Kingfisher Drinks, the world alcoholic beverage company, has announced the launch of Kingfisher Ultra, a super-premium world beer with an ABV of five per cent, which is now available for convenience retailers to stock.
Kingfisher Ultra was launched in India fifteen years ago and is now one of India’s fastest-growing beer brands with a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent between 2021-2023. Crafted with only the finest hand-picked malts, resulting in a strong but balanced profile, Ultra is brewed with a six-step filtration process and no additives, giving the liquid a beautiful natural golden hue. The distinct and stylish clear glass bottle and unique pull-crown lid cement the premium look and feel.
Consumers are generally drinking less but better these days, so Ultra responds to that need perfectly. In India, the brand has built its reputation on tapping into premium associations, such as sponsoring premium festivals like the Sunburn festival in Goa, as well as fashion shows and other top end events which typically attract more affluent consumers who appreciate the finer things in life and are willing to spend more.
“We are delighted to introduce Kingfisher Ultra to the UK market," said Andy Sunnucks, Senior Brand Manager. "Those who have been lucky enough to try it in India will know that it is the gold standard! In fact, since launching in its home market back in 2009, Kingfisher Ultra has taken India by storm, becoming a bedrock of premium occasions, so we’re excited to confirm that it’s now the UK’s turn! Imported directly from India, Ultra really hits the spot with its light crisp taste and smooth finish and is the perfect addition to our growing Kingfisher portfolio. A year ago, we introduced Kingfisher Zero into the no and low category, so along with the original Kingfisher Premium, Kingfisher Ultra will complete our offer which now suits a wide range of consumer tastes.”
Mangrove Global welcomes a range of Spanish spirits to its award-winning portfolio, as it takes on the UK distribution for Spanish spirits group, Osborne. Mangrove will add four brandies to its range along with a gin*.
Osborne, which is based in El Puerto de Santa Maria in the Cádiz region of Spain, represents the best of Spanish produce, including its stellar collection of Spanish spirits. Mangrove will take on the distribution of all spirits available in the UK, building on the foundations already completed by previous distributor.
“We’re committed to building a well-rounded and world-class portfolio of independent spirits – and welcoming outstanding Spanish brandies and Osborne’s unique Atlantic gin into the portfolio is a great moment for us," said Nick Gillett, Managing Director of Mangrove Global.
“Our portfolio features high-quality liquids that satisfy the discerning consumer and have a great back story too – Osborne’s collection of spirits fits the bill perfectly.”
Mangrove will distribute a selection of the award-winning Carlos 1 series of brandies, which are produced via traditional Spanish distilling techniques, using high quality grapes from the region, and aged in the unique climate of South-western Spain in their highly appreciated very old sherry casks. The range offers something luxurious and sippable at every price point, with each spirit showcasing the mastery of Spanish distilling.
As well as the Carlos 1 series, Mangrove will distribute Veterano Solera Reserva, an exceptional brandy for those who like a brandy-based old-fashioned as much as a sipping spirit. And into a different category, Mangrove will also distribute Nordes Atlantic Galician Gin - which brings UK drinkers a refreshing and somewhat Spanish twist on our beloved spirit.
“This agreement is part of the company's international development, which plans to build Osborne brands in our strategic markets," said said Maarten Van Dam, Western Europe Area Director at Osborne. "We are very satisfied and excited, since we share many values with Mangrove, and we will be able to bring to the UK market a selection of our spirit´s portfolio and continue advancing in our purpose of being ambassadors of the best Spanish gastronomy."
In 1772, James Duff and Jean Haurie, two of the biggest names in the history of sherry, founded a company which Thomas Osborne Mann would later join as a partner. A distinguished merchant and winemaker, he grew and developed the business, a task continued by his widower Aurora Böhl de Faber y Ruiz de Larrea and gain sole ownership in 1857.
Today, 250 years later, Osborne continues to be a family saga and business venture guided by a vision: to be a leading international ambassador of Spanish food and beverages.
* Mangrove takes on distribution for the following spirits: Carlos I Gran Reserva – an aromatic brandy that’s great for mixing; Carlos 1 Gran Reserva Pedro Ximenez – a chewy brandy with notes of caramelised oak and black liquorice; Carlos I Imperial Gran Reserva XO – a mahogany coloured brandy that’s silky with nutty flavours; Veterano Solera Reserva – a brandy with a deliciously unique flavour that’s ideal in an old-fashioned, and the drinkable Nordes Atlantic Galician Gin with its delicious notes of fruits, white flowers, and herbs.
