Bisquit & Dobouche Makes U.S. Debut

Bisquit & Dubouche‘s flagship V.S.O.P ($59) and its high-end X.O. ($180) will initially launch in select states, focusing on California, Texas, and Florida, where the premium plus and super-premium business is concentrated, with plans for further expansion in 2022.

Founded nearly 200 years ago by two fearless Frenchmen – Alexandre Bisquit and Adrien Dubouché – Bisquit & Dubouché was built on a revolutionary vision: to buck long-held tradition and embrace an innovative method to distillation that relies on intuition over conventional techniques. This radical approach launched what would become a world-renowned house of fine cognac. By the end of the 1800s, Bisquit & Dubouché was the third most exported cognac in the world and was popular among celebrities like Joséphine Baker, one of the most important entertainers of the 20th century.

Known as Bisquit Cognac for many years, the brand returned to its roots and its original name Bisquit & Dubouché in March 2020, honoring both its founders and heralding in a new chapter and contemporary look as part of Campari Group.

Bisquit & Dubouché cognac undergoes traditional double distillation in a copper pot still from November to March, producing its hallmark ‘eau de vie.’ But this is where the similarity to other cognacs ends, the company says. They retain the “heart” of the cognac longer than other traditional cognac brands and only cut the “tails” by hand at the very end of the process, a method that requires the highest mastery and patience and is achievable only with years of practice. The distillers wait for the precise moment to cut, guided by deep knowledge and intuition while continuously tasting and smelling the liquid to guarantee that it has the signature Bisquit & Dubouché aromatic notes with strong floral and fruity concentration.

Campari Group closed yesterday at $14.32, down 32 cents.

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Spirits Performing Better Than Wine On-Premise: WSWA SipSource

The on-premise sector continues to improve, and SipSource, which tracks trends for distributors, finds growth resumed in September after stalling in August.  The September data shows spirits are performing much healthier (index of 94) on-premise than wine (index of just over 84).

When looking at the CSI data, regional discrepancies also continue to be visible. The SipSource on-premise CSI for both wine and spirits was the lowest in the Pacific region (with California as the largest state). On the positive side, in the South Central, where Texas is the largest state, spirits on-premise CSI is greater than 100 – indicating a full recovery when compared to pre-COVID dates. Likewise, the South Atlantic and Mountain division areas are both approaching 100.

While wine’s on-premise CSI remains under 100 everywhere, it did improve significantly in both the Northeast and West North Central parts of the U.S.

“When we go deeper into on-premise channels, the Recreation channel has bounced back the fastest over the longer term,” said industry analyst Danny Brager. “On the flip side, the Lodging and Transportation channels remain well behind where they were pre-COVID, indicating the travel-related business continues to suffer the impact the pandemic.”

The September SipSource on-premise channel-shifting index revealed some product segments continue to advance, most notably:

  • The on-premise CSI for Ready-to-Drink cocktails (RTDs) is now well over 200 for the past three months, indicating that the on-premise share of this segment, compared to its total business, has now more than doubled since pre-COVID. The growth reinforces the growing popularity of pre-mixed cocktails and RTDs.

  • Cordials, Rum, and Brandy categories all have an on-premise CSI exceeding 100.

  • Within the Wine segment, Champagne (with an on-premise CSI of 108 for the past three months) continues to be an important element of the overall, very positive story for sparkling wine generally. This segment is well above table wine’s on-premise CSI of just 81.

An index above 100 indicates the channel referenced has a greater share of the market than it had pre-COVID; an index less than 100 indicates that the channel has a smaller share of the market than it had pre-COVID. I

 

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United Airlines Said to Be Restoring Liquor Sales in Coach

United Airlines said it would resume selling liquor in the coach cabin beginning Nov. 15 on flights of at least 301 miles in duration.  Prices range from $9 to $10, and top-tier rewards members will be comped when in coach.

Payment will be collected using United’s contactless method which requires saving a valid form of payment in the carrier’s mobile app before departure.

Until now, United has served only beer, wine and hard seltzer in coach.

In a statement, United explained, “Our decision to bring back liquor was heavily informed by feedback from both our customers and employees. The incidence of unruly passengers is very low compared to our number of customers overall and is also low in comparison to what other U.S. carriers are seeing. With travel demand on the rise and the many safety protocols we have in place, particularly with our suite of contactless payment solutions, now felt like the right time to expand our inflight beverage menu.”

