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American Whiskey Association Toasts USA’s 250th with Worldwide Celebrations

The American Whiskey Association (AWA) is highlighting the role of American whiskey in select U.S. Embassy celebrations connected to America’s 250th anniversary, underscoring the category’s importance as a symbol of American craftsmanship, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, trade and cultural diplomacy. AWA and participating member companies are supporting a targeted series of high-profile events with U.S. diplomatic…

Catoctin Creek Distilling Announces Tasting Room Refresh, Grand Re-Opening

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company of Purcellville, Virginia, this month announced a comprehensive refresh of its tasting room experience, featuring extended hours, an expanded cocktail and mocktail program, enhanced guest hospitality, and a Grand Re-Opening celebration scheduled for July 1st. Designed to transform the tasting room from a traditional sampling counter into a welcoming cocktail destination,…

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces Top 10 International Spirited Awards Noms

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is proud to announce the Top 10 International Nominees for the 20th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its inception in 2007, the Spirited Awards has become one of the world’s highest-regarded honors in the drinks industry, celebrating outstanding individuals, establishments, products, media, and leaders who continue to inspire the global cocktail community. …

Craft beer pioneer Charlie Papazian to leave Brewers Association next year

Exactly one year from today will mark the end of an era for American craft beer and home brewing. Charlie’s a true pioneer. Read the release that just dropped from the Brewers Association. The Brewers Association (BA) today announced that founder and past president Charlie Papazian will exit the Brewers Association on Jan. 23, 2019, marking…

Bacardi to acquire Patrón, values tequila brand at $5.1B

Right on the heels of the Pernod Ricard-Avión announcement, even bigger tequila news comes out of Bacardi. The spirits giant, which has had a minority stake in Patrón for the past decade, will be buying the rest of the company. BTW, the brand’s worth more than Lucasfilm. I know, that’s apropos of nothing, but it’s…

Koloa Rum launches Kauai Reserve Three-Year Aged Hawaiian Rum

Hawaii’s Koloa Rum Company has announced the launch of its first-ever Kauai Reserve Three-Year Aged Hawaiian Rum. Crafted in single-batches at its Kalaheo distillery, Kauai Reserve is made from the finest Hawaii sugar cane and fresh island water that was slowly filtered through volcanic strata before reaching vast underground aquifers. Kauai Reserve is aged for a minimum of three years in select American white oak barrels…

Pernod Ricard buys remaining stake in Tequila Avión

Some big news from the tequila world… Pernod Ricard USA announced that it has completed the acquisition of the remaining stake in Avión Spirits LLC, owner of the ultra-premium tequila brand Avión, from its joint-venture partner Tequila Avión. Founder Ken Austin and president Jenna Fagnan, along with Grammy Award winner Jeezy, will remain highly…

Original all-malt Bols Genever is coming to the United States

Some exciting news from Lucas Bols. Folks who’ve read my work will know that I’m quickly becoming quite the genever geek, so this pleases me immensely! But I’d better not get too excited because it’s only in six markets and there will only be 200 cases available. Lucas Bols announced that for the first time…

IWSR: Spirits up 2.3%, Total Alcohol Consumption Down 0.2%

Total U.S. beverage alcohol consumption was down slightly last year, according to market tracker the IWSR, but distilled spirits continued their low-single-digit overall growth trend. Beer continued to pull the total alcohol market down, with a decline of about a half percentage point in total category volume.