Nikka Nine Decades
In celebration of its 90th anniversary year, Nikka Whisky has unveiled Nine Decades, a blended whisky made with whiskies from each of the past nine decades. This includes more than 50 components from six Nikka-owned distilleries, with the oldest parcel in the blend a 1945 single malt whisky from the original Yoichi distillery.
“The Nikka Nine Decades showcases the artful blending that Nikka has pioneered over our 90 year history, and it delivers that journey to the consumer,” said Marcus Parmenter, Brand Ambassador.
“Through this whisky you can see all the way from our humble beginnings to our exciting present and get lost in the stories that we’ve made along the way.”
In addition to its blend of whiskies of different age statements, Nikka Nine Decades also features whiskies made from malted barley, coffey grain, coffey malt, unmalted barley, corn and rye.
Out of the 4,000 bottles made available globally, less than 100 bottles have been allocated to the Australian market, each retailing for around $3,500.
To learn more, read this Drinks Trade article.
Swift + Moore expands portfolio
Swift + Moore has announced two further portfolio additions in the form of Cargo Cult Rum and 1883 syrups and purées. The expansion follows on from the acquisition of Shortcross Irish Whiskey and ClearMind non-alcoholic wines and aperitifs over the past year, and has been underpinned by the distributor’s new in-house warehouse.
“These new additions to our inventory come at a pivotal point in Swift + Moore’s development,” said Michael McShane, CEO.
“We recently responded to a tougher than usual liquor climate, by reinventing ourselves. Now we have our own warehouse in-house, making it quicker and easier to dispatch products.”
The first new portfolio addition, Cargo Cult Rum, is produced in the South Pacific Islands of Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Included in the Australian portfolio are three SKUs: Cargo Cult Navy Strength, Cargo Cult Dry Spiced Rum, and Cargo Cult Bana Spiced Rum.
Additionally, Swift + Moore has also added French syrup and purée brand 1883 to its portfolio.
Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée launches in Australia
Pernod Ricard has announced the addition of Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée to its Australian Mumm Terroirs collection, which now includes Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs, Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige, Mumm Central Otago Pinot Noir and Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige. A blend of 49% Pinot Noir, 46% Chardonnay, and small amounts of Pinot Gris and Pinot Meunier, Mumm Napa is fermented in stainless steel tanks and left for an average of 24 months on lees prior to bottling with a 10.2g/L dosage.
“We’ve seen the remarkable growth of super premium sparklings from the new world in the last few years,” said Kristy Rutherford, Marketing Director.
“Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige reached shelves in 2020, followed by the popular launch of Mumm Tasmania in 2022, and more recently the expansion into Central Otago with the Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs and Mumm Central Otago Pinot Noir.”
Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée is available now across Coles Liquor retail outlets and select independent liquor stores at an RRP of $45.
Grey Goose Altius launches in Australia
Bacardi-Martini Australia has launched its latest vodka into the Australian market, the GREY GOOSE Altius. Drawing inspiration from the French Alps, the limited edition release was made using Alpine Spring water and winter wheat from Picardie. This was then filtered at -24°C.
Every bottle of GREY GOOSE Altius is then hand-bottled and individually numbered.
“As the quintessential French vodka, it was an obvious choice for us to draw inspiration for our next great innovation from one of the most admired earthly wonders in the country,” said Francois Thibault, Master Distiller.
“For Altius, we worked to develop a liquid with processes reminiscent of the rare phenomena that naturally occurs at the high-altitude temperatures in the Alps to bottle the glacial smoothness that the mountains are admired for.”
To begin with, GREY GOOSE Altius has been launched into Australia’s on-premise, with pricing determined at the discretion of the venue.
Tasted: Tiffon V.45 Petite Champagne Cognac
Today at 7pm, Melbourne-based independent bottler Old Master Spirits will reveal the 24 winners from the ballot of its latest brandy bottling, the Tiffon Vintage V.45 Petite Champagne Cognac. Made from 100% Ugni Blanc grapes harvested in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, V.45 was left to age in French oak casks for over 60 years before being transferred to glass demijohn.
Following this, Tiffon V.45 Petite Champagne Cognac was bottled last year without filtration and at a natural cask strength of 45.2% abv.
“Natural state: that means it's come straight from the cask into the bottle,” said Deni Kay, Co-Founder of Old Master Spirits.
“There's been no filtration, no sugar added to it, no water added to it, or anything along those lines.”
Drinks Trade had the chance to sample the release prior to tomorrow’s launch:
Nose: “Fresh tropical fruits, glazed cherry ,loads of florals, and toasty spice. All about the aromatics, with a unique balance between fresh, floral, and oak.”
Palate: “Rich, viscous mouthfeel, with supportive assertive tannins balanced by a gentle fruit sweetness. Full bodied and with so many layers, that flitter between fruits and richer, denser oak notes.”
Finish: “Lasts forever. Vibrant fresh vanilla pods bloom at start, lead to creamy stone fruit, toasted oak, and kitchen spice.”
V.45 Petite Champagne Cognac will sell for $1299, with the 24 winners chosen out of a public ballot.
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