News Briefs for November 5, 2021

•Diageo’s George Dickel has teamed up with Colorado craft distiller Leopold Bros. to create the George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend, a new blend of rye whiskies. The 50% abv whiskey brings together Leopold Bros. Three Chamber rye (named for the type of still used to distill it) and George Dickel’s column still rye whiskey and carries a suggested price of $110 a 750-ml. The George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend is rolling out now in limited quantities in select markets across the U.S.

•California’s Hahn Family Wines is debuting a new range of Arroyo Seco appellated wines under its Hahn Appellation Series. The line includes a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Grenache Syrah Mourvédre (GSM) priced $19-$20 a 750-ml. Hahn Family Wines president Thomas Duhameau said the Appellation Series is “squarely positioned to capitalize on strong ultra-premium sales trends” in terms of flavor profile, quality expectations, and packaging. The Hahn portfolio also includes the Hahn SLH, Lucienne, Smith & Hook, Hahn, and Boneshaker labels.

•Napa, California-based Bread & Butter Wines is adding a Merlot to its portfolio. Launching nationally this month, Bread & Butter California Merlot joins the brand’s existing “Everyday Wines” collection, which includes a California rosé, California Sauvignon Blanc, and California Pinot Noir, among others, all priced at $15 a bottle. Part of WX Brands, Bread & Butter earned Hot Brand status earlier this year for its strong 2020 performance, which saw volume nearly double to 880,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.

•American Highway Bourbon, a new brand from country music star Brad Paisley, is set to hit shelves across the U.S. this month. The 48% abv whiskey was distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company and is blended from two 3-year-old whiskies, plus a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old. In a unique twist on the maturation process, American Highway spent part of its life on the road with Paisley, aging in a 53-foot trailer that accompanied the musician on his 2019 tour. For the first batch, 30,000 bottles will be released for a suggested price of $100. American Highway will be available in 21 markets across the U.S. and online through Seelbachs.

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