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  • ThunderDonks New Twist: Launches Bold Campfire Coffee Whisky Blend, Igniting Flavoured Whisky Trend

    ThunderDonks New Twist: Launches Bold Campfire Coffee Whisky Blend, Igniting Flavoured Whisky Trend

    New Zealand whisky maker, ThunderDonk, has recently introduced its latest blend, Campfire Coffee. This unique combination of Colombian coffee beans and aged single malt whisky is the latest in ThunderDonk’s innovative offerings.

    ThunderDonk’s journey began last year in New Zealand, where the brand was crafted by the team at Scapegrace Distilling. Since its inception, its Spiced Maple and Salted Caramel flavours have made quite an impression, selling over 5,000 cases across both New Zealand and Australia within a year.

    A Unique Blend

    The Campfire Coffee blend pairs rich Colombian coffee beans with toasted coconut flakes and a finely aged single malt whisky from New Zealand. This results in a flavour profile that features strong espresso notes, an undercurrent of toasted coconut, and a pleasant, tropical sweetness.

    ThunderDonk’s Managing Director, Mark Neal, expressed enthusiasm about this unusual combination. “Whisky and coffee may seem like an unexpected pairing, but that’s exactly the surprise we’re aiming for,” he said. “Campfire Coffee is the perfect accompaniment for those late-night conversations around the fire. It offers a bold, smooth, coffee-driven flavour, making it ideal for cocktails, a chilled shot, or to be savoured neat.”

    Availability and Market Trends

    The new Campfire Coffee blend is now available across the nation and comes in three sizes: 700ml, 200ml, and 50ml. The whisky is bottled at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 33%.

    The introduction of this new flavour aligns with current market trends, as flavoured whisky is experiencing a significant surge in popularity. This segment of the whisky market is expanding at a pace that is 50% faster than traditional whisky, making it the fastest-growing segment globally.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new flavour that ThunderDonk has launched?
    The New Zealand whisky brand, ThunderDonk, has launched a new flavour named Campfire Coffee, blending Colombian coffee beans with aged single malt whisky.

    What makes the Campfire Coffee blend unique?
    The blend is unique due to its combination of rich Colombian coffee beans, toasted coconut flakes, and aged New Zealand single malt whisky. It offers a bold and smooth coffee-led flavour.

    What is the trend in the whisky market?
    Flavoured whisky is the fastest-growing segment in the global whisky market, growing 50% faster than traditional whisky.

  • Revamping Chanel: How Matthieu Blazys Unique Twist on Classics Fuels Brands Return to Growth

    Revamping Chanel: How Matthieu Blazys Unique Twist on Classics Fuels Brands Return to Growth

    The iconic Parisian fashion brand, Chanel, has seen an influx of new customers drawn to the reimagined versions of classic items by creative director Matthieu Blazy. The reinvented versions of the brand’s staple bags, shoes, and jackets have sparked a demand that exceeds supply, propelling the brand towards renewed growth.

    Revenue Growth and Increased Demand

    Chanel, a privately-held company, announced a 2% increase in revenue to $19.3 billion in 2025, marking a bounce back from a 4.3% decline in 2024. This period saw even premium fashion brands grappling with the bounds of demand following significant price hikes during a post-pandemic luxury resurgence.

    Blazy, who replaced Virginie Viard last year, has breathed new life into the brand with innovative designs like the relaxed leather “maxi flapbag” retailing at $8500, and bright, fringed renditions of the classic Chanel tweed jacket.

    Chanel’s CEO, Leena Nair, noted a creative momentum across all their business activities in 2025 and attributed the sales rebound to the investments made the previous year. The company also reported an increase in operating profit by 5% to reach $4.7 billion, although this fell short of its figures between 2021 and 2023.

    When Blazy’s debut collection hit stores in March, it sparked a buying frenzy for new handbags, two-tone pumps in mint green and black sold at $1450, and multicoloured tweed jackets. Simon Longland, Director of Fashion Buying at the prestigious Harrods in London, described the recruitment of new clients – those who had never previously bought Chanel – as phenomenal.

