News Briefs for April 23, 2021

•Guinness is launching its new Nitro Cold Brew Coffee beer nationwide following a strong response to its limited rollout last month. Brewed using cold brew coffee extract and coffee flavors, the 4% abv offering is a permanent addition to the Guinness portfolio. Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee beer retails at $10 a four-pack of 14.9-ounce cans. The Diageo-owned brand advertised during the Super Bowl for the first time in more than a decade this year with a spot featuring football legend Joe Montana.

•Jura Whisky has added a new 12-year-old expression to its U.S. portfolio of single malt Scotch expressions. The new offering first matures in ex-Bourbon casks before finishing in Oloroso Sherry casks. It joins Jura’s 12-year-old, Seven Wood, and 18-year-old expressions, and retails for around $50 a 750-ml. Jura is part of the Whyte & Mackay portfolio and is handled in the U.S. by E.&J. Gallo.

•Honkaku Spirits is debuting Takamine Whiskey in the U.S. market. Made at Japan’s Shinozaki Distillery, Takamine is an 8 year-old, 80-proof, 100% barley, koji-fermented whiskey. Koji (aspergillus oryzae) is a mold that grows on grains, breaking the starches into sugars which yeast can then convert into alcohol through fermentation. Koji has been used in Japan for more than 1,200 years to make sake as well as soy sauce, miso, shochu, and other familiar umami-laden Japanese products, according to the company. Aged in virgin American oak and ex-Bourbon casks, Takamine is rolling out now across 15 states, distributed by Winebow and retailing at $99 a 750-ml.

•Napa Valley-based Grounded Wine Co. is introducing Space Age Rosé Spritz, a new naturally-flavored wine spritzer. Made from a base of the existing Space Age Rosé, the Spritz is infused with Meyer Lemon and Strawberry flavors and is at 5.5% abv. It’s debuting in individual 250-ml. cans and in 4-packs at retailers across the country, selling for $3.49 per can or for $14 per 4-pack.

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