Lone Star Brewing Offers $5K Prize in Jade Michelada Contest

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Lone Star Brewing Co. announces its first Rio Jade Michelada Contest, “Riochelada.” Participants are encouraged to submit their own michelada creations using Rio Jade Beer and whatever spices and garnishes they choose.

Registration for the contest is open until 11:59 P.M. CST on June 1. Finalists will have their “Riochelada” tasted by a panel of special guest judges at a private event in San Antonio on June 17, 2021.

The first place winner of the inaugural Riochelada Contest will take home $5,000, second place will take home $1,500 and third place will receive $100 and Lone Star swag. The contest is open to any resident of the state of Texas of legal drinking age and there is no fee to participate.

 

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Wild Turkey Intros New Bottle Design

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Wild Turkey is reintroducing its hero bottle, Wild Turkey 101, in a redesigned package. The new bottle design, which will be available for both the Bourbon and Rye expressions, feature an embossed Wild Turkey in place of the original printed label as well as a new minimally designed label with updated vibrant color.

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Kirk & Sweeney Updates Packaging, Renames 3 Premium Rums

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Kirk & Sweeney Rum today announced a new packaging update that encompasses the renaming of its three premium rums as Reserva ($39), Gran Reserva ($49) and Gran Reserva Superior ($59).

“The demand for our Kirk & Sweeney rums has exceeded expectations,” noted August Sebastiani, president of 3 Badge Beverage Corp. “As global regulations for rum become stricter, including in the Dominican Republic, Kirk and Sweeney has chosen to eliminate its age statements for flexibility. As these compliance changes affect all in the industry, the brand has chosen to be proactive and be ahead of the inevitable changes.”

The packaging updates coincide with Set Sail with Kirk and Sweeney, a sweepstakes running May 1 through July 31, 2021. By entering at kirkandsweeneyrum.com, Kirk and Sweeney fans have a chance to win a schooner trip to explore the famed rum-running waters of the northeast. One lucky winner will be announced by August 16, 2021 (National Rum Day) and selected to receive an exclusive schooner cruise for two through the Long Island Sound with fellow Kirk and Sweeney enthusiasts. This cruise will set sail in Fall 2021 and is sponsored by SoundWaters. See Contest Rules & Regulations for more details.

With the tagline, “A Rum Well Worth Pursuing” Kirk and Sweeney Rums are easy to seek out, distributed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and parts of Asia.

Kirk & Sweeney Rum is named for a wooden schooner, best known for smuggling rum from the Caribbean to the Northeast during the early years of Prohibition.

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BCI to Import Pernod Ricard’s Ostoya Vodka

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Houston-based BCI has been chosen as the exclusive importer of Ostoya Vodka (Pernod Ricard).

BCI is an importer and creative brand builder of specialty wine and spirits.  It is  owned by French-born Houstonians Jean-Francois and Nathalie Bonneté, who will be introducing the award-winning vodka in Texas and Washington State in the second quarter before progressively expanding the distribution footprint.

Since its first introduction to consumers in 2015, Ostoya Vodka has captured the attention of vodka aficionados around the world and has been awarded almost a dozen top medals in international competitions.

One of the unique attributes of Ostoya is the noble wheat from the heart of an unspoiled Polish nature – Bieszczady mountains. This region contains Poland’s the  protected wilderness and natural refuge. Ostoya also bears the Protected Geographic Indication (IGP) of “Polish Vodka” which was introduced in 2012.

“We are very happy and proud about this new partnership with BCI,” says Fabrice Audan, CEO at Wyborowa Pernod Ricard & Central Europe. “BCI is a family owned and operated company with a proven track record in building successful spirit brands in the United States, and we look forward to building Ostoya together in the U.S. market, which is strategic for us”.

“We are very excited to welcome Ostoya to our BCI portfolio and continue expanding our partnership with the Pernod Ricard Group,” says Jean-Francois Bonneté. “Since the inception of BCI, we knew we would enter the vodka category at one point but wanted to do it with the right brand, terroir driven, and with the right partner. We feel that with Ostoya and Pernod Ricard, we have the right equation to efficiently make this step and impact the Super Premium Vodka segment in the U.S. market”.

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SGWS to Distribute Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

“Southern Glazer’s is firmly committed to bringing more diversity to the wine and spirits industry, and that includes through the brands we represent,” said Jennifer Chaplin Tolkin, VP- Supplier Management, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “I’m personally excited to be working with another female-owned spirits brand and hope that ventures like this encourage more women to take a shot at being part of our exciting industry. With an award-winning tequila product, a passionate owner, and a commitment to giving back, I think great things are ahead for the 818 team.”

Because of the hand-crafted nature of the product, Southern Glazer’s will launch distribution of 818 in Kendall Jenner’s home state of California and continue to roll out across the U.S. throughout the summer and in months to come.

The 818 portfolio includes three variations:

  • -818 Tequila Blanco – Ultra smooth with undertones of tropical and citrus fruit and long finish.
  • -818 Tequila Reposado – Ripe, roasted agave flavors complimented with a touch of vanilla from oak aging and a classic, smooth finish.
  • -818 Tequila Añejo – More complexity of vanilla and spice from longer barrel aging with a rich, smooth, finish.
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375 Park Spirits to Rep Mizu Shochu in U.S.

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

375 Park Avenue Spirits, a division of Sazerac Co., said it and Sazera’s Bond & Royal craft division will assume responsibility for all Mizu Shochu’s sales and operational functions as well as support the brand’s marketing efforts effective July 1..

“Since its 2013 launch, Mizu Shochu has firmly established itself as the category leader and pioneer in high-proof shochu in the U.S., as well as a go-to spirit for craft cocktail enthusiasts,” says Jason Schladenhauffen, president/CEO of 375 Park Avenue Spirits.

“Its deep commitment to honoring its historic production methods and legacy of Japanese craftsmanship while embracing creativity and innovation align perfectly with our mission. With global appreciation for discovering premium international spirits at an all-time high, we look forward to rapidly expanding Mizu Shochu’s footprint in the U.S.”

Shochu is hugely popular in Japan.  Its consumption outpaces both sake and Japanese whisky in its domestic market. For a global comparison, annual production of the category stands at more than double that of all the tequila produced in Mexico, according to recent surveys published by the Statistics Bureau Japan and Consejo Regulador del Tequila.

While shochu has flown relatively under the radar in the U.S., interest is rapidly growing due to an unprecedented hunger for Japanese spirits, and Mizu has already established a loyal following among the industry elite.

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