News Briefs for January 22, 2024
January 22, 2024•Old Forester Whiskey Row 1924, Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Series, Very Olde St. Nick, and newcomers from Patty Green and Call Family Distillers are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The website has all the details.
•The alcoholic beverage market in New York State increased by an aggregate 0.3% in 2023 to 407 million gallons, according to recently-released revenue statements from the state’s Department of Taxation & Finance. Beer shipments in New York state fell 2.8% last year to 9.5 million barrels, while wine volumes declined 1.8% to 24.5 million 9-liter cases. Spirits were the lone bright spot in 2023, as shipments in New York state advanced 7.4% to 17 million cases, due primarily to the continued growth of spirit-based RTDs. New York was the fourth-largest market by volume nationwide for beverage alcohol last year, after California, Texas, and Florida, according to Impact Databank.
•Brooklyn, New York-based Q Mixers has partnered with Tao Group Hospitality, placing Q’s line of products in 44 restaurants and venues across the U.S. The deal covers restaurants and clubs like Tao, Hakkasan, Marquee, and Lavo, among others, and will see Q featured at Tao events like Tao Park City and Tao Desert Nights, with those events happening alongside the Sundance Film Festival and Coachella Music Festival, respectively. In addition, the partnership makes Q’s Ginger Beer, Grapefruit Soda, and Bloody Mary mix the exclusive offerings at all 44 venues, as well as making the Q brand the exclusive mixer option for bottle service mixers.
•New Jersey-based Opici Wines & Spirits has hired Jeff Scott as the company’s new director, national accounts on-premise. Scott comes to the new role with over 20 years in the sales and hospitality industries most recently working as direct of national accounts at Washington state’s House of Smith. Additionally, he’s also served as vice president of sales at Mark Wine Group and for distribution giant RNDC. In his new role, Scott will report to Rachel Roberts, Opici’s vice president of national accounts.
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