NEWS
Foxhole Spirits releases Mad City botanical rum Foxhole Spirits, which creates Hyke Gin, has unveiled Mad City, a botanical white rum featuring vibrant designs from Bristol-based urban artist Sled-One. Mad City is said to add more depth, flavour and complexity to white rum, marrying 100% Fairtrade certified rum from Jamaica, Guyana, the Dominican Republic and Barbados with a recipe of 25 sustainably sourced botanicals. The spirit has tasting notes of “soft mocha with citrus and tropical fruits on the palate, hints of vanilla, warm spices and pecan nuts”. James Oag-Cooper, co-founder and managing director of Foxhole Spirits, said: “With Mad City, we’ve been able to apply our skill working with botanicals to rum and demonstrate expertise in a different category. “We believe that the style of Mad City, with no sugar added post distillation, puts it in a category all of its own. The result is fine and balanced, absolutely delicious, and thoroughly satisfying to drink.” Sled-One was commissioned to design an original work for the Mad City label, inspired by the pulsating energy of the city’s Stokes Croft and St Paul’s areas. The resulting bottle features Sled-One’s surreal style, with bold lines, vibrant colours and myriad details.
KraKen launcHes ‘cocKtail KoMbat’ coMpetition for bartenders
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is supporting bars and bartenders post pandemic with a new digital cocktail competition called Kraken Cocktail Kombat. The contest will see eight UK bartenders from London, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Brighton and Manchester battle it out through a number of ‘drink dual’ rounds. Their fate will be entirely in the hands of The Kraken’s fans, who will vote for their favourite bartender until only two remain. The two finalists will then compete in the ultimate showdown for the title, with the victor taking home £1,000 for themselves and a further £1,000 for their bar and fellow staff. The 60-minute sessions are accompanied by the delivery of a bespoke Kraken hamper, including a bottle of The Kraken, limited edition metal straws and glassware. All competition details can be found on The Kraken social channels and website.
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Mr Hobbs adds ‘150’ gin to portfolio Mr Hobbs, a family-owned gin brand hailing from Henley, based along the Thames, is celebrating its 150th anniversary with the launch of a new expression – Mr Hobbs 150. Mr Hobbs 150 is a classic London Dry gin with “quintessential English heritage”. Bottled at 40% ABV, it features 14 botanicals, including cubeb berries, which offer “light, perfumed notes”, along with “warmth and spice” from black pepper and cardamom. The gin also boasts “nuanced floral notes” from meadowsweet and elderflower, both of which are locally sourced on the riverbanks of the Thames, followed by fresh citrus notes of yuzu and lime. Mr Hobbs 150 is suggested served with a light tonic water, garnished with fresh lime and ginger, and can also be enjoyed in a myriad of cocktails. The latest variant joins the original Mr Hobbs Gin and two fruit-flavoured liqueurs: Raspberry & Elderflower and Rhubarb & Ginger.
Premium mixer brand Sekforde has unveiled a brand refresh with a label redesign across its portfolio of four mixers. The new bottle design has a “sleek, minimal and colourful” look, and heroes the flavours and recommended spirit pairing for each mixer, which have been crafted to complement whisky or bourbon, rum, gin or vodka and tequila or mezcal. All Sekforde variants are 100% natural and low in sugar, with each 200ml serve under 36 calories. Bajan rum brand Cockspur is rolling out a new ready-to-drink Rum Punch to the UK’s ontrade and off-trade channels. Modelled on the signature drink of the Caribbean, the liquid blends tropical fruit juices, infused with Cockspur Rum, and can be simply served over ice. Available in both 275ml and 1 litre bottle formats, the Rum Punch is pitched at consumers and bartenders looking for the great taste of a traditional Caribbean punch but who want to skip the preparation. The Cockspur range is distributed in the UK through sales, marketing and distribution agency Craftwork.
