News Briefs for March 1, 2024
March 1, 2024•Southern Glazer’s has promoted Lewis Kenrick to the role of president, West Region. In his most recent role, Kenrick served as executive vice president, general manager of California. He will now report to John Wittig, chief commercial officer, and is replacing Patrick Daul, who recently announced his retirement. As president, West Region, Kenrick will be responsible for leading the Southern Glazer’s business across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
•U.S. spirits exports grew by 8% to reach $2.2 billion last year, according to a new report from the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. American whiskey exports lead the overall export market, rising by 9% to $1.4 billion. Exports to the EU were up 24% to $883 million, making the bloc the largest overall export market for U.S. distillers by a wide margin; Canada, the second-largest export market, is worth $262 million. Led by American whiskies, Tennessee and Kentucky are the top two exporters from the U.S., with Tennessee exporting nearly $1 billion in spirits and Kentucky just over $500 million.
•Massachusetts-based M.S. Walker has been named the U.S. importer for Piedmont’s Fortemasso and Tuscany’s Castello di Radda. Fortemasso is known for Barolo from Monforte d’Alba, among other Piemonte wines. Castello di Radda’s organically managed vineyards cover 40 hectares (99 acres) in the municipalities of Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. Its wines include Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Both wineries are part of Agricole Gussalli Beretta.
•Louisville, Kentucky-based Michter’s has announced the return of US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye, the first higher-proof bottling of Michter’s rye since 2022. The whiskey, bottled at 55.1% abv, is a single barrel product selected by Michter’s master of maturation Andrea Wilson and master distiller Dan McKee. It carries a suggested price of $110 a bottle and will be available in limited quantities across the U.S.
•Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey has named Bill Langan as EVP, national sales director. Langan has had a three-decade career in the wine and spirits industry, including senior roles with Brown-Forman, Allied Domeq, RNDC, and Royal Dutch Distillers. He will lead Ballotin’s national sales efforts across their 42-state distribution footprint. Retailing at $27 a bottle, Ballotin has U.S. volume of 40,000 cases across its portfolio of six chocolate whiskies and three chocolate whiskey creams. It’s primarily handled by RNDC and Breakthru.
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