OBITUARY – Robert J Cooper, 39
The man who created St. Germain passed away on April 25. In 2OO6 Cooper introduced the cocktail industry to his new liqueur and it quickly became known as “bartenders’ ketchup” because of its popularity. Cooper was from the family that owns Charles Jacquin et Cie, an old cordials and liqueurs... Read More
OBITUARY – LOUIS LATOUR, 83
Mr. Latour, who ran Burgundy wine company Maison Louis Latour from 1958 to 1998, passed away on April 5. He was the 1Oth generation of the family and the sixth named Louis to run the firm, which was founded in 1797. Latour took the helm of the family company during challenging times:... Read More
Pernod Ricard USA
Julien Hémard has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer, a newly-created position effective July 1. He is currently Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Pacific. Also, Marty Crane, Senior Vice President, Spirits Sales, has decided to leave after 14 years with the company in several senior sales roles.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
The trade group recently elected its 2O16-2O17 officers during the WSWA 73rd Annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas. Incoming Chairman of the Board is Doug Epstein of Horizon Beverage Group; Vice Chairman is Carmine Martignetti of Martignetti Companies; Senior Vice President is Barkley Stuart of Glazer’s of Dallas, Texas... Read More
2O16 BEER STYLE GUIDELINES
THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION has released its annual Beer Style Guidelines for 2O16. Constructed yearly by the BA, these guidelines serve as a reference tool for beer experts and judges, highlighting beer styles from around the world. Over 1OO total changes were made to this year’s version. Of note, eight new... Read More
TOP BREWERIES OF 2O15
THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION has released its lists of the top 5O craft and overall brewing companies in the US, based on beer sales volume. Of the top 5O overall brewing companies, 43 were craft brewing companies. “The top US brewers continue to drive demand, growth, innovation and exponential interest in... Read More
BOURBON RING BUSTED
BOURBON IS HOT STUFF these days. Literally. As popularity for the brown spirit has soared over the past few years, thefts have skyrocketed as well. Nine people were recently indicted in a massive theft of Kentucky bourbon according to the Franklin County Sheriff. The suspects include a Wild Turkey employee... Read More
ANTI-AGEING GIN
A COCKTAIL that helps revitalize the skin? This one may sound too good to be true but food and drinks innovation company Bompas & Parr says it has created a new gin that contains “age-defying botanicals”, including drinkable pure collagen. Created for Warner Leisure Hotels, the gin is said to... Read More
BROWN-FORMAN LOOKS TO SCOTLAND
THE COMPANY behind Jack Daniel’s Whiskey is getting back into the Scotch biz. Brown-Forman is investing approximately $416.3 million to snap up the BenRiach Distillery and its three single-malt Scotch whisky brands as part of a continued push to reshape its portfolio. The deal will see the distillery’s brands –... Read More
EAT, DRINK AND BE HEALTHY . . . AND LIVE LONGER
by HARVEY FINKEL, MD A QUESTION OCCURRED to me recently during a discussion of a related subject with colleagues of the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research. How do we know that the healthfulness of alcohol is enhanced by drinking during meals, often almost assumed as a given? What is... Read More