News Briefs for July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023•Luxco’s Ross & Squibb Distillery has launched Remus Highest Rye Bourbon, a new permanent addition to the brand’s portfolio. The 6-year-old whiskey is made from a mash of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted rye and bottled at 54.5% abv. The Lawrenceburg, Indiana-distilled whiskey carries a suggested price of $55 a 750-ml. and is available nationwide. Highest Rye joins the brand’s Straight Bourbon, Remus Repeal Reserve, and single barrel whiskies, among other limited editions, in the Remus portfolio.
•The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition, including 50 trade associations across all three tiers of the U.S. alcohol industry, has issued a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, imploring the U.S. to prevent the return of EU tariffs on American whiskies. The letter was announced during Tai’s visit to Brussels to meet with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. Toasts Not Tariffs commended the administration’s progress in reaching agreements in 2021 in the steel and aluminum dispute between the U.S. and EU to suspend tariffs on American whiskey for two years, and in the WTO Boeing-Airbus dispute to suspend tariffs on U.S. and EU spirits and wines for five years. But it noted that the EU is scheduled to reimpose and double the tariff on American whiskies unless a new agreement is reached by January 1.
•A group of Texas organizations representing retailers, wholesalers, brewers, and distilleries is banding together against expansion of DTC shipping in the Lone Star State. The groups—the Texas Package Stores Association, Beer Alliance of Texas, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Texas, and Texas Distilled Spirits Association—made the announcement following Texas SB 2284, which allows distilleries to sell consumers up to four 750-ml. bottles per month, going into effect. WSWA says the alliance believes its stance “not only enhances customer convenience, but also places paramount importance on public safety and upholds the integrity of the Texas alcohol three-tier system.”
•New Jersey-based retailer Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is closing its Napa Valley location, the company announced last week, citing “factors beyond our control, including fires, the pandemic, and other issues,” as reasons for the closure. The store will remain open to sell off inventory, which will likely take a few weeks. Gary’s Napa Valley, located in St. Helena along Route 128, opened in October 2019 and was the company’s first out-of-state foray. Gary’s operates four locations in New Jersey.
•Rosebank Distillery in Scotland, which was shuttered 30 years ago, is making whisky once again. Rosebank owners Ian McLeod Distillers announced late last week that initial production runs have been completed and that Cask 001 of the revived Rosebank is now maturing in the warehouse. This long-revered Lowlands distillery was mothballed in 1993 by then-owner United Distillers (today’s Diageo) during scotch whisky’s downturn years. Ian McLeod acquired Rosebank from Diageo in 2017, and the plan was to reopen it in 2019. A series of delays, mainly caused by Covid 19, delayed progress. Rosebank will officially reopen to visitors in 2024.
•Los Angeles, California-based wine brand Nomadica has announced a new canned orange wine. The release is a 13% abv blend of Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, and Albariño grapes sourced from California and packaged in 4-packs of 250-ml. cans. Nomadica Orange is now available at retail in Whole Foods stores in California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey for $24 a 4-pack as well as DTC through the brand’s website. In addition to releasing the new wine, Nomadica has brought on actress and director Lake Bell as a new creative advisor to the company.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Gary's Wine & Marketplace, Luxco, Nomadica, Rosebank, Ross & Squibb
