Spirits

‘You Have To Do Volume’: A Look At E. & J. Gallo’s Vision For Fishers Island Lemonade

‘You Have To Do Volume’: A Look At E. & J. Gallo’s Vision For Fishers Island Lemonade

There were several factors that made ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail Fishers Island Lemonade an attractive acquisition target for E. & J. Gallo: premium positioning, high reorder rates, excellent taste and founder Bronya Shillo’s pioneering vision for canned cocktails. The New York-based brand agreed to be acquired by Spirit of Gallo, E. & J. Gallo’s spirits division, earlier this month.

Sazerac CEO Mark Brown to Step Down, Replacement Named

Sazerac CEO Mark Brown to Step Down, Replacement Named

CEO of Sazerac Mark Brown plans to leave his role next month, according to reporting by Louisville Business First. The move is part of “a long-signaled and eight-year succession plan,” that will see Brown move to the role of executive chairman.

Ocean Spray and Absolut to Launch Vodka-Cranberry RTD

Ocean Spray and Absolut to Launch Vodka-Cranberry RTD

From the land of Cran-Grape comes… Cran-Vodka? Absolut and Ocean Spray are teaming up to launch Vodka-Cranberry Range, a ready-to-drink (RTD) line coming early 2024, a press release announced today.

Jennifer Lopez Launches RTD Cocktail Delola

Jennifer Lopez Launches RTD Cocktail Delola

Jennifer Lopez is the latest high-profile name to jump into the rising ready-to-drink cocktail category with the launch of The House of Delola, a new Beam Suntory-backed brand of spirit-based, pre-mixed drinks which is set to debut this spring with its first product, Delola Spritz.

How Heritage Distilling is Building a Network of Tribal-Owned Distilleries

How Heritage Distilling is Building a Network of Tribal-Owned Distilleries

In 2017, the Chehalis Tribe, comprised of around 900 members living on just over 11 square miles of reservation in southwest Washington, decided to construct a community-owned restaurant, brewery and distillery. There was just one problem: distilling on tribal lands was illegal.

Pernod Ricard Acquires Stake in Skrewball Whiskey

Pernod Ricard Acquires Stake in Skrewball Whiskey

Pernod Ricard has made a play for flavored whiskey by acquiring a majority stake in peanut butter flavored Skrewball whiskey, the company announced today.

6 Questions with Deborah Brenner, Founder and CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits

6 Questions with Deborah Brenner, Founder and CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits

On International Women’s Day, we caught up with Women of the Vine & Spirits founder and CEO Deborah Brenner to talk about the challenges women still face in the industry, how companies can make their work environments more inclusive, and why a diverse workplace strengthens the bottom line.

How the Finnish Long Drink Made a Cultural Legend a Top RTD in the US

How the Finnish Long Drink Made a Cultural Legend a Top RTD in the US

When the Finnish Long Drink entered the U.S. market in 2018, it’s likely few Americans had heard of Finland’s national drink, a grapefruit and gin highball. But in not too long of a time, the company has made its version of the Finnish staple the eighth highest-selling ready-to-drink in the U.S., according to 3 Tier Beverages and NielsenIQ.

Fight to Widen Access to RTDs Heats Up Across Several States

Fight to Widen Access to RTDs Heats Up Across Several States

Legislative efforts to change how spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are categorized gathered momentum this week, as lawmakers in Texas introduced a new bill that would give greater market access to packaged spirits-based cocktails under 17% ABV, allowing them to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, while a Washington State Senate committee passed a bill to adjust how the products are taxed.