Pike Creek whisky

Diageo North America is entering the low-calorie spirits segment with the introduction of Smirnoff Sorbet Light flavored vodka this month. At 78 calories per 1.5-ounce serving, the 30% alcohol-by-volume spirit is a blend of triple-distilled Smirnoff No. 21 vodka and natural fruit flavoring. Sorbet Light is available nationwide in three flavors: Raspberry Pomegranate, Mango Passion Fruit and Lemon, with a suggested retail price of $15.99 a 750-ml. bottle.

Beam Inc. has officially launched white whiskey Jim Beam Jacob’s Ghost into national distribution, retailing at $22 a bottle. Beam says the 40%-abv offering—news of which trickled out last fall—differentiates itself from other moonshines and white whiskies on the market by its one-year stint of aging in white oak barrels, creating a “hybrid spirit” that should appeal to both whiskey and white spirits drinkers. A combination of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley, the new Jack extension is also 40% abv, but will sell at a hefty premium to Jacob’s Ghost, retailing around $50 a bottle.

Proximo Spirits has partnered with the estate of Marilyn Monroe to debut Three Olives vodka’s most recent extension, Marilyn Monroe Strawberry. The new flavor will launch nationwide this month, priced at $21 a 750-ml. Marilyn Monroe Strawberry joins a Three Olives brand portfolio that already includes more than 21 flavors, including S’mores, Cake, Loopy, Root Beer and Bubble, among others.

blah

Pernod Ricard USA will release a new small-batch Canadian whisky brand, Pike Creek, beginning next month in select markets including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, New York and New Hampshire. Aged in American oak Bourbon barrels and finished in vintage Port barrels, Pike Creek is 80 proof and will retail at $32 a 750-ml.

blah

Castle Brands is launching a new limited edition entry from the Jefferson’s small-batch Bourbon range, Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21-year-old Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The new expression, which is sourced from 15 lots of Bourbon, was aged in new oak for 21 to 24 years and bottled at 90 proof. Rolling out nationally on April 1, Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21-year-old will be priced at $120 a 750-ml., with a limited quantity of 2,000 cases available.

blah

Heaven Hill Distilleries will roll out a special bottling, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, this month. The limited edition release will begin shipping mid-March and will be offered in three-bottle cases to markets nationwide that currently offer Elijah Craig. Priced at $39.99 a 750-ml. bottle, the new Barrel Proof Bourbon is 67.1%-abv. It was aged for 12 years, is non-chill-filtered and is packaged in the traditional Elijah Craig flask-style bottle.

Peligroso Tequila is rolling out a new flavor extension to its range, Peligroso Cinnamon ($30 a 750-ml.). The variant will launch this month to key markets, including California and Nevada, with additional markets to follow. The 84-proof, 100%-agave Tequila is infused with real cinnamon and a blend of other ingredients. Peligroso’s range of Tequilas also includes Silver, Añejo and Reposado.

blah

Lucky Dog vodka has launched in California through San Francisco-based Bock Wine & Spirits. It is available now at restaurants, bars and stores throughout the state for a suggested retail price of $21.99 a 750-ml. Founder and president Greg Nichols, a former U.S. National Freestyle Ski Team member, launched the brand last May in Nantucket, Massachusetts. In addition to California, Lucky Dog is also currently available in the New York metro market and throughout Massachusetts. The brand is now in the process of expanding into Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Virginia.