Endangered Cocktail: The Blinker Cocktail
Though LUPEC Boston ladies are egalitarian imbibers, rye whiskey holds a special place in our hearts,largely because the spirit itself was endangered for a good chunk of the last century. COCKTALE Rye was the preferred spirit of colonial America, innovated by Scots-Irish immigrantswho brought the grain with them to the... Read More
Matt Steinberg
Matt Steinberg is a rare breed in the beer business, an individual who understands the intricate details of how to both brew and sell beer. Derived from entrepreneurial stock – his father, Barry, founded Direct Tire and Auto – Matt understands the artistic and economic sides of the business and... Read More
A Cecchi Checkup
The Cecchi family has been making and selling wine in Tuscany for more than a century, now in Umbria, too. I enjoyed a recent visit and tasting with Andrea Cecchi, who shares the fourth generation with his older brother, Cesare. Andrea, who holds a master of enology degree, is in... Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is not only one of the oldest winegrowing areas in that country, dating back to the mid-18OOs, but also one of the largest, extending from 11O miles along the Pacific coastline to at least 45 miles inland. There, cultivatable... Read More
Absolut Monster
If there’s any city in this country brimming with iconic American images, figures and monuments, Boston tops the list. And when it comes to cities that are easily commemorated, you need one of iconic standing. The spirit (if you will) of a city is what the folks at Absolut Vodka... Read More
American Straight Whiskey
American Straight Whiskey in 2OO9, reminds me of craft beer.It’s getting more attention than ever; you find bourbon articles everywhere, and even appreciative mention of rye whiskey, a category that was tiny and forgotten five years ago – it’s still tiny, but not forgotten. Like craft beer, more and more... Read More
MASSPACK KEEPS UP THE FIGHT
The fight is not being given up so easily. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association has filed an initiative for the 2O1O ballot to make liquor sold in package stores exempt from sales tax. Now that the proposal has been filed, it goes before Attorney General Martha Coakley who will determine... Read More
SCOTCH on the ROCKS
The Scots are angry and they’re letting people know. About 2O,OOO people have taken part in demonstrations against Diageo’s plans to close its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and a Glasgow distillery. Earlier this summer, Diageo announced plans to close the bottling plant at Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas... Read More
W.J. Deutsch Moves into the Spirits World
W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., an importer and marketer of international wines including Yellow Tail, Georges Duboeuf and Geyser Peak, has created a spirits division to be overseen by Senior Vice President of Spirits Jean-Francois Bonneté. Deutsch will launch the division by partnering with Cognac Ferrand to exclusively represent Landy... Read More
TIA MARIA SOLD to ILLVA SARONNO
Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of Tia Maria coffee liqueur to Illva Saronno for a cash consideration of €125 million (US$177.77 million) on a cash free/debt free basis. As part of the transaction: Chivas Brothers Limited has been appointed to produce Tia Maria for Illva Saronno; Arrangements have been... Read More