Author Archives: Joel Whitaker

TTB Approves 3% More Products in Last 12 Months

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

That’s according to bw166, which found Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau approved 43,300 new beer products, a 7.4% increase over the last year, 22,000 new spirits products, a 9.9% increase, and 110,700 new wine product, a 0.1% increase.

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Vermont Legislators Reduce Tax on Spirits-Based RtDs

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The Vermont Legislature passed and sent to Gov.Phil Scott  a bill to reduce the tax rate for spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products and expand outlets where they can be sold. “Not only are Vermont spirits consumers inconvenienced by having to go … Continue reading →

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Dirty Devil Expanding Across America

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

It’s now available in 28 states, the Canadian company says. The premium vodka is the first and only spirit in the world made with Hyper-Oxygenated water, a proprietary process developed by Dirty Devil’s parent company, St. Lucifer that creates nano-bubbles.  … Continue reading →

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What to Do to Reduce Political Risk

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The vindictive response to Walt Disney Co.’s opposition to a Florida bill involving LGBTQ discussion is an extreme example of the risk to corporations from engaging in political activity.  A survey by the Conference Board earlier this year found two-thirds of … Continue reading →

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Who & What —

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Hamel Family Wines hires Geoff Labitzke, MW, as its first general manager.  He most recently served as Director of Sales for Sebastopol’s highly regarded Kistler Vineyards where he directed the wholesale and marketing efforts domestically and internationally.

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Wine Brand Equity Stabilizing After Covid; Yellow Tail. Casillero del Diablo Again No. 1 and 2

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

After a deep erosion of brand equity in 2021 amid Covid disruptions, wine brand equity is stabilizing but has yet to recover to is pre-pandemic levels, according to Wine Intelligence‘s Global Wine Brand Power report. The top 15 brands collectively scored … Continue reading →

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