StateWays Newsletter – 2/19/13

Stateways Features

Having just celebrated its 75th anniversary, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board keeps improving with age.

Stateways Product Watch

Vina Pomal Crianza 2009 and Zaco 2010 are the two newest wines from Aveniu Brands, a line of wines from Bodegas Bilbainas, the largest vineyard owner in Haro, Spain. The Crianza is made from 100% tempranillo and aged 12 months in American Oak, while the Zaco is also made from 100% tempranillo and offers fresh red berries, notes of licorice and undertones of spice. Both wines have a suggested retail price of $15.

Patron recently announced a new holiday gift pack for Valentine’s Day. The red heart-shaped package contains a 375-ml. bottle of Patron Silver tequila and a 375-ml. bottle of Patron XO Café Dark Cocoa coffee liqueur. The gift set also contains a recipe for an Espresso Cocoa Martini, which contains both spirits. The gift set is available for a suggested retail price of $40.

Campari America has three new limited editions of single-malt Scotches. The Auchentoshan Valinch 2012 Limited Edition Vintage is the second bottling of the limited edition of Scotland’s only triple-distilled malt. With a cask strength of 57.2% ABV, it’s available for a suggested retail price of $59.99. The Bowmore Dorus Mor Small Batch Release is a 10-year-old malt from Islay, bottled at 55.1% ABV and available for a suggested retail price of $119.99. The Glen Garioch 1986 Vintage, the fifth expression from the Highland distillery, has 3,000 bottles available worldwide at 54.6% ABV and a suggested retail price of $249.99.

Stateways News

The brand has backed off from its decision to reduce the proof of Maker’s Mark down to 84, and will continue production at 90 proof going forward.

Now that the “Big Game” is over, the beer industry titans can get back to work on the $20 billion offer being blocked by the Justice Department.

ProWein wants to let the US drinks trade in on a little secret.  The fair has a series of exhibits, seminars and other special events planned that are designed to really deliver value specifically to American attendees.

Moet Hennessy USA and Marnier-Lapostolle Inc. have announced that Moet Hennessy USA will continue to be the U.S. distributor for Marnier-Lapostolle Inc.’s Grand Marnier liqueur. This extends a long-standing agreement and reinforces the partnership between the two companies.

The brand’s Game Changer program will offer consumers a unique experience, both on- and off-premise.

Industry Happenings

On the first day of the Cheers Beverage Conference, the magazine’s editorial advisory board members met in a special session for a group discussion about the issues facing the on-premise beverage alcohol industry.