FMCG News South Africa

#FreshOnTheShelf: Prohibition gin, craft vodka, mug cakes and flavour-infused beets

A round-up of our favourite food and beverage products that have hit the shelves recently.

Silver Creek Distillery craft gin duo

Silver Creek Distillery, the company that brought us Southern Moonshine has just launched a duo of gins that are made in the same style as gin from America’s notorious Prohibition era. The Prohibition Craft Gin and Prohibition Pink Gin are handmade in small batches at the Randfontein distillery, and infused with traditional botanicals of juniper, coriander, lemon, angelica and cinnamon.

#FreshOnTheShelf: Prohibition gin, craft vodka, mug cakes and flavour-infused beets

The Prohibition Craft Gin, bottled at 43% alcohol, is ideally suited to be further enhanced with botanicals, fresh fruit and herbs and good quality craft tonics. In the glass, Prohibition Craft Gin offers the immediate impression of balance with a fresh, crisp burst of citrus followed by lingering juniper and a hint of cinnamon. Citrus is again prominent on the dry palate, supported by the taste of juniper. The finish is defined by a crisp, clean smoothness that lingers with an earthy character.

The Prohibition Pink Gin, also at 43%, is Silver Creek’s craft gin further infused with raspberries and blueberries, with a touch of hibiscus flowers and rose water. The result is a refreshing drink that is described as "aromatic, flavoursome and romantic". On the palate, it offers a fine balance of sweetness, spice and zest that follows through in a long, satisfying finish.

Both new Prohibition Gins retail at around R360 a bottle, and are sold in a distinctive traditional bottle, complete with finger-loop for easy carrying.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Premium spirits company, Truman & Orange has announced that Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Austin’s original craft vodka, is now available in SA.

The vodka is produced in Austin, Texas, at the oldest legal distillery. For most of the past century any spirit produced in Texas was moonshine and illegal. Although legalised after the prohibition, liquor distilleries were all but unheard of and it was fifth-generation Texan, Bert “Tito” Beveridge, creator of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, who, in 1995, took on the state and federal licensing authorities to obtain a legal permit. Thanks to his efforts, today there are over 100 independent small-scale distilleries that are producing liquor in Texas.

#FreshOnTheShelf: Prohibition gin, craft vodka, mug cakes and flavour-infused beets

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is available in over 100 markets, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East and Africa. It's produced in batches, using old-fashioned copper pot stills for its distillation process, and each batch is taste-tested to ensure the true flavour of Tito’s Handmade Vodka is never lost. The smooth and sweet taste of this craft vodka is owed to corn that is chosen as a base for the spirit production, instead of commonly used wheat. This means that Tito’s Handmade Vodka is naturally gluten-free.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka retails at roughly R280 per bottle, and is available nationwide in all good liquor stores, bars and restaurants in a 750ml bottle at 43% Vol. Alc.

Moir’s Mug Cakes

Moir's has introduced a new range of single-serve baked desserts that only require a mug and microwave for preparation. Each box consists of four individual portion Mug Cakes - just add milk, give it a stir and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Best enjoyed straight out of the mug as is or with toppings and fillings of your choice.

Moir’s Mug Cakes are sold at a RRP of R29.99, and are available in three flavours: Rich Chocolate, Crème Caramel and Buttery Vanilla.

#FreshOnTheShelf: Prohibition gin, craft vodka, mug cakes and flavour-infused beets

Love Beets

Love Beets is a range of convenient, flavour-infused beetroot products that have been introduced to the South African market. The local launch has been made possible because of a collaboration between UK company G’s Fresh Limited and South African fresh produce farmer and distributor, Laastedrif.

“Being approached by G’s Fresh Limited to become their partner locally for Love Beets is an exciting opportunity .... We have worked for many years in growing beetroot and are delighted to be involved with Love Beets, giving the SA food market a unique offering with a variety of new formats and flavours,” says Roussow Cillie, head of Laastedrif South Africa.

#FreshOnTheShelf: Prohibition gin, craft vodka, mug cakes and flavour-infused beets

Love Beets products currently include flavour-infused baby beets, ready-to-eat steamed beets and pickled beets. They're available at selected Pick n Pay and Checkers stores nationwide.

About Lauren Hartzenberg

Managing editor and retail editor at Bizcommunity.com. Cape Town apologist. Dog mom. Get in touch: lauren@bizcommunity.com
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