Hot on the heels of the launch of Mud House Sauvignon Blanc in Mini Box format, Accolade Wines is continuing to diversify and is expanding its mini-boxed wine portfolio with the addition of fan-favourite wine: Jam Shed Shiraz – guaranteed to stay fresh for up to six weeks.
Known for its rich, bold and jammy flavour profile, the Jam Shed Shiraz Mini Box is widely available across grocery and retail channels. A key benefit of boxed wine is that its freshness and quality is preserved for up to six weeks after opening, so consumers can savour the wine at their own pace or share with friends over multiple occasions. Delivering a 26 per cent overall size reduction and a 13.6 per cent cardboard by weight reduction compared to Accolade’s previous 1.5L format, this innovation sets a new standard across the category, proving it’s possible to prioritise convenience and sustainability, without compromising on taste.
The Jam Shed Shiraz Mini Box features similar functional, clear messaging that educates and engages consumers at the point of sale, such as on-pack distinct flavour cues, designed to enhance brand recognition and make it easier for shoppers to navigate. Whilst, retailers can benefit from enhanced efficiency, with the design allowing for 12.7 per cent more wine per pallet compared to Accolade’s previous 1.5L boxes.
The launch comes off the back of new research conducted by Accolade Wines, that has explored consumer’s evolving attitudes towards alternative wine packaging. The research identifies significant barriers to broader adoption, including the generational divide in the acceptance and preference for alternative wine packaging. The research also highlights the need for innovation in boxed wine design and messaging.
“With the festive season just around the corner, the launch of the Jam Shed Shiraz Mini Box couldn’t be timelier," said Lucy Ramsay, Head of Portfolio, Innovation and Sustainability - Europe, at Accolade Wines, "It’s ideal for social, holiday gatherings, making it easy to share a delicious, quality wine with friends and family. Plus, its guaranteed freshness for up to six weeks after opening means that consumers can savour the taste of Christmas long after the festivities have ended.
“There’s still a big job to be done in terms of educating consumers about the benefits of alternative wine packaging and breaking down long-standing stigma, but Accolade Wines is entirely committed to driving this change through the launch of our new Mini Boxes, including Jam Shed and the recently launched Mud House Sauvignon Blanc”.
A complaint against a Jam Shed wine point of sale display has not been upheld by the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel (ICP).
The complaint, made by a member of the public, raised concerns that the display, which featured the marketing slogan “wine for drinking, not overthinking”, may encourage irresponsible and immoderate consumption.
The Panel considered whether the point-of-sale material could encourage irresponsible or immoderate consumption, under Code rule 3.2(f) as raised by the complainant.
The Panel discussed that "overthinking" was generally perceived to have negative connotations and expressed concern that the line "wine for drinking, not overthinking" in isolation, could be misconstrued as encouragement to drink without due care and attention. However, the Panel stated that it was important to consider the line in the context of the overall impression conveyed by the marketing.
The Panel considered Jam Shed more broadly and acknowledged the company’s response that it was a well-known brand marketed on being a simple and easy choice for consumers who may find the perceived complexity of the wine category intimidating. The Panel also noted that there was nothing else on the marketing material that suggested that a consumer should drink irresponsibly or immoderately.
The Panel considered that the brand identity provided a certain level of context to the intended meaning of the line but that there was an element of ambiguity which could have been made clearer as to the intended meaning of ‘overthinking’. On this point, the Panel warned producers that where marketing was ambiguous it could lead to an unintentional breach of the Code.
After much deliberation, the Panel concluded that while the wording was very close to the line of acceptability, the marketing material did not encourage immoderate or irresponsible consumption. Accordingly, the Panel did not find the point of sale material in breach of Code rule 3.2(f).
The Panel also considered whether the point of sale material urged a rapid or ‘down in one’ style of consumption, in breach of Code rule 3.2(g). The Panel assessed the rest of the marketing material and considered that it did not contain any cues which suggested a consumer should drink rapidly or encouraged a ‘down in one’ style of consumption. On that basis, the Panel concluded that the material did not breach Code rule 3.2(g) and accordingly did not uphold the complaint.
