Johnnie Walker Princes Street's Spirit Tourism Experience has created a brand-new, limited-edition experience harnessing cutting-edge, purpose-built AI-technology. The Johnnie Walker x Scott Naismith experience, provides visitors with a chance to co-design their very own unique bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Only available at the Edinburgh venue, the experience is set to run from August 1-31 2024, and is believed to be the first ever to combine world-class Scotch whisky, art, and AI.
The journey will invite visitors to shape their co-creation by answering simple prompts that will influence key themes in Scott Naismith’s work and ultimately their bottle design. Guests will answer up to three questions across four categories influencing the specially developed AI’s generation of colour, location, artistic style and even time of day. This will then determine the eventual look of their one-of-a-kind bottle, which is then processed in real time, colour-managed and printed in minutes using cutting-edge digital direct-to-shape print technology.
The Johnnie Walker x Scott Naismith experience will be available for a limited time, and guests will be able to access it with every purchase of Johnnie Walker Blue Label in the venue’s retail store throughout August.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street keeps pushing boldly into the future of whisky experiences. Opening its doors in 2021, the highly anticipated attraction quickly became known for utilising modern technology to carve pathways for guests into whisky flavours and sharing the fascinating history of Johnnie Walker through immersive tours and tastings.
Most notably, its signature Journey of Flavour experience has successfully used innovative AI technology to map out flavour preferences for visitors based on their specific palates, helping whisky lovers and novices alike explore the versatility of Scotland’s national drink.
Scott Naismith
The bottle design element can be complimented at no extra charge by a bookable expert-led tasting of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, as well as a guided tasting of the incredibly special limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label ‘Elusive Umami’, in the rooftop Explorers’ Bothy bar. In addition to stunning views, the tasting will offer guests an up-close look at some of Scott’s previous work, which was created for Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s opening.
Naismith’s striking artwork includes the stunning Scottish landscapes surrounding the four key distilleries which contribute to the world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand1; Cardhu in Speyside, Clynelish in the Highlands, Glenkinchie in the Lowlands and Caol Ila on Islay. The Johnnie Walker brand has well established connections with the artistic community itself, through partnerships with the likes of James Jean and graphic designer Kushiaania.
Working closely with Johnnie Walker Princes Street and Diageo’s Breakthrough Innovation team in partnership with full service Creative & Technology agency, Phantom, Scott Naismith is excited to be at the forefront of such a pioneering take on art and whisky.
He said: “‘I believe creativity takes courage and boldness in risk taking. The project at Johnnie Walker Princes Street shows this throughout and as a consequence has been an honour to be a part of. With a brave exploration into the cutting-edge world of AI, this latest project is bound to surprise and impress in equal measure. I am excited to be part of it and am again impressed at the continued creative vision from the team at Johnnie Walker.”
“Since opening, Johnnie Walker Princes Street has striven to become a leader in using the power of AI to personalise guests’ experiences," said Rob Maxwell, Head of Johnnie Walker Princes Street. "Johnnie Walker x Scott Naismith is an exciting new step in our commitment to offering those with various tastes and interests something completely different to what’s available in the whisky experience market. This partnership is a true one-of-a-kind, and we can’t wait to see the designs our guests will print on their bottles.”
Will Harvey, Senior Global Innovation Manager at Diageo, added: “This is the first pilot in a wider platform that the Breakthrough Innovation team is exploring, looking at how we can use AI responsibly to enable co-collaboration between fans and artists. Demand for personalisation shows no signs of slowing down, so we’re delighted to offer the chance to create one-of-a-kind AI-enabled designs with Scott. With Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s previous experience of using AI to enhance customer experiences, it’s the perfect place for us to launch this innovative offer to the world.”
Leading Prague beer Staropramen has launched a new 10x440ml can ‘Fridge Pack’ in response to rising demand for multi-pack can formats in the world beer category.
The packs will launch in stores nationwide from Monday, 17 March, with the most recent data showing that 30 per cent of shoppers who purchase multi-packs in the world lager category exclusively buy can formats.
The new cans are encased in a new recyclable cardboard sleeve and include an easy-to-carry handle and quick tear-open fold.
The launch will be supported by a new marketing campaign including in-store POS, digital assets and a paid social media programme.
Each 440ml can and outer sleeve will include a scannable QR code, giving consumers access to exclusive Staropramen content as well as the brands website where they can learn more about Staropramen’s heritage and brewing process.
“Shoppers want a pack format that works for them. Adding a mid-size pack to our range enables retailers to provide more choice, making sure their world lager offering has the formats to suit all shopping habits,” Bethan Roberts, assistant brand manager at Staropramen, said.
“Every pack comes with a scannable QR code to give customers access to exclusive Staropramen content and promotions, as well as an insight into the brands heritage and brewing processes.”
Boost Drinks has announced the exciting introduction of limited edition NPD in both its Energy and Sport ranges; Blue Raspberry Energy and Cloudy Lemonade Sport.
