News Briefs for April 15, 2024

•In January, Diageo and former partner Sean “Diddy” Combs settled their legal disputes out of court, with Diageo gaining full control of the DeLeón Tequila brand and Combs voluntarily dismissing his lawsuits against the company. On Friday, the New York Times reported that Diageo paid $200 million for Combs’s 50% share of DeLeón Tequila as part of the settlement. Combs ignited the dispute last year by claiming that Diageo typecast the DeLeón and Ciroc brands to Black consumers, holding them back in the market, which Diageo denied. Subsequently, Diageo severed all business ties with Combs–who the company said earned $1 billion over the course of their partnership while failing to live up to his obligations.

•Livermore, California’s Wente Vineyards is launching Baily Hill Pinot Noir to its core lineup. Retailing at $20 a 750-ml., the new entry is from vines on the southern side of Riva Ranch Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. The brand is named for Baily Little, godfather to fourth-generation winegrower Eric Wente. Little chose the site from which the wine is sourced. Wente’s Baily Hill Pinot Noir is rolling out nationally and in international markets. Wente also added a Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend to its core range in December.

•Hatozaki Whisky has announced a new U.S.-exclusive bottling, the third release in their Omakase Series. Hatozaki Omakase Rye Third Edition Mizunara Cask Finish is made at the Kaikyō Distillery from rye that’s aged in new charred oak before finishing in Mizunara oak and bottled at 42%. The Japanese whisky carries a suggested price of $95 and will be limited to fewer than 3,000 bottles. Hatozaki’s portfolio, which also includes its flagship Finest Whisky and Small Batch Whisky, is handled by Marussia Beverages USA.

•Lexington, Kentucky’s RD1 Spirits has added seven new states to its distribution footprint since the beginning of the year. The move sees RD1’s whiskies enter Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, and South Carolina, bringing the brand’s total footprint to 22 states. The brand’s portfolio of whiskies covers a Straight Bourbon whiskey and three barrel-finished variants, bottled between 49.5% and 55% abv and retailing from $70 to nearly $100 through the brand’s website.

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