The world’s first super-premium peanut butter whiskey Skrewball is finally heading to Australia after blitzing the market in the United States.

The spirit will be pouring in New Zealand from late June and Australia from mid-July.

Since its US launch in 2018, Skrewball has grown to become the number one peanut butter whiskey flavoured liqueur, outpacing its nearest category competitor 15 to one in value and volume, and is the number five flavoured whiskey brand overall.

Pernod Ricard became a partner in the brand as a majority stakeholder in 2023 and is hoping to replicate its success Down Under. Flavoured spirits is the second fastest growing spirits segment in Australia. In New Zealand, flavoured modern whiskey continues to be the number one growth driver across the total spirits category.

Skrewball Co-Founders Steve and Brittany Yeng (above) visited Australia and New Zealand over the past two weeks spending time with trade and partners and the Pernod Ricard Pacific team.

Drinks Digest visited Pernod Ricard’s Sydney HQ to sample the spirit and was captivated by both its exceptional flavour and the incredible story behind its creation.

The spirit was surprisingly versatile both neat in a ‘Salty Nuts’ – in a shot glass with a sea salt rim – and as a spritz with orange juice and soda water. Brittany said it also takes Espresso Martinis and other cocktails to the next level.

Brittany has a masters degree in chemistry and is a former associate at prestigious global law firm specialising in pharmaceutical patent litigation, while Steve is a Cambodian refugee, polio survivor and former restauranteur who featured on Food Network. He had a passion for making food and cocktails with peanut butter and she had the technical skills to bring the product to life.

“There is nothing better for us than sharing the Skrewball story, seeing people taste the high-quality whiskey flavours for the first time, and showcase how the unexpected mix of sweet and savoury flavours takes an American classic to the next level,” Steve said.

Skrewball was born from a bestselling cocktail at the couple’s restaurant in Ocean Beach, California.

“It was one of those drinks that people couldn’t stop talking about, embodying both smooth whiskey and creamy peanut butter flavours, so we started working on bottling the magic that is Skrewball,” Brittany said.

The couple chose Australia as one the first two locations outside of the Americas to launch the product for because it was the location where their dream for Skrewball was born. The pair were on holidays in Australia when they decided to work together on their passion project.

Pernod Ricard Pacific Marketing Director Kristy Rutherford said:“Skrewball will be taking peanut butter flavour to the next level with its outstanding quality and flavour profile. The brand’s passion for embracing the quirky, left-of-centre approach to life is set to resonate with the Australian and Kiwi sense of humour and fun.

Skrewball 750ml will be available widely in leading retailers from late June in NZ and mid July in Australia for an RRP of $65.

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