Here’s a round-up of the new launches from spirits brand owners in the week commencing 20 March.
Moët Hennessy’s Ardbeg BizarreBQ single malt

- Scotch whisky, single malt, Islay, 50.9% ABV
- Released on 3 April in Germany ahead of wider roll-out globally, including the UK, from June
- In the UK, SRP of GBP75 [US$92] per bottle, available in limited – albeit unspecified – numbers
The GlenAllachie’s Virgin Oak Series single malts

- Scotch whisky, single malts, Speyside, age-statemented, all three have an ABV of 48%
- releases this month in limited numbers to off-premise spirits specialists worldwide
- In the UK, SRPs of GBP65.99 [US$81] [eight-year-old Scottish Virgin Oak Finish], GBP62.99 [seven-year-old Hungarian Virgin Oak Finish] and GBP69.99 [ten-year-old Spanish Virgin Oak Finish]
Espanita Tequila Co’s Espanita Double Barrel Reposado

- Tequila, Reposado, initially matured in American oak casks before being transferred to ex-Bourbon casks, 40% ABV
- Released in the US earlier this year in “selected” markets
- SRP of US$42.99 per 75cl bottle. On sale in limited – albeit unspecified – numbers
Diageo’s Astral Tequila Reposado and Añejo

- Tequila, Reposado and Añejo, both of which carry an ABV of 40%. The Reposado has spent at least five months in single-use American oak Bourbon barrels, while the Añejo has been aged in the same type of barrels for at least 12 months
- Rolling out in the US off-premise, in California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, at the beginning of April. Also available online through the likes of Drizly and ReserveBar
- SRPs of US$27.99 and $34.99, respectively, per 75cl bottles
Why being a challenger brand is no substitute for having a moral code – Comment




