Dow Scoggins

Texas Whiskey Festival Crowns Best Texas Whiskeys

April 8, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Whiskey Festival announces the winners of the annual competition of the best Texas Whiskeys. Each year the Texas Whiskey Festival hosts a competition to determine who has the best Texas Bourbon, Rye, and Malt Whiskey. With a panel of judges, we conduct the competition with a method known as blind judging. The brands and specific whiskeys they are tasting are unknown to the judges. “Our panel of judges smell and taste their way through each whiskey, rating the aroma, taste complexity, and finish,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements.

Bourbon: Grain to Glass
Gold – Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon
Silver – Silver Star Spirits 1849 Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Bourbon: Aged and Bottled in Texas
Gold – Rebecca Creek 10 year Straight Bourbon
Silver – Milam and Greene Triple Cask Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery Select Bourbon

Rye Whiskey: Grain to Glass
Gold – Balcones Distilling Texas Rye 100
Silver – Gulf Coast Distilling Giant Rye 100
Bronze – Ranger Creek Distilling .44 Texas Rye

Rye Whiskey: Aged and Bottled in Texas
Gold – Treaty Oak Distilling Schenley Reserve Rye
Silver – Yellow Rose Distilling Rye
Bronze – Oak & Eden Rye & Spire

Malt Whiskey: Grain to Glass
Gold – Ranger Creek Distilling Rimfire Mesquite Smoked Single Malt
Silver – Andalusia Whiskey Co. Stryker Smoked Single Malt
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Lineage Single Malt

Other Whiskeys: includes whiskeys aged in used barrels, blended whiskey, and light whiskey.
Gold – Austin 101 Light Whiskey (made grain to glass in Texas)
Silver – Remington Family Distillers Remington Revival
Bronze – Rebecca Creek Small Batch

“These are their winners, but remember the best whiskey is the one you like,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite distillery to decide on the people’s choice.

Thank you to the Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co for hosting us. A big thank you to our talented judges.
Marianne Eaves, KY’s First Female Master Distiller, Founder of Eaves, LLC Whisk(e)y and Spirits Consulting and Curator of Eaves Blind.
Gabrielle Pharms, Veteran journalist with bylines in/on Bourbon Plus, Whisky Advocate, Imbibe Magazine, UPROXX, and more.
Tom Koerner the former Spirit Guide and General Manager of Seven Grand Whiskey Bar and Las Perlas Mezcaleria, Current Brand Ambassador for Mezcal Unión.

About the Texas Whiskey Festival
The festival’s mission is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. We want to promote and educate whiskey lovers about the whiskeys produced in our great state. We’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Hood River Distillers Takes To The Outdoors To Launch Timberline Vodka

April 7, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

HOOD RIVER, Oregon — Hood River Distillers, the oldest and largest importer, distiller and marketer of distilled spirits in the Northwest, announced the launch of its newest brand, Timberline Vodka. Created in Hood River, Oregon, a world-renowned epicenter of outdoor recreation, Timberline reflects the spirit and love of the outdoors and those who thrive in it – The “Outer Class.”

Timberline Vodka is uniquely distilled with a balance of grain and 14 different varietals of non-GMO Pacific Northwest apples. Distilled in a dual-column, 2,000-liter pot still at the highest standards of purification, this vodka is then cut to 80 proof with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood. The expert distillation team, with their depth of knowledge, talent and skills, kept the minerals present for an epically clean vodka that echoes its origins.

“With 46 levels of purification, we are really using only the most premium, tightly cut spirit in our production process,” said Master Distiller, Joseph O’Sullivan. “After many rounds of continuous testing, we perfected the balance of grain, apples and finished with the high-quality water we are so fortunate to have in Oregon. We are very proud of this incredible-tasting vodka.”

Aligning with a dedicated interest of preserving the Pacific Northwest environment, Timberline Vodka is proud to partner with the Portland, Oregon-based non-profit organization, The Freshwater Trust. The Freshwater Trust’s mission is to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems in the West.

Timberline Vodka’s packaging was inspired by the iconic Timberline Lodge and a love of the outdoors. The custom glass bottle with unique canvas label looks at home on a back bar or table in any of the historic lodges of the West. The brand was designed by the award-winning Sandstrom Partners, whose portfolio includes the highly successful Aviation Gin, Bulleit Bourbon and St. Germain brands, among others.

