NPD Trend Tracker: From Royal whisky to festive fun

Limited edition is the theme for this week’s NPD trend tracker. Brands are launching new and exciting products, but in limited numbers. It’s an intriguing and unusual trend that we’ll be sure to keep an eye on. Read on to find out more, but be quick about it as they’ll all be gone soon!

Oh, and don’t worry, we're kicking things off with a hint of Christmas - ‘tis (almost) the season!

Reese’s DJ Santa​

Reese’s is introducing its new DJ Santa Advent Calendar. As well as the obligatory chocolate, the calendar has a QR code behind each door leading people to an interactive game with DJ Santa, with prizes to be won. The festive fun finishes on Christmas Eve with a full-size Reese's white peanut butter cup and a final chance to win.

By scanning the QR code found inside, participants can engage in a claw grab game to reach DJ Santa’s head. If DJ Santa’s head is filled with peanut butter, the participant wins a prize, with options ranging from DJ Santa's mixed songs to a bundle of Reese's confectionery products.

"We’re excited to elevate our offering this Christmas with the Reese's DJ Santa Advent Calendar,” says Jackson Hitchon, general manager for Europe and World Travel Retail. “It's not just about enjoying our signature combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter - it's about creating memorable experiences. By offering the chance to win fantastic prizes and engage in fun interactive games, we're confident it will become a must-have for anyone looking to add extra joy to their Christmas experience and continue on last year's success."

Available online and in stores

Image credit: Reese's

By royal appointment​

Highgrove and Cotswolds Distillery is launching a limited-edition Royal Gardens Single Malt Whisky. Made using heritage barley, grown on the Highgrove Estate, this special-edition single malt has been aged in premium active ex-red wine and first fill bourbon casks.

Bottled exclusively by Cotswolds Distillery on 21 ​October 2024, the collection consists of just 400 bottles and is available for purchase exclusively from The Highgrove Shop at Highgrove Gardens, the Highgrove website and Cotswolds Distillery shops and website. 

Each bottle of Highgrove Royal Gardens Single Malt Whisky is numbered and includes a label displaying a watercolour of The South Front of Highgrove House, painted by His Majesty King Charles III and has been reproduced with mission of The King’s Foundation to Cotswolds Distillery. 

The King’s Foundation is the custodian of Highgrove Gardens for the opening of Highgrove Gardens to the public, which generates an annual income for the charity. All profits from sales of the whisky will support The King's Foundation for its charitable delivery of education and training initiatives, some of which take place at Highgrove. The King’s Foundation’s base at Highgrove accommodates education and training opportunities in furniture-making, fashion, and textiles, and building craft skills.

"We are so excited to launch a new limited-edition whisky with Cotswolds Distillery and it’s particularly special that it has been produced using heritage barley grown on the Highgrove Estate,” said Scott Simpson, retail director at The King’s Foundation. “The garden at Highgrove provides inspiration for all of our products, including our extensive range of food and drink made using ingredients from the garden. We are proud that all of the proceeds from Highgrove products are ploughed back into the work of The King’s Foundation and the charity’s educational delivery which takes place on site.’’

Image credit: Highgrove and Cotswolds Distillery

Amaretto Planteray Rum​

ADRIATICO is expanding its portfolio and venturing into the world of rum, with the launch of ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto Planteray Rum Cask. The limited-edition launch includes only 2,600 bottles.

This is the fourth limited edition ADRIATICO Amaretto release following the launch of its successful Heaven Hill Bourbon Cask, Caroni Rum Cask and Bonollo Grappa Cask expressions. The new limited edition expression ages ADRIATICO Roasted Amaretto for eight months in ex-Planteray Fijian Rum casks, which is said to create an intense amaretto with nuances of classic rum flavours.

"It was essential to have a very intense rum to complement the intensity of the amaretto,” said Fannie Thibaud, head of creation and experimentation at Maison Ferrand. “Amaretto is quite sweet, so we needed a rum that was more tannic and structured to achieve a nicely balanced palate. Additionally, the almond and sweet orange notes pair perfectly with the coffee and toasted flavours of the Fiji rum, with slightly animalistic notes that further enhance the marriage of these spirits.”

Available online

Image credit: ADRIATICO

Spice Circuit Gin​

Brighton Gin has announced the launch of its new Spice Circuit gin. And is this one limited edition too? Of course it is! 

Made in collaboration with Hyderabad-born, Chef Kanthi Thamma, the Spice Circuit gin includes green cardamom, black pepper, mace, and the ‘hero’ of the gin, curry leaf. The organically grown spices are all sourced from Chef Thamma’s family farm in Kerala.

"I am a big fan of gin and even bigger fan of Brighton Gin,” says Chef Thamma. “Sustainable, local, small batch, top quality, legends – it's a dream collaboration! I love spices and I spend most of my life surrounded by spices. One day while sipping Brighton Gin at home, a thought came into my mind of coming up with a spice infused gin and making it even more Indian by somehow infusing curry leaves into it.  After all... Gin and Tonic was born in India and has a great history to share.”

“When Kanthi approached us with his idea for a spiced gin, we got to experimenting straight away,” says Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin. “Head Distiller Paul Revell distilled each potential ingredient separately to create an incredible library of taste, and then worked with Head of Operations Charly Thieme to create the final gin. It’s been brilliant to work with someone who has a palate as refined as Kanthi’s.  The resulting Spice Circuit gin pairs incredibly well with food, makes an incredible BG&T garnished with a fresh curry leaf and slice of red chilli, makes stellar cocktails and we’re also loving simply sipping it neat over ice.”

Available online

Image credit: Brighton Gin