Products&Packaging
Todhunter Imports has a new p-o-p sampler available for its Cruzan Tropical flavored rums. The four-pack sampler includes one 50 ml bottle each of banana, pineapple, orange and coconut rums. Ten four-packs are included in a countertop unit, and there is a colorful mini-header card highlighting the display.
Anheuser-Bush introduced “Doc” Otis’ Hard Lemon Flavored Malt Beverage, made with real lemon juice and designed to appeal to adults who like a sweet-tart combo. The 5% (Alcohol by Volume) Doc comes in clear 12-oz. long neck bottles with a distinctive dark brown and yellow label.Distillerie Stock would like you to know about GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur, made from fine Italian VSOP brandy, with a taste said to be richly flavorful and smooth. They recommend it as a Margarita ingredient.
Gentleman Jack has a new look. The new 750 ml package will be hitting shelves in early summer. The new packaging is designed to reflect the exclusive image of the super-premium Tennessee whiskey.
Now available nationwide in 12-oz. six-packs is Killian Irish Red Pub Barrel, a new can design resembling a barrel. According to the company, the new package improves the “breathability” of the lager and also minimizes any sense of “beer can taste.”
Angostura International has released Fernandes Caribbean Rum Cream. Made with fresh dairy cream, selected spices mixed with rum, it can be paired with coffee, ice cream, biscotti and chocolate mousse, the company says, as well as enjoying it by itself. The new cream rum is available from Chatham Imports, of New York, NY, in 750 ml and 50 ml sizes.
Skyy Vodka joins the flavor parade with Skyy Citrus, an all-natural citrus-flavored vodka blending orange, lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit essences. The first line extension from Skyy will be launched with a new painted look added to the familiar signature cobalt blue bottle.
Morrison Bowmore introduced Auchentoshan Three Wood Lowland Single Malt Scotch. No, it’s not designed for the golfer: as the only triple-distilled Scotch whisky, the Auchentoshan Three Wood is aged ten years in bourbon barrels, one year in sherry butts and six months in casks previously used for Pedro Ximinez, the sweet Spanish fortified wine. It is said to be the only single malt Scotch aged in three woods.
Dry Creek Vineyard launched Epoch Millennium Cuvée, a new wine that is a blend of 90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot. The company says the wine is made from the best of 80 individual lots of Bordeaux-style varietals from the 1997 vintage, and features rich flavors of black cherry, black currant and hints of Asian spices.
Borealis Iceberg Beer, imported from Canada by St. Killian Importing Co., Kingston, MA, is being introduced into the U.S. The new brew is made from water harvested from North Atlantic icebergs. Pretty cool.
New Wine Releases
Clos Du Val introduced three limited production wines to their Terroir Series: 1997 Clos Du Val Vineyard Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon, 1997 Clos Du Val Stags leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1998 Ariadne, a white table wine that is a blend of 69% Semillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Viognier; from Australia, Taltarni Vineyards has released its new vintage 1996 Clover Hill Brut sparkling wine ($29 suggested retail price), and its Brut Taché rosé sparkler ($21); Banfi Vintners released its highly acclaimed Castello Banfi 1995 Brunello di Montelcino; Sequoia Grove debuted a lineup of new wine vintages, including 1997 Carneros Chardonnay, 1997 Napa Valley Estate Reserve Chardonnay, 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 1996 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Martin Sinkoff Wines released a line of 1999 vintage Kosher wines, all retailing for under $10, including Réserve St Martin Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon, Réserve St Martin Kosher Chardonnay and Réserve St Martin Merlot; Gloria Ferrer released a 1992 Royal Cuvée Brut ($22); Kenwood Vineyards released a 1998 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc ($15) and a 1998 Reserve Chardonnay ($25); Dry Creek Vineyards debuted a new series of wines, with labels depicting historic America’s Cup yachts: 1997 Reserve Merlot, 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 1997 Reserve Zinfandel, 1998 Reserve Fumé Blanc, 1998 Reserve Chardonnay.
