Bacardi today unveils its latest innovation – TANG – a revolutionary spirit distilled entirely from green tea leaves. Travel Retail is the first market to launch TANG in an exclusive campaign with DFS at Hong Kong Airport which commences today and runs until May when it then expands into select partner restaurants in China.
Harnessing the magical properties of the quintessentially Chinese ingredient and blending it with the finest spring water from France, TANG is a highly exclusive and rare, contemporary spirit with a truly unique and robust taste profile that delivers a brand new drinking experience.
Mike Birch, Managing Director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail comments: “We’re excited to launch this exceptional innovation exclusively in Travel Retail. It is a perfect example of Bacardi’s strategic commitment to inspiring innovation ideas and a focus on Travel Retail as a key channel for innovation. TANG is a unique and contemporary development in new drinking experiences. We are confident that its initial launch is in great hands with DFS at Hong Kong International Airport.”
The name ‘TANG’ is inspired by the mighty Tang dynasty, China’s first Golden Age of antiquity and the beginnings of its profound appreciation for tea, a ‘holy herb’ held in high esteem ever since. The Tang dynasty was a period of great accomplishment marked by a spirit of innovation that is similarly embodied by TANG.
The cutting-edge distillation process behind TANG marks a breakthrough in the world of spirits, conceived by the combined knowledge of multiple scientists and experts from around the globe. Due to the composition of tea leaves and the absence of simple sugar, the experts at Bacardi developed a groundbreaking process that successfully releases complex sugars from tea leaves and transforms them into a fermentable form, resulting in a beautifully aromatic compound that forms the essence of the spirit. This is then concentrated and meticulously blended in different fractions by top master blenders who retain only the most pleasant and intense flavors. The precious liquid is then combined with its ideal complement, nothing more than the finest spring water from France, world renowned for water sources of exceptional purity. The result is a deliciously complex spirit that embodies and expresses the rich flavors of tea.
TANG, characterized by its distinctive aroma and robust tea flavour, is a delicious accompaniment to Chinese dishes. At first encounter, TANG has a bold and fragrant aroma. When consumed, an extraordinarily smooth and bitter-sweet taste of tea envelops the mouth, and creates a delightfully long, lingering finish that leaves behind a line of heat that extends to the belly. The liquid can cut through grease and enhance the taste of Cantonese and fusion dishes that are light and flavorful.
Matt Djokovic, Innovation Director, Bacardi Asia Pacific, comments: “With green tea forming the cornerstone of TANG, we believe we have created a truly unique product that tastes entirely new yet inspires a nostalgic familiarity that will intrigue the most discerning Chinese palate.
“Today, the types of spirits that can be enjoyed with food are fairly limited and TANG now brings a new, contemporary spirit option to enjoy during Chinese meals. We believe TANG is poised to deliver a contemporary drink experience that will satisfy consumer appetite for new and refined experiences in dining and other occasions.”
Produced in Cognac town (Commune), TANG has been crafted purely from green tea leaves and French spring water, a fragrant elixir that is completely untainted by any additives, preservatives or sugars.
TANG is encased in a stunning bottle designed with a distinctive trapezoidal twist to encapsulate the genuine fusion of Western innovation and Eastern traditions embodied by TANG. The bottle also features intricate etchings of tea leaf motifs inspired by the design of traditional Chinese tea caddies. Furthermore, the gold foiling on the bottle that echoes the beautiful hues of green tea adds to the sophistication of TANG.
TANG is recommended to be consumed neat, at room temperature, without ice. The complex TANG taste profile is equally delightful when mixed in cocktails.
TANG is available in a 50cl bottle with RSP HK$1888 (c.US$250).
Track down Tang and other luxury spirits and wines with www.dutyfreehunter.com – matching your journey to the duty free retail along your whole route
