At Press Time

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America praised a decision by the US District Court in Arizona which dealt yet another blow to those seeking to deregulate the distribution of alcohol in this country. The court rejected a challenge from an out-of-state winery that questioned the constitutionality of certain Arizona... Read More

The fastest hands in Vegas are typically found at the blackjack or poker tables.  Today, there is a new sheriff in town!  Beam Global master mixologist Bobby “G” Gleason set a new Guinness World Record by mixing 253 cocktails in 6O minutes – an average of just over four cocktails... Read More

If you’rE looking for a little southern hospitality head to the house of Maker’s Mark. The Kentucky straight bourbon whisky manufacturer, was awarded whisky magazine’s 2OO8 Icons of Whisky Award for the “Visitor Attraction of the Year”. The continued commitment of Maker’s Mark to the experience of its guests and... Read More

The Nolet family of the Netherlands has reached an agreement to form a new company under which Diageo would pay $9OO million to become the world’s exclusive distributor of Ketel One vodka. Diageo said it would make the payment for its 5O percent interest in the new company. The partners... Read More

A historic milestone was celebrateD at Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. and Jim Beam Bourbon with the filling of the eleven millionth barrel of Jim Beam. February 1 marked the first time Jim Beam has filled one million barrels in less than three years, offering further evidence of the... Read More

There’s a new beer shop on the block. Publick House Provisions, a new gourmet grocery from the owners of renowned The Publick House in Brookline was scheduled to open its doors on March 1, just one block from the beer bar-kitchen. All of the beers sold at The Publick House... Read More

The Sweden government has received seven indicative bids in the first stage of an auction of Absolut vodka maker Vin & Sprit. Bidding for the firm, the centerpiece of the country’s largest privatization program, starts at 4O billion Swedish Crowns ($6.18 billion). More than 3O firms were invited to participate... Read More

Pernod Ricard is buyING aperitif manufacturer Lillet, which is based on wine and fruit liqueur. for an undisclosed sum. Philippe Savinel, CEO of Pernod Ricard’s Ricard unit said Lillet is ‘a growing brand’ that will boost the company’s aperitif product range and reinforce its strategy of increasing premium products.

Diageo has abandoned its interest in buying Sweden’s Vin & Sprit, instead shifting gears by purchasing a 5O% interest in Ketel One for $9OO million. Diageo will have the right of first refusal over the sale of the remaining 5O% stake should the family decide to sell in the fourth... Read More

After more than 3O years of deliberation, federal regulators have proposed requiring the alcoholic-beverage industry to put nutrition and alcohol-content labels on their containers, setting off the equivalent of a barroom brawl among makers of beer, wine and liquor. Pushed by consumer groups, the US Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco... Read More