Jersey-owned drink goes global

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Local businessman Lawrence Huggler has successfully revived a 200-year-old liqueur and won an exclusive contract with Harvey Nichols and a launch in South Africa - not to mention a debut at the recent MTV Awards.

Lanique is a spirit liqueur made from Attar of Rose, which is worth more per kilo than gold. Mr Huggler, who owns The Club Hotel and Spa, purchased the recipe in 2013 so that he could release the special liqueur to the international market.

Lanique's popularity in Jersey and the UK was confirmed earlier this month when it became the "Official Liqueur Partner" for the 2014 MTV EMA Awards in Glasgow. 

Mr Huggler said: "It was important for me to launch the drink first in the Channel Islands where I reside and much of the development work of the brand has taken place in the Islands. It’s fantastic that Lanique, which has already launched in the UK and South Africa, will now be launching into the United States of America. Our aim is to introduce Lanique to a new audience, making it a great choice for any chic celebration and party as it was 200 years ago."

Lanique has a rich and interesting history. Over 200 years ago, across the old kingdom of Prussia, Lanique was cherished by the wealthy elite at their celebrations and grand balls. The drink remained a firm favourite all the way through to the roaring 1920s, but disappeared with the Second World War and the rise of communism.

Mr Huggler was introduced to the drink back in 2003. When the opportunity arose ten years later, he purchased the brand and has now brought Lanique back to market. It is now served in over 25 bars in Jersey and is stocked in many prestigious London boltholes such as The Groucho Club, Blue Bird King's Road and Lonsdale Notting Hill. It retails in Harvey Nichols stores and will be launched into Guernsey in time for Christmas and the United States in the New Year.

Lanique is completely natural with ingredients sourced from exotic locations. It boasts a unique flavour that is delicately captured by steam distilling thousands of rose petals. The signature serve is Lanique & Lime but mixologists have already identified many other combinations including the Lanique Collins, Lanique Champagne and even a Laniquetini!