What We’re Reading —

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Column: Tour Stoppage at Barton Distillery to Mark a Sad Day in Ky. Bourbon Tourism

Sadly, come June 30, tours will end at Barton. Announced on Facebook in April, parent company Sazerac said ceasing tourism will let the historic distillery do what it does best: continue “producing the world’s best whiskey,” and by implication, more of it.

Sazerac’s decision makes sense. Barton 1792 Distillery is a brute of a factory built to churn out loads of distillate 24-7, not a place for interlopers with iPhones. Its builders surely never imagined tourists would queue up by the hundreds daily to see whiskey made. But that’s what happened. (Whisky Wash)

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Proximo Intros Gran Coramino

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Created in partnership with world-class tequila maker, Juan Domingo Beckmann, Gran Coramino debuts with Reposado Cristalino, proving hard work tastes different.  Kevin Hart, the comedian, is a founder of the venture.  Proximo is the importer.

Gran Coramino Reposado Cristalino will be available from May 2nd on GranCoramino.com, ReserveBar, and at retail across California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia and New York. It will be available nationwide starting June 1 for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

The 100% agave tequila is first aged in eastern European oak barrels and finished in California Cabernet wine casks to reflect the state that Hart calls home. The liquid is then transformed into a Cristalino tequila – a unique slow-filtration process that Beckmann invented for the tequila industry more than 10 years ago – delivering a complex, deeply smooth flavor with a crystal-clear appearance.

Gran Coramino owns every step of the tequila-making process from planting, selecting, and harvesting the finest blue Weber agaves from family-owned fields, to distilling and aging the tequila at La Rojeña Distillery in Tequila, Mexico. As the oldest distillery in Latin America, La Rojeña is an historic place for Gran Coramino to be made where, for the past 225 years, Beckmann and his family have dedicated their time to the production of high-quality tequilas.

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Armed Forces Brewing Celebrates Anniversary of Death of Osama Bin Laden

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

To commemorate the 11th anniversary of the death of Osama Bin Laden at the hands of former Navy SEAL operator Robert J. O’Neill and SEAL Team 6 in Operation Neptune’s Spear, Armed Forces Brewing Co. said it will annually release a limited run of Neptune’s Beer, a Thrice Bock Lager beer style with a rare 12% ABV.  The beer will be available at special events held by Armed Forces Brewing Co. throughout 2022 and will be sold nationally online and in select retail stores starting on May 1, 2023.

“We wanted to make a beer that commemorated the operation and the team of Americans that included our own Robert J. O’Neill, who served American justice for our country and our 9-11 families,” CEO Alan Beal noted.  “We’re forever grateful and will tribute them every year on the anniversary of Operation Neptune’s Spear when Rob put three bullets in the face of that piece of shit.”

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Teremana to Reimburse Up to $10 for Order of Guacamole

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Consumers 21 and over who purchase a cocktail made with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Teremana with an order of guacamole will be reimbursed up to $10 ($ 1million maximum for the program) from May 1 through May 8.

Aimed at encouraging people to dine out however they feel most comfortable – dining inside or outside at the restaurant or for take-out, the initiative will help encourage consumers to continue to support their local restaurants, bars and their servers and generate millions of dollars of additional revenue and tips for hospitality workers.

At a time when bars and restaurants have faced incredible challenges just to stay afloat, owners and servers across the country welcomed last year’s “Guac on The Rock” campaign not only for its boost to their revenue, but for how simple it was to take part. Restaurants and bars do not need to do much to participate but simply carry Teremana, the fastest growing ultra-premium tequila in the world and serve guacamole!

“No better way to celebrate my big birthday this year than with all of us helping our local restaurants and bars as they continue to get back on their feet, all while enjoying Teremana tequila and delicious guacamole. I want to keep encouraging people to get back into their favorite restaurants, bars and hotels. This is an industry close to all our hearts and one that gives us so much support year-round and now it’s our turn,” says Johnson.  “Let’s go show our support, enjoy some amazing drinks and food and say thank you for all they continue to do. And let everyone know that The Guac is on The Rock!”

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Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits Launches With Celebrity Backers

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits debuts, offering “expertly developed libations that consist of fresh and all-natural ingredients, high-proof, distilled spirit bases and recipes derived from Michelin star caliber cocktails. SRP: $15.99 per 375ml bottle and $25.99 for a 200ml four pack cans.

Harnessing the power of some of today’s most recognized global celebrities, CEO Cara Kamenev has built an elite team of founding partners. Each have curated their own distinct craft cocktail for launch: Sarah Jessica Parker—The Perfect Cosmo; John Cena—The Classic Old Fashioned; Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson and Vanessa Hudgens—The Margalicious Margarita and Playboi Carti—The Hardscatto.

“We’ve been focused on sourcing high-proof, premium spirits with the best natural ingredients to elevate the Thomas Ashbourne portfolio above the pre-made cocktail standard,” says Kamenev. “With the help of our celebrity partners, each flavor profile was meticulously crafted and demanded the highest standards in taste, quality and sophistication. We’re here to dispel the myth that bespoke, high-end cocktails can only be enjoyed in certain settings, by certain people. Our brand will provide consumers a high-quality beverage comparable only to the best bar-made cocktails that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.”

The products will be available in May in California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Washington State and New York.  They will roll out nationally later this summer. All four Thomas Ashbourne branded cocktails are kosher certified and gluten free with a premium spirit base that ranges from 20-25% ABV.

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Berkshire Mountain Launches Cultural Cocktails

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Marking the 15th anniversary of Berkshire Mountain Distillers,  Cultural Cocktails ” is a tribute to the remarkable culture we celebrate here in the Berkshires,” said Chris Weld, founder of BMD. “We are so fortunate to live in a region of creative, inspiring institutions and BMD is honored to be a part of a supportive community that cherishes art, culture and the crafting of a great cocktail.”

Cultural Cocktails will be featured at bars, restaurants and cultural institutions and as the signature drink at summer events. In addition, BMD will serve Cultural Cocktails from the distillery’s outdoor cocktail bar.

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