News Briefs for October 8, 2024

•Tequila Ocho, part of Heaven Hill Brands’ Samson & Surrey portfolio, is launching an Extra Añejo expression. The 40% abv Tequila spent three years in American whiskey barrels. It retails at $249 a 750-ml., with a supply of 720 cases coming to the U.S. The luxury Tequila is presented in a custom wooden box, with its engraved bottle meant to mimic Ocho’s single estate agave fields from a bird’s-eye view. Tequila Ocho jumped 50% to 60,000 cases last year, earning Impact “Hot Prospect” honors.

•Portugal’s Esporão Group has rebranded its U.S. import company as Cultivamos and appointed Ben Carson-Brown as president and CEO. Carson-Brown spent 15 years as general manager of Spanish wine specialist Olé & Obrigado. Also joining Cultivamos is Rui Abecassis as director of business development, Wines & Olive Oil. Abecassis was previously a partner at Olé & Obrigado. The Esporão portfolio includes wine estates Herdade do Esporão (Alentejo), Quinta do Ameal (Vinho Verde), and Quinta dos Murças (Douro), as well as a collection of extra virgin olive oils.

•Suntory Global Spirits has announced the limited return of Knob Creek’s 18 Year Old Bourbon, Bottled at 100 proof, it’s rolling out for a limited time at retailers nationwide with an SRP of $175 for a 750-ml. bottle. Knob Creek depleted 531,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank. This year, the brand’s control state volume increased 4.6% through July.

•Tennessee’s Chattanooga Whiskey has expanded into North Carolina through RNDC, bringing the distiller’s total distribution footprint to 17 states. Two of the distillery’s releases—91 and Cask 111—are rolling out now throughout the state. The pair of whiskies is made using Chattanooga’s signature high-malt mash bill. In addition to in-store availability in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Michigan, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, limited quantities of Chattanooga’s whiskies are available through Seelbach’s online store.

Tagged : Chattanooga Whiskey, Cultivamos, Esporao Group, Heaven Hill, Knob Creek, Samson & Surrey, Suntory Global Spirits, Tequila Ocho

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