Kingsland Drinks’ spirits arm unveils first brands

Manchester-based Kingsland Drinks has revealed the inaugural brands to join its independent spirits business, Ten Locks.

The new Ten Locks spirits arm was unveiled last month, however it was yet to be named. The name pays homage to the location of Kingsland Drinks, which is based on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, next to the lock at Irlam. It will be led by former Mangrove executive Becky Davies.

The new company will offer a portfolio of premium brands for the on- and off-trade, including new and emerging brands. The first brands to join Ten Locks’ portfolio are Indonesian rum brand Nusa Caña, Applewood Gin and West Cork Irish whiskey.

The brands are all said to share the company’s “progressive, ethical and sustainable ethos with a focus on innovation”.

Nusa Caña aims to bring to life the “forgotten story of Indonesian rum” and is made with ingredients from the country’s spice islands such as nutmeg and clove. The labels for the rum are made from recycled sugar cane pulp.

Ten Locks will also initially import three Irish whiskeys from West Cork Distillers including the Bourbon Cask, Black Cask and Bog Oak Charred Cask.

Finally, Australian gin brand Applewood is said to embody Australian culture and is made from botanicals such as desert lime, native wattle seed and aromatic peppermint gum.

The brand’s founders aim to support more sustainable farming methods, crops and orchards. As such, the gin has been created in the “most sustainable and non-impactful way possible”.

Davies said: “Through these first spirits, the portfolio is starting to speak for itself; brands of quality, distinction and purpose. They bring new tastes, fresh perspectives and true sense of excitement to the on-trade and off-trade.

“With their defined and clear proposition we know each brand has a commercially relevant place in the market, and will quench the thirst of consumers seeking brands that demonstrate authenticity, credibility and quality, whilst taking measures to ensure and improve elements of sustainability and ethical practices.

“We are hugely excited to welcome these brands to the UK drinks trade, and we can’t wait to unveil the rest of the portfolio, which is shaping up to be something very special.”

The Ten Locks portfolio will be available to the on-trade and off-trade from October.

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Author: Nicola Carruthers