Woodford Reserve Debuts Kentucky Derby Bottle

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

This year’s commemorative Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby Bourbon bottle features the artwork of Kentucky native Jaime Corum, an equine artist known for her stunning horse portraits. Corum’s painting, titled “Dreams in Bloom,” features three thoroughbreds racing neck-and-neck, surrounded by a spray of vivid spring flowers, including the iconic red roses of Derby. ($49.99/1-liter bottle)

Woodford Reserve also announced that it has partnered with retailer Williams Sonoma to help bring a favorite Derby cocktail to parties nationwide. The Woodford Spire was introduced at the track in 2018 – and it quickly became a favorite.

As part of Woodford Reserve and Williams-Sonoma’s partnership, the Woodford Spire joins the line of co-branded cocktails mixers for sale nationwide that includes the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour. Made with cranberry and lemon, the Woodford Spire is an official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby.

“The Woodford Spire is a staple for any Kentucky Derby celebration, and this year, Williams-Sonoma is making it easier than ever to make this delicious cocktail,” said Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.

The Woodford Spire 16-fluid-ounce bottle will soon be available on WilliamsSonoma.com and Williams Sonoma retail stores. The one-liter Derby bottles of Woodford Reserve Bourbon are on sale across the United States and the globe with a retail price of $49.99. It is available for pre-sale starting March 1 on ReserveBar.

Posted in Packaging, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Woodford Reserve Debuts Kentucky Derby Bottle

What We’re Reading About Ukraine —

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

War in Ukraine – the cost to Europe’s economy and how Russia could respond

An interesting analysis from Carsten Brezski, ING Research’s global head of macro.  It’s well worth a read.  He projects:

• Massive spikes in European heating and gas bills.
• Surging food prices.
• Soaring commodity prices that “aggravate already existing inflationary pressures”.
• Shortages of essential metals hitting the auto, electronics and even dental industries.
• More fiscal stimulus, as evidenced by Germany’s decision to vastly increase military spending.

Putin put his nuclear forces on the highest alert. Would he really press the button?

Don’t bet he wouldn’t, this article from Fortune warns.  It’s a sober assessment, worth reading.

Posted in What We're Reading | Comments Off on What We’re Reading About Ukraine —

NBWA Purchasers’ Index Lowest in 12 Years

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for February 2022. For the second month in 2022, the industry has reverted to pre-pandemic trends. The February 2022 BPI survey shows the total beer reading at 43 and “at-risk” inventory at 64, reminiscent of when inventories were too high, and order indexes were typically at or below 50. The February 2022 total beer reading of 43 stands out as one of the lowest over the past eight years. Following a solid comparative reading in 2021, expect 2022 index readings to show signs of weakness.

The dramatic drop in the FMB/seltzer BPI continues, falling to 34 in February 2022 from 95 in February 2021. Meanwhile, readings for premium lights, regular premium, below premium and ciders fell below 50 for the month. The craft segment managed to break above 50 to hit 51. The import segment was the only segment to report a significant expansionary index in February. The “at-risk” inventory measures at 64. This is another high mark since May 2020. It is important to take note of the upward trend in “at-risk” inventories as supply-side challenges begin to resolve and inventories continue to build.

Posted in beer, Sales | Tagged , | Comments Off on NBWA Purchasers’ Index Lowest in 12 Years

Bars Open, Pouring Reach 2-Year High

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Bars open and pouring beer reached 93% last weekend (Feb. 24-27) reached the highest level in two years, BeerBoard reports.  The open rate last hit 93% the weekend of Dec. 16-19, 2021, but immediately fell back to 89% in early January.

While the open rate hit a high, volume and rate-of-sale declined slightly, BeerBoard said.

Volume saw a -7.1% decline on the weekend, after being up +14.7% the prior period. In fact, Volume has seen
declines in three of the last four periods reviewed. Nevada (-16.6%), Florida (-15.9%), Georgia (-14.2%) and California
(-14.0%) all saw double-digit declines. Tennessee (+3.5%) was the only state tracked to see a lift on the weekend.

With a -3.9% decline on the weekend, Rate of Sale has now seen a fall in four of the five previous reports. California
(-13.3%), Nevada (-13.2%) and Georgia (-11.3%) were among 10 states tracked to see a decline. Tennessee was
again the only state tracked to see an increase, though a nominal +0.6%.

The Average Number of Taps held firm at 19 per location nationally and six of the 11 states tracked remained the same
as compared to the prior period. California was the only state to add to its total, climbing to 21 handles per location.

Percentage Taps Pouring stopped its multi-period decline and held steady at 72%. Four of the 11 states tracked saw
an increase over the weekend, led by California (75%), Illinois (67%) and New York (70%).

 

Posted in beer, Sales | Tagged | Comments Off on Bars Open, Pouring Reach 2-Year High

Control States’ Case Sales, Dollar Sales Fell in January

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Control states spirits case sales fell 3% in January from a year earlier, National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association said.