ENERGY Leveraging its position as the third largest brand in Energy Stimulation, growing +15 per cent in value vs. two years ago, Boost’s new Blue Raspberry limited edition is bringing excitement and incremental sales to the 250ml market.
The latest launch aligns with growing demand from consumers for new flavours. 40 per cent of consumers are looking for new flavours within energy, and Blue Raspberry is an established and visually appealing flavour profile that appeals to both Millennial and Gen Z demographics, through nostalgia and modern relevance.
With 90 per cent of consumers that have tried Boost’s Blue Raspberry Energy ‘’loving’’ the flavour, this exciting NPD drop offers huge opportunities for retailers to boost their sales and draw more shoppers to the sector.
SPORT
Sports is a category in which flavours drive excitement and growth, contributing £9m last year. As the number two brand in Sports Drinks and growing +70 per cent in value vs. two years ago, Boost has seen huge success with limited edition releases, with Raspberry & Mango in 2023 and Watermelon & Lime in 2024 both driving demand and increasing incremental sales in the category.
Boost Cloudy Lemonade Sport taps into the popular citrus flavour profile with a tasty twist. Cloudy lemonade flavour profiles have been growing in popularity in recent years with trends relating to authenticity and craft becoming more prevalent in soft drinks, and Boost is now offering retailers the chance to cash in on this with an exciting new 500ml product.
“These latest limited edition launches across Energy and Sport are helping us provide an increasingly diverse range of drinks, that tap into multiple consumer trends and flavour desires," said Adrian Hipkiss, Head of Energy Brands at AG Barr. "The two new flavours will build excitement in their respective rapidly growing categories, ultimately supporting our retail partners to drive more sales.
“Our limited edition launches in the Sports range have always been a huge success and Cloudy Lemonade will be no different, tapping into proven consumer interest in zesty flavours with something new and exciting. We are also very excited to be bringing a limited edition flavour to our Energy range, with Blue Raspberry offering another popular and trending new taste that appeals to a wide range of consumers.
“Limited editions create a buzz around the chiller, with shoppers keen to try before it’s gone and we will be supporting both new flavours with a social and sampling campaign. We’d advise retailers to stock up on both formats and ensure availability, particularly during peak times. We're confident that these new additions will continue to delight consumers and reinforce our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence within the energy and functional categories.”
On shelf: April 2025
Packs: Cloudy Lemonade: 12 x 500ml PET sports cap 89p PMP Blue Raspberry: 12 x 250ml can 75p PMP
Delice de France, the UK experts in bread, bakery and food to go, is launching Café Delice, a new coffee-to-go concept where outlets selling 35 cups a day can earn margins of 40 per cent.
The move will enable bakery customers of Delice de France to extend their food-to-go offering with quality hot drinks at competitive prices.
Café Delice is a monthly rental hot drinks concept, which includes a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine, linked milk cooler, branded housing unit and menu, as well as product and waste storage areas. Full servicing and cleaning packs for the agreement period are provided.
It is a modular set up, with floor-standing and counter solutions available to cater for different sized outlets and needs. Café Delice’s menu includes coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Outlets can earn 40 per cent margin when they sell 35 cups a day, working to Delice de France’s suggested retail price of £2.75 for a regular 12oz latte.
This margin takes into consideration the cost of the coffee and the monthly rental. With monthly rental options starting from £360 per month, outlets could make more than £10,000 a year based on a forecast of 35 cups per day.
Delice de France has partnered with Modern Standard for its coffee bean, with a focus on its hero product Momentum Espresso, a 100 per cent Arabica – Medium Roast product that is 70 per cent Brazilian and 30 per cent Columbian, a combination that offers the strength and depth that other coffee-to-go products can lack. It is available in cases of 12x1kg bags, with each bag serving 55 cups.
Modern Standard is one of the few female-founded and -run coffee businesses in the UK. Founder Lynsey Harley spotted a gap in the market for a full-service specialty coffee roaster. Working with world-leading farmers while packing themselves, Modern Standard enables retailers and foodservice outlets to offer a specialty coffee at an accessible price. The company has locations in Fife, Edinburgh and London.
For its tea, Delice de France has partnered with Dorset-based Clipper to offer a range of organic and fairtrade teas that are plastic-free. Café Delice outlets can offer English Breakfast, Decaf and Earl Grey.
Hot chocolate is provided by Barry Callebaut – Le Royal Choco Flavour Mix, which is supplied in 10x1kg bags. Each bag contains enough for 35 cups.
The solution also offers a range of sugars and syrups, including brown, white and sweetener sticks, and Sweetbird Vanilla, Caramel and Hazelnut syrups. Each syrup bottle is one litre, which is enough for 62 cups using two pumps.
In packaging, Delice de France offers a range of Edenware coffee cups and lids, which use a plant-based lining as an environmentally friendly alternative.
“With Café Delice, we have a reliable and strong brand that offers our partners lucrative margins and completes their to-go offer," said Thierry Cacaly, Delice de France CEO. "Through our partnership with Modern Standard, we are offering the quality that consumers expect at a price point that will ensure our partners can be competitive.”
