News Briefs for July 24, 2024

•Bardstown, Kentucky’s Heaven Hill has announced a packaging update for Larceny Bourbon, timed to the brand’s new “Seize Tonight” ad campaign. The refresh covers both Larceny’s flagship release and the seasonal barrel proof offerings and features new labels with higher-quality paper and foil while highlighting the brand’s keyhole iconography. In addition, when exposed to a black light, the new labels show the story of John E. Fitzgerald, the inspiration for Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald brand as well as Larceny. The new ad campaign will run on connected TV, digital channels, and social media, as well as include on- and off-premise activations. Last year, Larceny was up 14.5% to 158,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

•Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is launching the latest offering from Michel Rolland’s Clos de los Siete in Argentina, which is marking its 20th anniversary this year. The new edition of Clos de los Siete retails at $22 a bottle and is composed of 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot. Rolland partnered with six other French families to purchase Clos de los Siete, or “Vineyard of Seven,” in the Uco Valley at the base of the Andes. The brand was up 10% to 25,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.

•Vermont’s WhistlePig and North Carolina-based Brother’s Bond have come together to release a pair of whiskies highlighting grain-to-glass and sustainable production. From Brother’s Bond is their new Regenerative Grain Straight Bourbon, a 47.5% abv whiskey distilled from grains grown through regenerative farming methods. WhistlePig’s contribution is the 2024 release of FarmStock Beyond Bonded Rye, a 50% abv single barrel rye whiskey made from grains grown at WhistlePig Farm & Distillery. The duo is available through both brands’ websites for $190 with a portion of sales donated to regenerative farming foundation Regenerate America.

•RNDC has announced the retirement of Leon Cikota, effective September 1. Cikota, RNDC’s vice president of fine wine supplier business development, will transition to a consulting role with the distributor through 2026. Cikota retires with more than three decades with RNDC, working his way up from an Austin-based sales role to become vice president of Texas and, ultimately, reaching his final VP position in supplier business development at the nation’s second-largest wholesaler..

•Diageo has agreed to sell the Pampero rum brand to Italy’s Gruppo Montenegro for an undisclosed sum. The Venezuelan rum brand has a strong position across Italy and Continental Europe, Diageo said, adding that the deal allows “us to concentrate on our portfolio’s core areas of strength.” Montenegro expects Pampero to “significantly enhance our growth trajectory both within Italy and on the international stage.” The company’s other brands include Amaro Montenegro, Select Aperitivo, Vecchia Romagna Brandy, and Rosso Antico Vermouth.

Tagged : Brother's Bond, Clos de los Siete, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Heaven Hill, Larceny, RNDC, WhistlePig

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