News Briefs for January 10, 2017

•Parker Beam, master distiller emeritus of Heaven Hill Distillery, passed away January 8 at the age of 75 after a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Beam joined Heaven Hill in 1960, and in 1975 succeeded his father, Earl, as master distiller, before passing the same role on to his own son, Craig. Over his illustrious career, Beam is credited with helping to pioneer Heaven Hill’s first premium small-batch and single barrel Bourbons, and paving the distillery’s path to become one of the industry leaders in American whiskey. Beam was a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and the 2003 winner of Whisky Advocate’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Whisky Advocate has more on Beam’s life and career.

•Bacardi Ltd. is adding the rums of Venezuela’s Ron Santa Teresa to its global distribution pipeline. Bacardi will handle the portfolio of aged rums in international markets, while the family-owned Ron Santa Teresa will retain full distribution in Venezuela. Produced at the Hacienda Santa Teresa in El Consejo, Venezuela, Ron Santa Teresa’s rums include Santa Teresa Claro, Gran Reserva and 1796.

•The Winebow Group is set to welcome Chile’s Viña Tarapacá to its MundoVino division. MundoVino will import five Gran Reserva wines from Viña Tarapacá’s Rosario Estate in the Maipo Valley: a Cabernet Sauvignon ($18), Organic Red Blend ($18), Carmenere ($18), Etiqueta Azul ($45) and Etiqueta Negra ($35). Viña Tarapacá is part of VSPT Wine Group, whose Viña Leyda brand is already handled by MundoVino.

•Martin Miller’s gin has inked a new sales and marketing agreement with Atlanta-based Blue Ridge Wine & Spirits. Under the deal, Blue Ridge has been appointed as Martin Miller’s exclusive sales and marketing agent in the U.S., effective immediately. The Martin Miller’s portfolio includes its original gin ($27 a 750-ml.), Westbourne Strength ($36) and 9 Moons ($49). Blue Ridge, which launched in 2015, had volume of above 100,000 cases last year. The company tells SND that portfolio growth has been driven by Western Son vodka, Yellow Rose whiskey and Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio.

Tagged : Bacardi Ltd., Blue Ridge Wine & Spirits, Hacienda Santa Teresa, Heaven Hill Distillery, Luna Nuda, Martin Miller's, Ron Santa Teresa, The Winebow Group, Viña Tarapacá, Western Son, Yellow Rose

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