Kiefer Sutherland's whiskey and chocolate vodka from The Apprentice: the best new spirits on the market

Red Bank whiskey, co-founded by Canadian actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland, is launching in the UK on 20 May, in partnership with Mangrove Global. The drink was first created in Canada in 2022 by Gary Briggs, Shawn Hiscott and Rob Steele alongside the Hollywood star, and was crafted by master blender Michel Marcil. Red Bank is dry whiskey made from rye, corn and wheat, with notes of allspice and caramel.

Price From £30

www.mangroveuk.com

Zacal, a new independent mezcal brand inspired by Michoacán in Mexico, is debuting in the UK with Ensamble (50% abv) and Manso Sahauyo (45% abv), which is designed for mixing. The mezcals are hand-distilled from organically-produced magueys (agave plants) – bruto and manso – and roasted with local volcanic rock in an underground oven at the family-run Vinata. The smoke is drawn away during production, reducing the characteristic smokiness of many mezcals and amplifying its other flavours.

Price Zacal Manso Sahuayo, from £50; Zacal Ensamble, from £70

www.zacalmezcal.com

Single-cask and small-batch spirits company the Heart Cut has added #06 Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky to its portfolio. The abv 54.3% spirit, matured in a new American oak cask by the Cotswolds Distillery, has tasting notes of banana bread, candied pecans, vanilla fudge, hazelnuts and red apples. The batch of 362 bottles was distilled in July 2018 and bottled in October 2023.

Price From £38

theheartcut.com

Raisthorpe Manor, the family business of entrepreneur and The Apprentice contestant Oliver Medforth, has added a salted caramel and chocolate brownie vodka to its Ollternative line.The 20% abv vodka has rich caramel flavours blended with chocolate and salt to balance the sweetness. It has been made by Raisthorpe Manor distillery using soft wheat that grows on the Yorkshire Wolds and local spring water.

Price £16

www.raisthorpemanor.com/ollternative-salted-caramel-chocolate

Panther M*lk, a ready-to-drink cocktail made with oat milk, has extended its range of flavours to include Crema, Rosa, Café and Menta. Crema has hints of vanilla, caramel and spice; Rosa has notes of strawberries; Café blends vodka with warm roasted coffee; and Menta features notes of peppermint. Panther M*lk has committed to using sustainable, gluten-free and vegan ingredients and its bottles use fewer raw materials in manufacturing and transportation than the brand’s previous version. The eco-friendly label is printed with non-polluting ink.

Price 50cl bottle, £12.86

panthermilk.com