As first reported by TRBusiness, St-Rémy Brandy is launching three new additions to its limited edition Cask Finish Collection: Barbados Dark Rum, Islay Scotch Whisky and Cabernet-Sauvignon.

 

As previously reported, the ‘Finished in Islay Scotch Whisky Casks’ is available now, exclusively at Dubai Duty Free. The ‘Finished in Barbados Dark Rum Casks’ will be launched exclusively at LCBO stores (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) in Canada, and the ‘Finished in Cabernet-Sauvignon Casks’ will be available in all markets from September.

 

Hervé Buzon, Global Brand Director at St-Rémy says: “The new additions to our Cask Finish Collection join our existing portfolio of award-winning styles and offer a unique twist on an already premium taste. We are pleased to be supporting key markets with these new products.”

 

In an trade exclusive interview with Buzon in June, he told TRBusiness that St-Rémy brandy is hoping to recruit new generations of consumers through travel retail – its second biggest market after Canada (domestic) – revealing that the brand had just recently launched a travel retail exclusive cask finish with Dubai Duty Free.

 

TRBusiness spoke with Buzon and Master Blender Cécile Roudaut at an intimate media gathering for the launch of an exciting new Brandy & Cheese collaboration, which took place in June at Le Pont de la Tour restaurant in London.

‘NO 1 BRANDY IN GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL’

According to Buzon, St-Rémy is the No 1. brandy in global travel retail (by volume), with over 100,000 9litre cases sold per year. Canada is the company’s No 1. market, group-wide, and the US is its third. The brand is also well-known in the Middle East – hence the tie-up with DDF – as it has a strong Indian customer-base.

 

The latest expressions in the Cask Finish Collection join the Chardonnay Cask, which won a Silver Medal at the 2018 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) and more recently, a Silver Medal in the 2019 Brandy Masters.

 

“St-Rémy Cask Finish Collection is the top end expression of Cécile Roudaut’s expertise in selecting casks and delicately maturing St-Rémy brandy with various types of wood,” says the brand.

 

“Each of these rare expressions offer a unique tasting experience, a distinctive exploration into the encounter between French brandies and wood. This collection remains true to the House founded in 1886, which takes pride in its expert distilling, ageing and craftsmanship.”

There will only be 2,568 individually numbered bottles of the ‘Finished in Barbados Dark Rum Casks’ expression made available.

 

TASTING NOTES

“On the palate, the expression is sweet and fruity with an ideal balance between ripe banana and toast, followed by vanilla and hot spices,” says St-Rémy. “The oaky notes are well-rounded with a smooth finish.”

 

St-Rémy will offer 1,968 bottles of the ‘Finished in Islay Scotch Whisky Casks’ expression, now available with Dubai Duty Free.

 

“The Islay Scotch Whisky expression is sweet with a gentle peatiness and hints of barley and citrus on the nose,” adds the company. “There is rich depth on the palate. The peat brings a warmth, with finesse between the softness of the smoke and the power of the barley, that contrasts with the freshness of the fruits (peach and apricot) and the richness of the spice (cloves). The aromas are strengthened by the Islay sea breeze, zest of citrus and wood.”

 

Lastly, 6,672 bottles of the ‘Finished in Cabernet-Sauvignon Casks’, expression, will be available in all markets. Unsurprisingly, the Cabernet-Sauvignon expression has notes of red fruits combined with ‘fresh butter, ginger and liquorice with a hint of pepper’ on the nose.

 

“It is elegant, sweet and fruity on the palate with notes of red and black fruits and pastry,” says St-Rémy. “There are fresh notes of wood, enhanced by soft tannins with a hint of cloves and liquorice.”