As craft beer is becoming a well established trend around the world, the latest Mintel research reveals that, so far in 2016, one in seven new global spirit launches are positioned as craft.
The world’s biggest spirit brands are responding to consumer interest in more authentic, distinctive, local and less processed spirits by launching drinks positioned as hand crafted and small batch.
Below we take a look at the spirits that are taking a shot at success in the global market:
Big Thicket Dog Trot Handcrafted Vodka has been hand-crafted in small batches grain to glass in Texas, features crisp flavours, and can be sipped on its own or mixed to make cocktails.
By the Dutch is serving up Old Genever, a hand crafted product that has evolved from malt-wine-spirits and is said to be distinctly different from newer types of gin. It is made with an authentic recipe from Holland and is described to have a smooth, subtle and malty flavour, with a carefully chosen alcohol content for the perfect balance of aroma and mouth-feel.
Tanqueray No.Ten Small Batch Gin is described as export quality and features fresh whole citrus fruits and hand-selected botanicals. It retails in a recyclable 70cl newly designed bottle.
Distil. No. 9 Horilka (Selected Ukrainian Wheat Small Batch Vodka) is produced by the Ukrainian craft distiller Staritsky and Levitsky in the city of Lviv. According to the manufacturer, it is made from selected Ukrainian wheat from the world’s most fertile soil and blended with crystal pure water from the Carpathian springs. The product is also GMO-free.
Absolut Elyx Single Estate Handcrafted Vodka is imported from Sweden and is distilled from grain, has been manually crafted in a 1921 copper column still and is kosher certified.
Whitley Neill Handcrafted Dry Gin is described as a small batch gin distilled for eight generations and is said to be of exceptional quality, inspired by the captivating flavours of Africa. It is made with fresh citrus baobab fruit and aromatic cape gooseberries, skilfully blended with seven traditional botanicals in an antique copper still to produce a gin with true African spirit. It was awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2014, a gold medal at Spirit Business 2014 and a gold medal at Spirits Challenge 2013.
Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin is described as wildly sophisticated. This premium pure grain Scottish gin has been distilled in the Speyside region of the Scottish Highlands with a unique infusion of five Celtic and six traditional gin botanicals, pure grain spirit and Scottish water for a clean, crisp and aromatic taste with a long dry finish.
Jonny Forsyth, Global Drinks Analyst, is responsible for researching and writing all of Mintel’s UK drinks reports. He brings ten years of experience working in the marketing industry, with roles at Starcom Mediavest, AB-Inbev, and Trinity Mirror. He is a regular contributor in global and national media outlets such as BBC, CNBC and Bloomberg.
About the Author
Jonny Forsyth
Jonny Forsyth is Senior Director, Mintel Food & Drink. Jonny has worked as an analyst at Mintel since 2007 and advises clients on ‘big picture’ industry trends that will shape and disrupt the food and drink industry sector over the coming years.
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