Spirits continued to lead the way in product introductions in the month of August. The month was highlighted by a few new whiskies and a couple of tequila products, including a new tequila soda from Casa Azul. Of course, celebrities continued to enter the game as well, with Joe Jonas launching a canned sangria in partnership with Ohza. Below is Park Street’s full product release recap for August 2022.
Breckenridge Distillery to Drop Two New Denver Broncos Bourbons
Colorado-based Breckenridge Distillery has revamped its official partnership with the Denver Broncos in the form of two new limited-edition Mile High Bourbon Blends. To make the new offerings, Breckenridge Head Distiller Hans Stafsholt and Founder Bryan Nolt teamed up with Broncos’ alumni to see who could blend the better bourbon. The bottles pay homage to the Broncos’ Mile High Era, bottled in blue or orange formats that feature the football team’s 1962 logo. The new offerings are bottled at 86 proof and contain 43% ABV.
“Last year we released our first collaboration with the Denver Broncos and the Broncos Bourbon blends were not only a hit with our Colorado fans, but the whiskey industry as a whole,” noted Nolt. “We’re so excited to continue our partnership with the Broncos and bring Broncos and whiskey fans across the country our latest release of the Mile High Blends to enjoy this season.” (Source)
Joe Jonas Adds Some Sparkle to Sangria Season
Popstar Joe Jonas has teamed up with ready-to-drink brand Ohza for the release of two new Fizzy Sangria’s. The latest celebrity partnership in this space brings with it two sangria-based SKUs: red and white. The new canned beverages will feature in 4-pack formats containing 12-ounce cans and will retail for $10.
Reflecting on the partnership Jonas said, “I am so pumped to bring Fizzy Sangria to life alongside the team at Ohza. Sangria is my favorite beverage and I’ve been perfecting my recipes for years, serving to friends and family poolside and at any gatherings. I look forward to having a lot of fun supporting and building the brand.” (Source)
Angry Orchard Launches High-ABV ‘Hardcore’ Dark Cherry Cider
As summer begins to slip away, hard cider maker Angry Orchard is getting ready for fall with the unveiling of Hard Core Dark Cherry Apple Imperial Hard Cider. In what is the booziest product the brand has rolled out to date, Hard Core Dark Cherry Apple arrives in 100z cans containing 8% ABV. With a full variety pack coming later this year, the new cider currently features flavors like sweet, crisp apple, and tart cherry. The new offering will hit retail locations nationwide this month in 6-pack formats.
“Through the years, Angry Orchard has been synonymous with offering deliciously bold ciders that feature real fruit. As drinkers shop in the increasingly crowded alcohol space, they’re looking for offerings that deliver on flavor, ingredients, and ABV to provide more value,” noted Kelli McCusker Head of Marketing for Angry Orchard. (Source)
Old Overholt Releases 4-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
Beam Suntory’s Old Overholt, a brand featured in at-home bars and on-premise locations throughout the country, announced the release of a 4-Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey. The rollout extends the current age statement of its signature rye from three years to four, a return to the brand’s 1942 original age statement, and marks the discontinuation of the three-year SKU. The offering contains notes of rye spices and pepper and tastes of coffee, char, and dark fruits on the palette. Old Overholt 4-Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey is currently in stores nationwide at $19.99 per 750mL bottle.
“Bringing the age statement back to 4 Years allows us to provide a more tried-and-true version of Overholt we know and love. Neat or in a classic cocktail, the 4 Year really shines, and we’re excited to give our friends and fans something ‘new’ to enjoy,” said Tim Heuisler, American Whiskey Ambassador for Beam Suntory. (Source)
High Noon Adds New Hard Seltzers to Lineup
E&J Gallo’s High Noon has launched two new flavors into its existing lineup of hard seltzers. High Noon Pear and High Noon Cranberry will join the brand’s 11 other varieties of vodka-based seltzers currently available. In a press release, the brand described the Pear SKU as crisp and tangy-sweet while the Cranberry offers bright fruit flavors with real cranberry juice. The offerings are now available nationwide in new ‘Tailgate’ eight-pack formats, retailing at $19.99 a piece.
