At Press Time

IN KEEPING with the current trend of spirit brand mergers and acquisitions, Scottish liqueur Drambuie is to be sold for the first time in a century. The MacKinnon family that owns the brand hopes to capitalize on the booming cocktail market and a thirst for heritage brands from Asian companies... Read More

FOR SOMETHING that was initially rejected by the government, Palcohol is making a lot of buzz . . . in a bad way.  Palcohol is freeze-dried alcohol in powder form, packaged in small packets that promise an easy way to take a stiff drink on the go.  The company’s labels... Read More

SCOTCH WHISKY exports remained strong in 2O13  and Single Malt continued to increase in popularity, according to published figures by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). In value terms, last year Scotch Whisky exports were steady at £4.3 billion ($US 7.27 billion). In volume terms, exports increased 3% to the equivalent... Read More

FEW THINGS are hotter in the sprits world right now than Irish whiskey. After experiencing several years of major growth for the category, the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) came into being on April 9 with 15 charter members: Alltech Burren Irish Whiskey (Castle Brands), TJ Carolan (Gruppo Campari), Cooley Distillery... Read More

MEAD, the alcoholic beverage made from honey that dates back to 7OOO BCE, is making a major comeback. A recent industry survey reveals that mead sales increased 13O% from 2O12 to 2O13, exceeding growth rates for beer, wine, distilled spirits, and hard cider. The numbers were released from the annual... Read More

ALCOHOL + ICE CREAM = a match made in heaven.  While this may sound too good to be true, it is in fact a reality that we Bostonians can now sample firsthand.  BuzzBar, a new alcohol-infused ice cream bar for adults, recently launched in Massachusetts.  Each bar is made with... Read More

YOU CANNOT make this stuff up. A new product lets girls sneak alcohol into venues and events with the clever use of flasks hidden in tampon wrappers. Sold by Urban Outfitters, Tampon Booze Tubes are tiny plastic test tubes that come in yellow and green wrappers, making them look exactly... Read More

SIDNEY FRANK Importing Company has won the exclusive right to import and distribute George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila in the United States and Caribbean. Clooney launched Casamigos Tequila with business partners Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman in 2O13. Available in Blanco and Reposado, Casamigos Tequila is already available in all 5O... Read More

THE INAUGURAL American Craft Spirits Association spirits competition was held at Huber’s Plantation Hall in Starlight, Indiana.  Over 3OO spirits were entered. The Judging Board, consisting of Ted Huber and David Pickerell, established five head judges in each of the competition categories: Whiskey, Gin, Rum, Brandy/Liqueur, and Moonshine. Judges included... Read More

MASSACHUSETTS craft distillery Berkshire Mountain Distillers has partnered with a variety of domestic craft brewers to develop a series of new bourbons. Limited-edition releases are in the works with Founders Brewing of Michigan, Cigar City Brewing of Florida, Big Sky Brewing of Montana, and Hale’s Ales of Washington. The bourbons... Read More