Aldi launches first spirit ‘festival’ with unicorn gin, Tequila and mezcal

UK retailer Aldi is launching its first spirit festival ahead of the bank holiday weekend, which will see the release of a Tequila and mezcal for the first time as well as a candy and marshmallow flavoured ‘Unicorn’ gin.

The discounter, which has beefed up its spirit credentials in recent years, said Mexican spirits were increasingly popular with consumers, citing IWSR 2019 data that showed tequila to be the second-fastest growth category after gin, rising at a rate of 9% year-on-year, behind gin at 12%.

The two Mexican spirits comprise a ‘sweet, spicy and fruity’ craft Tequila Villa Lobos 100% Agave Reposado from Los Altos, (RRP: £29.99) , and a “smoky and aromatic”  Mezcal Eterno Joven (RRP: £34.99).

They are joined by five new gins, and three rums, including the confectionery-inspired candy floss and marshmallow Infusionist Mystical Unicorn Gin Liqueur  (RRP: £9.99) and Didsbury Tutti Frutti Gin Liqueur (RRP: 13.99) as well as two fruit flavoured gins, Greyson’s Rhubarb & Bramble Gin (RRP: £15.99) and Eden Mill Passionfruit, Apricot & Coconut Gin (RRP: £19.99).

The rums comprise a golden and a dark rum, as well as a Spiced Rhubarb Rum Liqueur (RRP: £13.99).

The retailer also recently unveiled new G&T “bundles”, in which shoppers can buy a selection of three gins and mixers as part of a special selection.  The bundles comprise a classic G&T selection (from £29.69), a ‘fruity’ selection, a craft ‘perfect’ bundle and a G&T surprise, featuring its McQueen Colour Changing Gin and Violet Shimmer Gin (for £50.93).

Last year the discounter added spirits to its online alcohol delivery service, making its range of own-brand spirits available on demand, following a spike in sales which saw 12,000 bottles of gin sold every day – a 75 % increase in gin sales – and seven bottles of whisky every minute.