StateWays Newsletter – 11/20/12

Stateways Features

StateWays showcases the latest holiday gift packs, gift sets, shelf talkers, and other off-premise holiday promotions. Spirits brands are pairing their products with everything from glasses to ice trays to smaller bottles of new flavors this year. Check out some of the best here.

While American brandies see a modest decline, the higher-priced cousin moves up.

Stateways Product Watch

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, made using a blend from a 180-year-old pot still, is now available in the U.S. The 80-proof spirit has a soft almond taste, with nougat, peach, caramel and vanilla flavors, according to the company. Made in the world’s oldest operating distillery in the small town of Kilbeggan, which was founded more than 250 years ago, Kilbeggan is available for a suggested retail price of $23.99 for a 750-ml. bottle.

Kahlua Midnight is a new 70 proof mix of rum and black coffee available from Pernod Ricard USA. The creation is intended to be served chilled as a shot and followed by a fresh orange slice, according to the company. The company is debuting a new campaign, “It’s Midnight Somewhere,” to support the release on-premise. Kahlua Midnight is available for a suggested retail price of $23.99 for a 750-ml. bottle.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 2012 release is now available from Heaven Hill Distilleries. The sixth annual edition is a limited release that pays tribute to sixth-generation master distiller Parker Beam. The release features select barrels of 11-year old rye-based bourbons, with barrels of wheated mashbill used for Old Fitzgerald, also aged 11 years. Approximately 7,500 bottles will be available nationwide, for an suggested retail price of $80 for a 750-ml. bottle.

Stateways News

The annual international conference will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany on March 24-26.

The story of Numanthia, an intense and mysterious Spanish wine.

Raciness and elegance are the new watchwords for Australia’s quality Chardonnay producers.

Since Portugal joined the European Union in 1986, EU subsidies and investments have poured into the country’s wine industry.

The past 10 years have been a time of resurgence and regrowth for California’s Lake County. Some believe the region has the potential to produce some good, and reasonably priced Cabernet.

Industry Happenings

Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris explains the three barrels the company’s new Master’s Collection offering was aged in: maplewood, Sherry wood and Port wood. The three agings take place after the traditional aging in American Oak, which gives rise to the name of the new flavor: Four Wood.