News Briefs for January 28, 2022

•Blackheart rum, part of the Heaven Hill portfolio, has partnered with Jenny McCarthy on a new spring campaign called “Make Time for Friends.” The national push will include social and digital spots featuring McCarthy encouraging consumers to reconnect with friends over Blackheart serves, and will also include a sweepstakes component. Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum retails at $15 a 750-ml. and is bottled at 93 proof.

•The Kentucky Bourbon Trail and its accompanying craft trail reported 1.5 million tours for 2021, a sharp rebound from the pandemic lows of 2020. Visits were up 160% last year, compared to 2020, nearly reaching the trails’ high point of 1.7 million visits in 2019. Kentucky Distillers Association president Eric Gregory noted that the rebound occurred despite limited capacity at some distilleries and with large attractions like the James B. Beam Distilling Co. being closed for renovations. While the overall trail didn’t quite break a new record, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour shattered its previous mark, welcoming 615,000 visitors, a 40% jump over the previous record set in 2019.

•Jackson Family Wines is partnering with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) to create an Accelerate Program in key markets across the U.S., aimed at increasing diversity and career opportunities within their sales teams. According to the companies, the Accelerate Program will allow a diverse group of participants to receive comprehensive sales training and an immersive wine education through a structured path that includes “ongoing trainings, structured onboarding, transition plans, performance reviews, and mentorship.” After completing the program, individuals will have earned on the job experiences and knowledge as they look to further their careers in the business. Click here for more info and to apply.

Tagged : Blackheart, Heaven Hill, Jackson Family Wines, Kentucky Bourbon Trail, RNDC

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