A business accelerator programme which mentors start up drinks companies has revealed its two winners in the first year of its competition.
In Drinks Catalyst has announced two winners at a busy trade show and conference in Glasgow.
Tongue In Peat, a peat smoked tomato juice, won the non-alcoholic category after wowing the judges with their pitch and plan for business growth.
In the hotly contended alcoholic category, Panther M*lk, was presented with the award for delivering a unique proposition to the market with great potential for growth. The Glasgow founded oat-based cocktail created by Paul Crawford, wowed the judges who now commit to a year of business support to help grow the brand.
Both were announced at In Drinks trade show where 3,500 visitors joined over 100 drinks brands and 80 exhibitors in the last two days.
Adam Hardie, Head of Food and Drink at Johnston Carmichael, commented;
“In Drinks Catalyst has shown us all the real energy and passion that exists from young drinks businesses seeking success. We’ve had a great competition and we’re delighted with the results. The opportunity for all these finalists to showcase their brand for free to 3500 trade visitors at In Drinks is the real prize. Congratulations to everyone and especially Tongue In Peat and Panther M*lk.”
Jason Dobson, Director of Contagious, commented,
“We’re really pleased with our winners, and we will be working for them both as proud ambassadors going forwards. Tongue in Peat delivered an inspirational pitch and showed solid business foundations. It’s an exceptional product which should be part of every Bloody Mary on the planet.”
“The alcohol category was very closely contested but Panther Milk has a unique product which is a real champion of liquid innovation. Having built a loyal customer base, now is the time for Panther M*lk to grab a huge opportunity to build the brand with the UK and internationally.”
Alan Delaney, Legal Director of Morton Fraser solicitors, commented,
“We were delighted to co-sponsor the InDrinks Catalyst competition. The standard of entries was incredibly high and made it a very difficult decision for the judges. Congratulations to the winners who we look forward to supporting and working with.”
In Drinks Catalyst received 27 entries from start-up businesses from across the UK and covered all major drinks categories including low and no alcohol, beers and alcoholic spirits.
The In Drinks Catalyst 2023 WINNERS
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Panther M*lk
Panther M*lk is the world's first oat milk based RTD cocktail. Panther M*lk is a luxurious mix of premium spirits, high quality oat milk, and condensed oat milk available in 4 delicious flavours Vanilla, Strawberry, Mint and Coffee with occasional limited- edition releases. Panther M*lk is the ideal drink for lovers of rich and creamy drinks such as White Russians or Piña Coladas, but due to being made with oat milk has a low carbon footprint making the drink more sustainable, and better for the environment than dairy based brands.
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Tongue in Peat
Proudly handcrafted in Glasgow, Tongue in Peat was founded by an avid Bloody Mary drinker searching for a new mixer to give the cocktail an extra kick. By experimenting with fresh, seasonal tomatoes which are cold infused for 12 hours over a peat fire, sourced from the Scottish island of Islay, this peat smoked tomato juice is richer, deeper, more complex in taste than its market rivals.