A distinctive feature of the packaging was the creation of a collectable label series: The Hiker, The Snow Goose and The Skier. There is only one Timberline Vodka, but there are three distinct labels that represent it.

“Timberline is a very unique vodka, and the brand and packaging reflect this,” says Senior Marketing Brand Manager, Keri Meuret. “The subtle tint of the bubble glass, custom bottle shape with embossing complete with canvas labels provide a vintage charm. It’s a blend of rustic and contemporary.”

For hiking, skiing, sunset wandering, or whatever opens your door, Timberline serves as a constant symbol and reminder that even when sequestered to the inside, the outside is where it’s at. Outwards! Timberline Vodka is now available for purchase in the Hood River Distillers’ Tasting Room and a growing list of Pacific Northwest retailers. It is available in both 50ml and 750ml sizes, and the 750ml bottle retails for $24.95.

About Hood River Distillers
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Hood River, Ore., Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, bottler, and marketer of distilled spirits. Timberline® Vodka, Big Gin®, Batanga® Tequila, Easy Rider® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Trail’s End® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with Oregon Oak, Clear Creek® Distillery, Sinfire® Cinnamon Whiskies, Lucid® Absinthe Supérieure, ULLR® Nordic Libation, Yazi® Ginger Vodka, Double Mountain® Hopped Whiskey, Lewis and Clark® Premium Spirits, HRD® Vodka and the complete line of Monarch® distilled spirits are distributed across the country. For the complete product portfolio and more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com.

WhistlePig Whiskey and Ben & Jerry’s Mix it Up with “Whiskey Biz”

March 30, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

BURLINGTON, Vermont(March, 2021) Finally, a whiskey you can enjoy by the pint. Two Vermont-based companies, WhistlePig Whiskey and Ben & Jerry’s, have stirred up a ganache-topped ice cream concoction called Whiskey Biz. The Whiskey Biz™ Topped flavor is a brown butter bourbon ice cream with blonde brownies & WhistlePig Whiskey-infused caramel swirls, topped with white chocolatey ganache & white fudge chunks. It is the first Vermont-sourced ingredient for Ben & Jerry’s since chocolate chip cookie dough in the early 1990s.

Whiskey Biz leverages the finest whiskey, which happens to be just down the road at WhistlePig’s 500-acre farm in Shoreham, Vermont; population 1,242. After more than a year of taste tests, research and development, WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye was successfully infused into the rich caramel swirl that can be found inside a pint of Whiskey Biz.

For National Cocktail Day, March 24th, WhistlePig’s in-house mixologists combined forces with Ben & Jerry’s flavor gurus to develop a few signature cocktail recipes using Whiskey Biz as an ingredient, as well as the ultimate boozy dessert to pair with your cocktails. Fans are encouraged to grab a pint and a bottle of WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye to create these absolutely delightful cocktail and dessert pairings best enjoyed from the comfort of home. Full recipes for the signature Whiskey Biz cocktail and cake pairing can be found here — and you can find a bonus cocktail recipe for “The Closer” affogato here.

“We’ve had an absolute blast working with our friends at Ben & Jerry’s and could not be happier with the way Whiskey Biz turned out,” says Meghan Ireland, Whiskey Blender, WhistlePig Whiskey. “Having been mostly focused on overseeing the development of whiskey these last couple years, working with flavor house experts at Ben & Jerry’s was a real treat for me. We respect their company ethos and have always wanted to collaborate with their team.”

As all Ben & Jerry’s products are Kosher, WhistlePig embarked on getting a proper Kosher certification for its WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye. Today, WhistlePig is pleased to share that its entire portfolio, with the exception of its 12-Year, is certified Kosher.

Whiskey Biz is available now at retailers nationwide for around $4.99-5.49, depending on your local store.

Learn more at WhistlePigWhiskey.com and benjerry.com.