“High Noon is focused on elevating the hard seltzer category and encouraging fans to trade up their hard seltzer options and experiences. The debut of the Tailgate Pack, along with the High Noon Solar-Powered Cooler, is the perfect way to kick off one of the best parts of fall, and give our fans the most premium tailgate experience,” stated Gallo’s VP of spirits Brandon Leib. (Source)
Bacardi Unveils New Limited-Edition Premium Variant
To close out national rum month, global supplier Bacardi has added a second installment in its limited-edition cask finish series with the release of Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rye Cask Finish. The new offering is the second of five unique variants that will be released every August through 2025. The Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rye Cask Finish contains notes of caramelized brown sugar and vanilla and is aged in American oak barrels for 12 years before it’s finished in rye barrels for two months. The new premium rum is available for purchase nationwide in 750mL formats at an SRP of $32.99 per bottle.
“Rum is in a unique position because it has a natural warmth that invites conviviality and connection, unlike other dark spirits on the market. Whether you’re an experienced drinker or someone new to rum and dark spirits in general, you can easily celebrate that special occasion with BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rye Cask” noted Lisa Pfenning, Vice President of Bacardi North America. (Source)
The Debut of Fiero Habanero Tequila
In a push to capitalize on the popularity of both agave spirits and infusions, San Francisco-based Hotaling & Co. has introduced Fiero Habanero Tequila. The all-new artisanal agave spirit is infused with habanero peppers sourced locally from Jalisco farmers’ markets to yield one of the spiciest tequilas on the market. The new offering is available across the U.S via major retailers and ReserveBar in 750mL formats for an SRP of $29.99.
“Spicy foods continue to rise in popularity, as is a thirst for high-quality tequila. With its authentic Mexican heritage and groundbreaking heat, Fiero Habanero Tequila speaks to two popular trends in U.S. dining and bar culture – the hunt for heat and the thirst for top-quality agave spirits,” said Brian Radics, Chief Marketing Officer at Hotaling & Co. (Source)
Four Roses Unveils Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon
The Kentucky-based distiller has launched its annual version of the limited edition expression: Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch. This blend is bottled at 109 proof and features four different Four Roses recipes aged between 14 and 20 years being produced via a no-chill filtering process. The new iteration features aromas of brown sugar and dark cherries with notes of apricot and light cinnamon on the palate. The premium offering will roll out 14,100 hand-numbed bottles nationally for an SRP of $179.99 per 750mL bottle.
“From the beginning of crafting this year’s limited edition small batch bourbon, two particular batches stood out to me as potential candidates to go into the blend: a 14-year-old recipe batch that is remarkably smooth and rich on the palate, and a 20-year-old recipe batch that exhibits the best fruit barrel and spice qualities of extra aged bourbon. The test blends revolved around those two batches until we landed on a liquid with a perfect balance that is unique, layered, mellow, and elegant,” noted Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller. (Source)
Modelo Rolls Out Chelada Variety Pack
Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Group Modelo is building off the momentum of cerveza-style beers by rolling out a new Chelada Variety Pack. The format will feature four fruit-flavored ready-to-drink cans that include varieties like Mango and Chillie Peppers, Orange and Chillie Peppers, Lime and Salt, and Pineapple and Chillie Peppers. The brand’s first variety pack contains 12oz cans that each hold 150 calories and 3.5% ABV. The lineup will be available for an SRP of $17.99 nationwide. (Source)
Casa Azul Launches New Tequila Soda
Tequila brand Casa Azul is the latest brand looking to disrupt the ready-to-drink space with the release of its Casa Azul Tequila Soda. The new offering looks to set itself apart from malt-based beverages by using real spirits. Looking to align with the better for you movement, the canned beverage contains 100 calories per can, less than 1g of carbs, and has 5% ABV. The RTDs will be available in Watermelon, Peach Mango, Strawberry Margarita, and Lime Margarita offerings. Sold in single flavor 4-pack formats, the new line will be sold in select markets for an SRP of $12.99.
“Many traditional tequila drinks in cans today, like margaritas or ranch waters, don’t even have actual tequila in them. Even more confusing, they call out “agave” but they’re talking about agave syrup. With the launch of Casa Azul tequila sodas, we’re showcasing an unwavering desire to bring a superior product to the RTD space,” noted Lance Collins, Founder of Casa Azul. (Source)