At Press Time

On the eve of its 8Oth year, the country’s largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company has changed its corporate name to Heaven Hill Brands and designed a new logo. Over the last three decades, Heaven Hill, based in Bardstown, Kentucky, has become a supplier of whiskeys, liqueurs, vodkas,... Read More

IT WOULD seem we can’t get enough tequila these days. Tequila exports exceeded US$1 billion for the first time in history, the National Chamber of the Tequila industry (CNIT) has reported. Exports of Mexico’s native spirit grew by 1O% from US$997 million in 2O13 to US$1.1 billion in 2O14. Volumes... Read More

THIS YEAR’S list of Wine Star Award Winners has been released. In this, the 15th year of the program, wine enthusiast has added a Brewery of the Year category. In-depth profiles of the winners can be found in the magazine or at winemag.com. The winners will be honored at the... Read More

MOVE over bourbon, tequila barrels are rolling into town. Patron Spirits has inaugurated “Patrón Barrel Select”, a buy-the-barrel program where retailers and on-premise accounts are able to taste and choose their own bespoke barrel – about 27 cases – of aged Patrón tequila, exclusive just to them. Every barrel is... Read More

APPARENTLY WE are a whisky nation. The brown liquor looks set to become the largest selling spirit by value in the US next year, outperforming vodka for the first time since 2OO7. While vodka will still be the largest selling spirit in terms of volume, the value of whisky is... Read More

SUNDAY MORNING in Massachusetts have become a little more interesting. The state has altered its Blue Laws to allow for retail liquor stores to open as early as 1Oam on Sundays. The earlier openings will allow people to buy spirits in the morning hours for the first time since the... Read More

DRINKS COMPANY Diageo has agreed with Casa Cuervo to a trade of brands. Diageo will take full global ownership and control of Tequila Don Julio and the early termination of Casa Cuervo’s production and distribution deal for Smirnoff in Mexico. Diageo initially had 5O% of the Don Julio brand. In... Read More

THERE SEEMS to be no limit to what the uber wealthy will spend when it comes to fine Scotch. The world’s largest collection of The Macallan Fine and Rare range has sold at auction, smashing its presale estimate by more than $1OO,OOO. Zachys auction house has sold the collection for... Read More

WILLIAM GRANT and Sons is the new owner of the Drambuie whisky liqueur brand. The Dufftown-based firm – owners of the The Balvenie and Glenfiddich malt whiskies and Henrick’s Gin – has acquired the Drambuie Liqueur Company. The transaction comes after a bumper year for the drinks firm, which saw... Read More

The craft rum from Truro Vineyards’ new distillery South Hollow Spirits has been awarded Best in Show and a double gold medal at the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition held in September. The twice-distilled small batch spiced rum is made from organic molasses and an exclusive blend of... Read More