News Briefs for March 8, 2021

•Pernod Ricard has agreed to take a majority stake in La Hechicera, a Colombian ultra-premium rum. Terms weren’t disclosed. La Hechicera is known for its Reserva Familiar, a blend of rums without added sugar, aged in former Bourbon barrels made of American white oak. The brand is active in Colombia as well as export markets including Europe and the U.S. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks.

•Rare E.H. Taylor Bourbon, Irish whiskey in a can, and newcomers from Old Elk and Sagamore Spirit are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The magazine’s website has all the details.

•Single malt Scotch whisky GlenDronach is launching a new Cask Bottling Batch 18 Collection in the U.S. The collection includes cask bottlings from 1990 ($600, 51.4% abv), 1994 ($415, 51.3% abv), 2005 ($150, 58% abv) and 2008 ($120, 59.8% abv), bottled from Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and Port Pipe casks. GlenDronach, a Highlands single malt known for Sherry cask aging, is part of the Brown-Forman portfolio.

•Moët Hennessy and the NBA have expanded their partnership, creating region-specific Hennessy content for 10 NBA teams. This more specific evolution of Hennessy’s “Spirit of the NBA” programming will feature retail activations, local packaging, and marketing tailored to each city. The new initiative will feature the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Wizards. Last year, Hennessy was up 19% to 4.73 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

•Champagne Bollinger is set to debut RD 2007, a vintage bottling paying tribute to Lily Bollinger, who led the business from 1941 to 1971. RD 2007 is an old vintage released shortly after its disgorgement and with a very low dosage, as Madame Bollinger released a 1952 vintage offering in 1967. The new release will feature labeling resembling that same 1952 vintage. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, it’s composed of grapes from 14 crus of which 91% are grand crus and 9% premier crus. Bollinger RD 2007 will launch nationally in April, retailing at $300.

•Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has named Christina Reed as vice president and general manager for Alaska. Reed comes to the role with nearly two decades of industry experience including 16 years at the Odom Corporation and SGWS, rising from sales representative to general sales manager of the Northwest division. As the new leader for Southern Glazer’s in Alaska, Reed will set the company’s sales strategy and continue to develop the state’s market for beverage alcohol.

Tagged : Champagne Bollinger, Glendronach, Hennessy, Pernod Ricard, Southern Glazer's, Whisky Advocate

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