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The drinks company has appointed JOHN ALVARADO as U.S. Chief Brands Officer. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Alvarado has held senior brand marketing roles at Keurig, Dr. Pepper and Constellation Brands where he contributed to 44 consecutive quarters of growth and developed a portfolio of brands based... Read More

The Scotch whisky maker has appointed JAMES SAXON as its new whisky-making director. Saxon first joined Compass Box in 2019 as whisky maker. He will take over the position from JOHN GLASER, founder of Compass Box, who departed the company in April but will remain a stakeholder. Saxon has created a... Read More

DAVE BURWICK will retire as President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors after six years at the helm of the brewer. MICHAEL SPILLANE will assume the President and CEO role effective upon Burwick’s retirement. Spillane is currently the lead director of The Boston Beer Company and... Read More

JOHN GLASER, the founder and whiskey maker of Compass Box, will step down from the Scotch whisky company after 23 years. Launched in 2000 by Glaser, the Scotch whisky blending house is known for its focus on “reinventing” the category. Glaser will depart from his executive role in May while... Read More

JEAN-ETIENNE GOURGUES, the chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, has been appointed as chair of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) council. Each chair is appointed for two years and heads the council, which comprises 16 representatives from SWA member companies. The council meets four times a year to support the... Read More

WILLIAM BROOKS has been appointed as Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila Herradura. Born in England with family ties to Mexico and the U.S., Brooks has called the spirits industry home since graduating from Johnson & Wales University. He’s worked with brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve in addition... Read More

DON FREYTAG has been named Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer. In his new position he will focus primarily on developing the Kurvball Flavored Whiskey brand. Freytag was previously Commercial Director, Strategic Advisor and a board member of Rabbit Hole Distillery. He was also responsible for creating the Mary Dowling Whiskey... Read More

TIMOTHY BASHAM has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice President of US Sales. In this role, Basham will be responsible for spearheading a number of initiatives including the company’s commercial, distribution, and sales strategy development, as well as brand marketing and market activations. Prior to joining Phenomenal... Read More

The USBG has elected INGRID SHAWN RODRIGUEZ as the next President of the Guild. T. COLE NEWTON, JOSEPH FREDRICKSON and JESSICA TAYLOR have all been elected to officer positions to round out the board. Based in St. Petersburg, Rodriguez is the U.S. Educator and Florida Area Manager for WhistlePig Whiskey.... Read More

Legendary wine, spirits and food critic Anthony Dias Blue passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 25th. His love affair with wine began in 1978 when he moved his family to San Francisco. He would go on to be the founder and Executive Director of The Tasting... Read More