Ten Locks backs booming Mezcal and Rum categories.

Banhez Mezcal, Diablesse Rum and The Salford Rum Company join the company’s On Trade portfolio

Ten Locks, Manchester’s new premium drinks firm dedicated to backing brands striving for positive change, has announced a trio of spirits brands set to make their mark in the booming Rum and Mezcal sectors; Banhez Mezcal, Diablesse Rum and The Salford Rum Company join Ten Locks burgeoning portfolio this month and are available to the On Trade now.

Available to the on premise, is Banhez Mezcal. Banhez Mezcals are produced in Ejutla, Mexico, by a family and farmer-owned Cooperative whereby the members work together to make sustainable, fair trade Mezcal as their ancestors have done for generations. From sowing agave seeds to bottling each expression, every step in the process is completed by a Banhez family member of the Co-op.

Ten Locks will focus on establishing Banhez Ensemble (42% abv) in the UK, which uses 90 per cent Espadín and 10 per cent Barril agaves, to create a delightfully mild, floral and fruity Mezcal with notes of pineapple and banana.

A great introduction into the Mezcal category and the perfect option for cocktail development, Banhez Ensemble is perfectly positioned to be a favourite with bartenders and grow further interest in the buoyant Mezcal sector. The brand boasts a number of SKUs that will be introduced to the market at a later date including expressions showcasing the Tobala, Mexicano and Tepeztate agaves.

Diablesse Rum is a female-owned rum brand celebrating authentic, quality rums of provenance from the Caribbean. It strives to create unique blends, flavour profiles and serves to offer a more elegant brand while challenging the way rum is traditionally perceived.

Ten Locks will grow the brands’ two flagship expressions in the UK. The award-winning Diablesse Caribbean Golden Rum (40% abv), is a blend of rums from some of the most highly regarded distilleries in the world; an eight year old rum from the Four Square Distillery in Barbados, a four year old Jamaican rum from Worthy Park, and a three year old Demerara rum from the famous Enmore Coffey still in Guyana - a wooden still that has been making rum since 1830. It is aged in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels resulting in flavours of banana, butterscotch and fruitcake, with tropical fruit and peppery oak notes.

Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum (40% abv) is the only clementine spiced rum in the world and an international gold medal winner. It is a 100 per cent single origin Demerara rum from the world-renowned Diamond Distillery in Guyana. Using centuries-old traditional distillation methods, it is infused with only natural ingredients; clementine, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla pod and clove, and has a unique and highly moreish flavour profile.

The Salford Rum Company has already aroused the fascination and tastebuds of drinkers in Greater Manchester with its range of small batch golden and dark spiced rums that are distilled, blended and bottled close to the old Salford Docks. The brand takes inspiration from the imports of Caribbean rums and world spices that came through the city’s famous docks during the early 1900s.

Salford Original Spiced Rum (40% abv) is expertly infused with vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and dried Caribbean fruits, and Salford Dark Spice Rum (40% abv) is deliciously dark with flavours of vanilla, coconut, burnt caramel and cloves. Both are available nationally to the UK On Trade.

Becky Davies, Head of Commercial at Ten Locks, said: “Our goal is to offer premium spirits of distinction with a clear point of difference to the trade, and that’s precisely what these brands are. Every spirit is an example of incredible innovation - whilst respecting traditional techniques - that we know will excite bartenders and, in turn, discerning consumers seeking great taste, quality and brands that are relentlessly striving for positive change in their own way.

“Spiced rums are gaining huge traction and the appreciation they deserve. At the same time, the raft of NPD we’ve seen has started to swing towards high sugar and – at times – low quality products, much like pockets of the gin category. Our partnerships with Diablesse and The Salford Rum Company mean we step into this sector proudly, with truly exceptional, extremely high quality and very authentic liquids with real profit potential and appeal.

“Mezcal is emerging as the understanding of the category grows; it’s growing year on year mainly driven by it landing on the consumers’ radar as bigger players enter the category and they become more familiar with flavour profiles and serves. We’re hugely excited about Banhez Mezcal; in addition to the brand’s brilliant, co-operative-led proposition, it’s the perfect premium gateway into the category. We expect big love for this beautiful brand.”

Romain Guille, Partner at CNI Brands, Global Importer for Banhez Mezcal comments: “We’re looking forward to seeing how the UK On Trade reacts to Banhez Ensemble; it’s our firm belief it will become a favourite with UK bartenders and mixologists, and that our partnership with Ten Locks will cement its place as the Mezcal of choice amongst consumers as we work together to bring discerning spirits drinkers on board with Mezcal and its many attributes.”

Cleo Farman, Creator of Diablesse Rum, comments: “As a Manchester brand, we are delighted to work with a Manchester-based company that shares our dedication to the rum category. It’s fantastic to work with another company that is spearheaded by a woman who has a huge passion for the industry, and for partnering with purposeful brands with a true story to tell. I have no doubt that the UK drinks industry will enjoy the access Ten Locks presents to the Diablesse brand; we’re excited to see how our footprint expands across the country as even more consumers get to enjoy this special spirit.”

Speaking of the partnership with Ten locks, Salford Rum Co-founder Tommy Gaughan said: “Like the inspiration for our Salford Rum brand, Ten Locks and sister company Kingsland Drinks have a rich local history of importing wine and spirits through Salford Docks. This is an exciting step in the Salford Rum journey that allows us to continue with our dedication to work locally in the development of our business while reaching a wider audience through the Ten Locks portfolio.”

The three brands - available to the UK On Trade now - join Nusa Cana Rum, applewood Gin and West Cork Irish Whiskey in Ten Locks’ portfolio of purpose-led, progressive brands. Get in touch with the Ten Locks team at sales@tenlocks.com.