News Briefs for February 7, 2024
February 7, 2024•Scotch whisky maker Compass Box is relaunching its Hedonism expression as a limited edition annual release. The blended grain whisky first debuted in 2000, and starting this year it will no longer be part of the brand’s core range but instead will be released as a limited bottling once each year. According to the company, the change is due to the old and rare grain whiskies that go into Hedonism becoming harder to find. The first Hedonism yearly edition is bottled at 43% abv and retails at $150 a 700-ml.
•Speyside single malt Scotch Longmorn, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, is launching two new whiskies and a packaging makeover. Longmorn has made the commitment to release single malt whiskies matured for no less than 18 years, beginning with the newly released 18-Year-Old ($280) and 22-Year-Old ($440) expressions. Both new bottlings are non-chill filtered, matured primarily in American oak casks, and presented at cask strength. Debuting nationally, they’re being released as Longmorn marks its 130th anniversary.
•Italy’s Franciacorta sparkling wine saw global value increase 3% last year despite a 3.4% decrease in volume to just under 20 million bottles (1.7m cases), according to the Franciacorta Consortium. The methode champenoise sparkler from northern Italy was down 0.7% in the U.S. to 280,000 bottles (23,000 cases), but is up 17% since pre-pandemic as more consumers learn about the category. Globally, Franciacorta benefited from an increase in average shelf prices last year, up by 6.4% from €22.90 ($24.60) in 2022 to €24.40 ($26.24) in 2023.
•Penelope Bourbon, part of the MGP-owned Luxco portfolio, is releasing a special Tokaji Cask Finish. Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, aged eight years, and bottled at 106 proof, the Tokaji Cask Finish’s mashbill consists of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. A limited allocation of 1,900 (6-pack) cases are rolling out, retailing at $90 a 750-ml. This is the third installment of Penelope’s Cooper Series, which has also included Rosé Cask Finish, Valencia, and Rio. Luxco acquired New Jersey-based Penelope last year for $105 million.
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