News Briefs for April 15, 2014
April 15, 2014•Heaven Hill Distilleries has revamped the packaging for its Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whisky. The new look is meant to evoke the 1930s, post-Prohibition era, when the brand was first introduced. Available nationwide in June, the Art Deco-style packaging–which includes a new label and capsule enclosure—will help the Pennsylvania-style rye ($24.99 a 750-ml.) stand out on shelves, the company says. The main graphic motif that has been revived from the original packaging is the diamond geometric design around the logotype, which also contains the “100 proof” and “Straight Rye Whisky” designations, as in the original post-Prohibition labels. The new redesign also brings back the tax stamp, which was originally mandated as proof of the “bottled-in-bond” status.
•Bacardi is adding a new flavor extension, Mango Fusion, to its flagship rum brand. Billed as a fusion of mango with a hint of orange, the newcomer will retail at around $15 a 750-ml., and will also come in 50-ml., 200-ml., 375-ml., 750-ml., 1-liter and 1.75-liter sizes. Bacardi Mango Fusion’s launch will be backed with national digital media, on- and off-premise sampling and promotion.
•Brown-Forman has announced the launch of a new limited-edition whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Rested Tennessee Rye. A follow-up to another successful limited release, 2012’s Jack Daniel’s Unaged Tennessee Rye, the new Rested Rye is crafted from a mashbill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley. According to Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett, the whiskey was rested for “two cycles of the Tennessee seasons” in new, lightly toasted and charred barrels. Debuting in select markets this month, Jack Daniel’s Rested Rye is 80 proof and will retail at $49.99 a 750-ml.
•Beam Inc.’s Skinnygirl brand has added a pair of extensions to its ready-to-drink cocktails range—Skinnygirl Sweet’arita and Skinnygirl Sparkling Margarita. Sweet’arita features the same blend of Tequila and citrus as the brand’s Skinnygirl Margarita, but with added sweetness, while the Sparkling Margarita is a bubbly spin on the classic cocktail. Both 19.9-proof offerings are under 100 calories per serving and retail for around $12.99 a 750-ml. The pair bring the total Skinnygirl portfolio to 21 cocktails, wines and vodkas.
•The Napa Valley’s Trinchero Family Estates has appointed wine veteran Mark Dunlea as director of marketing. Based in the company’s Napa offices, Dunlea will report to senior vice president of marketing, Dave Derby, and will be tasked with leading the marketing efforts for brands such as Ménage à Trois and SeaGlass. He previously worked for E.&J. Gallo for 12 years and was most recently the brand manager on Louis M. Martini, Ghost Pines, MacMurray Ranch, Brancaia and new brand development.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Bacardi, Beam Inc, Brancaia, Brown-Forman, E.&J. Gallo, Ghost Pines, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Jack Daniel's, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Ranch, Ménage à Trois, Rittenhouse, SeaGlass, Skinnygirl, Trinchero Family Estates
