Sunshine On Your Shoulders

Malibu, a Caribbean Rum with coconut liqueur, is adding a splash of sunshine to its family of tropical-flavored rums to welcome the summer. The brand announces the launch of Malibu Sunshine, a new permanent addition that marries the brand’s signature smooth coconut flavor with a hint of sun-kissed lemon-lime citrus fruit.

“Citrus is the most-requested summertime flavor with the lemon-lime combination topping the charts,” said Lisa McCann, brand director of Malibu, Pernod Ricard USA. “Malibu Sunshine ... is a natural compliment to summer cocktails, mixing perfectly with summer fruit juices and lemon-lime sodas to enhance the summer state of mind.”

Malibu is supporting the launch of Sunshine with an aggressive digital and social media marketing plan. Online, a custom-built tab on the Malibu Market Facebook page will build awareness and interest in new Malibu Sunshine and drive consumers to download the Malibu Sun Lens app, a summer fun app that adds a unique Sunshine filter to any photo. Additionally, Malibu is collaborating with famous photographer and filmmaker Cass Bird to create the Malibu Sun Project, a film that tells the story of the sunniest summer. The Sun Project campaign invites consumers to become part of the story by replacing brief sequences of the film with their sundrenched images

Thanks to our friends at NC&B

No Living In A Pineapple

Seagram's Gin announces the introduction of the latest Twisted Gin flavor to join its popular portfolio of flavored gins. Seagram's Pineapple Twisted Gin will launch in retail stores and on-premise accounts in June as summer swings into high gear and adult consumers yearn for tropical-inspired cocktails. Seagram's Pineapple Twisted Gin is the latest product innovation to join Seagram’s Gin Grape Twisted, Raspberry Twisted, Apple Twisted, Lime Twisted and Orange Twisted Gin flavors.

“The introduction of Seagram’s Pineapple Twisted Gin further solidifies Seagram’s position as the true leader and innovator in the flavored gin segment,” says Mara Washington, senior brand manager, Seagram’s, Pernod Ricard USA. “The combination of the sweet, juicy pineapple flavor and the delicious taste of Seagram’s Gin results in a distinct gin that creates uniquely refreshing cocktails and reflects our commitment to providing consumers (LDA+) with new, exciting drinking experiences.”

Seagram’s Gin will host sampling events (where legal) to generate trial in select accounts throughout the country.

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Kran-Tastic

ABSOLUT will be treating consumers to a delicious new flavor this spring with the launch of ABSOLUT Cherrykran. The new vodka from ABSOLUT offers the rich character of sun-ripe cherries, followed by notes of fresh white cranberry and sweet plum. ABSOLUT Cherrykran will be available in bars, nightclubs and retail nationwide beginning May 1.

"ABSOLUT Cherrykran is something brand new in the vodka segment," says Maxime Kouchnir, vice president of marketing for ABSOLUT. "With ABSOLUT Cherrykran, we've created a unique, modern flavor that brings together the richness of cherries, a smooth hint of white cranberries and the sweetness of plum in a sophisticated spirit that's ideal for mixing."

The taste is fresh, fruity and smooth, with notes of ripe berries and natural sweetness. It has a warm feel with a long, slightly sweet finish. ABSOLUT Cherrykran is made with all-natural ingredients and contains no sugar.

The bottle design for ABSOLUT Cherrykran is bright and poetic. "Our goal with the design," says Global Design Director Anna Kamjou, "was to convey richness and beauty, and to evoke the effervescent magic of springtime cherry blossoms."

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Hot and Sticki

This spring, Stolichnaya Premium vodka celebrates 50 years of pioneering the flavored-vodka category by introducing Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki. Remixes on Pertsovka (Pepper) and Okhotnichya (Honey and Herb), the first flavored vodkas ever commercially produced by Stolichnaya in 1962, Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki offer a perfect balance of sweet and heat.

Stoli Hot offers the warm, fiery sensation of jalapeño peppers with significant mouth-heat. It is spicy on the palate yet has a delicate smoky quality. By contrast, Stoli Sticki is inspired by the candied, warm palate of the finest honey and has the added complexity of discernible floral notes that complement the subtle sweetness of its flavor profile.

The brand developed unique packaging for the new flavors with a glistening honeycomb adorning the bottle neck and cap of Stoli Sticki and flames that blaze up the side of Stoli Hot’s bottle neck and cap. On the label, Stoli Sticki features a dipper dripping with golden honey while Stoli Hot has a label illustrated with crimson and deep green jalapeño peppers. In a departure from the tradition of naming flavors after their taste profile, “Hot” and “Sticki” are fun and contemporary riffs that represent the mood of each flavor.

In addition to Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki, the Stolichnaya Flavored Premium vodka portfolio currently includes Chocolat Razberi, White Pomegranik Ohranj, Blueberi, Razberi, Vanil, Citros, Cranberi, Peachik, Strasberi, Gala Applik and Wild Cherri.

