News Briefs for October 7, 2016
October 7, 2016•Edrington is adding to its Macallan single malt range with the launch of The Macallan Double Cask 12-year-old.
Joining the luxury brand’s core lineup, Double Cask 12-year-old combines the influence of American oak Sherry-seasoned casks as well as European oak Sherry casks. Positioned between The Macallan’s Sherry Oak and Fine Oak ranges, Double Cask (86 proof) carries a suggested retail price of $65 a bottle. The Macallan is the second-largest single malt Scotch whisky brand in the U.S. (after The Glenlivet) and was up 7% to 217,000 cases last year, according to Impact Databank.
•Jackson Family Wines has forged a new sales partnership with Breakthru Beverage Canada. Under the deal, Breakthru will handle sales for the majority of the Jackson Family Wines portfolio across eastern Canada, and provide sales support to Jackson Family’s Summit Fine Wines unit throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Jackson Family’s flagship brands include Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Murphy Goode, Cambria, Stonestreet and Freemark Abbey, among others.
•Pernod Ricard has closed the Seattle location of its Our/Vodka craft distillery program, reportedly citing pressure from local competition. Launched in the U.S. in 2014, the Our/Vodka initiative was created to allow Pernod’s Absolut vodka brand to link with regional partners on micro-distilleries, with each distillery producing vodka made with local ingredients. Pernod Ricard, which opened its Seattle distillery early last year, also operates Our/Vodka locations in Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Detroit, Seattle and Los Angeles. The company has said that it remains committed to the Our/Vodka concept and plans to continue opening micro-distilleries in markets such as Miami and New York.
•Andy Fennell, formerly chief marketing officer of Diageo PLC, has joined Qui Tequila as a strategic advisor and partner. Fennell spent 18 years with Diageo before leaving the company last year, and was CMO of the spirits giant from 2008 to 2013. Launched in 2013, the ultra-premium Qui has enjoyed solid growth off of its small base over the past few years. It’s currently distributed by Empire Merchants in New York, Republic National Distributing Co. in Texas and Breakthru Beverage in Florida.
•Usquaebach Scotch whisky has introduced An Ard Ri Cask Strength, the brand’s first new blend in nearly 25 years. Produced by Scotch blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Company, An Ard Ri Cask Strength is a high-proof blend of more than 20 single malt casks aged between 10 and 21 years. The 57.1%-abv offering is limited to 2,000 bottles, priced at around $200. An Ard Ri Cask Strength joins Old-Rare Superior Blended Scotch Whisky, 15-year-old Pure Malt and Reserve Premium Blended Scotch Whisky in Usquaebach’s stable, which is handled in the U.S. by New Jersey-based importer Cobalt Brands LLC.
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