About WhistlePig
Founded in 2007, WhistlePig has become the #1 distiller in the ultra-premium and luxury rye whiskey category in North America, featuring the bold and often untapped flavor of Rye. WhistlePig is leading a surge of innovation in the emerging field of North American whiskey. As the most decorated Rye whiskey – having received the coveted ‘Best in Show Whiskey’ title from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, WhistlePig is widely viewed as the world’s finest Rye. With the opening of its distillery on its 500-acre Vermont farm in the fall of 2015, WhistlePig has also become one of the leading farm-to-bottle Rye whiskeys in the world. For additional information please visit whistlepigwhiskey.com.

About Ben & Jerry’s
As an aspiring social justice company, Ben & Jerry’s believes in a greater calling than simply making a profit for selling its goods. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using high-quality ingredients. Ben & Jerry’s incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices in a number of ways including a focus on values-led sourcing. In 2015 the company completed its transition to using entirely non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients by source as well as to fully source Fairtrade-certified ingredients wherever possible, which benefits farmers in developing countries. Ben & Jerry’s products are distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Ben & Jerry’s became a certified B Corp in 2012. The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation granted $3.4MM in 2020 to support grassroots organizing for social and environmental justice around the country. The Foundation’s philanthropy is guided by Ben & Jerry’s employees who serve on committees that review applications.

Today’s Top Whiskey Stories

March 30, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Boann Distillery wins big at World Whiskey Awards(March 29) – Boann Distillery became the first in Ireland to win the award for the world’s “best new make and young spirit” after its New Make Pot Still Spirit won big at this year’s World Whiskey Awards. Complete Story

Kentucky’s first Black-owned distillery joins Kentucky Distillers Association(March 28) – Brough Brothers are the 42nd members of the nonprofit trade group. The distillery opened in December and is located on Dixie Highway in the Park Hill neighborhood. The brothers say they chose the Park Hill location as a way to support local businesses and economic growth in the historically underserved area of west Louisville. Complete Story

Remedy Distillery in midtown Gainesville, GA is serving up bourbon and whiskey(March 25) – Remedy Distillery, which crafts bourbon and whiskey, quietly opened next door to The Inked Pig off Main Street in November 2020. Since then, Keith Speed, the distillery’s owner, said the business has connected with distributors and modified its 7,000-square-foot space, so that it’s comfortable for patrons. Complete Story

JH Bards Spirit Co. opens as Pulaski County’s first distillery(March 25) – Pulaski County, Virginia is getting its first distillery. JH Bards Spirit Co. opens this weekend. 10 News is working for you and got a look inside before the doors open to the public on Saturday. Whiskey, cocktails and a tasting room with local pride in mind are all part of Jayson Hudson and Jason Hardy’s vision. It’s been two years in the making and a New River Valley location was always part of the dream. Complete Story

Still hoppy after all these years: Wormtown’s brewmaster on 11th anniversary, brewstillery and more(March 18) – Wormtown Brewery will have completed 11 years of brewing beer in Worcester. Such anniversaries usually get mentioned as footnotes, not milestones. Wormtown has an impressive, daunting schedule for 2021, including opening a new taproom at 75 Shrewsbury St. and becoming the city’s first distillery. Complete Story

Founders & Creators: 22 Women of Whiskey(March 18) – Anyone who believes whiskey is a man’s drink probably hasn’t gotten out of the house in the last decade. In fact, women make up nearly 40% of whiskey consumers, according to a recent study by MRI-Simmons. And behind the scenes, women are taking on more leadership roles in the distillery than ever. Complete Story

TX Whiskey launches Bottled-In-Bond Texas Bourbon(March 17) – The makers of TX Blended Whiskey and TX Straight Bourbon on Tuesday, March 16 announced the launch of the first Bottled-In-Bond Texas Bourbon, a single barrel expression of TX Straight Bourbon bottled at 100 proof. Complete Story

Coming Soon: O’Shaughnessy Distillery to the Twin Cities(March 16) – Well, top o’ the morning to you. Here’s some news that’s almost as good as your first Irish coffee of the day: We are about to have a world-class whiskey distillery in our midst when O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. opens in the next few months. It’s under construction next to Surly Brewing, and across from the coming Malcolm Yards Market. Prospect Park is so hot right now. Complete Story

Ohio scores another batch of exclusive high-end bourbons to offer via lottery(March 15) – The Ohio Division of Liquor Control has gotten its hands on some rather prestigious Kentucky bourbons and will sell them via bottle lottery and will also offer a special home-grown bottling from an Ohio-based distillery. “We’re kicking off the 2021 bottle lotteries with some exciting single-barrel selections” of Blanton’s, Eagle Rare and E.H. Taylor, OHLQ officials said in a release. Complete Story