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DISCUS Report Details Tariff and Non-Tariff Trade Barriers to U.S Spirits Exports

U.S. spirits continue to face an array of new and existing tariff and nontariff barriers in export markets,” the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said in a submission to the U.S. Trade Representative. “The U.S. spirit sector’s top trade priority continues to be securing the removal of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. spirits exports imposed by key trading partners. These tariffs seriously impede the export progress that has benefited our sector and created jobs across the country.” it added.

Due to the continued application of retaliatory tariffs, from 2018 to 2020, total U.S. spirits exports were down 23% to $1.4 billion and American Whiskey exports were down 29% to $846 million. American Whiskey drives U.S spirits exports and accounts for 61% of total American spirits exports, DISCUS said, adding that in 2020, the top five markets for American spirits exports by value were: 1)
Canada ($249 million, up 23.2%); 2) Japan ($125 million, down 9.4%); 3) Australia ($114 million, up 11.2%); 4) United Kingdom ($83 million, down 25.4%); and 5) France ($81 million, down 13%).

The top five markets for American Whiskey exports by value were: 1) Japan ($103 million, down 15.7%); 2) Australia ($98 million, up 15.8%); 3) Germany ($76 million, down 7.2%); 4) United Kingdom ($71 million, down 29.6%); and 5) France ($60 million, down 18.5%),, DISCUS said.

“The impact of restrictions related to preventing the spread of COVID19 and the necessary closure of bars and restaurants around the world is having a compounding negative effect on exports of American distilled spirits already suffering due to retaliatory tariffs,” the study says.

Retaliatory tariffs imposed by the EU, UK, China, and Turkey have resulted in cancellations of contracts with U.S. distillers “of all sizes,” DISCUS says, resulting in many distillers cancelling or putting on hold plans to expand.

These tariffs make American spirits less competitive and may result in international spirits consumers choosing other spirits categories that already provide stiff competition in some third markets. These markets may be lost as foreign adult consumers shift to distilled spirits produced domestically
or by our global competitors,” DISCUS warned.

In addition to retaliatory tariffs, several priority target markets maintain high tariffs and/or an array of nontariff barriers to U.S. spirits, which inhibit the sector’s longterm growth prospects. 

Among the nontariff barriers is an Australian regulation that spirits must be aged for two years.  This is an issue because U.S. regulations don’t have a specific period for which Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey must be stored.  Australia has already agreed that U.S. standards govern Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, but it is now “reviewing” their status because they don’t meet Australia’s requirement.

Australia is he third-largest export market for total American spirits and American whiskey.

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Bread & Butter Intros a Merlot

Merlot was cited more than any other brand in a recent survey by Hanover Research, and Bread & Butter Wines is introducing a Merlot varietal, priced at $14.99.  It’s available nationally as well as on the vintner’s website.

Red blends and Cabernet Sauvignon took the No. 2 and 3 positions in the survey. The survey also found that red wines are the preferred alcohol beverage for the winter holidays by 72% of survey respondents, and 71% plan to give red wine as a holiday gift.

“Bread & Butter has impressed wine lovers with its good, honest and delicious wines, and this Merlot will be no exception,” said Jeff Ngo, svp-marketing for Bread & Butter Wines. “The survey shows that Americans are ready for our rich, soft, decadent and classically-styled Merlot. We are excited to help wine drinkers discover or rediscover this historic variety. As we like to say, ‘this is not your Dad’s Merlot, unless he liked really good Merlot.’”

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Templeton Intros Rye Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

It’s the third expression in Templeton’s Cask Finish Series.

Templeton’s limited release cask finish series offers an annual unique twist on what rye can be. An outlet for innovation, this limited-edition American straight rye whiskey was originally matured to perfection for a minimum of six years in first fill American oak flame-charred barrels.

The whiskey was then expertly finished in the finest oloroso sherry casks for an additional nine months. The 500-liter Oloroso Sherry casks were meticulously sourced from the Marco de Jerez region of Spain and once contained dry, full-bodied Oloroso sherry aged between eight and twenty years. The additional maturation time spent in the oloroso sherry casks accentuates the rye spice while adding subtle, alluring flavors and tropical fruit tones and nutty aromas.

“Our Cask Finish series is committed to creating innovative offerings with compelling taste profiles and our Templeton Rye Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish delivers this in abundance,” said Tim Grimes, Senior Brand Ambassador. “We are delighted to share this limited-release with the world that showcases the influence of Oloroso Sherry on American Rye whiskey with a flavor profile not to be missed”.

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