St. Augustine Distillery Supports Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

St. Augustine Distillery announced today it is a founding sponsor of the inaugural Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series, which is designed to raise funds for the reconstruction of the first legally sanctioned Black settlement in America.

“Supporting arts culture and local history has been central to our mission since opening in 2013,” said St. Augustine Distillery CEO Philip McDaniel. “We are excited to support and promote this live music series, while bringing the incredible Fort Mose story to a wider audience.” The Distillery is partially Black–owned.

As early as late 1600s, freedom seekers escaped enslavement in the English colonies to the north and made their way to St. Augustine, then in Spanish Florida (an early
underground railroad South). Under a Spanish royal decree, they were given freedom in exchange for adopting Catholicism and males serving in the militia.

In 1738, the Spanish governor ordered Fort Mose to be constructed to house an estimated 100 predominately Africans who sought sanctuary and liberation. In 1994, the Fort Mose site
was designated as a National Historic Landmark. After extensive archaeology and historical research, the site authenticated and today a small museum sits near the location in Fort Mose State Park.

Performing this week at the Park is two–time Grammy Award–winning jazz artist Gregory Porter (Feb. 24); New Orleans’ deep–groove R&B and jazz group Tank and the Bangas (Feb. 25); and the legendary Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Feb. 26).

In a floor statement for Black History Month, Congressman John Rutherford (R.-Fla.) said, “Fort Mose embodies the fight for freedom by Black Americans in the early days of our country, and it highlights a piece of Black history that is dramatically different from the more familiar story of slavery and oppression.”

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Leonardo DiCaprio Invests in Champagne Telmont

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

DiCaprio, a well-known actor and environmentalist, noted that Telmont has converted its entire vineyard to 100% organic agriculture by 2025 and assisting its partner growers with the full conversion of their vines by 2031, using 100% renewable electricity, and converting to classic green champagne bottles made from 85% recycled glass to name a few.

This initiative constitutes a major breakthrough for Champagne, where today less than 4% of the vineyard is certified organic. This transformation entails renouncing the use of all herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

The House is also strongly committed to protecting biodiversity in its estate and is acting on all fronts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since June 2021, Telmont has banned gift boxes with the belief that the best packaging is no packaging. The House also ceased buying clear bottles, made from 0% recycled glass, to rely solely on classic green champagne bottles made from 85% recycled glass.

Telmont uses 100% renewable electricity and has totally eliminated air freight for its supply and distribution and will select transporters according to their CSR score. Finally, the house has made transparency the corner stone of its environmental program ‘In the Name of Mother Nature’ and to that end, each bottle is individually numbered and showcases on the front label the detailed composition and production methods of the wine inside.

“Champagne Telmont, together with its partner wine-growers, has set its sights on producing 100% organic champagne, ensuring a completely sustainable production lifecycle in the coming years. From protecting biodiversity on its land, to using 100% renewable electricity, Champagne Telmont is determined to radically lower its environmental footprint, making me proud to join as an investor,” said DiCaprio.

“Leonardo DiCaprio’s decision to become a shareholder sends Telmont a strong message of support that will encourage us as we carry out our ambitious plans. We share the same convictions and the same commitment to protecting the environment. The House has one foot in tradition and the other in modernity, but both firmly rooted in the terroir! We aim to act in the name of Mother Nature in everything we do,” said Ludovic du Plessis, Chairman & Shareholder of Champagne Telmont.

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KAH Tequila Releases Its 1st Premium Aged Expression

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Matured for a minimum of three years in white American Oak barrels, KAH Extra Añejo Tequila (Amber Beverage Group) features smooth pepper and smoky wood flavors with hints of sweet spice, vanilla, honey maple, and caramel.

This bottle not only contains some of the highest quality aged tequila available, but the design of the bottle is also striking, perfect as a centerpiece for any home bar-cart. The bottle design features a unique clay bottle with deep royal green enamel. This hue symbolizes eternity and fruitfulness, representing the things that matter, back in Mayan times and today. Adding an extra layer of creativity, the bottle’s label uses a special phosphorus ink, so the eyes within the Calavera skull and other decorative elements glow vibrantly in the dark.

