News Briefs for February 27, 2024
February 27, 2024•Opici Wines & Spirits has been named the exclusive U.S. importer for Baron de Ley from DOCa Rioja and Finca Museum from DO Cigales. The two newcomers join Baron De Ley’s El Coto, which is already in the Opici portfolio. The Baron de Ley lineup ranges from $14 to $43 at retail, while Finca Museum ranges from $15 to $33 a bottle. “Baron de Ley Reserva is an exciting driver for us as it’s the #3 best-selling $15-$19.99 Spanish red for the 52 weeks to 2/26/24 and outpacing the category,” said Opici Wines & Spirits president Mark Giordano.
•The Busker Irish Whiskey has expanded its portfolio, adding a new Small Batch Single Pot Still whiskey. The 46.3% abv whiskey is matured in both Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks and kicks off the brand’s new series of Small Batch whiskies. The new release carries a suggested price of $50 a 700-ml. and is now available through the brand’s website with select retail distribution coming soon. The Busker is part of the Disaronno International portfolio.
•Shaw-Ross International Importers has launched Maen Whisky in the U.S., bringing a trio of expressions from the Japanese brand to the States. The first release, Maen Japanese Whisky Blend, marries 20% malt whisky with 80% grain whisky (made from 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley). The whiskies in the blend are aged between three and five years and the bottle carries a suggested price of $65. The other two releases are Japanese single malts bottled at 8- and 12-years-old, with the younger whisky retailing for $125 and the older for $165. All three whiskies are bottled at 43% abv.
•Tennessee-based Ole Smoky continues to see distillery visitors drive growth for the brand, with the company’s four sites in the Volunteer State welcoming over 5 million guests last year. Ole Smoky’s The Holler in Gatlinburg saw 2.2 million visitors, The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg had 1.1 million visitors, Pigeon Forge’s distillery, The Barn, had 1.3 million visitors, and Nashville’s 6th & Peabody welcomed over 700,000 visitors in 2023. Ole Smoky’s Tennessee whiskey grew 25% to nearly 400,000 cases in the U.S. last year (excluding its moonshines and RTDs), according to Impact Databank.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Baron de Ley, Disaronno International, Maen whisky, Ole Smoky, Opici, Shaw-Ross, the Busker
