Deal Point

Bonfort’s Vodka Report 2018

According to the Distilled Spirits Council, vodka has become the backbone of the spirits industry, accounting for 32% of all volume. In 2017, 71.3 million 9-liter cases of vodka were sold in the United States, generating $6.2 billion in revenue for distillers.

The Council states that an important growth driver has been the continued popularity of flavored vodkas as they now account for around 21% of all vodkas sold in the U.S. Today, consumers can enjoy vodkas that have been infused with natural spices, refreshing citrus flavors, raspberry, vanilla and other alternatives.

States May Regulate Cannabis Taxes Based On Alcohol Model

Representatives of the Distilled Spirits Council recently participated on panels examining marijuana legalization and retaliatory tariffs placed on U.S. spirits at the 2018 National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCLSA) Central/Western Regional Conference in Pasadena, California. In a panel discussion on the rapidly changing landscape of cannabis legalization, Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Mark Gorman stated, “Each of the nine states that has legalized cannabis since 2012 has declared they want to tax and regulate it just like alcohol…

Proper No. Twelve Runs Out Of Stock

Eire Born Spirits today announced that demand for Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey rapidly outpaced supply, resulting in an out-of-stock situation in its original release markets of Ireland and the United States. The situation is a testament to the quality of the brand’s first expression, a fine blend of Irish grain and single malt whiskey. Proper No. Twelve is becoming known all over the world as a brand that pays homage to Crumlin, Dublin 12 the neighborhood where company Founder, Conor McGregor, was born and raised.

Retaliatory Tariffs’ Impact On Alcohol Industry

The Distilled Spirits Council recently participated in two events to highlight the importance of export markets to the U.S. spirits industry.  
Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President for International Issues and Trade Christine LoCascio spoke at the Glass Packaging Institute’s annual meeting about the tremendous growth in U.S. spirits exports over the past two decades and the current trade issues of importance to the U.S. spirits industry, including retaliatory tariffs on U.S. whiskeys and other U.S. spirits…

Sazerac Just Bought 19 Brands From Diageo

The Sazerac Company, one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers, is purchasing 19 brands from Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across the spirits and beer categories. The brands being purchased by Sazerac are Seagram’s V.O. Seagram’s 83, Seagram’s Five Star, Myers’s, Romana Sambuca, Yukon Jack, Booth’s, Goldschlager, Popov, Relska, The Club, Black Haus, Peligroso, Grind, Piehole, Parrot Bay, Stirrings, Scoresby and John Begg brands. “We are delighted to acquire these iconic brands from Diageo…

Silverado Vineyards Moves to Pacific Southern Wine

Silverado Vineyards has appointed Pacific Southern Wine Company, based in Atlanta, to represent the winery in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. “We are delighted to partner with Pacific Southern to enhance our market presence, particularly in key on-premise accounts, and also to increase share of mind within our current distribution network,” explains Pamela Ford, Sales Director, East, Silverado Vineyards. Pacific Southern will launch with all of Silverado Vineyards’ current releases, which consist of…

Beach Whiskey Makes Four Major New Hires

The Beach Whiskey Company has announced four new major hires. “We continue to be encouraged by the response to Beach Whiskey and American Harvest Organic Vodka from retailers, distributors and consumers,” said Chuck Trout, CEO of the Beach Whiskey Company. “As a result of our success with national chains in the on- and off-premise, we’ve expanded our sales leadership and are thrilled to announce three new additions to the Beach Whiskey Company team.”

How Pernod Ricard Conceived Absolut Grapefruit

They ignited a new wave of vodka culture with their eye-popping ad campaigns in the late 1970s and ‘80s. They introduced a new spectrum of flavor possibilities to the spirit category and drove a Cosmo-ic frequency in the 1990s. They pinpointed ways to make vodka seem cool again to the hot hands of craft bartending in the early 2000s. How can Absolut Vodka drive category innovation in the second decade of the 2000s? Instead of forcing a premium upgrade…

Steven Grasse Is At It Again

Spirits maverick Steven Grasse (creator of the Hendrick’s Gin brand), and his Tamworth Distilling and Mercantile team are on a mission to make the newly launched Old Hampshire Applejack Whiskey the official state spirit of New Hampshire. With a TV campaign across television, radio, print and digital media proposing Old Hampshire Applejack as the official New Hampshire state spirit…

Romanian Spirits Producer’s New Distillery To Create 100 Jobs in Town of Carmel

Alexandrion Group, Romania’s largest spirits producer, announced site plan approval by the Planning Board of the Town of Carmel for the construction of its first U.S. distillery in Mid-Hudson, Putnam County, NY. The new distillery will produce premium spirits tailored to the U.S. market, such as whiskey, bourbon, gin, brandy and vodka, and will export these new products to the 50 countries that Alexandrion Group is currently supplying around the world.

Lonerider Spirits’ 8-State Rollsout Begins in N.C.

Lonerider Brewing Company, an award-winning company brewing ales for outlaws, announced today the launch of sister craft distillery Lonerider Spirits. Lonerider Spirits’ first distilled spirit, a bourbon whiskey finished in sherry casks, will be released this fall in North Carolina and soon thereafter in the other eight states where Lonerider already has a presence. A second spirit is planned for 2019.  It will retail for just under $40.

Hamilton Distillers Selling Off Discounted Whiskey Barrels

Brewers seeking discounts on Whiskey Del Bac barrels can reach out directly to Hamilton Distillers tomorrow, Thursday, June 14th from 11AM to 4PM. The Arizona-based distillery will have a large selection of their used-barrels for sale at discounted prices. Both Classic and Dorado barrels are available for sale on a first come, first served basis. No holds.