StateWays Newsletter – 03/19/13

Stateways Features

Canadian whisky makers are bringing out new flavored products, and superpremium and high-proof expressions to try to spur consumer interest.

All aboard. The Irish spirits segment is following many different tracks. For years, the big story out of Ireland has been the double-digit increases in the whiskey category. That phenomenal growth shows no signs of slowing down, agree all the major players. That momentum has spurred many new developments, including a new major player, distillery expansions, tourism, additional expressions, packaging changes, re-launches, and even a new category of liquid.

Stateways Product Watch

Absolut Hibiskus is the latest flavor in Pernod Ricard’s Absolut vodka family. Featuring a blend of hibiscus and pomegranate, Hibiskus is slightly acidic, with a berry flavor underlined by notes of pomegranate, according to the company. The vodka has a suggested retail price of $21 for a 750-ml. bottle.

Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey, a super-premium whiskey made using 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The whiskey is aged for six years in American new charred oak barrels and finished in Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. The 100-proof whiskey is available for a suggested retail price of $79.99 for a 750-ml. bottle.

Kirk and Sweeney is now available from 35 Maple Street, the spirits division of The Other Guys. The handcrafted, 12-year-old premium spirit is named after a wooden schooner best known for smuggling rum from the Caribbean during Prohibition. The rum is made in the Dominican Republic and aged for 12 years in American oak barrels.

Stateways News

Forget clothing lines: More celebrities seem to be putting their stamp on wine.

The city of Düsseldorf, Germany rolls out the red carpet for visitors to ProWein, International Trade Fair Wines and Spirits, which takes place March 24-26, 2013.  For attendees from America, here are some tips on attending the event.

Jose Cuervo, which is currently distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Diageo, will move to Proximo Spirits as of July 1. Proximo is a privately held company based in New Jersey, which also imports 1800 Tequila and other brands.

Pro Bev Source is a new part of the Pernod Ricard website to help distributors, retailers and on-premise operators find information, images and sales/promotional materials.

Effective July 1, 2013, a 10th change of generation will take place at glass manufacturer Riedel: Georg J. Riedel will hand over management of Riedel Crystal and its worldwide subsidiaries to his son Maximilian J. Riedel, the 11th generation family member to lead the heritage crystal house.

Industry Happenings

On Tuesday, February 26, Chivas 18 and Pininfarina enthusiasts gathered at The Maserati dealership in Manhattan for the unveiling of the new limited edition Chivas 18 bottle “The Drop”. Approximately 100 guests admired the display of Chivas 18 Pininfarina bottle editions alongside Pininfarina-designed cars as they enjoyed signature cocktails created for the event.