News Briefs for August 7, 2013
August 7, 2013•Hennessy Cognac is bringing its super-premium Paradis Imperial marque stateside. The expression is available across the U.S. market for $2,700 a bottle. Paradis Imperial is a blend of eaux-de-vie singled out after fermentation, ranging from 30 to 130 years old, and matured in old casks. After fermentation, only one of 1,000 eaux-de-vie of a given vintage becomes part of the Paradis Imperial blend. The ultra-luxury offering is packaged in a glass decanter—designed by award-winning French Baccarat designer Stéphanie Balini—that features the iconic Hennessy shape and a crystal cabochon on top of an 18-carat gold and silver collar. Each bottle is individually numbered and comes in a luxury gift box.
•MillerCoors said its net sales fell by 2.9% to $2.16 billion in the second quarter ending June 30. Underlying net income was down 5.3% from the year-earlier period, to $412.7 million. Domestic sales to retailers were down 4.4%, while domestic sales to wholesalers decreased 5.3%. Sales of the company’s premium light brands declined by high single digits in the quarter, while its premium and economy segments both fell by mid-single digits. MillerCoors said its Tenth and Blake craft and import unit grew by double digits, led by Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy and Blue Moon Belgian White. MillerCoors’ above-premium portfolio was also up—led by strong growth for newer entries Redd’s Apple Ale and Third Shift Amber Lager.
•The Guinness Storehouse, a tourist center located within the brand’s historic St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, has added The Tasting Rooms, a new series of high-tech exhibition spaces designed to give visitors greater appreciation of the Guinness tasting experience. Other attractions at the seven-storey Guinness Storehouse include the Guinness Academy and Guinness Connoisseur Bar, where visitors master the art of the perfect pint-pour and learn the finer points of tasting Guinness, including food pairing. At the top floor is the Gravity Bar, the highest vantage point Dublin, which has expansive views of the city. Since opening in 2000, The Guinness Storehouse has attracted more than 12 million visitors and claims to be Ireland’s top international visitor attraction.
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