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Authentic flavors, ready in minutes – Pekis Taco Fillings !
Empire Bespoke Foods, the specialist global food importer and distributor, has unveiled an exclusive new range of "heat and eat" taco fillings based on the most popular world food flavours in response to growing consumer demand for exciting and convenient meal solutions.
Pekis Taco Fillings are based on traditional and authentic recipes from around the world, cooked with 100% premium quality, natural ingredients and no preservatives. Ready to heat, eat and enjoy, the range comprises Chicken Jalapeno, Tikka Masala, Chicken Teriyaki and Chilli Con Carne. Each 180g pack will fill four average-sized taco shells.
“Shopper spending in Mexican has increased by nearly 10 per cent over last year with Mexican, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines now accounting for the vast majority of world foods sales,” said Madina Kaiumova, brand manager at Empire Bespoke Foods.
Quick, delicious, and packed with world flavors!
“The rapid rise in consumer demand for taste adventure, combined with the popularity of replicating restaurant-style meals at home, means that there is now a huge opportunity for retailers to capitalise on these growing trends.
“These fillings combine the true taste of some of the most popular world cuisines with the familiarity of the much loved Mexican taco, and with shortcut products increasingly in demand,” added Kaiumova.
“Sixty per cent of consumers now consider convenience a key decision factor when purchasing world foods, and with 80 per cent now claiming to be ready for ’safe adventure’ through familiarity, we fully expect the Pekis range to satisfy the growing consumer appetite for these winning combinations of great flavours and absolute convenience.”
The Pekis range of taco fillers require only ambient storage and contain all the ingredients necessary to create each dish within minutes. They are now available exclusively through Empire Bespoke Foods.
RSP: £3.99 per 180g pack.
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Sip smart this St. Patrick’s Day with Kahlúa’s Schneaky Espresso Martini glass
Cocktail lovers can rejoice this St. Patrick’s Day with the release of Kahlúa’s “Schneaky” Espresso Martini glass. Disguised to look like a pint of stout, the specially designed, hand-blown glass sneakily conceals an Espresso Martini inside a pint glass. The crafty solution was created following research revealing that cocktail lovers feel “St. Patrick’s Day pressure” to drink stout – even if they don’t savour its flavour.
According to the study, around two in three drinkers (64 per cent) have felt the need to order a "certain stout drink" to fit in and nearly half (42 per cent) fear they might be judged poorly for choosing a cocktail over a pint on St. Patrick’s Day. Enter the Schneaky Espresso Martini glass by Kahlúa – a saviour for many cocktail lovers on 16 and 17 March.
Kahlúa has enlisted former England rugby star and devout stout drinker James Haskell to raise awareness of the Schneaky Espresso Martini glass – showing that even the most loyal fans of stout can sip undercover.
“For any punters looking to avoid an unwanted pint of stout, Kahlúa has got you covered,” said Haskell. “The Schneaky Espresso Martini glass means you can enjoy the deliciously indulgent cocktail you crave, without the fear of being judged.”
Following the huge success of last year's St. Patrick’s Day campaign – Feliz St. Patrick’s Day – Irish TikTok sensations Tadgh & Derry are joining forces with Kahlúa again. They join 3bucksleft in a cheeky video revealing the Sneaky Espresso Martini glass in all its glory.
On 16 and 17 March, Kahlúa is giving away free Schneaky Espresso Martinis* in its bespoke glasses exclusively at two pubs – the Howl At The Moon pub in Hoxton, London and O’Loclainn’s in County Clare, Ireland. Punters can try the undercover glass for free by ordering a “Schneaky Espresso Martini” at the bar**. There will also be an exclusive opportunity to win a Kahlúa Schneaky Espresso Martini glass via the Howl At The Moon’s Instagram page.
Alison Perrottet, Brand Director for Pernod Ricard UK, said: “Kahlúa loves showing up in unexpected ways and that’s exactly what we’re doing this St. Patrick’s Day. While stout has traditionally been a favourite for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to stir things up with a Schneaky Espresso Martini, and what better way to celebrate than with the UK’s number one coffee liqueur. Slainte!”
**T&CS: The activation is open to all individuals aged 18 years or older, operating the “think 25” policy. Customers must present a valid photo ID to prove eligibility. Only one free drink per person will be given, subject to availability and the discretion of pub staff. The activation is valid from 12pm to 11pm on Monday 17th March at Howl At The Moon and from 5pm to 11pm at O’Loclainn’s on Sunday 16th March, subject to stock lasting. Alcohol consumption should be done responsibly. The pub reserves the right to refuse service to any individual who is intoxicated or behaving inappropriately. The Sneaky Espresso Martini by Kahlúa cannot be substituted for any other alcohol or item. The Schneaky Espresso Martini glass by Kahlúa is not available for purchase nor giveaway, all glasses are the property of Pernod**Customers can claim one Kahlúa espresso martini using the codeword “Schneaky Espresso Martini” at the bar, subject to T&Cs.