As December rapidly approaches, Pernod Ricard UK is ramping up its festive marketing efforts, anticipating a resurgence in consumer confidence after a challenging year. The UK’s second-largest wine and spirits supplier is set to inspire consumers to choose Premium+ Spirits as the perfect gift or the ultimate addition to any home celebration. Throughout 2024, Premium+ Spirits have consistently outperformed Standard offerings, making this higher end of the sector a vital margin driver.
“Since last Christmas, consumer confidence has been on the rise and the outlook for the final month of 2024 is positive," said Chris Shead, Off-Trade Channel Director for Pernod Ricard UK. "Gifting and hosting remain two key trends and retailers should focus on increasing space in-store for Premium Spirits that act as the perfect gift or cocktail ingredient when wanting to show off in front of friends and family. Where possible, we encourage retailers to prioritise categories that have been capturing the hearts of consumers and this year, our big winners have been Altos Tequila, Kahlúa and Bumbu Rum, and we expect our Champagnes, G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, to be the toast of choice for festive parties this year.”
Ultimate Festive Host
To inspire consumers and drive cocktail ingredient sales before they enter a store, Pernod Ricard UK has refreshed its YouTube Channel, “Cocktails Etc.”, which offers bite-sized content that can be easily followed at home. The channel features fun, festive tutorials of how to create the most-searched winter cocktails including an Absolut and Kahlúa Espresso Martini and The Glenlivet Hot Toddy. Consumers will be able to discover this year’s hottest serves, from the Hugo Spritz to Champagne cocktails and the delightful Baby Stout – 18 million of which were sold in the On-Trade last year. To support retailers, branded social media content will also be available for retailers to use on their own social media channels to educate and inspire shoppers before they enter the store.
Jameson Black Barrel – The Greatest Story Almost Told
Jameson Black Barrel has stepped into Christmas with an elevated new label and giftbox, highlighting its premium credentials. To drive maximum awareness of Jameson’s most giftable product this Christmas, the brand has launched a new global campaign that features a short film led by Bullet Train actor and rumored next James Bond, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, Yorgos Lanthimos (Killing of the Sacred Deer, The Lobster and Poor Things). The campaign, which explores the craftsmanship behind each bottle, will be showcased in the UK across video-on-demand platforms and social media, as well as on the big screen from 21 November to coincide with the release of Gladiator 2.
Havana Club Limited-Edition Bottle: A Festive Centerpiece
Havana Club has partnered with Toronto-based goldsmith Jonathan Raksha to create a standout bottle for the festive season. Known for his iconic celebrity jewelry designs, Raksha brings his flair to Havana Club’s flagship rum. The bottle, adorned with shimmering gold accents and intricate diamond-like details, reflects the grandeur of Havana’s architecture and culture. The Havana Club Añejo 7 Años x Jonathan Raksha bottle will be available at major grocers (excluding Asda) and wholesale from the end of November.
Nick Patel, owner of Londis Kenyon Street in London, has won flights, transfers, accommodation, activities and spending money for a trip to Sevilla, the Home of Cruzcampo - Heineken UK’s new premium lager brand.
Patel won a competition, which ran in partnership with Booker from 11 September to 8 October, where every 20 cases of Cruzcampo purchased during the period resulted in an automatic entry into the prize draw, with the grand prize being a trip to Sevilla.
“I was so excited when I got the call,” Patel said.
“Spanish beer does really well in our store, and Cruzcampo is by far the most popular. We have a mix of formats including the bottles, 4-pack and 10-pack, which does particularly well. Retailers work really hard – there are a lot of things we have to sacrifice to keep our businesses running and this is a massive privilege. I’m looking forward to getting that break away and enjoying some beers in the sun!”
This activation is the latest of Heineken UK’s efforts to create excitement and engagement around Cruzcampo, which has performed incredibly well since its UK launch in 2023. Generating £88m in retail sales across the market and owning a 1.8 per cent share of beer sales in the Impulse channel [Nielsen ScanTrack, August 2023 – November 2024], the brand taps into shoppers’ growing demand for more premium continental lagers that still offer value for money.
A £10m marketing campaign, ‘Choose to Cruz’, made Cruzcampo unmissable this summer – reaching more than 24 million consumers. The advert featured an intriguing character rolling on a keg across the streets of Sevilla, Spain, demonstrating that as life gets hectic, you can opt for the ‘Sevillian way of life’, to choose to relax, live in the moment and take things as they come – all of which embody what Cruzcampo stands for.
“We are thrilled for Nick Patel. We are always looking at ways to engage and reward our retailer partners, and what a joy it is to be able to offer as exciting a prize as a trip to Sevilla with Cruzcampo,” Paul Gordon, head of marketing activation at Heineken UK, commented.
“This activation with Booker gave us an opportunity to give something back and create some real excitement with those customers, and we’re delighted with the result.”
Born in Sevilla in 1904, Cruzcampo is Spain’s number one draught beer and therefore offers drinkers an authentic taste of the country. A premium Spanish lager that offers all the advantages of premium beers at an affordable price, Cruzcampo provides consumers with a great quality experience that is a step up from classic lager brands while remaining accessible.
To find out more about Cruzcampo, retailers can head to Heineken UK’s Star Retailer platform at www.starretailer.co.uk/. The Star Retailer scheme is a loyalty scheme providing beer and cider category guidance tailored for convenience stores. Backed by a £10m+ investment from Heineken UK, the scheme boasts over 13 years of retailer support, having collaborated with 18,000+ stores.
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.
Kopparberg, a partner of Budweiser Brewing Group, has announced its latest product, Crisp Apple, expanding its listing with the 4% ABV beverage that taps into the evolving tastes of cider drinkers.
