News Briefs for October 8, 2015
October 8, 2015•Diageo is debuting a new line of 60-proof bottled whisky cocktails under the Studebaker brand name. Made with Canadian whisky, Studebaker’s cocktail lineup includes a Manhattan—featuring sweet vermouth and bitters with maraschino cherry—and Old Fashioned, blended with cherry, orange and bitters. Studebaker’s bottled cocktails will retail at $24.99 a 750-ml. bottle.
•Constellation Brands is extending its beer portfolio with a new Belgian White-style beer developed with chef Rick Bayless. Tocayo Hominy White Ale is rolling out first in Chicago on draft, according to the Chicago Tribune. The 5.5%-abv offering is made by Two Brothers Brewing, the paper said, and will be followed by other Tocayo products to be created at Bayless’ Cruz Blanca brewery, expected to open this spring.
•New York-based Riviera Imports has launched a new mezcal brand, Tres Papalote, in the U.S. market. Debuting in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Chicago this month, Tres Papalote is being offered initially in two expressions—one 40% abv ($45-$48 retail) and one 46% abv ($60). A 50% mezcal retailing at $85-$100 will follow next year. Actor and comedian Cheech Marin has signed on as brand ambassador. Riviera’s portfolio also includes Elunés Moscato, Molly’s Irish Cream and Los Generales Tequila among others.
•Diageo has updated its progress on construction of its new Bulleit Distilling Co. facility in Shelby County, Kentucky, which is now midway to completion. The $115 million, 750,000-case distillery is on track to be up and running by the end of 2016. Its first warehouse is already holding barrels of Bourbon, with a second nearing completion and a third recently beginning construction. Each warehouse holds 55,000 barrels. Along with Bulleit Bourbon, an Impact “Hot Brand,” the facility will produce a number of current and future Diageo Bourbon and North American whiskey brands.
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Tagged : Bulleit, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Riviera Imports
