News Briefs for April 24, 2025

•Spirit of Gallo’s VMC Tequila Cocktails has added a new tamarind-flavored drink to its portfolio. The new release, made in partnership with the brand’s team, including Gallo, Mexican boxer Saúl “El Canelo” Álvarez, and Casa Lumbre, comes in 4-packs of 355-ml. cans ($11) and individual 700-ml. cans ($5). Like VMC’s other flavors—Jamaica, Paloma, and Margarita—the new tamarind flavor is at 5.5% abv and made with blanco Tequila, natural flavors, and sparkling water. Last year, VMC rocketed to 675,000 cases in the U.S. from a 2023 base of 65,000, according to Impact Databank.

•Breakthru Beverage Group has expanded its relationship with Folio Fine Wine Partners, adding California and Arizona to the companies’ existing 12 market partnership. Within the distributor, Folio’s portfolio will be handled by Aspect, Breakthru’s luxury wine-focused group. Folio’s brands include France’s Piper-Heidsieck and M. Chapoutier, and Piper Sonoma and Michael Mondavi Family Estate from the U.S., among other global wine brands. Breakthru is the third largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., with projected 2025 revenues of $8.5 billion, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

•Louisville, Kentucky’s Barrell Craft Spirits has released Full Proof, a new blend of Bourbons bottled at barrel entry proof. The 61.5% abv whiskey is made from 16- and 17-year-old Tennessee Bourbon, 16- and 18-year-old Indiana Bourbon, and 11- and 20-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, creating a derived mash bill of 78% corn, 11% rye, and 11% malted barley. Barrell Full Proof is now available at select retailers across the U.S. for a suggested price of $200 a 750-ml.

•The Finnish Long Drink has released the Zero Sugar Variety Pack, the latest lower calorie option from the spirits-based RTD brand. The new 12-pack features three flavors—Citrus, Peach, and Pineapple—all at 5% abv and 99 calories per can. The Peach and Pineapple flavors are currently exclusively available in the 12-pack, which is now in retailers across the U.S. In addition, the brand is accompanying the launch with a new marketing tagline “Not a Seltzer” to help differentiate it from other RTDs. Last year, the Finnish Long Drink was at 2.7 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Tagged : Barrell Craft Spirits, Breakthru, Finnish Long Drink, Folio Fine Wine, Gallo, VMC

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