News Briefs for October 6, 2023

•Bacardi has announced the 2023 cask strength Angel’s Envy releases, including the brand’s first ever cask strength rye. This year’s edition of the Bourbon, the twelfth in the series, comes in at 59.1% abv with 22,656 bottles released. The rye is bottled at 57.2% abv and was blended from ryes finished in Sauternes and toasted oak casks. Only 5,500 bottles of the cask strength rye will be released. Both are now available in select retailers across the U.S. with the rye retailing for a suggested price of $270 and the Bourbon going for $230. Last year, Angel’s Envy reached 295,000 cases, up 32.2%, according to Impact Databank.

•Total Wine & More has acquired Lukas Fine Wine & Spirits’ Stateline store in Kansas City, Missouri for an undisclosed sum. This is the second Total Wine & More store in Western Missouri, after the retailer opened its Liberty, Missouri location in late August. In addition, a separate Total Wine & More affiliate acquired Lukas’ store in Overland Park, Kansas the same month. The Stateline store will operate under the Total Wine & More name and remain open while it undergoes renovations expected to be completed in 2024. The 40,000 sq. ft. store will offer more than 8,000 wines, 4,500 spirits, and 3,500 beers.

•Terlato Wine Group has named Kim Beto as vice president, fine wine and business development. Beto, a level three sommelier, comes to Terlato with 25 years of industry experience including stints as MGM Grand food and beverage director, and vice president positions at Southern Glazer’s in northern California and Las Vegas. In his new role, Beto will take charge of brand and sales education and training, both within Terlato and with the company’s account and distribution partners. He will report to Terlato chief of staff, Tony Terlato Jr.

•Louisville, Kentucky-based Mash & Mallow is launching its inaugural offering, S’mores Whiskey. Featuring flavors of chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker, it’s made with a mashbill of 97% corn and 3% rye. Mash & Mallow is the brainchild of Hall of Fame whiskey maker Kaveh Zamanian, in partnership with Pernod Ricard. It’s at 35% abv and is available now at select retailers in 16 states that include California, Florida, and Texas, among others, priced at $33 a 750-ml.

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