Hometown craft whiskey producer ASW Distillery opening at The Battery Atlanta on March 27(March 10) – The Battery Atlanta has partnered with the largest production distillery in Georgia to bring a third ASW Distillery to the Atlanta community. The new space, with its grand opening slated for March 27, features a tasting room, a Vendome copper pot/column hybrid still for distilling gin and vodka, a small batch bottling operation, the most extensive cocktail program of ASW Distillery’s three Atlanta locations and a large private events space in the former Häagen-Dazs location at The Battery Atlanta. Complete Story

Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia plans to offer outdoor activities(March 1) – On Monday, Feb. 22, the Town of Cazenovia Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special use permit application from Madison County Distillery to expand its operating concept to include outdoor activities. The specific requests include permission to build an in-ground fire-pit, to install a live music platform, and to construct outdoor game courts for activities like foosball, corn hole and horseshoes. Complete Story

Portland Has a New Distillery and Restaurant with the Aimsir Distilling(February 27) – Portland’s distillery scene, already a proud tradition in the city, recently got a new addition with The Aimsir Distilling Co. Sharing a building with Culmination Brewing on NE Oregon Street, Aimsir makes whiskey and gin and serves full cocktails as well as a full menu of food inspired by Irish cooking. Complete Story

Landmark status approved for new Cleveland Whiskey distillery(February 24) – It’s a revival in action. Cleveland Whiskey’s plan to turn an early 1900s fruit and auction building into their new headquarters, got some good news this week. Cleveland City Council voted to grant the building landmark status, which will assist the company in their large renovation plan. Complete Story

Scotch Whisky Exports Fell By 23% In 2020(February 24) – The Scotch Whisky Association has revealed that exports of Scotch whisky have decreased by 23% in 2020, representing a $1.5 billion drop in sales. It is the lowest the figures have been in a decade. The SWA says that the Covid-19 pandemic and punishing U.S. tariffs on single malt Scotch are largely responsible for the significant dip. Complete Story

Dewar’s Debuts A New Port Cask Finished Blended Scotch Whisky(February 23) – Dewar’s Scotch Whisky, a popular blended Scotch label owned by Bacardi, recently announced the launch of Dewar’s Portuguese Smooth — an 8-year-old Portuguese port cask finish that is said to combine the flavors of Portugal and Scotland. Complete Story

A Look Inside the World of Distilling in the Hudson Valley(February 22) – Located in the bones of a 1900s Nabisco factory, Albany Distilling doesn’t shy away from paying tribute to its predecessors. In addition to two-year-aged bourbon and rye whiskey, the deal here is unaged Quackenbush Still House Rum. Complete Story

The next great whiskey trail is not where you think it is, guess Germany(February 17) – The whole scene along this whiskey road trip is strangely familiar: historic castles and deer-filled forests, then rows of ploughed soil, golden barley fields, and the sweet scent of cereal grains. But this isn’t somewhere in Scotland. Nor is it in Ireland or the United States. This is Brandenburg, a sparsely populated region in Germany surrounding Berlin. Complete Story

Can a Fine Whiskey Age Overnight?(February 15) – Whiskey, in other words, is ready to be hacked — at least according to Stuart Aaron and Martin Janousek. Their company, Bespoken Spirits, in Menlo Park, Calif., says it can make whiskey in just a few days, using heat and pressure to force alcohol in and out of small pieces of wood that give the spirit its characteristic flavor and color. Complete Story

Ohio Bourbon Comes of Age(February 11) – Watershed Distillery has a curious history. Greg Lehman, the founder, played professional volleyball in Switzerland and followed that up with a successful career selling medications to commercial producers of pigs and hogs (seriously). When he became bored with sports and swine, he found a business partner, raised some cash, and opened Watershed in 2010. Complete Story

Rare Bourbon for the Masses: How Barrel Picks Became the Latest Craze in American Whiskey(February 11) – The continued demand for so-called “barrel picks,” where bars or retailers purchase all the bottles from a single cask and sell them as an exclusive offering, will hardly surprise those with an eye on whiskey trends. Though they’ve existed for multiple decades, only in recent years have private barrel selections crossed into the mainstream and become the most sought-after products for consumers and retailers alike. Complete Story

