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.
Celebrate summertime with Innocent Bystander Watermelon Spritz
Award-winning winery Innocent Bystander is putting a unique spin on the sparkling wine category with the release of its fresh, fruity and flavour-driven Watermelon Spritz.
At an approachable ABV of eight per cent, Watermelon Spritz is packed with juicy watermelon flavours, and its light body, bright characters and refreshing finish make it the perfect drink for summertime celebrations.
Innocent Bystander suggests serving Watermelon Spritz chilled from the fridge. Pour over ice in a highball glass with a sprig of fresh mint for a light, refreshing drink.
Georgia McNeil, Innocent Bystander’s Brand Manager, says Watermelon Spritz is a welcome addition to the brand’s portfolio, continuing its ethos of crafting great wines with passion rather than pretense.
“The new Watermelon Spritz is a bold and dynamic addition to our range. It’s a wine that’s contemporary and confident, fresh and juicy, and full of flavour. Our new sparkling wine is a winningly refreshing harmony of luscious bubbles with a smash of juicy, fresh watermelon,” she stated.
Distributor: Brown Family Wine Group
Gold medal-winning Traveller Whiskey lands in Australia
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Traveller Whiskey brings together the collective artistry of Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and 10-time Grammy award-winning artist Chris Stapleton.
More than 50 blends were sampled as the pair pursued the finest possibly whiskey. Blend No. 40 is the carefully curated result of countless hours of testing and tasting.
Tasting notes describe aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread balanced with caramel and a hint of oak. On the palate, Traveller Whiskey is said to have a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavours, with a robust finish.
Traveller Whiskey was awarded Best in Class Gold at the 2024 Whiskies of the World competition and Gold at the Spirits Business American Whiskey Masters 2024. Bottled at 45 per cent ABV, Traveller Whiskey is a completely unique combination of whiskies from award-winning distilleries, and a premium whisky that speaks for itself.
Easy to drink. Hard not to love.
Distributor: SouthTrade International
Archie Rose unveils fifth release in Harvest gin series
Archie Rose Distilling Co. has welcomed the new Emerald Finger Lime Harvest Gin to its portfolio, the fifth release in its ethos-driven Harvest series and its first gin release of the year.
The Harvest series began in 2019 as a celebration of the diversity of the Australian harvest, with each release showcasing a key local or raw ingredient and its provenance, grower and region.
The Emerald Finger Lime Harvest Gin highlights Australian emerald green finger limes, grown and handpicked by producers Mark and Vickie of Marvick Native Farms in Western Australia, utilising the lime skin and citrus pearls to produce an emerald finger lime botanical distillate.
Speaking about the variety of finger limes grown at Marvick Native Farms, of which Archie Rose tried distilling six varieties, Dave Withers, Master Distiller, says: “While each expressed a distinctly different personality as a distilled product, the emerald green finger lime stood out for its distinct vibrant characteristics. Grown in the coastal air of Western Australia, it exhibits a unique blend of flavours, resulting in a brilliantly herbaceous yet limey gin.”
Tasting notes for Emerald Finger Lime Harvest Gin describes aromas of makrut lime zest, yuzu and peppery pine and a mouth-coating citrus flavour with notes of fresh cracked pepper, honeydew gelato chervil and violets.
Distributor: ALM and Paramount
Papa Salt enters RTD category with Papa Salt Paloma
As consumers seek convenient packaging formats over the summer months, Papa Salt’s newest RTD offering is an ideal option for portable, premium cocktails.
Packaged in a slim 250ml can at five per cent ABV, the Papa Salt Paloma hits bottle shop shelves across the country this month.
With just 99 calories and one standard drink per can, Papa Salt Paloma combines the award-winning Papa Salt Gin with Capi Grapefruit Soda, crafted using natural and locally sourced ingredients to ensure vibrant grapefruit flavours with a touch of rosemary.
Charlie Maas, CEO of Papa Salt, says: “When we first launched Papa Salt, Australian bartenders kept serving our gin mixed with Capi Grapefruit Soda. It’s a beautifully simple drink, and one that is all-Australian. When we started to consider a canned product, it was the obvious choice.”
In addition to the RTD launch, Papa Salt will also introduce new packaging formats for the bottled gin, launching its first foray into minis with a 50ml bottle, and a new one litre bottle.
Distributor: Iconic Beverages
Gria reinvents Sangria for the season of celebrations
Launching just in time for party season, Gria is a vibrant reinvention of Sangria, using premium Victorian wines to capture the fruit and spice of the cocktail in a refreshing ready-to-serve drink.
Peter Wilson, producer of award-winning Whitebox Wines, works with his children Jeremy and Philippa Kennedy-Wilson to showcase his winemaking prowess with the launch of the new product.
Jeremy says: “Creating Gria has been a thrilling journey for the team that brings together the best of our passion and experience in crafting innovative flavours and creating new products.
“Needless to say, Gria is going to make this summer exceptional. We’re thrilled to launch this vibrant, fizzy, and delicious new wine brand and can’t wait to share it with Australia.”
White Gria is described as having zesty citrus notes of orange, lemon and lime with a touch of ginger and white rum for a tropical finish, while Red Gria has hints of warm spices, blood orange and cherry brandy, both at an ABV of 10.5 per cent.
Distributor: The Fine Food Merchant
Unlock sophistication with Basil Hayden
Designed to give the world a new interpretation of what Bourbon can be, Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey highlights the richness and complexity of Bourbon, challenging preconceptions and helping to elevate every drinking occasion.
Ideally served in light aperitif-style sipping cocktails that complement the spice and versatility of the liquid, such as the Basil Hayden Golden Hour or Boulevardier, Basil Hayden is an approachable liquid that speaks to both Bourbon drinkers and non-Bourbon drinkers, artfully aged for a spicy yet smooth flavour profile.
Bottled at 80 proof or 40 per cent ABV, Basil Hayden has aromas of charred oak, sweet notes of vanilla and caramel and hints of dried fruit.
On the palate, tasting notes describe a charred oak flavour that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, rounded out with dried fruit, resulting in a pleasant, lingering charred oak finish.
Distributor: Suntory Global Spirits
Enjoy a guilt-free summer with Clean Collective
Bringing one of New Zealand’s leading RTDs to Australia, Clean Collective hopes to disrupt the market with a flavourful range of better-for-you premixes.
Frustrated by the lack of wellness-oriented alcoholic beverages, Holly McGrath and Daniel Benoy founded Clean Collective in 2016, launching with a 30,000-bottle production run of Mandarin & Lime Mojito and quickly enjoying organic growth, having now sold more than 10 million cans.
Ready to bring the RTD to a new audience, Clean Collective launched through independent retailers in NSW last month with a national rollout set to follow, offering Tropical Passionfruit & Mango with Vodka, Pineapple with Vodka and Pear & Elderflower with Vodka in sleek 250ml cans.
McGrath said: “As Kiwis with a business, Australia has always been on our radar as a promising market. After launching Clean Collective and spotting a similar market gap as in NZ, we initially focused on our home market due to limited resources. Now, after seven years of growth, we believe it’s the right time to take the leap. We’re confident in our unique product and brand and are starting with the NSW retail market.”
Distributor: Contact Sales.au@cleancollective.co, also available through ILG