There’s no doubt that consumer interest in craft spirits is on the rise, and big companies are paying attention. From special releases of back stocks, to single cask editions and cask strength bottlings, limited release spirits with a craft edge are popping up from the most familiar names on the back bar. In many cases these spirits showcase the capability of mass producers to offer top shelf spirits with all the authenticity of their smaller counterparts.

We’ve seen this across the categories as early as a decade ago. Some companies, like Tanqueray, forecasted this movement nearly a decade ago with releases like their Rangpur Gin, which features a more robust flavor profile: Fresh on the nose, aromas are full of lime and lemon zest and mint. Pillowy in texture, the flavor of juicy lime mingles with toned down juniper and eucalyptus for a distinctly fruity and zesty character. The gin takes its name from use of the Rangpur lime, which imparts flavors of pungent and zesty lime and juicy mandarin. Also looking to frame a product in a craft light, Hendrick’s released Orbium, a gin infused with botanicals typically found in tonic and other gin mixers, like quinine and wormwood. To drive home the point of exclusivity, they describe the special bottling as “oddly exquisite” and “almost certainly not for everyone.”

The whiskey category is another one that is ripe for craftier versions from familiar brand names. Over the past few years Jameson has released a line of special bottles. One of these craft driven lines is The Whiskey Makers series, which carries the fingerprint of people from their production team, as well as nodding toward the aspect of production that each member specializes in. These whiskeys not only encompass the demand for more unique character driven spirits, but also the personal association of people behind each bottle.

As more big brands buy into the idea and philosophy of personalized and unique spirits, we will continue to see more of these bottles offered at cocktail and spirit focused bars, as well as on the shelves of specialty stores, which bodes well for big and small companies alike, and of course, the consumers.