News Briefs for May 6, 2025

•Louisiana’s Sidewalk Side Spirits has signed a new distribution agreement with Republic National Distributing Company, expanding the distribution footprint for the Hardhide brand of flavored whiskies across the South. The deal will see RNDC handle Hardhide in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. The brand currently consists of two flavored whiskies—Ponchatoula Strawberry and Chilton County Peach—both bottled at 43% abv.

•New whiskies from Chicken Cock, Frey Ranch, Crown Royal, and Hatozaki are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The website has all the details.

•Carl Doumani, an iconoclastic and charismatic Napa Valley vintner who led both Stags’ Leap Winery and Quixote Winery, died on April 22, in his Napa Valley home. He was 92 and had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. Doumani was a charismatic entrepreneur, unafraid to pivot to new paths in his life and career. Wine Spectator has more.

•Edrington’s The Glenrothes has launched The 15, the latest permanent addition to the single malt Scotch brand’s portfolio. The whisky is bottled at 43% abv and matures for 15 years in used European oak sherry-seasoned casks. The whisky carries a suggested price of $100 a bottle and is now available across the U.S. in independent and chain retailers, including Total Wine, Binny’s, ReserveBar, and others.

Tagged : Edrington, Hardhide, RNDC, Sidewalk Side Spirits, The Glenrothes, Whisky Advocate, Wine Spectator

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