With dozens of new releases across several product categories coming to the market every month, we have compiled a list of some of the latest products available for retail distribution in our Marketplace Round-up.
Brown Brothers gives Prosecco a mid-strength makeover
Responding to growing demand for no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) options, as well as continued popularity of Prosecco in the sparkling wine category, Brown Brothers has launched Mid Strength Prosecco.
Offering the same flavour profile of crisp apple and pear as the full-strength Brown Brothers Prosecco, the Mid Strength contains seven per cent alcohol and 72 calories per serve.
Emma Brown, Brown Brothers Head of Innovation and fourth generation of Brown family winemaker, said that NoLo wines are an important part of the Brown Brothers portfolio.
“As leaders in wine innovation, Brown Brothers is dedicated to expanding our range of NoLo options, ensuring that all consumers have access to high-quality alternatives. The Prosecco drinkers will be pleasantly surprised by the similarity between Brown Brothers Mid Strength Prosecco and Australia’s favourite Prosecco, Brown Brothers Prosecco NV,” she said.
Distributor: Brown Family Wine Group
Island Gin creates quintessentially New Zealand gin
Featuring Manuka bush honey sourced from an apiary near the distillery, the flavours of Island Gin reflects its home of Great Barrier Island, located five hours off the coast of Auckland. In addition, its distinctive bottles are modelled after kina shells, which wash up on the island’s shores.
Head Distiller Andi Ross said that the hyperlocal botanicals are an important point of difference for the brand.
“We wanted to make a product that was quintessentially New Zealand, so Manuka bush honey is our key ingredient.
“It’s very local, and given that the bee population is in decline, it’s important to support that. We could have used kawakawa, or one of the other native botanicals, but other brands are already using those in their gins. We wanted to do something that is quite unique,” she said.
Island Gin has been widely awarded, including winning the New Zealand Best in Country award at the 2024 World Drinks Awards in London, and two consecutive gold medals at the 2022 and 2023 San Francisco Spirits Competition.
Distributor: Direct
Dasher + Fisher debuts refreshed packaging
Award-winning gin brand Dasher + Fisher has unveiled a new look, paying homage to its deep Tasmanian roots with an enhanced bottle, new brand colours and redesigned labels.
The new-look core range, Ocean Gin and Mountain Gin, features blues and greens to reflect Tasmania’s natural landscapes, with Sloe Gin and Raspberry Gin also updated to reflect the bold flavours within.
The new bottle shape features a longer neck with a wooden closure replacing the former screw top, and the map of Tasmania embossed onto the base of each bottle.
Coinciding with the rebrand, the limited edition range of Blackberry Gin, Whisky Barrel Gin and Coffee Liqueur has also hit shelves nationwide.
Dasher + Fisher Executive Chairman, Stephen Grove, says the new design is more than just a visual update: “This new design is inspired by our past and driven by our future. It represents our unwavering commitment to quality and the rich legacy we continue to build upon.”
Distributor: Southern Wild Distillery
Jack Daniel’s launches latest Bonded Series – Triple Mash
Jack Daniel’s has launched the second instalment of its Jack Daniel’s Bonded Series, with Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash – a blend of three straight bottled-in-bond whiskeys.
Featuring 60 per cent Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Whiskey, 20 per cent Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, and 20 per cent Jack Daniel’s Bonded American Malt Whiskey, the team describes Triple Mash as “a perfectly well-rounded whiskey with a bold and complex flavour profile of honey sweetness, grain spice and dry oak”.
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash is Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof (50 per cent ABV), with packaging inspired by the original design of the 1895 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey bottle.
The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 stipulates that a bonded whiskey must be distilled by a single distiller, during a single distilling season, matured in a government-bonded warehouse for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof.
Triple Mash is described as the most premium offering to date in the Bonded Series and a 700ml bottle carries a $110 RRP. It is available now for selected independent liquor stores, rolling out broadscale availability this month.
Distributor: Brown-Forman
Hawke’s Half XPA is big on flavour but light on alcohol
At 1.75 per cent ABV, Hawke’s Half XPA is a deceptively full-flavoured, multi-award winning, low-alcohol pale ale that’s only half a standard drink. It’s all about delivering big on flavour, while keeping things easy and breezy, not boozy. Perfect for when you’re up for a beer but only half up for a drink.
Pouring pale and golden with a slight haze, generous additions of Citra and El Dorado hops bring forth aromatic bursts of mango and pineapple. An easy-drinking XPA, complemented by subtle malt sweetness and low bitterness, Hawke’s Half XPA is a drop in alcohol without a drop in flavour.
Distributor: ALM, ILG, Paramount, Capital Liquor & Bev
Fourth Wave Wine unveils mid-strength range, In the Middle
Family-owned winemaker Fourth Wave Wine has demonstrated its confidence in the market for low-alcohol wines with the launch of its latest range, In the Middle.
The NoLo category has seen significant growth in recent years, with the IWSR attributing a boost in low-alcohol consumption to a wave of NPD in wine, beer and spirits.
Wine is the strongest performer in the low-alcohol marketplace, and Fourth Wave Wines’ latest release comprises five mid-strength wines, a Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Chardonnay, each ranging between six and seven per cent ABV.
Fourth Wave Wine Marketing Manager, Indeya Passfield, says: “Working with innovative winemaking techniques to preserve each varietal’s regional characteristic, our In the Middle winemaking team are able to bridge flavour and have them meet in the middle, creating five delicious wines that are lighter but with the depth and vibrancy of bigger wines.”
Distributor: Fourth Wave Wine
Beenleigh Rum & Pineapple Crush hits the market
Australia’s oldest-operating distillery Beenleigh Rum has launched the latest addition to its RTD portfolio, Rum & Pineapple Crush, crafted with the booming light RTD market in mind.
Will Sullivan, Beenleigh Rum’s Brand Manager, says: “As we approach our 140th anniversary, the introduction of a white rum-based RTD marks a pivotal moment in Beenleigh’s rich history. This launch not only highlights our unwavering commitment to growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving drinks space but also pays homage to our storied past,” he stated.
The new RTD features Beenleigh’s signature Australian white rum, blended with real pineapple juice to create full-bodied flavour. Tasting notes describe a smooth taste layered with notes of tropical vanilla, subtle spices and juicy pineapple, with a crisp, clean and refreshing finish.
At 4.5 per cent ABV, the new beverage is rolling out nationwide via independent retailers, available in a four-pack at an RRP of $24.
Distributor: Beenleigh Rum