Orchid Liqueurs
Company: Outin Drinks Price: £10.50 Expert's verdict:...12/25
?The idea of a fruit-based liqueur does appeal but the appearance of artificial flavouring is a big turn-off for the discerning UK consumer. I found both the lychee and mango variants far too sweet and totally lacking in subtlety. The overpowering sense of alcohol may have been due to insufficient shaking on my part but, either way, the alcohol-to-fruit combination was not balanced. The packaging did not convey to me the source of the key ingredients. Moreover, the presentation simply lacked the sophistication that the UK liqueurs market demands in order to engage with the target consumer.
John Taylor, head of buying, impulse, MBL
Consumer's verdict... 8/25
?The packaging is fantastic - the bottles look very chic and would most certainly be a good present for a dinner party or just a luxury present. But I tried the mango variant and, despite the great flavour, I was shocked by the thick texture and the bitter taste. It wasn't unlike drinking 'from concentrate' fruit juice. I just couldn't get past this and therefore couldn't see when I would want to drink it. It could possibly be used in cocktails or with mixers, but as a liqueur it just doesn't work for me. I wouldn't buy it again.
Michael Green, IT manager, Bexhill-on-Sea
Overall verdict: ...20/50
Fairtrade Premium Rum Company: The Co-operative Group Launch price: £10.99 Acid test verdict: 35/50
The rum was delisted by The Co-operative Group in July. The retailer said this had been a hard decision to make because of its commitment to supporting fair trade. It had been hoping that the rum would gain recognition as another Fairtrade first from the Co-op and open up the opportunity for more spirits in this sector. But, it said, it was unable to make the product work. Despite promotional activity, price reduction and press advertising, consumers did not purchase enough of the product to justify it becoming a permanent listing.
Company: Outin Drinks Price: £10.50 Expert's verdict:...12/25
?The idea of a fruit-based liqueur does appeal but the appearance of artificial flavouring is a big turn-off for the discerning UK consumer. I found both the lychee and mango variants far too sweet and totally lacking in subtlety. The overpowering sense of alcohol may have been due to insufficient shaking on my part but, either way, the alcohol-to-fruit combination was not balanced. The packaging did not convey to me the source of the key ingredients. Moreover, the presentation simply lacked the sophistication that the UK liqueurs market demands in order to engage with the target consumer.
John Taylor, head of buying, impulse, MBL
Consumer's verdict... 8/25
?The packaging is fantastic - the bottles look very chic and would most certainly be a good present for a dinner party or just a luxury present. But I tried the mango variant and, despite the great flavour, I was shocked by the thick texture and the bitter taste. It wasn't unlike drinking 'from concentrate' fruit juice. I just couldn't get past this and therefore couldn't see when I would want to drink it. It could possibly be used in cocktails or with mixers, but as a liqueur it just doesn't work for me. I wouldn't buy it again.
Michael Green, IT manager, Bexhill-on-Sea
Overall verdict: ...20/50
Fairtrade Premium Rum Company: The Co-operative Group Launch price: £10.99 Acid test verdict: 35/50
The rum was delisted by The Co-operative Group in July. The retailer said this had been a hard decision to make because of its commitment to supporting fair trade. It had been hoping that the rum would gain recognition as another Fairtrade first from the Co-op and open up the opportunity for more spirits in this sector. But, it said, it was unable to make the product work. Despite promotional activity, price reduction and press advertising, consumers did not purchase enough of the product to justify it becoming a permanent listing.
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