If any liquor category that dominated the July extravagant, it was surely will be Scotch. With new expressions from Grant’s, Chivas Regal, Mortlach and The Famous Grouse, the show was house -full.

From the limited edition to the new and innovative product, every spirit hit the shelf all around the world.

Diageo extended its Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare range with a new expression containing whisky from closed distilleries Port Ellen, Caledonian and Carsebridge.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare

Scotch Whisky brand Johnnie Walker, Diageo owned unveiled the second edition of it’s Blue Ghost and Rare, a limited edition series featuring whisky from closed distilleries.

Port Ellen distillery closed its doors in 1983 and the brand is one of the most highly collectible in the Scotch whisky industry.

However, in October last year, Diageo pledged a £ 35m investment to restart its production at port Ellen and Bora by 2020.

Ghost’ whiskies from Caledonian and Carsebridge add layers of creamy, vanilla sweetness whilst rare malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol and Oban deliver rolling waves of waxy citrus, rich malt, and tropical fruit flavours — all perfectly balanced by the distinctive maritime smokiness of Port Ellen that lingers in the long and warming finish.

Seedlip Grove 42

If anything can describe it, it will be warm and citrus blend. Containing three varieties of Mediterranean orange, lemon peel, ginger and lemon distillates and Japanese sansho peppercorn.
Grove 42 opens up a new mixer category for Seedlip, and is recommended served with soda and an orange twist.

Grover 42 have joined it’s two other products, i.e. green and floral Garden 108 and the inaugural product Spice 94.

Earlier in the month of June, Seedlip announced the launch of a no- and low-alcohol pop-up bar in 15 cities around the world.

Mortlach trio

In the month of June, Diageo has replaced it’s Mortlach Single malt Scotch with three new bottling. 12-year-old Wee Witchie, 16-year-old Distiller’s Dram and 20-year-old Cowie’s Blue Seal.

Mortlach is produced using a distillation process that effectively distills the liquid 2.81 times. The method gives the single malt Scotch a “distinct and thick” character, dubbing it the ‘The Beast of Dufftown’.

Bottled at 43.4%, the 12-year-old Wee Witchie has “toasty oak tones” on the nose, a “sweet, almost smoky” palate, with a “dry, slightly sooty” finish.
The new expressions will launch initially in Taiwan this autumn, followed by other markets.

Cooper & Kings Geography Bi-Continental Brandy

Copper & King’s new Geography Bi-Continental Brandy is a blend of both US and South African brandies. It’s an amalgamation two different types of brandy styles. That has then been aged for an additional two years in Kentucky Bourbon barrels.

In this blend, it is comprise of 51% of American Brandy and 49% South African Brandy Blend.

It is bottled at 54% ABV, available only at few limited stores.

Grant’s Cask Editions

The Grant’s range has been streamlined to four expressions: Grant’s Triple Wood, Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky, Grant’s Rum Cask Finish and Grant’s 8 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish in their recent launch.

The William Grant & Sons-owned whisky will be discontinuing Grant’s Signature, Grant’s Cask Ale Finish and Grant’s Sherry Cask Finish as it restructures its core range, but there will be no direct replacements for these expressions

Joining the whiskies is a new range from the brand, called Grant’s Cask Editions, born from decades of experimentation by Kinsman and his team.

New expression Grant’s Rum Cask Finish has been aged in oak barrels before being matured further in ex-Caribbean-style rum barrels and is said to have notes of tropical fruits, banana, vanilla oak and a touch of sweet spice.

Each of the four whiskies is bottled at 40% ABV and will be rolled out globally in the month of August.

Don Julio Reposado Cask Edition

Don Julio launched a reposado Tequila finished in casks previously used to aged Scotch whisky for the Buchanan’s blend.

The Tequila is described as “a rich and nuanced” iteration of the original Don Julio Reposado “with hints of whisky on the finish”.

Under the programme, 300 barrels of Tequila that have been aged 10 months, two months longer than traditional Reposado — will be available to purchase.

Discarded

William Grant & sons have launched a new category i.e vermouth to their shelf, named as Discarded.

It was the innovation of the brand ambassador team headed by Joe Petch. Discarded is deep, rich and aromatic with an easy natural warmth.

Chivas XV

Chivas Regal is aiming to bring a more contemporary feel to Scotch whisky with a new 15-year-old blend finished in Grande Champagne Cognac casks — Chivas XV.

The whisky is available in two different packaging designs — a gold bottle, designed to make the bottle stand out during the glorious moment , and a clear bottle contained in a gold carton for gifting occasions.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Chivas XV is available exclusively in travel retail from July, but will be rolled out globally from 1 October 2018.

The Irishman Founder’s Reserve — Caribbean Cask Finish

Aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels before finished in Caribbean rum casks. Only 12 casks of the expression will be released, with each cask generating 380 bottles. The liquid has been non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

On the nose, the whiskey is described as having notes of apricot and summer fruits, leading to tropical fruits and spices on the palate, with fig, banana and oak spices on the finish.

The Famous Grouse Ruby Cask

The Famous Grouse Ruby Cask was matured in oak casks seasoned with Port, and is said to have a “mellow layer of red fruit sweetness reminiscent of a good fruitcake.

The soft but spicy twist on The Famous Grouse flavor in our new Cask Series offers consumers the opportunity to experience it.