News Briefs for March 9, 2022

•Beam Suntory’s On the Rocks cocktail brand has added Classic Daiquiri to its line. The new cocktail is bottled at 20% abv and is made from a mix of Cruzan’s dark and light rums, lime, and sugar. On the Rocks’ Classic Daiquiri is now available across the U.S. in 375-, 200-, and 100-ml. bottles with the largest size retailing for around $13. The new release joins On the Rocks’ Cosmopolitan, Mai Tai, Old Fashioned, Margarita, Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita, and Aviation—all made with Beam Suntory spirits—in the brand’s portfolio. Last year, the brand reached 470,000 cases, according to Impact Databank, more than doubling over 2020.

•Frankfort, Kentucky-based Castle & Key Distillery has launched Rise 2022 Seasonal Gin, the third spring release from the distillery since its restoration in 2014. The 51.5% abv spirit is made from 63% rye, 20% malted barley, and 17% yellow corn with rose petals steeped in the base before distillation. Rise’s botanicals also include juniper, tarragon, lemon peel, green peppercorn, almond, green cardamon, and licorice. Rise will be available in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Indiana, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin for a suggested price of $36.

•Missouri-based wholesaler Major Brands has announced that CEO Sue McCollum will be leaving the company in April. McCollum has led Major for a decade and was the last member of the founding Epsten family to lead the business. In January, Breakthru Beverage agreed to acquire Major, with the deal set to close in the spring. Major Brands has a workforce of 600 people and distributes to 9,000 retail customers. Revenues are estimated at above $400 million. Breakthru says McCollum’s departure won’t affect day-to-day operations, with Major’s local Missouri leadership and sales organization remaining in place.

•Freixenet Mionetto USA’s Gloria Ferrer has named Harry Hansen as the winery’s senior vice president of winegrowing and winemaking. While this is a new role for Hansen, it also serves as a homecoming, as he started his career in the wine world at Gloria Ferrer over 30 years ago. In addition to hiring Hansen, the company has promoted Melanie Schafer to vice president of DTC and marketing and appointed Miquel Salarich as vice president of operations.

Tagged : Beam Suntory, Castle & Key, Freixenet Mionetto, Gloria Ferrer, Major Brands, On the Rocks

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