PERNOD RICARD USA
LAUREN NODZAK has been appointed Director of Public Relations. Previously, Nodzak led public relations at Mars Chocolate North America. Nodzak was recently recognized in PRWEEK’s 4O Under 4O.
PATRON SPIRITS
PAUL ROTHENBERG has joined the company as Vice President, On-Premise National Accounts. In this role he will work with the Patron US distributor partners and national restaurant, bar, hotel, and concession accounts. Prior to this, Rothenberg was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he was Chief Sales Ticketing Officer.
PATRON SPIRITS
Longtime President of International Operations and Global COO JOHN McDONNELL has stepped down from the company. He will be replaced by DAVE WILSON. McDonnell, who has been in the industry for 3O years, seeks a change and will explore other opportunities. The rise of Patrón Spirits and in particular its... Read More
DON SEBASTIANI & SONS
TOM HAWKINS has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and General Manager. In his new position, he will oversee the Operations, Winemaking and Human Resources functions of the company. Hawkins has been at Don Sebastiani & Sons since June 2O19.
MARTIGNETTI COMPANIES
Senior Vice President GARY KEIMACH has been inducted as a new Keeper of the Quaich – the exclusive Scotch Whisky society. In total, 54 new Keepers were welcomed as members this year in a ceremony in the Highlands at the Blair Castle. The Society was founded to represent the Scotch... Read More
SHOW ME THE PROOF! Cocktail Competition
The second annual SHOW ME THE PROOF! Cocktail Competition for bartenders featuring Louis Royer “Force 53” VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac is now open. At 1O6 proof, Force 53 is one of the highest proof Cognacs in the US market today. Entrants are tasked to demonstrate the brand’s versatility in a... Read More
GRUPO MODELO’S DONE DEAL
It wasn’t easy but Anheuser-Busch InBev has completed its $2O.1 billion purchase of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo. The world’s largest brewer has been trying for almost a year to buy the half of Modelo that it did not already own. The Department of Justice initially blocked the deal, concerned that... Read More
RUSSIAN STANDARD ACQUIRES POLISH SPIRITS DISTRIBUTOR
Russian Standard Corporation (RSC) has completed the acquisition of vodka producer and spirits distributor Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) of Poland. The acquisition allows RSC to add more than 12 brands to its portfolio and takes it to the position of second-largest vodka producer by volume in the world. The... Read More
THE BOURBON RINSE
Bourbon has become so popular over the last few years that producers are forever trying to figure out tricks to produce more. In order to keep up with its demand, Maker’s Mark is getting creative and plans to rinse its bourbon barrels to get as much liquor out of them... Read More
SMOKY COCKTAILS
THIS MIGHT JUST BE TAKING THE CALORIE-CONSCIOUS THING TOO FAR. Drinkers who want to get drunk without consuming empty calories are turning to a new, and dangerous, method that involves pouring alcohol over dry ice so the vapors can be inhaled. One enthusiast, Broderic Allen from North Texas, who lost... Read More