News Briefs for October 2, 2012
October 2, 2012•After a robust 9.4% increase in August, spirits case sales in control states are up an impressive 5% year-to-date, compared to just 3.25% for all of last year (2011 includes Washington state). All 18 control jurisdictions have recorded increases thus far in 2012. Irish whiskey (+21.5%), vodka (+7.2%) and cordials (+6.5%) were the fastest-growing types in control states by volume (cordials include whiskey-based liqueurs). Flavored vodka, both imported and domestic, is still growing at double-digit rates. Among the top 100 brands, the fastest-growing labels were Cîroc Peach (new in 2012), New Amsterdam vodka and Fireball whisky-based cinnamon schnapps. Among the top 25 suppliers, double-digit growth was recorded by E&J Distillers, Rémy Cointreau USA and Proximo Spirits.
•Pernod Ricard USA has unveiled an array of gift pack offerings for the upcoming holiday season. They include Absolut Unique, a limited edition collection of uniquely designed and individually numbered bottles; the Jameson Gift Tin, which contains a 750-ml. bottle of the Irish whiskey; The Glenlivet 12-year-old 750-ml. with two branded single malt Speyside glasses and The Glenlivet 12-year-old 750-ml. with 50-mls. of The Glenlivet 15-year-old & 18-year-old; a Chivas Regal 12-year-old 750-ml. Dan Funderburgh Gift Tin as well as the Chivas 12-year-old 750-ml. packaged with two rocks glasses; the Kahlúa Holiday Tin, featuring a 750-ml. of the coffee liqueur along with classic Kahlúa drink recipes; a 1.75-liter of Beefeater packaged with a Yeoman Warder pourer; and a Martell gift pack, complete with two branded Cognac snifters.
•Private-label producer Winery Exchange has launched a new red blend, Acronym Gr8 Red Wine. The wine, made predominantly with Pinot Noir and Syrah, began shipping in September and will hit store shelves early this month. The brand name is designed to attract millennial consumers, according to the company. Acronym Gr8 will be priced around $9.99-$14.99 and be available primarily at Kroger stores as well as other select retailers. Novato, California-based Winery Exchange produces more than 3 million cases of private label wine annually.
•MillerCoors’ Crispin Cider Co. is set to launch Fox Barrel English Perry cider in the U.S. English Perry is Fox Barrel’s variation of pear cider-making, inspired by an uncommon pear cider style that originated in the British Midlands. The 5.3%-abv pear cider is billed as a sessionable, classic English medium-dry Perry with a citrus palate and pear finish, available in can format. Chicago’s Crispin Cider Co. also just launched Fox Barrel Pear Naked (5.3% abv) to test markets—it will initially be available at Whole Foods, with distribution expected to expand over the next few months.
•Caesars Entertainment Corp. will be debuting a 300,000-square-foot, three-story dining, shopping and entertainment complex called Linq on the Las Vegas Strip in late 2013. The $550 million project will include an outpost of New York City-based Brooklyn Bowl—a bowling alley, restaurant, nightclub and concert venue hybrid—which will encompass 25% of the entire space, including a 600-seat performance hall for live bands, DJs, karaoke and other entertainment, and food catered by New York-based Blue Ribbon Restaurants Group. Additional dining venues slated to open in Linq include beer-focused Yard House (its third Las Vegas location), Celtic sport pub Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Asian-themed dining and entertainment concept F.A.M.E., Los Angeles-based cupcake and ice cream shop Sprinkles, pizzeria Flour & Barley, bistro and bar Off the Strip Bistro and upscale casual Mexican eatery Chayo Mexicano.
•Washington, D.C.-based chef José Andrés is reopening his tasting menu-only restaurant concept Minibar in a new and expanded space in D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood on November 2. The new 12-seat Minibar offers a 20-plus-course tasting menu for $225 per person (up from $150 at the former Minibar) and wine pairings are priced at $75, $120 and $200, depending on the wine.
•Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group has announced the opening of a new Del Frisco’s Grille in Boston’s Chestnut Hill Shopping Center set for early 2013. Casual steak house concept Del Frisco’s Grille launched in the summer of 2011 and currently has locations in New York City, Dallas, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., with plans to enter Atlanta before the end of this year. Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group also owns Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House and Sullivan’s Steakhouse, operating more than 30 restaurants in 18 states.
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Tagged : control states, MillerCoors, Pernod Ricard, restaurants
