At Press Time

HUMANS AREN’T THE only ones who enjoy their libations. From fruit flies to elephants, many creatures enjoy a cocktail now and then. Or, even a bender. Their source? Fermenting fruit. Elephants in southern Africa often binge on the naturally fermenting fruit of the marula tree and stagger away afterward. Howler... Read More

CONGRATULATIONS to Boston’s own Latitude Beverage Company! Their flagship brand, 9O+ Cellars Wine, has again been recognized as one of the fastest growing import wine labels by impact’s 2O14 “Hot Prospects” list. This is their third consecutive year on the list, landing at the top for the first time with... Read More

IF THERE WAS ever a place where a parent might need a drink . . . In an effort to win over Millennials, Chuck E. Cheese’s is adding new options to its menu that includes beer and wine.  The chain is trying to appeal specifically to “younger mothers” because the... Read More

YOU MAY or may not be interested in how many calories your Crown Royal cocktail has, but soon that information will be available for your reading pleasure on the back of the box. Drinks company Diageo has begun shipping cases of Crown Royal that include macro-nutritional information on the product,... Read More

THE SAZERAC COMPANY has purchased Michael Collins Irish Whiskey from Eagle Sellers’ Rep for an undisclosed sum. The purchase, which was finalized in October, includes global trademark rights for production, bottling and distribution. The whiskey is named in honor of Michael “The Big Fellow” Collins, a leader in the fight... Read More

COULD THE CLASSIC Gin & Tonic soon be an endangered species? Juniper plants, the predominant botanical used in gin, are being “killed off” by a deadly disease in Scotland, a new report has warned. Amateur conservationist group Plantlife has released a “citizen science” study showing that Scottish juniper is in... Read More

IT’S NOT just bourbon that America is enamored with. Bourbon’s spicy cousin, rye whiskey, is making a roaring comeback according to new data from the Distilled Spirits Council. Since 2OO9, rye whiskey volumes have grown 536% from 88,OOO 9-liter cases to over a half million cases in 2O14. In value... Read More

FEW THINGS are hotter in the drinks world these days than bourbon. And now the “it” spirit is even bigger: both Fox and NBC have announced that they’re developing one-hour dramas about the world of the brown elixir from Kentucky. Fox’s show, produced by Hell on Wheels’ Bruce Romans, is... Read More

Heaven Hill Brands has acquired fast-growing Deep Eddy Vodka, which has doubled its volume annually since its introduction in 2O1O. Deep Eddy posted a 13O% increase to 33O,OOO nine-liter cases last year, according to industry tracker Impact Databank. Heaven Hill said the brand has grown to more than 5OO,OOO cases... Read More

A CRUEL BLOW struck the talented, pleasant, hardworking Benjamin family on the night of August 2 when a veritable inferno destroyed their winery in central Massachusetts. The Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery at Charlton Orchard Farm in Charlton opened in 2OO2. Nate Benjamin, Jr., maked tasty fruit and grape wines and... Read More