In celebration of St George’s Day, Cotswolds Distillery has launched a 55.2% single malt whisky aged in Pineau de Charentes casks, its second Heart and Crafts expression.

The Fabulous Thai Rum Company has been created by Carl Stephenson, founder of The Bloomsbury Club, and will be distributed via Craftwork and specialist drinks wholesaler, Champers – which will distribute to the London-based on-trade. All of our brews begin their journey in bars, and then are brought online when we feel that we’ve received a seal of approval from our customers who drink them and the bar teams who help create them. I was blown away by its delicate anise quality which paired so beautifully with classic Mexican flavours of lime, chili and coriander and was determined to recreate this in gin form. Another key factor in our launch is the fact that the RTD (ready-to-drink) market is truly taking off in the UK and presents an important opportunity for our brand. Pink gin Pinkster has entered the burgeoning spritz market with the launch of Pinkster Spritz, a lower-abv spirit drink.

The game, she has been elevated.

For the cider fans out there, this isn't the only new invention by Kopparberg to launch this month. The brand have brought out the new Mixed Fruit Tropical Cider which is available now, and in a limited-edition design too. Available from April 2021, Caleño’s original Light & Zesty non-alcoholic spirit will be available in cans ready mixed with a naturally light tonic. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get this up and running over the past few months, so we’re really excited to be finally launching our Cold Town craft lager in cans, so fans of our brewery can enjoy a cold one in the comfort of their own home,” head brewer Ed Evans said. Bermondsey-based Fourpure Brewing Co. has unveiled a rebrand in a bid to simplify its range of beers and make its pours less daunting to craft curious consumers. New Kopparberg Flavoured Vodka offers a bold burst of fruit flavour and colour in a way that only Kopparberg can, resulting in a drink that’s perfect for those moments with mates as the sun goes down and there’s a ripple of excited energy in the air.”

Rob Salvesen, Head of Marketing at Kopparberg, comments: “No one does flavour like we do and we weren’t content with the bland and subtly flavoured options currently available on the market. Edinburgh-based Cold Town Brewery has created a 4% ABV flagship craft lager, initially available in Woodwinters in Bridge of Allan and Edinburgh and the Cave in Glasgow as well as the brewer’s online shop and eight Margiotta Food & Wine stores across Scotland’s capital. Pineau de Charentes is a little-known regional specialty of the Charentes Maritime region of France – north of Bordeaux and encompassing the Cognac-producing region. It is made from fresh grape juice, which is blended with Cognac and left to age in oak barrels. It’s no secret that growth in the UK craft beer market has started to slow and the reason is quite simple, it’s not very accessible. Avocado leaf brings subtle notes of anise and liquorice which blend with a mix of classic and Mexican-inspired botanicals including epazote, chipotle chili, lime peel, Mexican oregano and coriander.Cold Town Beer was first launched in 2018 and named in honour of Calton Hill Brewery in Edinburgh, which claims to be the first in Britain to brew lager in 1835. More than 20 different beers have been brewed by Cold Town Brewery to date, including pale ales, IPA’s, pilsner, saison and berliner-weisse sour beers. I first started drinking Pineau on a trip to the beautiful Atlantic island of Isle de Ré, just off the cost of La Rochelle, in 1994 and I’ve always had a soft spot for it,” Daniel Szor, Cotswolds Distillery founder, said. “Hence the excitement at the idea of aging our Cotswolds single malt spirit in these casks.” The Fabulous Thai Rum Company has landed in the UK with an initial range of three 28% ABV rum liqueurs comprising Lychee, Kiwi & Thai Basil; Ginger, Lemongrass & Kaffir Lime; and Pisang Banana, Cinnamon & Nutmeg.