Ukrainian premium vodka maker Nemiroff, has chosen Whyte and Mackay as strategic partner for UK and Ireland. The appointment is the latest development as Nemiroff strengthen their international position as a leading player in the spirits industry.
Nemiroff has set its ambition to become a Top Five Producer in premium vodka. The UK market represents one of the key markets for the Ukrainian producer’s growth ambitions.
In its home market Whyte and Mackay is a leading producer of award-winning Scotch Whisky, with a UK commercial and marketing operation bringing a portfolio of premium spirits to market. The company is recognised for its ability to drive category growth by inspiring and engaging consumers and recruiting shoppers via premium propositions.
"We are thrilled to partner with Whyte and Mackay, a company with a long, distinguished history in the spirits industry. This partnership will allow us to give UK consumers the opportunity to experience a product we have been passionately creating since 1872," said Nemiroff CEO Yuriy Sorochynskiy.
Whyte and Mackay MD Europe & Global Travel Retail, Mike Greggs, shared his vision for the partnership:
"We recognise in Nemiroff a shared ethos between us as spirits makers – a commitment to excellence. Nemiroff have built an enviable position, with a 150 years’ experience crafting a premium product that stands out in the category. I admire the drive and resilience of their team summarised compellingly by the brands positioning of ‘indomitable spirit’.
“In our experience the UK and Ireland markets are rich with opportunity for a premium brand that speaks to provenance and to quality. The Team and I are looking forward to present Nemiroff, as part of our brilliant brand portfolio alongside Jura, Tamnavulin, Whyte and Mackay, Flor De Cana, Fundador and Harveys to our retail partners soon.”
The partnership with Whyte and Mackay marks another significant milestone for Nemiroff as it continues to expand its global footprint. With over 150 years of experience, Nemiroff is proud to partner with a business that shares its commitment to quality and so expand its network of strategic partnerships in the key markets of UK and Ireland.
Whyte and Mackay have a respected commercial and marketing operation in the UK, and are an established third-party distributor in the premium spirits space. Its mission is in building brands that stand out.
Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt, Diageo India’s most awarded single malt, made its highly anticipated debut in the UK.
Developed under the philosophy and programme of The Good Craft Co. - Diageo India’s craft and innovation hub, Godawan is rooted in the ideals of mindful luxury. The liquid uses locally sourced six-row barley and is distilled in Alwar, Rajasthan, at one of the highest-rated sustainable distilleries in the country.
The purpose-driven brand is working towards the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard - a majestic bird that symbolises Godawan’s legacy, heritage, and home, once widespread across India but is now labelled Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Godawan has previously launched Godawan 100, winner of the ‘Taste Master of the Year’ at The Spirits Business World Whisky Masters 2024 and ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year’ at the London Spirits Competition 2024, a limited edition with 100 bottles, an ode to the 100 surviving birds.
“This is a momentous occasion for us as a company, and for Indian craft spirits,” Hina Nagarajan, managing director and chief executive of Diageo India, said.
“With its distinctive quality and exceptional craftsmanship, we’re excited to introduce this award-winning Indian single malt to the UK market. We have always said that it’s not just about luxury – but rather luxury with a purpose, which Godawan embodies in every facet. We are thrilled to be able to offer consumers in UK a taste of Indian excellence.”
Vikram Damodaran, chief innovation officer of Diageo India, added: “Godawan is more than a single malt – it is exceptional in every form, a tribute to Indian artistry and heritage, and a rare spirit crafted with a unique purpose. The festive season is a perfect occasion for whisky lovers and enthusiasts to spend time and explore the pinnacle of Indian craftsmanship by Diageo. This expansion is bringing a taste of that luxury and artistry to people across the world.”
The brand’s Rich & Rounded and Fruit & Spice expressions (ABV: 46%) are now available across London in 700ml bottles. RRP: £65.
Leading confectionery wholesaler Hancocks is offering retailers a chance to make the most of their exclusive Pick N Mix Station Deal.
The unique deal includes the brand new Pick N Mix Station stand, 20 bags of Kingsway pick and mix sweets, plus all accessories.
The Pick N Mix Station package deal provides retailers with everything they need to create their own pick and mix stands in stores, at £849.
Retailers can stock the stands with delicious pick and mix sweets from Kingsway, a sweetie brand that’s been trusted and loved by shoppers for more than six decades.
With a range of over 200 products, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options, Kingsway offers the biggest and most diverse pick and mix range in the UK.
Best-selling lines from Kingsway’s wide selection of pick and mix include Strawberry Bon Bons, Watermelon Slices, Sour Dummies, Tongue Painters, Fizzy Bubblegum Bottles and Giant Strawberries.
The vegan and vegetarian lines include customer favourites such as Peach Rings, Fizzy Cola Bottles, Sour Bears, Cherry Fish, Fizzy Dracula Teeth, Mini Eggs and Raspberry Liquorice Slices.
When stocking up their Pick N Mix stations, retailers can take advantage of the Kingsway Multibuy Offer. This offer provides a discount of 20p per bag for purchases of 10 or more bags, and a discount of 50p per bag for purchases of 20 or more bags.
With the average Kingsway customer buying 40 bags per week, the new deal could save them up to £1,000 a year.
The Pick N Mix Station package deal is available in Hancocks stores, the Kingsway Multibuy Offer is available online and in stores.