    Regional Growth and Future Plans

    Despite slower growth than Hermès and a slight decline compared to LVMH’s fashion and leather goods division, Chanel still saw a significant surge in sales in the US market, with a 7.2% increase in the Americas region. However, sales in Asia-Pacific, Chanel’s largest region by sales, declined slightly by 0.8%, while Europe saw a growth of 2.5%.

    In 2025, Chanel increased prices by 3% overall and 2% for fashion products, with similar hikes planned for this year. CFO Philippe Blondiaux reported that Chanel’s business in the Middle East, accounting for about 4% of revenue, remained resilient despite the war in Iran.

    After opening 41 stores in 2025, the brand intends to open an additional 30 stores this year, including nine fashion boutiques, with new locations in Boca Raton, Florida, as well as Palo Alto and San Diego in California.

    Questions & Answers

    What contributed to Chanel’s revenue growth in 2025?
    Chanel’s increased revenue in 2025 can largely be attributed to the innovative designs of new creative director Matthieu Blazy, which led to a surge in demand for the brand’s products.

    How did Chanel fare compared to other luxury brands in 2025?
    Though Chanel experienced slower growth than Hermès, it outperformed LVMH’s fashion and leather goods division and saw strong sales growth in the Americas region.

    What are Chanel’s plans for 2026?
    Chanel plans to continue expanding by opening 30 more stores, including nine fashion boutiques, in locations such as Boca Raton, Florida, Palo Alto, and San Diego, California. The brand also intends to increase prices by a similar rate as in the previous year.

  • Beenleigh Distillery Targets Rtd Market With Citrus-inspired ‘hard Orange Crush’ Launch

    Beenleigh Distillery Targets Rtd Market With Citrus-inspired ‘hard Orange Crush’ Launch

    Beenleigh Distillery has recently expanded its ready-to-drink (RTD) selection by launching Hard Orange Crush, a citrus-inspired beverage.

    Product Characteristics

    Hard Orange Crush, the newest offering from Beenleigh Distillery, is a refreshing blend that includes real orange juice. It is packaged in 375ml cans, which are sold in packs of four. The beverage boasts a delicate citrus and sherbet aroma with a slightly tart finish. The alcohol content is pegged at 4.5%.

    Following the Success of Pineapple Crush

    This move comes after Beenleigh Distillery’s successful introduction of Pineapple Crush. According to the company, this product was one of their most successful RTD launches in the last financial year, securing a spot amongst the top three based on sales data from certain retail groups.

    Will Sullivan, the brand manager at Beenleigh Distillery, commented on the new product launch, saying, “Orange is a beloved soft drink flavor in Australia, but it is seldom used in RTDs. We had great success with Pineapple, and we’re confident Hard Orange Crush will follow suit.”

    Strategic Expansion

    The launch of Hard Orange Crush is part of Beenleigh Distillery’s larger strategy to tap into the market for soft drink-inspired alcoholic beverages. The distillery aims to broaden its presence in the expanding ready-to-drink sector.

    Sullivan added, “We view this as a deliberate step towards an area that has been neglected for too long. With Hard Orange Crush, we’re introducing a unique product and aiming to fortify our position in the market.”

    Questions & Answers

    What inspired Beenleigh Distillery to create Hard Orange Crush?
    Beenleigh was influenced by the popularity of orange as a soft drink flavor in Australia and the success of their previous product, Pineapple Crush.

    How is Hard Orange Crush packaged and sold?
    The product comes in 375ml cans and is sold in packs of four.

    How does the launch of Hard Orange Crush fit into Beenleigh Distillery’s broader strategy?
    The introduction of Hard Orange Crush is part of Beenleigh Distillery’s plan to expand its presence in the growing ready-to-drink sector by creating soft drink-inspired alcoholic beverages.