On being notified about the complaint, the company voluntarily removed the display and confirmed it would not use the phrase in future campaigns.
“While the Panel didn’t uphold the complaint in this instance, they still considered the wording of the point-of-sale display very close to the line of acceptability," said Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel, Rachel Childs. "It’s important for producers to be aware that ambiguous marketing could lead to unintentional breaches of the Code and I am grateful to the producer in this case for removing the campaign voluntarily which demonstrates their commitment to responsible marketing.”
Diablo, the producer of disobediently good wines, has inked a partnership with new musical The Devil Wears Prada, which makes its UK debut in London this month.
Diablo (which means "devil" in Spanish) will feature on programmes, and competitions will be run to award tickets for the shows, which run until 31 May 2025. Diablo wines will also be poured at Elton John’s Opening Night Gala at the British Museum in London on 1 December, where a bespoke "Diablo" bar will be built.
The Devil Wears Prada Musical is a new stage adaptation of the popular 2006 film, itself based on Lauren Weisberger's novel.
The Diablo wine brand, first launched in 2018, is growing at a phenomenal rate in the UK, +33.4 per cent by value in the past 52 weeks. It has successfully introduced new wines into its portfolio, with the original Diablo Dark Red being joined by Chardonnay, and most recently Purple Malbec, Volcanic Cab and Deep Carmenere, all listed in major multiple grocers.
Diablo is attracting a distinctive younger and more affluent shopper (45 per cent of its shoppers are under 45 versus 14 per cent of shoppers across total still wine).
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the brand," said Javiera Moller, Senior Brand Manager at Concha y Toro UK. "The Devil Wears Prada is an iconic and much-loved story, now brought to life on the London stage with a star cast and a great score by Elton John, and the 'devil' connection makes it a perfect partner for our brand.
“Our audience are disruptive, intelligent, stylish and early adopters of brands and trends. This partnership gives us the chance to activate with our target consumers, and build the profile of an already-thriving wine brand.”
From its initial launch in 2018 with Diablo Dark Red blend, the brand now has six wines in multiple retail distribution in the UK:
Diablo Dark Red
Diablo Volcanic Cabernet Sauvignon
Diablo Purple Malbec
Diablo Deep Carmenere
Diablo Golden Chardonnay
Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc
The brand has grown from £2 million in retail sales value in the UK less than five years ago to be worth over £20 million today (RSV).
ADRIATICO is once again disrupting the amaretto category by expanding its portfolio, this time in the world of rum. ADRIATICO Amaretto today announces the launch of ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto Planteray Rum Cask, a new limited edition amaretto made up of only 2,600 bottles, in collaboration with the prestigious rum producer.
This is the fourth limited edition ADRIATICO Amaretto release following the successful Heaven Hill Bourbon Cask, Caroni Rum Cask and Bonollo Grappa Cask expressions. The new limited edition expression ages ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto for eight months in ex-Planteray Fijian Rum casks, creating an intense amaretto with nuances of classic rum flavours.
As part of the collaboration, Maison Ferrand, producers of Planteray Rum, have also used ADRIATICO Amaretto casks to age their Barbados Single Cask Rum from 2017. This will be the first time that a rum has been matured in an ex-amaretto cask and approximately 1,500 bottles will be released.
“It was essential to have a very intense rum to complement the intensity of the amaretto,” said Fannie Thibaud, Head of Creation and Experimentation at Maison Ferrand. “Amaretto is quite sweet, so we needed a rum that was more tannic and structured to achieve a nicely balanced palate. Additionally, the almond and sweet orange notes pair perfectly with the coffee and toasted flavours of the Fiji rum, with slightly animalistic notes that further enhance the marriage of these spirits.”
Jean-Robert Bellanger, Co-Founder of ADRIATICO Amaretto, says: “We are thrilled to collaborate with such a famous rum producer for our fourth limited edition expression. Planteray is a leader in the rum category, producing original blends and single-cask rums from around the world. We found that the Planteray Fijian Rum Casks enhanced ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto beautifully. We decided to trade our ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto casks with the founder of Planteray, Alexandre Gabriel, so that he could age his Barbados Single Cask Rum in our Amaretto casks and so that we could use his rum casks to age our Amaretto, creating a fantastic limited edition rum and amaretto. The result is a cosy amaretto with hints of spices and strength.”