News Briefs for May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025•Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson resurrected their family distilling legacy by launching Belle Meade Bourbon in 2012 and opening Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville two years later. With Belle Meade and the flagship Nelson’s Green Brier, the accolades piled up, and Constellation Brands took a minority stake in 2016, and then acquired majority control in 2019. A few years later, the brothers left the company and their namesake behind. But at the end of last year, they quietly regained the rights to Belle Meade, returning ownership to the family. Whisky Advocate has the full story.
•Breakthru Beverage Group has appointed Calen Wells as executive vice president, Minnesota, following the retirement of Derek Holmes. Wells has been with Breakthru for 20 years and most recently served as vice president of trade development in Nevada. He succeeds Holmes, who spent the last 17 years of a 35-year career with the company and according to Breakthru played a critical role in the 2022 Breakthru-JJ Taylor merger. Breakthru’s Minnesota revenues are projected at just under $430 million this year, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.
•Shaw-Ross International is adding Smoke Wagon Bourbon to its portfolio. Shaw-Ross will handle national distribution of Smoke Wagon’s four core Bourbon expressions: Straight ($30), Desert Colt ($40), Small Batch ($60), and Uncut Unfiltered ($80). The brand’s signature style features high-rye mash bills, non-chill filtration, and a fruit-forward profile. Shaw-Ross says Smoke Wagon is positioned to grow across multiple price points within the portfolio.
Tagged : Belle Meade, Breakthru, Nelson's Green Brier, Shaw-Ross, Smoke Wagon Bourbon, Whisky Advocate