Kopparberg Crisp Apple offers drinkers the much-loved taste of a classic apple cider, balanced with a slightly sweeter profile that the brand is famous for. Whilst apple cider is seeing a resurgence, particularly amongst younger drinkers, Kopparberg, the brand with more 18-34 year old drinkers than any other beer or cider brand [Savanta, 2023] is perfectly placed to bring its cider expertise to the evolving category.
In addition to creating an offering that meets growing consumer demands, this new product aims to attract new a audience and offer an alternative to the more traditional cider brands already on offer.
Whilst Kopparberg has continued to increase its share across both the on and off trade since 2023, Crisp Apple offers drinkers the opportunity to try a modern apple cider, from a brand that consistently delivers on taste and refreshment. Consumers will be able to get their hands on the new product on draught, bottle and can, across both the on and off trade, giving drinkers the chance to consume the product in their preferred format.
“Taste spearheads everything we do at Kopparberg and there is no brand that understands younger drinkers better than we do. With a growing demand for modern apple ciders, we are thrilled to be able to bring Kopparberg Crisp Apple to market in 2025, to ensure that drinkers can access the products they want, from the brands they love,” Peter Bronsman, founder, Kopparberg, said.
Brian Perkins, president, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, added: “Kopparberg’s ability to meet evolving consumer tastes with new flavours is a key reason behind it being the leading brand in fruit cider in the UK. With the rise in apple cider as a preferred choice in the category, the product will not only attract existing fans, but also build new brand fans. We’re confident it will be a big hit across both the on and off trade and we look forward to seeing the reaction.”
Kopparberg Crisp Apple will be available in on trade from January 2025 and the off trade from March 2025.
Café Solo has announced the global launch of a world-first Pedro Ximénez Sherry (PX) Cask Finished Coffee Liqueur.
Café Solo PX is the first in a range of cask-finished coffee liqueurs to be released by the brand and the third expression that has launched this year in the Café Solo range, which includes the debut expression, Café Solo Original and Café Solo Espresso Martini Cans.
Café Solo said the latest launch adds to their mission to shake up the UK’s coffee cocktail market and offers interest and complexity for mixologists shaking up cocktails in bars and at home.
Ground with exceptional coffee, Café Solo is crafted with premium SOLO Cold Brew Coffee, which boasts a full-bodied flavour profile, rich acidity, and a refreshingly clean finish. Café Solo is matured in PX Sherry casks which impart residual sweetness and rich, dried-fruit notes.
Café Solo PX Cask Finished Coffee Liqueur is indulgent and dessert-like, with the PX Sherry Cask adding layers of sweetness, depth, and complexity. Café Solo PX offers notes of rich toffee, fig, walnut and lemon.
Made from the sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes (in Jerez, Spain) PX Sherry is intensely sweet and rich, and Jerez’s unique terroir and tradition make PX sherry one-of-a-kind. PX casks are often repurposed to age or "finish" whiskies and other spirits, imparting their residual sweetness and rich, dried-fruit notes. These casks are prized for the intense flavours they impart, transforming the profiles of other liquids.
"We are delighted to launch our first Café Solo cask edition, which was inspired by an evening of enjoying delicious Espresso Martinis with added PX Sherry! We sourced our casks from Jerez, Spain, and I was lucky enough to witness the incredible craftsmanship at the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage,” Café Solo brand manager Holly Harwood said.
“PX sherry offers a wonderfully rich profile, and the combination of coffee with notes of dried fruit and caramel is truly something you need to try!"
Café Solo PX is available to the UK trade via Fortitude Drinks.
Dolin, a historic family-owned spirits company established in 1821 in the Alpine region of Savoie, France, is set to expand its UK presence through a new distribution partnership with Mangrove Global.
With a legacy spanning over two centuries, Dolin has distinguished itself through authentically sourced local ingredients and traditional production methods that create premium spirits to be enjoyed worldwide. The company's first international Vermouth award in 1876 marked the beginning of its enduring reputation in Parisian cafes and European cocktail culture.
“Aperitifs like Vermouth have enjoyed a renaissance in the last few decades, and Dolin represents the quintessential French classic,” said Nick Gillett Managing Director of Mangrove Global. “The Mangrove team have long admired the range, and we’re excited to showcase these exceptional, provenance-driven spirits.
“We’re all about exceptional brands that celebrate the heritage and craftsmanship behind their liquids, and Dolin fits the bill perfectly. We’re ready to get started, building upon all the wonderful work that’s been done so far.”
The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment, as contemporary drinkers increasingly seek spirits with strong heritage, authenticity, and provenance. Dolin Vermouths embody these qualities in abundance, with their lighter, more delicate flavours making them a perfect choice for a wide range of cocktails, such as the classic martini, or even enjoyed neat.
Each Vermouth is crafted through the maceration of at least 30 Alpine botanicals in white wine, offering a complex flavour profile that has consistently ranked Dolin among the top five global Vermouth brands since 2020.
Joining the Mangrove portfolio will be Dolin Vermouth Dry, Dolin Vermouth Rouge, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, and Dolin Chamberyzette, the latter of which is a delicate cocktail made from Dolin’s white Vermouth Blanc and its much-loved Liqueur Framboise – strawberry liqueur. Each variety of Dolin’s Vermouth uses a unique selection of herbs and plants, blended with quality wine to achieve the resulting flavour – a flavour which, as noted by Drinks International, has kept Dolin amongst the top five best-selling Vermouth brands, since 2020.
Pierre-Olivier Rousseaux President Owner of Dolin said: “We are delighted with this new partnership. Mangrove will bring its distribution expertise and its solid presence in the spirits sector to promote the authenticity of Dolin products in the UK, while respecting the heritage and artisanal know-how for which our brand is renowned since 1821.”