Tácnbora Cognac Cask Finish
Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon museum and distillery in Wooler, Northumberland, has released a new small-batch expression of its signature whisky: Tácnbora Limited Edition – Cognac Cask Finish. Launching 14 June 2025, it marks the latest in the distillery’s limited releases ahead of its first Northumbrian single malt, due in 2026. Blended from selected Scottish and Irish whiskies and matured in Northumberland, this edition spent six months finishing in ex-Cognac oak casks, adding dried fruit, spice and depth to the original’s honeyed profile. Bottled at cask strength (58.6% ABV), non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, it offers aromas of raisin, sandalwood and sweet tobacco, with flavours of fudge, apricot and warming spice, finishing with gorse flower and cut wood. Just six casks have been bottled, yielding around 1,800–2,000 bottles. First access goes to members of Ad Gefrin’s Corenkyn and Corengyst communities. The release follows the sold-out Tácnbora Peated Islay Cask from 2023, and runs alongside the ongoing Corenkyn Blends series—highlighting the distillery’s growing reputation for carefully crafted, cask-finished blends rooted in Northumbrian tradition.
Picoso premium spicy soda
New drinks brand Picoso has launched in the UK with a bold offering: a premium spicy soda designed for both drinkers and non-drinkers. Inspired by Mexico and named after the Spanish word for ‘spicy’, Picoso aims to liven up the soft drink and mixer categories with two launch flavours—Zesty Lime (with UK-grown scotch bonnet) and Tropical Mango (cut with Mexican habanero). Made with natural agave, low in sugar, and free from artificial sweeteners, each 250ml can is also infused with electrolytes ‘for natural hydration’. Picoso is the creation of Tish Carless and Tom Bowerman-Wake, who wanted to create an inclusive, flavour-forward drink that delivers whether served on its own or with spirits.
Champagne Abelé 1757 appoints Hallgarten & Novum Wines as UK importer
Champagne Abelé 1757 has named Hallgarten & Novum Wines as its exclusive UK distributor, marking the historic Champagne House’s first entry into the UK market. Previously served aboard the RMS Titanic, Abelé 1757 is Champagne’s fifth-oldest House, producing cuvées in small quantities with a focus on craftsmanship and extended ageing. The UK launch includes a concise range: NV Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, and prestige cuvées Le Sourire de Reims Brut and Rosé. These will target independent wine shops, high-end hospitality, and fine dining venues. Founded in 1933, Hallgarten & Novum is one of the UK’s leading specialist wine importers, supplying premium wines to over 2,000 accounts across the on- and off-trade sectors. Teh company has also recently been appointed exclusive UK distributor for Champagne Gosset. Known for its complex, expressive cuvées and traditional winemaking, Gosset joins Hallgarten’s growing premium portfolio. The partnership will see Gosset’s full range—including Grande Réserve, Grand Rosé, and Celebris vintages—distributed across the UK hospitality, retail, and private client sectors.
Black Tot Rum Master Blender’s Reserve 2025
Black Tot Rum has unveiled the 2025 edition of its Master Blender’s Reserve, a limited release of 3,000 bottles. Each annual edition includes a “perpetual blend” – rum held back from previous releases – and this year’s core is aged Guyanese rum, complemented by expressions from Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. Notably, it includes a cask from the closed Caroni distillery and a portion of the original Black Tot 50th Anniversary rum, matured further in sherry casks. The 2025 blend continues the tradition of transparency around sourcing and is bottled at navy strength (54.5% ABV). Master Blender Oliver Chilton calls it a nod to the history of Royal Navy rum, with evolving complexity in every release.
Christopher’s Premium Cordials
A premium range of cordials designed as a very British alternative to alcoholic drinks has been created by Tom Parker Bowles and Jolyon Fenwick. Christopher’s Premium Cordials is a three-strong range of small-batch blends made with 64% pure juice, botanicals certified by Kew Gardens, and a small amount of organic cane sugar and is described by the duo as ‘a quiet rebellion against the sugary and uninspired non-alcoholic options on the market’. The trio comprises blackcurrant and blueberry; gooseberry and lime; and Sicilian lemon and redcurrant flavours and are said to honour the restorative nature of cordials, which were originally conceived as medicines (their name derives from ‘cor’, the latin word for heart). Writing on their website the pair say: “We wanted our cordials to be a full-throated celebration of this quintessentially English classic. No concentrates, no nefarious nasties. Just pure fruit juice, a judicious measure of organic cane sugar (no sickly sweetness here) and carefully-chosen, organic botanicals. Water has never had it so good.” The cordials come in 350m glass bottles priced at £11.50 each and are available separately or in boxes, including an 18-bottle ‘pick your own’ selection box.