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Hard Mtn Dew Debuts in Three States

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Boston Beer Co. launched Hard Mtn Dew, a new alcoholic beverage featuring four bold flavors, including original MTN DEW, Baja Blast, Black Cherry and Watermelon.

With no caffeine, zero added sugar and 100 calories per serving, HARD MTN DEW (%% ABV) is available in 24oz. single-serve cans and 12-pack 12oz. can Mix Packs, HARD MTN DEWand  is rolling out now across Florida, Tennessee and Iowa – with expanded availability to be announced throughout 2022.

When MTN DEW was created more than 80 years ago, it was  intended to be a mixer for distilled spirits  The new version is one of the first alcoholic versions of a major soft drink. Featuring new, differentiated graphics to highlight the HARD offering, HARD MTN DEW is created for adults of legal drinking age looking for bold, delicious flavor with an edge.

“Boston Beer Co. and PepsiCo share a passion for pushing boundaries and delivering innovative new beverages that meet the evolving demands of U.S. drinkers,” said Lesya Lysyj, Boston Beer CMO. “HARD MTN DEW delivers on the bold, citrus flavors of the soft drink fans know and love, now with an added bite of 5% ABV.”

As part of the business arrangement, Boston Beer will develop and produce new HARD MTN DEW and Blue Cloud Distribution, Inc. a new entity, wholly owned by PepsiCo, is responsible for the wholesale operations of HARD MTN DEW, including sales, distribution and merchandising.

As part of the introduction, consumers can visit HowFarForHardDew.com to enter the How Far Would You Go? contest for the chance to win a trip to be among the first fans to taste HARD MTN DEW in Tennessee – the birthplace of the MTN DEW brand.

To participate, tell us exactly how far you would travel and what lengths you would go to get your hands on HARD MTN DEW. The winning submission will receive a trip to Nashville, Tennessee for a one-of-a-kind HARD MTN DEW experience, including airfare, two nights lodging, transportation and a $1,000 spending allowance.

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Consumer Confidence Ticks Downward

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell slightly in February, after a decrease in January. The Index now stands at 110.5 (1985=100), down from 111.1 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—improved to 145.1 from 144.5 last month. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—declined to 87.5 from 88.8.

“Consumer confidence was down slightly for a second consecutive month in February,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The Present Situation Index improved a touch, suggesting the economy continued to expand in Q1 but did not gain momentum. Expectations about short-term growth prospects weakened further, pointing to a likely moderation in growth over the first half of 2022.

“Consumer confidence was down slightly for a second consecutive month in February,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The Present Situation Index improved a touch, suggesting the economy continued to expand in Q1 but did not gain momentum. Expectations about short-term growth prospects weakened further, pointing to a likely moderation in growth over the first half of 2022.Meanwhile, the proportion of consumers planning to purchase homes, automobiles, major appliances, and vacations over the next six months all fell.”

“Concerns about inflation rose again in February, after posting back-to-back declines. Despite this reversal, consumers remain relatively confident about short-term growth prospects. While they do not expect the economy to pick up steam in the near future, they also do not foresee conditions worsening. Nevertheless, confidence and consumer spending will continue to face headwinds from rising prices in the coming months.”

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Durham Distillery’s Packaging Pivot

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Durham Distillery‘s American Dry and Navy Strength Conniption Gin is usually packaged in a rectacular bottle.  But thanks to the global supply chain mess, it’s now being packaged in a cylindral bottle.

The clear bottle features the brand’s Conniption logo along with a sticker noting “same delicious gin but round.” It also specifically notes “NC Exclusive Pandemic Pivot” and “Temporary Due to Glass Shortage.” While inflation has resulted from supply chain challenges, both Pandemic Pivot SKUs will remain at the same price:  The 44% ABV American Dry Gin at $29.95, and the Navy Strength (57%) ABV at $39.95.

The “Pandemic Pivot” CONNIPTION American Dry and Navy Strength temporary bottle can be found at NC retailers and at the distillery.

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