•Suntory Global Spirits has launched a new batch of Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Straight Blended Whiskey. The whiskey brings together 9-year-old Bourbon and 7-year-old rye and is bottled at 56.5% abv. Bourbon x Rye carries a suggested price of $45 and is available across the U.S. The first Bourbon x Rye release from Knob Creek was named to Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 list last year. Knob Creek has volume of just over 500,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

•Pernod Ricard-owned Jefferson’s Bourbon is debuting the second release in the brand’s Marian McLain series of whiskies. The releases celebrate McLain, an 18th century American (also brand founder Trey Zoeller’s 8th-generation grandmother) who took to liquor production and distribution following the death of her husband in the Revolutionary War. This new release blends five Bourbons made in Kentucky (4) and Indiana (1) and is bottled at 53% abv. Jefferson’s Marian McLain is now available in select retailers across the U.S. for a suggested price of $299.

•Napa, California’s Quintessential has named Hugh Duncan as the importer and marketer’s new vice president of California wholesale. Duncan joins Quintessential with more than 30 years in the industry, including as executive vice president and general manager for RNDC’s Hawaii distribution business. Duncan has also worked with Brown-Forman, Young’s Market Company, and Gallo, among others. The hire, according to Quintessential, comes as the company is making “a significant investment in its California wholesale business, including an upcoming expansion of its portfolio.” Quintessential’s brand stable includes 34 family estates, 47 wineries, and two distilleries spanning 12 countries.

•Healdsburg, California’s Rodney Strong Wine Estates has promoted Heather Hanks, naming the nearly 20-year company veteran as senior director of global sales. During her time at Rodney Strong, Hanks has managed the company’s mid-south region, including the Caribbean and Central America, and has worked on the national account on-premise team. In her new role she’ll report to Dan Wildermuth, vice president of global customer success, and will lead the company’s international sales efforts. Last year, Rodney Strong’s depletions were just under 600,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.