News Briefs for January 10, 2024

•Maison Ferrand has released Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut rum, the first release under the rebranded Plantation line and a Barbadian rum previously available only in the Caribbean. The 40% abv rum is made by West Indies Rum Distillery with locally sourced coconuts which are dried prior to infusion. Cut & Dry is rolling out now in the U.S. for a suggested price of $35 a 700-ml. Additionally, other rums from the former Plantation portfolio will roll out throughout the year under the new Planteray brand.

•Diageo’s Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky is launching a new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Limited Edition. Created by Asian-American visual artist James Jean, the new design celebrates the Year of the Dragon and is meant to embody Johnnie Walker’s long-time “Keep Walking” positioning. The special Johnnie Walker Blue edition is debuting globally at retailers and online, selling at $269 a bottle. Johnnie Walker has annual U.S. volume of approximately 2 million cases, according to Impact Databank.

•Breakthru Beverage Group has promoted Jesse Christen to vice president, supplier business development, spirits. Previously vice president, sales at Breakthru Wisconsin, Christen will now lead the development and execution of supplier sales, marketing, and corporate strategies at the U.S. market’s third-ranked spirits and wine wholesaler, working directly with senior vice president, supplier business development, Amanda Hale. Christen joined Breakthru in 2012.

Tagged : Breakthru Beverage, Diageo, Johnnie Walker, Maison Ferrand, Plantation, Planteray

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2025 ESTIMATES AND 2030 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2025 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.