Travel + Leisure magazine names Green River distillery to visit(February 10) – Travel + Leisure magazine, which bills itself as “The World’s Most Influential Travel Brand,” recently listed Owensboro’s Green River Distilling Co. among “12 Kentucky Distilleries All Bourbon Lovers Should Visit.” Complete Story

MGP Announces 2021 George Remus Bourbon Single Barrel Program(February 9) – On the heels of their announcement of the 2021 Rossville Union Single Barrel Program, MGP, the largest distiller of rye whiskey in the U.S., has revealed that they will be offering a 2021 George Remus Bourbon Single Barrel Program. This follows up to a similar undertaking under this label last year. Complete Story

The Montana Distillery Moves to Stevenville(February 4) – So, The Montana Distillery packed up and moved down the Bitterroot. Someplace with less taxes, but thirsty residents. On Christmas Eve of 2020, Montana Distillery opened up in the heart of Stevensville. Located just across Main street from the popular Valley Drug. Complete Story

Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2021 and Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 will be available worldwide from May 25(February 2) – Whisky lovers – especially those still searching for last year’s special releases – have a new date to look forward to: May 25. It’s the day that two new limited edition Suntory whiskies are set for worldwide release, Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2021 and Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021. Complete Story

10 Things You Should Know About Old Forester Bourbon(January 30) – When it comes to whisky, it doesn’t get more classic than Old Forester. Based in Louisville, Ky., Old Forester has been known and loved by Americans for generations, and is consistently praised by aficionados for its great-value bourbons and ryes. The veteran brand knows how to keep things fresh, however, and consistently integrates itself into celebrations both big and small. Complete Story

Widow Jane distillery is making bourbon in maple syrup barrels(January 29) – Yes, the New York City borough, which has acquired a reputation in recent years as a foodie and hipster haven, is increasingly being recognized for its spirits brands. Among them is Widow Jane, which was founded in 2012 and has surged in popularity of late, with company officials saying sales grew by 50% in the past year. Complete Story

Lee Greenwood, Soldier Valley Spirits Announce Signature Bourbon Whiskey(January 29) – Known for the patriotic anthem, “God Bless America,” Lee Greenwood recently partnered up with Soldier Valley Spirits to develop the Lee Greenwood Signature Bourbon Whiskey (45% ABV). The 90 proof, six-year-old bourbon whiskey is bottled in a canteen-shaped bottle embossed with the number “6” as a reminder of unity, especially with the veterans, nonprofit veterans’ groups and first responders Soldier Valley Spirits supports. Complete Story

Belle of Dayton Distillery Bottling Success With New Whiskey Release(January 28) – At Belle of Dayton distillery, bottler Matthew Kitze is working to build up a stock of their award-winning vodka Vodka. “We just released out Detrick Rye Whiskey with overwhelming support from the Dayton community,” said Belle of Dayton distillery co-owner Murphy LaSelle. “We were kind of astonished by how many people ended up coming out.” The new whiskey sold out in just eight hours. Complete Story

Kentucky distillery keeps wild family moonshine story alive while making its own bourbon(January 14) – Outside the distillery store is this 1941 Chyrsler with a straight V-8 was the Neeley family moonshine hauler for years. It has truck springs that handled the load on rough Kentucky backroads. There’s also a few bullet holes as well. Complete Story

New whiskey alert: Ezra Brooks bourbon gets an upgrade in look, proof(January 8) – Luxco announced on Wednesday that the St. Louis-based spirits company is releasing a higher proof version of its popular Kentucky bourbon, Ezra Brooks. Ezra Brooks 99 also is a Kentucky straight bourbon, charcoal filtered and bottled at 99 proof rather than the brand’s 80- or 90-proof versions. Complete Story

Rogue Ales & Spirits Releases Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda and the Bayfront Vodka Party Pack

March 30, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

NEWPORT, Oregon — Warmer, longer days means it’s time to head outside and have a cocktail and Rogue’s line of sparkling canned cocktails has made it easy to do just that. It’s time to liberate the cocktail experience and enjoy an authentic, high-quality cocktail anytime, anywhere – whether that’s on top of a mountain, by the pool or on the golf course. Rogue Ales & Spirits, one of the original craft breweries and distilleries, continues to grow its sparkling canned cocktail line with the recent launch of a Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda and the Bayfront Vodka Party Pack.