For most effective merchandising, Hancocks advised retailers to place Pick N Mix Stations in a high-traffic area in the store, for example near the entrance or tills, or next to other sweets and snacks.
It’s also important to fill the display with a variety of sweets, offering plenty of choices for all kinds of sweet lovers and regularly rotating the offerings to keep shoppers interested.
“We’re very excited to launch our Pick N Mix Station Deal and we’re inviting retailers to come and make the most of it in our Hancocks stores nationwide,” Kathryn Hague, head of marketing at Hancocks, said.
“This exclusive deal is perfect for retailers who wish to tap into the growing pick and mix trend and set up a sweetie stand in their stores, or for those who already sell pick and mix but want to freshen up their display.
“The deal includes everything you’d need to create your own pick and mix station, including the colourful and eye-catching stand, 20 bags of delicious Kingsway sweets and all accessories including the scoops, bags, cups and lids.
“Additionally, we’re offering big discounts for retailers through our Kingsway Multibuy Offer, with super sweet savings starting from buying only 10 Kingsway products.
“Offering pick and mix in your store is a great way to drive sales and attract new customers as it creates a theatre and a more personalised experience, allowing shoppers to have complete control over the selection of sweets they wish to include in their mix.”
A festive treat once again awaits rolling tobacco smokers across the UK this year in the form of limited-edition, retro-themed rolling papers from Imperial Brands.
Available in Golden Virginia Original, Amber, and Yellow, the limited-edition papers have proved a major hit over the years, with some smokers collecting the packs as well as using the papers to roll tobacco.
As always, consumers can be assured of the unique taste, quality, and value they have come to expect from Golden Virginia, which combines 20 separate fine tobacco grades from four continents, making this limited-edition product the perfect festive gift for smokers.
Andrew Malm, UK Market Manager for Imperial Brands, explained: “We’re delighted to introduce our 2024 limited-edition rolling papers to retailers this Christmas. Demand for these rolling papers has traditionally proven to be high, with great interest in the pack designs from consumers.
"We therefore recommend that retailers stock up now to maximise on the business opportunity available this festive season!”
Retailers should contact their wholesaler for availability or speak to their local Imperial Brands representative if they require more information.
Luxury single-origin dark chocolate brand, Cox & Co, has created the perfect mini treat for dark chocolate fans with the launch of its new 15g bar selection.
Providing bite-sized versions of its most popular flavours, the new 15g bars are available in four delicious flavours; Miso & Caramel (47 per cent), Blood Orange Crunch (60 per cent), Mint Crunch (60 per cent) and Plain Milk (41 per cent) and are perfect for retailers looking for high quality grab and go sweet treats.
Cox & Co’s chocolate bars are crafted from the finest single-origin Colombian cacao, using Luker Chocolate blended with delicious superfoods to create unique flavour combinations.
“We launched a smaller version (25g) of our luxury dark chocolate bars earlier this year and found them really popular with customers, so we decided to create a bite-sized bar, perfect for those looking for a quick sweet treat whilst on-the-go,” explains Gavin Cox, Founder of Cox & Co.
Targeting eco-conscious chocolate lovers, Cox & Co. is launching the new 15g range in its innovative paper flow wrapper, helping to reduce the huge amount of confectionery packaging waste that currently ends up in landfill, or contaminates current recycling.
“We are phasing out our current wood-pulp based, home compostable wrapping, in favour of new paper flow wrappers,” continues Gavin. “There is a demand for confectionery that doesn’t make customers choose between being ethical or enjoying an indulgent treat and our new mini bars place equal importance on both.”
Cox & Co’s mission is to create delicious chocolate that is truly different, made with care and sustainability in mind. Working with Colombia’s Luker Chocolate estate, Cox & Co invest in farmers, communities and sustainable farming methods to produce chocolate that’s as ethical as possible.
Cox & Co’s new 15g chocolate bars are available to all retailers. Wholesale price 70p per bar, RRP £1.25.
Casillero del Diablo (#1 Chilean brand and the UK’s #3 wine brand overall) has announced the launch of Casillero del Diablo Zero, a gently dealcoholized wine, in response to growing consumer demand for options for those moderating or cutting out alcohol from their lives.
Following extensive trials headed by winemaker Max Weinlaub, the brand has produced a dealcoholized sparkling which they feel more than meets the quality and drinkability standards that wine lovers expect from Casillero del Diablo. It is made with 100 per cent Chardonnay grapes from the Central Valley, early harvested for freshness, and contains a mere 22 calories per 125ml glass.
“We’re so pleased to launch this new Casillero del Diablo bottling, in the run-up to the festive season when many people will be looking for a quality non-alcoholic alternative," said Brands Controller at CyT UK, Claire Raine. "Our team has worked really hard to produce a sparkling which is worthy of the brand and the style. We’re delighted with the result.
“Almost two thirds of British adults either limit their alcohol consumption, or do not drink alcohol. These trends are being led primarily by younger adults, and we want to make sure we stay relevant and important to everyone. Consumers are now getting used to seeing no/lo options from their favourite drinks brands.”
Sales figures bear this out, with No/ Lo category volume sales projected to rise by 19.3 per cent in 2024. (Mintel). Casillero del Diablo Zero – a year in the making, after multiple trials with the clear goal to mimic a full alcohol Prosecco-style wine – launches in December 2024, RRP £6. It will be available via several UK wholesalers and in independent retail.