News Briefs for October 9, 2019
October 9, 2019•Pernod Ricard has completed its $223 million acquisition of Castle Brands, originally announced August 29. The deal will see Castle Brands become a Pernod subsidiary. Castle Brands is known for its Jefferson’s Bourbon label. Its portfolio also includes Goslings rum and Knappogue and Clontarf Irish whiskies, as well as Boru vodka and The Arran single malt Scotch.
•Iowa’s Templeton Rye, part of the Infinium Spirits portfolio, has released a new, limited edition expression. Made in collaboration with Wood’s Vermont Syrup Company, Templeton Rye Maple Cask Finish ($35-$40 a 750-ml.) was finished in ex-Templeton Rye American oak barrels that were seasoned with maple syrup. A total of 4,000 six-pack cases of the whiskey, which is the first release in Templeton’s Barrel Finish Series, were produced. Templeton grew by 4% last year, hitting volume of 65,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
•Heaven Hill has announced the upcoming launch of Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon, set to debut in limited quantities across the U.S. in early 2020. The whiskey will be an allocated release, shipping three times a year in January, May, and September. The bottling proof will vary by release and, though Larceny Barrel Proof is bottled without an age statement, Heaven Hill says that each batch will be made up of barrels aged six to eight years. Upon release, Larceny Barrel Proof will retail for $50 a bottle. Last year, the Larceny brand was up 21.2% to 103,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
•Bardstown Bourbon Co. has promoted John Hargrove to chief operating officer. Hargrove, who joined the company from Sazerac in 2017, was previously vice president of manufacturing operations. Meanwhile, Bardstown has also promoted Justin Willett, previously senior project manager, to executive director of manufacturing operations, and Nick Smith, formerly distillery manager, to head distiller.
•Single malt Scotch brand Old Pulteney has begun the rollout of its revamped range in the U.S. market. The updated portfolio includes three new expressions: the non-age statement Huddart ($65), Old Pulteney 15-year-old ($90) and Old Pulteney 18-year-old ($139), all at 46% abv. Huddart is a new whisky finished in ex-peated Scotch casks and named for the street in Wick, Scotland where the Old Pulteney distillery is located. The 15-year-old and 18-year-old replace Old Pulteney’s 17- and 21-year-old labels, which were discontinued. The launch coincides with Old Pulteney’s new Rise With The Tide ad campaign, which follows stories of people whose lives have been shaped by the sea. The new labels join the core Old Pulteney 12-year-old ($45) which is at 40% abv. The range was introduced in the U.K. last fall, but hadn’t hit U.S. shores until now. The brand is handled by 375 Park Avenue Spirits in the U.S.
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