Both Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki take a premium cocktail to the next level by adding an exceptional layer of flavor resulting in a truly sophisticated and nuanced drink. The flavors are delicious as a straight shot, combined for a sweet and spicy shooter, or as part of a great cocktail.

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Jager Part 3

Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, the original honey liqueur, has announced the brand’s first line extension. Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon is a blend of premium honey liqueur and Kentucky bourbon whiskey, made with generous amounts of pure honey and all-natural ingredients. Both Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon and Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur differentiate themselves from the growing competition by being made with pure, natural honey and no artificial flavors. Both products are hand-crafted by one of Germany’s oldest family owned companies, Schwarze & Schlichte, with more than 340 years of distilling knowledge and tradition.

The unique blend of Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, made with real natural honey, and Kentucky bourbon results in a balanced sweet bourbon taste with distinct lingering honey notes on the finish. Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon will be available nationwide in April 2012.

The introduction comes just months after Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur unveiled its new packaging. The brand’s new premium look is more contemporary, yet continues to honor and embody Bärenjäger’s unique history and lore. Made in Germany, Bärenjäger is a 70 proof honey liqueur made from neutral grain alcohol and pure premium natural honey. Each liter bottle contains 300 grams of pure honey and boasts a subtly sweet, spicy and herb-edged taste profile. Because of the versatility of the brand and the increasing popularity of honey and flavored liqueurs in cocktails, Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur has grown consistently since 2000 and has more than doubled sales over the last decade.

During the 15th century, the Eastern Prussian bear trap company, Teucke & König, first introduced Bärenjäger which translates to “Bear Hunter.” In an effort to end the struggle between man and bear, this sweet concoction was the first professionally produced Meschkinnes — mead-like moonshine made from honey by beekeepers and farmers — and was formulated to aid hunters attract bears and lure them from their dwellings. The spirit’s recipe was slightly altered in the 18th century and continues to serve as the original honey liqueur enjoyed around the world today.

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A 12 Year Old Winner

Pernod Ricard USA and Irish Distillers, makers of Jameson, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Powers and Paddy Irish Whiskies, are proud to announce Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey has been crowned Whiskey Advocate’s Irish Whiskey of the Year.

Whisky Advocate magazine focuses on whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts. Dominic Roskrow, Whisky Advocate writer and judge commented, “It was the stunning triple whammy of single pot still whiskeys from Pernod Ricard USA/Irish Distillers (Redbreast 12 Year Old, Redbreast 15 Year Old and Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength) that provided the greatest surprise in a generation for the Irish whiskey category. All three were wonderful, but it was the cask strength version of the much-loved 12 year old Redbreast, that carried off the honors.”

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey, which is regarded as the definitive expression of traditional pot still Irish whiskey and remains the only ongoing bottling of an age statement single pot still whiskey available in the U.S. today. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength, bottled at 57.7% ABV, is aged 12 years and non-chill filtered.

Roskrow went on to described Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength as, “A rich, bittersweet plummy, red berry, oaky-spiced delight. The increased strength gives an already great whiskey a richer, fuller, fruitier dimension, and makes an already complex whiskey…even more complex. For me, that makes it not just the best Irish whiskey of this year, but of any. An utter joy.”

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The Kid In All Of Us

A pioneer in the world of flavored vodkas, Van Gogh Vodka is renowned for translating food flavor profiles into vibrant and authentically flavored vodkas. With over 20 exceptional flavors in their portfolio already, Van Gogh Vodka is pleased to announce the introduction of one of their most innovative and unexpected flavors to date: PB&J, which will debut at the end of March.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – known simply as PB&J – are an American classic. Their history traces back to 1890, when peanut butter was invented by a doctor in St. Louis. Looking to provide protein to his patients without teeth, he put peanuts through a meat grinder… and peanut butter was born! The first-known reference to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches was printed in 1901 and PB&J rose to popularity during and after World War II, when peanut butter proved to be healthy, inexpensive and readily available during the turbulent times. Today, PB&J sandwiches are so ubiquitous that the average 25 year-old has already consumed at least 1,500 of them.

PB&J is so popular that it has spawned countless variations. And while the exact origin of the peanut butter and jelly combination remains a mystery, many of the sandwich spin-offs it produced are backed by very famous enthusiasts. Elvis favored a peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich, which is sometimes simply called “The Elvis.”

Now, Van Gogh Vodka is proud to introduce their own take on the classic PB&J, transforming its timeless flavor into a smooth peanut butter and raspberry jelly flavored vodka. Master Distiller Tim Vos selected raspberry-flavored jelly after taste-testing peanut butter sandwiches matched with various jellies.

While the fragrance is predominantly of peanuts, it is complemented by the fresh fruit aroma of the raspberry. On the tongue, the roles are reversed, and the raspberry flavor is more of the focal point, giving it a velvety texture with a hint of vanilla on the side.

Thanks to our friends at NC&B