News Briefs for February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024•Ahead of the opening of the new Port Ellen Distillery in March, Diageo has announced Port Ellen Gemini, a set of two Islay single malts, including the oldest-ever expression released by the distillery. With 274 sets available worldwide, Gemini marks the debut of a new square bottle for Port Ellen. Master blender Craig Wilson used three European oak butts to create the bottlings, which are named Original Cask and Remnant Cask. Both whiskies were distilled in 1978. The white-label Port Ellen Gemini Original Cask is bottled at 54.9% abv, while the black-label Port Ellen Gemini Remnant Cask is bottled at 53.6% abv. Whisky Advocate has more.
•Southern Glazer’s has announced the retirement of Patrick Daul, president of its West region, effective in July. Daul began his career with Southern Glazer’s in 1992 as the director of wine sales in Northern California. From 2005 to 2011, he served as vice president, general manager for the California division of PWS, focusing on the Diageo and Moët Hennessy USA portfolios. Daul then became SVP, sales and marketing, and SVP, commercial strategy, for California before ascending to lead the full West region. “His strategic foresight has been significant, and his legacy will continue to resonate throughout our organization,” said Southern Glazer’s CEO Wayne Chaplin. The announcement regarding Daul’s successor will be forthcoming.
•Martinique’s Rhum J.M. has launched the Atelier Range, a trio of rhums aged between one and three years. The set—each retailing for $40 a bottle—consists of Fumée Volcanique (Volcanic Smoke), Épices Créoles (Creole Spice), and Jardin Fruité (Fruit Garden). Volcanique is bottled at 49% abv after aging for 12-14 months in extra charred Bourbon barrels, Créoles is bottled at 46% abv after three years in a combination of French and American oak, and Fruité is a 42% abv rum aged for two years in French and American oak. All three are now available for DTC ordering and in select markets across the U.S.
•Nashville, Indiana’s Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released its first sweet mash Bourbon, the first grain-to-glass Bourbon from the craft distiller. The 45% abv whiskey ($45 a 750-ml.) is distilled from a mash of 73% corn, 19% rye, and 8% malted barley, and ages in barrels made from staves dried for 18 to 24 months. Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon is blended from batches of fewer than 30 barrels and is now available in 21 markets across the U.S.
•Breakthru Canada and Brown-Forman have inked a deal bringing the producer’s portfolio into the distributor’s network across Canada. The partnership begins on March 1, when Breakthru Canada will take over distribution for Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTDs, before expanding in July to include other Brown-Forman brands. The north of the border move expands the two companies’ American partnership, where Breakthru handles Brown-Forman’s portfolio in 13 markets.
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