Release Radar: The first hard juice brand launches in Aus, Westward Whiskey x TWL collab, & more

Westward Whiskey x The Whisky List limited-edition 

Leading American whiskey producer Westward Whiskey has announced a new limited-edition release in collaboration with The Whisky List. The new release, the Westward Whiskey Single Barrel Selection Oloroso Sherry Cask #22-4, will be available exclusively at the upcoming The Whisky Show and The American Whisky Show events in Australia.

Both of these events are now being run by The Whisky List following its acquisition of The Whisky Show in January this year.

“Aussies love a big, sherry monster, so we know this one will be an instant hit with The Whisky Show crowd,” said Oliver Maruda, Co-Founder at The Whisky List.

"We've been big fans of Westward for several years now. This is our second single cask we've selected from their distillery and incredibly excited to be one of the first in the world to bottle an exclusive single barrel of Oloroso Sherry cask from Westward.”

The limited edition release started off with the same American Ale base used across the Westward range. After distillation, it spent significant time aging in heavily toasted and lightly charred new American oak barrels before being transfered to an Oloroso Sherry cask sourced directly from Jerez, Spain. 

The final product is bottled at 55% abv and will retail at $199. Only 332 bottles were made. 

"It was an honour to work alongside the team at The Whisky List again to introduce this special and highly limited bottling,” said Westward Whiskey’s Master Blender Miles Munroe.

“This Oloroso cask influence showcases our commitment to sourcing the finest possible ingredients from unmatched producers around the world while leaning into the incredible aging environment here in our home in the American Northwest. 

“I picked these Oloroso casks because I knew exactly which sherry producer they were coming from, and the quality did not disappoint. We rarely release any sherried single malt, in fact this is only the second time in our history so don't miss this chance." 

Cools is Australia's first hard juice brand

Australia’s first and only hard juice brand Cools has launched in Australia, hoping to capitalise on a category that has been gaining significant momentum in the US market.

Currently, only one Cools product, its Vodka Pineapple, has been launched onto the market. Cools’ Vodka Pineapple is made with real, non-carbonated pineapple juice and vodka without any added sugar or artificial flavours. Its second product, Vodka Cranberry, is expected to be released in the middle of the year. 

Vodka Pineapple is currently being rolled out through Dan Murphy’s, Bottle-O and independent stockists nationwide. 

Baileys and Cadbury join forces for Old Gold special edition

A special release Old Gold chocolate inspired by Baileys is now available in all major supermarkets nationwide. 

The collaboration between the Diageo-owned Irish Cream brand and Cadbury seeks to combine the liqueur’s smoothness with the richness of the dark chocolate. 

“The combination of Baileys and chocolate is just so delicious so I am so excited that adults across Australia will be able to experience the amazing combination of Baileys & Cadbury Old Gold – it is just the most gorgeous indulgent treat,” said Declan Hassett, Senior Licensing Manager at Diageo. 

The collaboration was organised by Asembl, a Melbourne-based brand extension agency owned by the Merchantwise Group. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering Diageo’s Baileys with Mondelēz International’s Cadbury Old Gold for the first time with the creation of the non-alcoholic Cadbury Old Gold inspired by Baileys chocolate block,” said Asembl Managing Director Justin Watson.

“From the moment we all came together we knew that we had created a chocolate that was truly bold in every bite and one that combined the dark chocolate flavour Old Gold is known for with the unmistakable lip-smackingly delicious taste of Baileys that is loved by adults all over Australia.” 

Cadbury Old Gold inspired by Baileys is available in Coles, Woolworths, BIG W and independent supermarkets nationally at an RRP of $6.

23rd Street reveal new whisky and RTD range

Also recently launched is 23rd Street’s new whisky and RTD range, a collection that hopes to further assert the brand’s presence on the global whisky market. 

The 23rd Street Australian Whisky has been made using a blend of premium Australian barley malts selected to impart a diverse mix of fruit, spice and caramel notes. After fermentation, the whisky wash underwent distillation in two historic copper pot stills prior to being matured in charred ex-Bourbon American oak and a small number of richly seasoned Tawny barrels for a minimum of two years. 

The final result, which continues on from previous successes such as its Batch No. 1 Australian Single Malt Whisky and its Australian Single Malt Whisky, reveals aromas of citrus, orange blossom, and caramelised fruit before a palate of sweet oils, biscuity malt, dark chocolate and toffee. 

Also forming part of the new whisky range is the Australian Whisky & Cola 5% and the Australian Whisky & Cola 8%, which blends the 23rd Street Australian Whisky with classically refreshing cola in a 375ml can format. 

The 23rd Street Australian Whisky is currently available at an RRP of $80 per 700ml. The Whisky & Cola RTDs are also available now at $27 per 4-pack for the 5% and $33 per 4-pack for the 8%. 

More information can be found here.