Lavazza and Lamborghini espresso
Lavazza and Automobili Lamborghini have joined forces to launch an exclusive coffee blend for the UK, that ‘unites two iconic Italian brands known for craftsmanship and innovation’. The Espresso for Automobili Lamborghini blend is a bold, dark roast designed to reflect the power and precision of Lamborghini’s supercars and ‘the refined expertise of Lavazza’s coffee artistry’. The blend is said to offer intense aromas and a rich, full-bodied flavour. The launch follows Lavazza’s appointment as Lamborghini’s exclusive coffee partner in 2024. Lavazza is now served at Lamborghini events and the brand’s museum in Bologna, northern Italy.
Eight Lands spirts
Scottish organic spirits producer Eight Lands is expanding internationally, signing new distribution agreements in the US, China, Vietnam, and Singapore. The Speyside-based distillery has partnered with Stefano Selections to launch its Organic Speyside Gin and Vodka in Washington DC and Maryland, alongside key distributors in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. Online availability has also increased across multiple US states via Potomac Wines. The brand enters China through Shanghai Society, with its official launch at Chengdu’s Sugar and Liquor Fair and a showcase in Hangzhou. In Vietnam and Singapore, Eight Lands will be distributed by LalaWine, part of the LLMH Group. This growth follows notable industry recognition: Eight Lands Organic Gin won ‘Best of Class’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and its Vodka received a Gold medal. The brand is already established in Japan and Macau, stocked by venues such as the W Hotel and St. Regis. Founded in 2019 by Alasdair Locke and Alex Christou, Eight Lands produces small-batch spirits at Glenrinnes Distillery using organic methods and pure spring water from Ben Rinnes. With further launches planned across Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, the brand continues to scale sustainably while staying rooted in family values.
Vocation Brewery Hilltop Lager
Vocation Brewery has introduced a new draught beer, Hilltop Lager, to the UK on-trade. The 4.3% ABV lager is available in 30L and 50L kegs through selected regional and national wholesalers. The product is also available in cans. Based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, the brewery says the lager is inspired by its hilltop location, where it was founded in a former chicken shed 1,000 feet above sea level. Hilltop Lager marks a move by the brewery to expand its presence in the lager market. The launch includes branded glassware for pubs and bars. Vocation Brewery, established in 2015, produces over 10 million pints annually and distributes its beers across the UK and internationally.
Witchmark Distillery earns B Corp status
Newly opened on Wiltshire’s historic Fonthill Estate, Witchmark Distillery has become the highest-scoring B Corp-certified distillery in England, achieving 124.4 points. Witchmark says this milestone highlights its commitment to sustainability, from regenerative farming and solar energy to circular waste systems and low-impact packaging. While its English whisky matures for release in 2027, Witchmark is gaining attention with its own grain-to-glass vodka and a trio of small-batch gins: the award-winning Black Lime Gin, floral Wiltshire Gin, and classic London Dry. Its Single Origin Vodka also recently won Gold at the 2025 World Drinks Awards. Witchmark spirits are now stocked by major hospitality venues across the UK.
Searcys English sparkling wine
Searcys has announced the launch of Pump Room Classic Cuvée, a new English sparkling wine created in partnership with Greyfriars Vineyard. The vintage will be available from 21 June at The Pump Room in Bath and online, coinciding with English Wine Week. The wine features notes of pear, orchard fruits, and a pastry finish, developed through extended lees ageing. It will be served alongside the Jane Austen Afternoon Tea, marking the 250th anniversary of the author’s birth. The collaboration continues Searcys’ focus on English wines, following its initial release with Greyfriars - which is near the Surrey town of Guildford - in 2022.
REAL relaunches its alcohol-free premium range
Buckinghamshire-based alcohol-free drinks producer REAL has relaunched its Premium range with updated formulations and new packaging. The relaunch includes the introduction of grape skin to its fermentation process, enhancing the complexity of its beverages. The range features three products: REAL Sec, made from First Flush Darjeeling tea; REAL Dry, combining Dragonwell green tea and grape skin; and REAL Blush, a blend of White Peony tea and red grape skin. Each drink is designed to offer a wine-like experience without alcohol. The relaunch also includes redesigned labels for bottles and cans, featuring bold brushstroke visuals. REAL’s Premium range is available through selected hospitality venues, direct-to-consumer channels, and retail partners. Founded in 2017, REAL produces its drinks at a dedicated facility on the Waddesdon Estate in Buckinghamshire, using fermentation techniques developed specifically for alcohol-free production.