News Briefs for September 12, 2013
September 12, 2013•Tequila Avión has appointed music artist Jeezy (Jay Jenkins) to the role of multicultural advisor. In this position, Jeezy will be charged with providing insight into the multicultural consumer segment and advising brand founder and chairman Ken Austin. Playing within the thriving upscale Tequila category, the Avión portfolio includes Silver, Reposado and Añejo expressions (priced between $40-$60 a 750-ml.) and the recently-launched Avión Espresso liqueur ($24.99). The Tequila franchise is backed by drinks giant Pernod Ricard, which acquired worldwide distribution rights to Avión, as well as a minority ownership stake in the brand, in 2011.
•New York City-based Cognac One has added Beaujolais Maison Jean Loron’s Château de Bellevue to its U.S. import portfolio. Château de Bellevue, which was acquired by Maison Jean Loron owner and manager Xavier Barbet in 2009, comprises 22 hectares planted with Gamay in Morgon. Under the partnership, Cognac One will initially launch two of the winery’s labels—its Morgon Les Charmes 2011 and Morgon Le Clos 2009—into the U.S. market. The pair represent Cognac One’s first Beaujolais offering, joining Xavier Flouret Wines, Cave de Tain, Agricola Castellana, Gadais Tourmaline, Dereszia Tokaji, Champagne A.R. Lenoble and Baron Edmond de Rothschild in the company’s stable.
•Buffalo Trace Distillery will release its 2013 Antique Collection in the coming weeks. It will feature five limited release whiskies of varying age statements, recipes and proofs, priced at $70 each. This year’s collection includes Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, distilled in 1993 and aged for 19 years; George T. Stagg, an uncut, unfiltered 128.2-proof Bourbon distilled in 1997; Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old; Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey; and William Larue Weller, the collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated Bourbon, distilled in 2001 and released at 136.2 proof. Buffalo Trace has been offering its Antique Collection annually for over a decade.
•International Beverage’s Old Pulteney single malt Scotch has unveiled a new limited edition offering, Navigator, dedicated to the sailing community and the brand’s heritage as a “Maritime Malt” whose distillery is located adjacent the North Sea. Navigator ($49.99), which is available in select markets, features special packaging with an illustration of a compass and Old Pulteney’s traditional herring drifter. The official Scotch brand of U.S. Sailing, the core Old Pulteney line includes a 12-Year-Old, 17-Year-Old and 21-Year-Old. A subsidiary of ThaiBev, International Beverage also owns the AnCnoc, Speyburn and Balblair single malt brands.
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