News Briefs for January 29, 2025

•Johnson Brothers, the fourth-largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S. with estimated revenues of $3.3 billion, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter, has appointed Diageo veteran Jack Edwards as president. Edwards was most recently president of North America for super-premium Italian coffee company Illycaffè. Prior to that he spent nearly two decades with Diageo, culminating as commercial leader at Diageo Beer Co. USA. “Jack’s extensive experience with premium brands and his proven industry experience make him uniquely qualified to lead Johnson Brothers into our next phase of growth,” said Johnson Brothers CEO Mark Hubler.

•Suntory Global Spirits’ On the Rocks has added a new ready-to-serve cocktail, the Lemon Drop Martini. The 20% abv cocktail is made with Effen vodka and elderflower liqueur with basil, lemon, and vanilla flavorings. The new permanent addition to the On the Rocks portfolio is now available in 375-ml. bottles nationwide. On the Rocks is among the leading ready-to-serve cocktail brands in the U.S. at an estimated 800,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.

•Louisville, Kentucky-based Michter’s has released Bomberger’s PFG, a new extension to the distiller’s high-end line of whiskies. After its initial maturation, the Bourbon is rebarreled in a new custom charred and toasted barrel made from fine grain French oak, lending the whiskey its name, PFG or Precision Fine Grain. The French oak is sourced from the Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges forests. The Bourbon is bottled at 50.1% abv and carries a suggested price of $140 a bottle.

Tagged : Bomberger's, Johnson Brothers, Michter's, On the Rocks, Suntory

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