Montgomery County Maryland (11.4%) and Montana (19.6%) reported monthly growth rates for January exceeding their 12-month trends. But the growth rates for Alabama (-5.6%), Iowa (-7.8%), Idaho (-6.7%), Maine (1.6%), Michigan (-3.4%), Mississippi (-3.6%), North Carolina (-3.0%), New Hampshire (-10.8%), Ohio (-4.4%), Oregon (-5.5%), Pennsylvania (2.9%), Utah (1.4%), Virginia (-3.7%), Vermont (0.9%), West Virginia (-8.6%), and Wyoming (-6.5%) fell short of their 12-month trends. Control state rolling-12-month-volume growth, 4.1%, is down from December’s reported 4.6%. Spirits’ volumes are down 3.4% year-to-date compared to a 4% gain a year ago.

Control state spirits shelf dollars fell 0.3% during January while trending at 9.0% during the past 12 months. Montgomery County Maryland (13.6%) and Montana (19.2%) reported monthly growth rates for January exceeding their twelve-month trends. Alabama (-3.2%), Iowa (-3.7%), Idaho (-2.7%), Maine (2.7%), Michigan (-3.1%), Mississippi (1.6%), North Carolina (1.8%), New Hampshire (-13.2%), Ohio (-3.0%), Oregon (-0.1%), Pennsylvania (6.5%), Utah (5.2%), Virginia (0.3%), Vermont (5.4%), West Virginia (-5.6%), and Wyoming (-2.9%) grew shelf dollars at rates below their twelve-month trends. Shelf dollars in the control states are down 0.3% year-to-date compared to being up 10.7% last January.

These results are somewhat distorted as 2021 was coming off the severely pandemic affected 2020. 

Price/Mix for January is 2.7%, down from December’s reported 4.7%.

January’s control states growth rate continued to be affected by pandemic related phenomena.

Cocktails, with 4% share of the nine-liter case control states spirits market, was January’s fastest growing category with 18.1% reported and a twelve-month trend of 36.7%. Tequila, with 9% share, grew at 8.4% during January and 22.9% during the past twelve months. Vodka, with 32% share, grew during the same periods at -4% and 0.6%, respectively.

Growth rates reported for all categories lagged their twelve-month trends: Brandy/Cognac (-17.6% during January, -6.4% twelve-month trend), Canadian Whiskey (-3.2%, -0.1%), Cocktails (18.1%, 36.7%), Cordials (-0.5%, 11.2%), Domestic Whiskey (-3.0%, 3.4%), Gin (-8.7%, -0.3%), Irish Whiskey (4.4%, 13.1%), Rum (-4.2%, 0.6%), Scotch (-4.1%, 0.8%), Tequila (8.4%, 22.9%), and Vodka (-4.0%, 0.6%).

 January’s nine-liter wine case sales growth rate was -9.5%. Pennsylvania (reporting -9.9% nine-liter-case growth for wines), New Hampshire (-10.3%), Mississippi (-9.8%), Utah (-4.6%), Montgomery County Maryland (-2.2%), and Wyoming (-19.2%) are the control states that are the sole wholesalers of wines and spirits within their geographical boundaries. Rolling-twelve-month wine volume growth in these six control states is –4.1%, down from December’s reported -3.1%.

Posted in Control States, Sales | Tagged | Comments Off on Control States’ Case Sales, Dollar Sales Fell in January

Total Wine, Pennsylvania, Oregon Liquor Stores Pull Russian Made Liquor

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The boycott of Russian-made bev/al products continued to spread.  Both private entities and government agencies acted to remove Russian products from store shelves and to show support for the embattled people of Ukraine, whose country has been invaded by Russia.

Total Wine & Spirits, the nation’s largest independent bev/al off-premise retailer, suspended the sale of Russian-made products, removing them from its shelves.  In a statement, Edward Cooper, VP-public affairs and community relations, said:

“Total Wine & More has ceased the purchase and sale of Russian-made products including vodka. We have removed all Russian-made products from our shelves until further notice. We are ceasing the purchase and sale of Russian-made products in order to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) directed the operators of Oregon’s independently owned liquor stores to stop selling all Russian manufactured distilled spirits. The OLCC has sequestered the remaining supply of Russian spirits in its Portland warehouse.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board also removed Russian Standard Vodka from its retail shelves and said it wouldn’t accept special orders for some other Russian-made brands.

Chuck Moran, executive director, Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association, encoouraged bars and restaurants to avoid using Russian-made vodka.

“It will be a minor inconvenience for some, but national American brands like Tito’s from Texas and locally made vodkas like Holla Spirits in York are good options when mixing drinks that require vodka,” Moran said.

Across Oregon, about 5,000 bottles of Russian-made liquor are currently for sale in 281 liquor stores. More than 6,200 bottles remain in the OLCC warehouse distribution center. Effective immediately, liquor stores have started removing all bottles of Russian-made liquor from their store shelves, and the OLCC has stopped fulfilling orders for those products from its warehouse.

The OLCC is taking this action as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Removing these products aligns with other states that have acted to ban the sale of Russian made products as a part of economic sanctions against Russian operated businesses. Economic sanctions against the Russian government are designed to bring this conflict to an end.

Consumers can still find all other brands of vodka including those branded with Russian names, such as Stoli or Smirnoff, but not purchased from distilleries located in Russia, for sale in Oregon liquor stores.

“The OLCC understands that there are times when we must respond to a higher calling in the interest of humanity, and this is a but a small step the OLCC and the State of Oregon can take,” said Paul Rosenbaum, Chair of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Posted in Control States, Trade Agreements | Tagged | Comments Off on Total Wine, Pennsylvania, Oregon Liquor Stores Pull Russian Made Liquor