News & Notes

New Zealand’s Invivo Wines Launches In The U.S.

Invivo Wines, a large winery in New Zealand, is now offer three of its wines in the United States. Invivo has partnered with the nationwide U.S. distributor Seaview Imports. Seaview has launched Invivo Sauvignon Blanc, Invivo Pinot Noir, and...

Till Vodka Plans To Double Distribution

Till American Wheat Vodka, made from the Kansas wheat, plans to double their distribution in 2017 with a focus on key heartland markets. Already available in Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa, Till Vodka will add...

Berkshire Bourbon Smoke And Peat

Berkshire Mountain Distillers has unveiled their latest bourbon expression: Smoke And Peat. This bourbon ages in Virginia American white oak barrels before transfer to ex-Islay Scotch casks for finishing.  On the nose is smoke and peat, the company reports, along...

How Beach Whiskey Went National In Less Than A Year

Beach Whiskey is a brand that exists to answer a question: How do you drink whiskey on the beach? Brand co-founder J. Smoke Wallin recalls the eureka moment. He and co-founder Andrew McGinnis were at...

AB InBev Buys Wicked Weed Brewing Of North Carolina

Anheuser-Busch InBev has bought up another popular craft brewery. The global drinks giant announced this week that is has agreed to acquire Wicked Weed Brewing of Asheville, North Carolina. The microbrewery will join The High End, Anheuser-Busch’s business unit...

Rabbit Hole Whiskeys, Gin

New to Louisville’s urban bourbon trail, Rabbit Hole Distilling has launched distribution in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. The company plans further expansion into new markets soon, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia, New York and more. Founder and whiskey maker Kaveh Zamanian left his practice...

Luxury Tequila Sales Skyrocketing

Over the past decade, tequila has shifted from the traditional frozen margarita to luxury tequila offerings served in artisan cocktails, neat or on the rocks, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The Council reports that...

How Frugal MacDoogal Remains On Top Despite Industry Shifts

Charles Sonnenberg knows how to capture consumer interest. In the past, his three-store chain of Frugal MacDoogal stores has been known to entertain customers by bringing a live elephant to the store parking lot, hiring...

Smokin’ Mary Bloody Mary Mix

Smokin' Mary Bloody Mary Mix combines garden-fresh tomatoes, a blend of savory spices and a hint of hardwood smoke. With a thicker tomato consistency than a conventional commercial mix, a single bottle of Smokin' Mary...

Jägermeister Unveils New Brand Identity

Jägermeister today unveiled a new global positioning, identity and campaign, marking the first major rebrand in its history. Launching in the U.S. through a creative platform coined “Be the Meister,” the new campaign "encourages consumers...