Paula’s Texas Spirits, based in Austin, has added a Grapefruit Liqueur to its portfolio, joining Paula’s Texas Orange and Lemon liqueurs. The new entry is made with Ruby Red grapefruit from the Rio Grande Valley. Distributed by RNDC, Paula’s Texas Grapefruit Liqueur (27% abv) is retailing at about $18 in Texas at chains like Twin Liquors and Goody Goody Liquors, and is also present in a number of independent retail accounts.

This summer, Maxwelton, West Virginia-based Smooth Ambler Spirits will release a sourced American whiskey made in Tennessee. In the fall, the craft distiller will reach a major milestone with the launch of a mature flagship Bourbon made at its own site. The wheated Bourbon, as yet unnamed, will be between five and six years old.

Bacardi is extending its flagship rum brand with two new flavors, Grapefruit and Raspberry, ahead of the summer season. Bacardi Grapefruit is a white rum infused with pink grapefruit flavors, while the Raspberry offering is made with citrus raspberry flavors. Both new entries retail at about $13 a 750-ml. Bacardi says it will promote its Grapefruit and Raspberry flavor launches with punch recipes geared toward the summer party occasion.

Frederick Wildman & Sons will debut three new gins this year under the Edinburgh Gin brand from Spencerfield Spirits. Launching now is Edinburgh Cannonball Navy Strength, a 114-proof gin retailing at $49. This summer a Seaside gin, characterized by native Scottish botanicals foraged from the coastline, will follow. And in the final quarter of the year, Wildman will add an Edinburgh Christmas gin, infused with nutmeg, frankincense and myrrh. The Seaside and Christmas gins are both 86 proof and will retail at $40.

Canadian Club is launching its 100% Rye whisky in the U.S. Produced by Beam Suntory’s Calgary-based partner distillery Alberta Distillers Ltd., Canadian Club 100% Rye is aged in three different types of barrels, including new American oak, once-used Bourbon and Canadian whisky casks, and then blended. The 40%-abv expression is rolling out across the U.S. this month, retailing at $20 a 750-ml.

Smirnoff vodka has released a limited edition berry-flavored extension ahead of the summer season. Currently debuting nationwide, Smirnoff Red, White & Berry features a blend of cherry, citrus and blue raspberry flavors and is targeted toward the shot, cocktail and frozen treat occasions. The 30%-abv entry is packaged in a red, white and blue bottle and retails at $13 a 750-ml.

Martin Miller’s Gin, part of the Reformed Spirits Co. portfolio, is extending its lineup with a new single-cask-aged gin, 9 Moons. Aged in single Bourbon casks for nine months, 9 Moons will launch later this year in a run of about 2,000 individually-numbered bottles. The 40%-abv cask-aged gin will be priced in the super-premium segment, retailing above the existing Martin Miller’s expressions, which include the flagship Martin Miller’s brand (around $28) and the higher-proof Westbourne Strength ($35).

Minnesota-based Prestige Wine & Spirits has added a Red offshoot to its Kinky liqueur range. Featuring a blend of premium vodka with watermelon and strawberry flavors, Kinky Red ($20) marks the fourth entry in Kinky’s liqueur lineup, joining Pink, Blue and Gold expressions. The Kinky brand also comprises the Kinky and Extra Kinky cocktail ranges, as well as Kinky vodka, which Prestige says is on track to sell upwards of 100,000 nine-liter cases this year.

All information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

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