The Avalon Group has released three new spirits ahead of the 30th annual Duty Free and Travel Retail Global Summit in Cannes. The trio represent the first super-premium Irish gin, vodka and honey liqueur, made with authentic Irish ingredients and promoted using distinctive heritage themes.

A taste of the Emerald Isle

According to Avalon, The Exiles Irish gin is the first and only super-premium gin produced in Ireland. Distilled from botanicals that grow wild across the country, it is the only gin in the world containing shamrock.

An artisanal product from an eighth-generation gin-maker, Exiles is distilled five times for ultimate purity, resulting in a smooth and floral gin infused with natural Irish ingredients. The unique Exiles recipe is currently subject to a patent application.

“Ireland has a long history of making fine aged spirits,” says André Levy, Chairman of Protégé International, the exclusive sales and marketing agency for the Avalon Group.

“The Exiles Irish gin was forged by nature and the alchemy of the sea. Ireland has generations of exiles longing to return, which ties into the name.”

A whiskey liqueur for all

The Wild Geese Irish Honey liqueur is, again, purportedly the first and only super-premium honey liqueur to come out of Ireland, offering an alternative for traditional whiskey drinkers, whilst providing a mild introduction to whiskey for new consumers.

Specially selected honey and spice complement the taste of the multi-award winning Wild Geese whiskey, appealing to a multi-layered complex palate and giving a long-lasting finish.

“Wild Geese Irish Honey liqueur is an affordable luxury, with a stylish bespoke bee seal as the bottle decoration. Ireland is a relatively small island and only produces limited quantities of precious honey, which is an essential ingredient of this spirit,” says Mr Levy.

An Irish apple vodka

Made with Irish apples and finest quality grain – the recipe for which is subject to a patent application – Untamed Irish vodka is billed as the first and only super-premium vodka to be produced in Ireland.

Small batches pot still distillation using carefully selected Irish apples achieves optimal purity and a distinctly smooth taste, says the brand. No added sugar, flavouring or any kind of additive is included and the vodka is bottled to 40% abv using pure Irish water.

Says André Levy, “The bespoke Untamed Irish vodka bottle features spectacular chrome wings, symbolic of the unbroken Irish spirit and its goal of freedom for everyone. Untamed is ideal for both cocktails and as a stand-alone drink due to its smooth flavour.”

Though classified as super-premium products, the three new spirits will be sold at competitive prices – ranging from €25-30 – meaning significant added value for consumers; distributors and retailers meanwhile stand to benefit from a ‘unique opportunity that takes advantage of the fastest growing spirits category by giving depth and breadth to premium Irish spirits that is otherwise limited to just whiskey and Irish Cream.’