News Briefs for May 18, 2023

•Ruffino, part of the Constellation portfolio, has formed a new winemaking council intended to further enhance quality at the Tuscan winery moving forward. Next month, well-known agronomist Stefano Poni and oenologist Alberto Antonini will work with Ruffino’s chief winemaker Gabriele Tacconi and estates director Maurizio Bogoni “to provide strategic vision and guidance to lead the brand into the future,” in the words of the company. Including both its still wines and Prosecco, Ruffino has U.S. volume of approxmately 1.3 million cases, according to Impact Databank.

•Brown-Forman’s the GlenDronach has released the 12th edition of the Highlands distillery’s Cask Strength single malt. The 58.2% abv offering is blended from whiskies aged in PX and Oloroso Sherry casks by the distiller’s master blender Rachel Barrie. The whisky is rolling out now to select retailers across the U.S. for a suggested price of $105 a bottle.

•Maison Ferrand’s Plantation Rum has launched ‘Under the Sea’ Vintage Collection No. 2, a new line of six vintage-dated rums sourced from around the world. The new collection is line priced at $80 per bottle and is rolling out now in select markets across the U.S. The rums are sourced from Panama (vintage 2008, 45.7% abv), Jamaica (2007, 48.4% abv), Fiji (2009, 49.5% abv), Guyana (2007, 51% abv), Barbados (2013, 50.2% abv), and Venezuela (2010, 52% abv). The artwork for each bottle features marine life from each region.

•Dulce Vida Tequila has released three new RTD cocktails packed in Tetra Pak cartons. The new line features a Margarita, a watermelon-flavored Margarita, and a Paloma, with all at 15% abv. The cocktails are made from fruit juice, other natural flavors, and Dulce Vida Tequila. The 1-liter Tetra Paks are rolling out now across the U.S. Dulce Vida is part of the Milestone Brands portfolio.

•Campari-owned rum Appleton Estate has announced 17 Year Old Legend, a recreation of the J. Wray & Nephew 17-year-old rum originally used to create the Mai Tai cocktail. The Appleton Estate tribute is bottled at 49% abv and limited to 1,500 bottles, priced at $500 and set to hit shelves in the U.S. and other countries in June. In addition to the limited retail release, 36 bottles are currently available via spirits NFT auction platform BlockBar.

Tagged : Brown-Forman, Constellation, Dulce Vida, Glendronach, Plantation, Ruffino

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