Regal Rogue vermouth makes UK debut

Regal Rogue is described by its founder Mark Ward as “a creative incarnation of the classic vermouth style that will take you on a journey of discovery into New World wines and native Australian aromatics”.

Following a successful debut in its native Australia in 2012, the aperitif is now launching into select on-trade and off-trade venues in the UK, with plans for a broader launch in February 2015.

The brand came about from a desire to marry new world wines with complimentary native herbs and spices from Australia’s outback and to enhance, rather than mask, the unique vintages. Handcrafted and blended in annual batches, Regal Rogue is an artisanal vermouth. It is intended for sipping over ice as an elegant aperitif, a lingering digestif, or mixed in a cocktail.

“From my years slinging liquor in the bar scene throughout the UK, Asia and Australia, I saw that there was a gap in the market for this long dormant classic drink to be revived for modern palates,” says Ward. “Having worked on the stellar launches of Hendricks gin, Glenfiddich whisky, Sailor Jerry rum, 42 Below vodka into the Australian market, I saw a shift in consumer attitudes to classic drinks and a growing interest in the craft beverage category.

“The craft vermouth category has grown by 27% in London in the past 12 months, evolving an already established annual market of 23 million 9-litre cases globally. Craft vermouth is now produced from Australia, UK and all across America and the emerging trend is being noted by the world’s food and drink media.

“As a proud English-native, I consider my homeland, with its impeccable taste in food, drink and society charm as a natural fit for my tenacious young brand. The bar for a quaffable tipple is set incredibly high in the UK these days and we are seeing a strong resurgence in the appreciation of vermouth as a stand-alone beverage amongst the connoisseurs of the drinks scene.”

The packaging’s shelf appeal was confirmed by a win as Best Brand Identity at the Sydney Design Awards last year.

Regal Rogue Bianco 18%ABV is created with a combination of bush lemons, lemon myrtle, finger limes, sage, oregano, basil, native thyme, lemongrass and vanilla. Regal Rogue Rosso 19%ABV is a marriage of wattle seed and fiery pepperberries with a mix of South Australian Semillon, Shiraz and Port and a finishing of rich fruit and exotic clove, cinnamon and ginger. Both have an RRP of £24.90 per 75cl bottle.

29 October 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor