, which is a 35% abv blend of Patrón Silver tequila and coffee, will be availble from March 1. Telford, which also distributes Patrón in Hong Kong and Macau, will channel distribution to restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels and ‘premium’ retail locations in ‘key’ cities in China. The distributor’s network includes 23 provinces in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Shandong, Hainan, Fujian, Heilongjiang,…
Total sales volume increased 6.4% in 2011 to over 18 million 9-litre cases, of which the Far East accounted for 35.8%, having grown 14.4% during the period. The BNIC has reported that XO was up 15.3% and VSOP rose 7.9% during 2011. According to the inter-professional body, China was an important driver of the Far East region’s growth, recording a volume increase of 20.1% over…
Cutty Sark Tam o’Shanter, a 46.5% blended scotch whisky priced at US$329 and numbering 5,000 bottles, is named after a work penned by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1790. It was chosen because the name Cutty Sark – which in 1869 became the name of the ship the scotch brand took its name from in 1923 – was first referred to in the poem Tam…
Available in 35cl bottles for £14.99, the new flavour joins Limoncello, Sloe Gin and Winter Spiced Liqueur which were released last year. John McCarthy, Adnams’ head distiller, said: “To make the cherry liqueur we soaked a mixture of morello and whole sweet cherries with a little sugar, in our award-winning Copper House Barley Vodka and left it to mature for a full five weeks. “Keeping…
The new products, which will eventually roll out to other international markets, are available to the on and off-trade for a guide price of £16-£19 per 70cl bottle. The additions join the Italian liqueur’s existing flavoured range that includes Cinnamon, Coffee, Spiced Apple, Cranberry, Chilli and Spices, Pomegranate, Cream Liqueur and Raspberry. The 38% abv Luxardo Pear and Luxardo Cola will be promoted in the…
Green Mark is also Russia’s number one vodka with sales in 2011 of 11.85 million nine-litre cases. Chris Mason, managing director of First Drinks, said: “The new vodkas are an excellent fit within our existing portfolio, complementing our current brands. “We have a strong track record of building premium brands and have big ambitions for 2012 to be in the position to offer our customers…
The deal will see Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbons, Sauza tequila and Teacher’s scotch distributed by CEDC. The deal follows CEDC’s agreement with La Martiniquaise in December to distribute Label 5 whisky in Russia. William Carey, president and CEO of CEDC, said the deal was recognition of the “value of CEDC’s strong sales platform in the overall brown and white spirits market in Poland”.
