News Briefs for December 20, 2019

•After counting down its top 10 smokes of the year throughout this week, Cigar Aficionado yesterday unveiled its Cigar of the Year here. Today, the magazine caps its year-end festivities with the publication of its full list of the Top 25 Cigars of 2019.

•Argentina-based winery Zolo is launching a new Cabernet Franc Reserve in the U.S. Sourced from Zolo’s Alto Agrelo and Agrelo vineyards and made by winemakers Jean Claude Berrouet (formerly of Petrus) and Fabian Valenzuela, the new entry retails at $19 and is billed as a riper style of Cabernet Franc than typical French versions. Zolo is imported by Argentine wine specialist Vino del Sol.

•375 Park Avenue Spirits is set to add Cutty Sark Scotch whisky to its portfolio effective February 7. Cutty Sark, which has U.S. volume of approximately 100,000 cases, according to Impact Databank, was acquired by La Martiniquaise-Bardinet from Edrington a year ago for an undisclosed sum. 375 Park Avenue’s whisky portfolio also includes Passport, Ballantine’s, Old Pulteney, Speyburn, Paul John, AnCnoc, and Balblair, among others.

•Industry veteran Rich Andrews has been named CEO of upstate New York-based brewer FIFCO USA. Andrews moves to FIFCO from Banfi, where he has served as COO for nearly two years. Prior to that he held senior roles with Bacardi and coffee company Lavazza. In his new post, Andrews will look to drive growth for the FIFCO portfolio, which includes Labatt, Genesee, Magic Hat, Pyramid, Seagram’s Escapes, and other brands.

•Napa-based importer and marketer Quintessential has named Scott Evans as vice president, business development, West, a new role within the company. Evans spent 12 years with The Henry Wine Group/Winebow, most recently as vice president of portfolio management, West. He will also become brand manager for most of Quintessential’s California portfolio, as well as wineries from Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Australia. Meanwhile, Jim Buckley, Quintessential’s vice president, business development, East, is also now serving as brand manager for the company’s South American and South African portfolios, as well as California’s Foppiano.

Tagged : 375 Park Avenue Spirits, Cigar Aficionado, FIFCO USA, Quintessential, Zolo

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2021 DATA AND 2022 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2022 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.