Spirits – Page 60 – Keep It Overproof!

Category: Spirits

Loch Lomond sells to investment group

Posted in Spirits.

A global investment firm has acquired Scotch whisky maker Loch Lomond Group for an undisclosed sum. Hillhouse Capital Management has bought Loch Lomond from UK-based Exponent Private Equity, marking a “major step” in the distiller’s international growth ambitions. Exponent originally acquired Loch Lomond Group, which owns the Loch Lomond Highlands distillery and Glen Scotia Campbeltown distillery, from the Bulloch family in 2014. Since then, the whisky maker’s international business has grown to account for 70% of its revenue, compared to 10% at the time of the acquisition. Now, Loch...

Compass Box unveils The Circle whisky

Posted in Spirits.

Independent Scotch whisky bottler Compass Box has released a limited edition blended malt, created by the winner of the brand’s bartender programme The Circle. The new expression, called The Circle, is named after Compass Box’s bartender programme. The initiative was formed last year “to connect the creative processes of the blending room with those of the bar trade”. Compass Box founder Jon Glaser said: “It is our way of bringing together like-minded creators who love to do things differently. “But this isn’t about industry experimentation behind closed doors. These expert bartenders...

Changyu’s Ningxia estate to become 100% biodynamic

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

China’s oldest and largest wine producer, Changyu, is in the process of converting its 250-hectate Château Changyu Moser XV estate in Ningxia to biodynamic viticulture. Château Changyu Moser XV in Ningxia is converting to biodynamic viticulture Speaking to db in London this week, Changyu’s chief winemaker, Lenz Moser, said the company hopes to be certified biodynamic in three years. “My big aim for Changyu is to convert the estate to being 100% biodynamic. We’re in the early stages of conversion at the moment and want to be fully certified by a European body in three years. If we achieve this,...

Boost for UK booze exports, FDF reports

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Total food and drink exports saw the biggest boost in first quarter sales on record, the FDF have reported, with sales rising 10.7% on last year’s figure to £5.8 billion. Whisky topped the list of the UK’s top ten food and drink exports, rising in value by 19.2% in the first quarter of 2019, a boost of £183.6 million to take the total value of whisky exports to £1,139 million, it said, compared to the same period the previous year. Volumes sales also rose, up 15.8%. The value of Whisky exports equate roughly to the combined exports of the next five categories, salmon, chocolate, cheese,...

Ryan Reynolds and Fyre Festival’s King star in Aviation Gin ad

Posted in Spirits.

Actor Ryan Reynolds has released a short humorous video that shows his commitment to Aviation Gin ahead of Father’s Day (16 June). The Deadpool star acquired Oregon-made Aviation American Gin in February 2018 for an undisclosed sum. The new 60-second spot coincides with the launch of a limited edition Aviation Gin bottle, featuring Reynolds’ signature. Launched ahead of Father’s Day, the bottle was created “for the dads in your life who are always willing to go the extra mile”. As he narrates the video, Reynolds is depicted making the Aviation bottles by hand and etching...

Oto creates alcohol-free CBD cocktail bitters

Posted in Spirits.

UK-based cannabidiol (CBD) specialist Oto has launched “Europe’s first” CBD cocktail bitters, which costs £98 (US$125) for a 100ml bottle. A single measure of the bitters delivers an effective daily serving of 50mg of CBD, which is a non-psychoactive extract from the hemp plant. CBD is renowned for its stress and anxiety relieving properties. Oto’s CBD Bitters are alcohol-free and were developed by a team of industry experts, including food scientist Dr Ketan Joshi, former Sipsmith founding director Antonia Jamison, Oto managing director Gemma Colao and DMD Ventures CEO James Bagley. The...

Wine of the week: Château Maris Savoir Vieillir 2017

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

We at team db want to celebrate the very best bottles from our Global Masters. Every Wednesday, we’ll select a wine that picked up either a Gold or Master from our competition series, and tell you why the judges loved it. (Photo: Château Maris) From Napa to Navarra, the world of wine is paying more attention to cultivation and how to let fruit shine through without using harmful chemicals. We revealed the results of our 2018 Organic Masters last July, where a just a handful of bottles picked up the top accolade of a Master medal. This eco-friendly, deep-coloured expression from Occitanie, made...

William Grant & Sons launches first ultra-low ABV spirit: Atopia

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Spirits giant William Grant & Sons has launches its first ultra-low alcohol spirit, bottled at 0.5% ABV. (Photo: Atopia/Youtube) The spirit, which has a recommended retail price of £25 per bottle, was created by WG&S’ master distiller Lesley Gracie. So far there are two products in the Atopia range: Spiced Citrus, and Wild Blossom. The spirits company has uploaded two tutorials to Youtube demonstrating how to use its new products. Gracie said the distillates were “selected and combined with care and precision, meaning you can pick out each flavour separately whilst no...

Kopparberg releases canned pink gin and lemonade RTD

Posted in Spirits.

Swedish cider producer Kopparberg has moved into the ready-to-drink (RTD) market with the launch of a canned strawberry and lime-flavoured gin and lemonade. The launch of the new RTD comes just a month after the Swedish producer entered the spirits category with a strawberry and lime-flavoured gin. This was followed by a limited edition mixed fruit-flavoured gin, unveiled last week. Packaged in a 250ml can, Kopparberg Premium Gin & Lemonade has an abv of 5% and contains 125 calories per serve. The new offering is targeted at summer outdoor occasions and parties this year. The spirit-based...

Winchester Distillery hits crowdfunding goal

Posted in Spirits.

English gin and vodka maker Winchester Distillery has passed its £375,000 (US$483,000) crowdfunding target to expand its business. Hampshire-based Winchester Distillery launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube in April this year. Last month, the distillery raised more than £240,000 (US$307,861), smashing its first 30-day target by 200%. The crowdfunding campaign, which closes in 12 days, has raised £385,010 (US$487,640) from 478 investors to date. Winchester Distillery produces up to 1,000 bottles per week – almost full capacity for the site – and is seeking funding to realise its growth...