Top new products of the month

Bollinger La Grande Année 2005

The 2005 vintage of Bollinger La Grande Année was launched in London last month by the Champagne house’s president, Jérôme Philipon, who described the UK as Bollinger’s “largest and most important market in the world.” Philipon revealed that Bollinger had decided to release its 75cl bottles, magnums and Jeroboams of 2005 at the same time as they are all ready to drink. Nearly all of the grapes (95%) that went into the fizz came from Bollinger’s own vineayrds, with Philipon describing the brut as “the purest expression of Pinot Noir you’ll find in a Champagne”. Meanwhile, cellar master Gilles Descôtes described the 2005 vintage as “ripe” though said that the wine’s relatively low acidity would in no way impede its ageing potential. La Grande Année Brut 2005 is formed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from grand and premier crus vineyards in Aÿ, Verzenay, Avize, Chouilly and Mesnil-sur-Oger.

RRP: £80
CONTACT: Mentzendorff +44 (0)20 7840 3600

Nederburg The Motorcycle Marvel 2011

South African wine producer Distell has launched its five-strong Nederburg Heritage Heroes range in the UK. Each of the five wines in the range, which includes The Motorcycle Marvel, The Anchorman, The Young Airhawk, The Brew Master and The Beautiful Lady, is based on a person who has played a pivotal role in shaping the winery’s reputation. Making its debut in the on-trade, among the wines in the range are a 2012 Gewürztraminer, a 2012 Chenin Blanc, a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc and a 2010 Bordeaux blend. The Motorcycle Marvel 2011, meanwhile, is a Rhône-style blend of Grenache, Carignan and Shiraz that pays homage to “celebrated” winemaker Günter Brözel, who helped build Nederburg’s reputation. “These wines are intended to be particularly appealing to food enthusiasts,” said Sarah Gandy, Distell international marketing manager for wine in the UK and Europe. The Heritage Hero range is available through Matthew Clark.

CONTACT: Sarah Gandy, sarah.gandy@distell.co.uk

Bhai Apple Cider

Named after the Hindi word for “brother”, Bhai cider is the brainchild of Henry Chevallier Guild of the Aspall cider clan. The tipple is inspired by the time Henry spent travelling across India on an Enfield motorbike. Bhai is the world’s first cider made from Himalayan apples, and was created in partnership with agriculturist and entrepreneur Vivan Futehally. Made from apple concentrate from fruit grown and pressed on the foothills of the Himalayas, the cider is then shipped to England, mixed with English apple juice and fermented at Aspall’s in Suffolk with Champagne yeast before “jaggery”, an Indian unrefined sugar, is added prior to bottling. The cider is designed to pair with Indian dishes, the acidity helping to cut through creamy curries and the sweet finish marrying well with Indian spice.

RRP: £21.99 for a case of 24 330ml bottles.
CONTACT: London Cellars +44 (0)1268 533 999

Highland Park Odin

Orkney distillery Highland Park has launched the fourth and final malt in its Norse-inspired Valhalla Collection in the form of Odin. Named after the father of the gods and ruler of Asgard, the 16-year-old expression follows the releases of Thor, Loki and Freya. According to legend, Odin is the strongest of all the Norse gods, driven by an “unquenchable thirst for wisdom”. Like its namesake, the whisky is equally “intense, powerful and complex” say its makers, offering aromas of “spice, toasted walnuts and smoke”, and flavours of “peat, charred walnuts and plums” on the palate. Just 17,000 bottles of the punchy 55.8% abv Odin have been released worldwide.

RRP: £180
CONTACT: Maxxium UK +44(0) 1786 430 500

Innis & Gunn 50 Shades of Green

Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has released a beer infused with ginseng and other aphrodisiacs in honour of the film adaption of Fifty Shades of Grey. The limited edition ale, 50 Shades of Green, blends 50 hops from around the world and ingredients known for their sexually stimulating properties, including ginseng, which is said to boost sexual desire; ginkgo biloba, a herb said to get blood pumping; and damiana, a nerve stimulant. The beer is said to boast “a full body, intense flavour and seductively spicy aromas”, offering notes of “grapefruit, lemongrass and passion fruit”. The palate offers “malt sweetness” and a “lingering finish”.

RRP: £30
CONTACT: Innis & Gunn +44 (0)131 220 7230

Johnnie Walker King George V edition

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East has released a limited edition design of Johnnie Walker exclusively for travel retail commemorating King George V. Marking the 80th anniversary of John Walker & Sons being awarded the royal warrant, the ornate design on the Burgundy-hued packaging pays homage to the arts and craft movement, which thrived in Britain during the 1930s. On the front of the gift box is a regal, Art Decoinspired gold chandelier print. The liquid inside is a blend crafted from whiskies whose distilleries operated at the time of King George V, including “precious” casks of Port Ellen single malt from Islay. “We are proud to present a limited edition design of this exquisite, hand-crafted blend exclusively for luxury travellers,” said Gillian Naylor, head of Johnnie Walker marketing for Diageo GTME. The King George V limited edition is available in travel retail outlets for the next six months.

RRP: £320
CONTACT: Diageo +44 (0)20 8978 2749

Caple Rd Cider

Inspired by the trend for craft beer in cans, Westons has launched Caple Rd – a craft cider in a can. The 5.2% abv sparkling cider is named after the road leading to the Westons farm in Herefordshire. Cable Rd is made in small batches with English apple juice and matured in oak to create, a “refined, full-bodied” cider. “Great ciders are in my blood. I’ll only use the finest yeast and bittersweet apple juice available,” said maker Guy Lawrence, a fifth generation member of the Weston family. “Caple Rd has been designed to challenge cidermakers’ palates, with its dark straw colour, notes of leather and robust oaky taste.”

RRP: £4 per 330ml can
CONTACT: H Weston & Sons +44 (0)1531 660 233

Lamb’s Spiced Cherry

Halewood International has created a cherry variant of Lamb’s Spiced rum in response to the growth of the golden rum category. Made with Caribbean rum blended with spices, wild cherry and almond flavours, the 30% abv liquid is housed in the brand’s signature hexagonal-shaped bottle. It can either be enjoyed on ice or in a number of rum-based cocktails like the daiquiri. The Lamb’s Spiced brand was relaunched in 2013 with a “smoother and more versatile” flavour to attract new drinkers to the rum category.

RRP: £15
CONTACT: Halewood International +44 (0)151 480 8800

Bacardi redesign

Bacardi has unveiled its first new bottle design in a decade. The rum brand’s Superior, Gold and Black expressions have been given a sleek makeover to make the bottles more ergonomic for bartenders. The taller, more slender bottle shape is designed to make it easier for busy bartenders to handle. Also new is the first bottle use of the latest reincarnation of the iconic Bacardi Bat, which was updated in 2013 as part of the brand’s “Untamable Since 1862” campaign. The three expressions in the range: Superior, Gold and Black, have been renamed Carta Blanca, Carta Oro and Carta Negra respectively, in an effort to reflect Bacardi’s Cuban roots. “Our vision was to create a bottle that told the story of Bacardi, its unique heritage and the masterful crafting that goes into the creation of each of our premium rums,” said Caroline Hipperson, Bacardi’s global brand director.

RRP: £18-22
CONTACT: Bacardi +1 441 294 1110