Rogue’s line of ready-to-drink beverages is made with Rogue Spirits and 100% natural ingredients to offer authentic, gluten-free, bar-quality recipes in the convenience of a can.

“We’re feeling all the spring vibes and are beyond ready to leave our house and enjoy the warm weather with a beverage in hand,” says Steve Garrett, VP of Business Development. “Rogue Spirits Sparkling Craft Cocktails were made for this type of outing. Forget the jigger, the strainer, the muddler and the shaker because we did all the work for you. We mixed quality cocktails and packaged them in a portable can, so you can enjoy your cocktail wherever life takes you.”

“Canned cocktails were a fun next step for our brand,” says Jake Holshue, Rogue Head Distiller. “We use our Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka as the base and added natural ingredients to create bright and flavorful cocktails. What I like about our cocktails is that they make high-quality spirits more accessible and affordable for everyone.”

PRODUCT FACTS: Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda
Ingredients: Bayfront Vodka, Meyer Lemon, Darjeeling Iced Tea, Sparkling Water, Cane Sugar
ABV: 7.5% ABV
Taste: Our Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while the lemonade and iced tea bring a refreshing blend of citrus and sweet spice.
Availability: Nationwide
Packaging: 4-pack 12oz slim cans

PRODUCT FACTS: Bayfront Vodka Party Pack
Details: Four varieties of canned cocktails so everyone can enjoy their favorite cocktail anytime, anywhere.
Cocktail Flavors: Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, Grapefruit Vodka Soda, Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda, Ginger Lime Vodka Mule
ABV: 7.5% ABV
Availability: April
Packaging: Eight 12oz slim cans (two cans of four flavors)
Tag @rogueales@rogue.spirits and use #LiberateYourCocktail on Instagram to show how you have liberated the cocktail experience.

Use the Rogue Finder to find Rogue Spirit’s Sparkling Craft Canned Cocktails near you. Learn more about the cocktails at Rogue.com.

About Rogue Ales & Spirits
Rogue Ales & Spirits was founded in Oregon in 1988 as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 2,000 awards for taste, quality and packaging, and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Proudly rooted in Newport Oregon, Rogue’s beers, spirits, cocktails, seltzers and sodas are a liquid ode to Oregon and the endless inspiration that its land, its sea and its people provide.

Diageo North America Invests $80 Million in Operations to Support Growth in Ready-to-Drink Category

March 30, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

NEW YORK – To support Diageo North America’s growth strategy in the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category, the company announced plans to expand its manufacturing footprint and install two can lines at a new facility in Plainfield, Illinois. With an investment of approximately $80 million, the site will have the capacity to produce over 25 million cases of RTDs per year, including Smirnoff seltzers and the newly launched spirits-based RTD cocktails from Crown Royal and Ketel One Botanicals.

“As the ready-to-drink category continues to grow rapidly in the United States, this expansion is very exciting as it will support our plans to meet increased consumer demand in line with emerging trends for convenient formats that are ideal for casual and at-home occasions,” said Debra Crew, President, Diageo North America. “The new operation will supplement our existing ready-to-drink production across North America and strengthen our path to continue building our RTD offering.”

Sitting on a 225,000 square-foot property in Plainfield, Illinois, the new facility will include a 500 cans per minute (CPM) line and a 1200 CPM line, both of which are expected to be available for commercial production by summer of 2021.

“The strategic location of the new site, near our warehouse and Plainfield bottling operation, will allow Diageo to create synergies and the flexibility to expand and carry other market-leading brands in the future,” said Perry Jones, President, North America Supply for Diageo. “We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint and further deepen our relationship with the Village of Plainfield.”

“The Village of Plainfield is proud to have Diageo here. The company has made a long-term commitment to our community through continued investments and charitable activity in Plainfield and Will County,” said Brian Murphy, Administrator, Village of Plainfield.

Once open, the new site will employ approximately 50 full-time team members. Diageo North America has built a 55-year-old partnership with the Village of Plainfield and has played a role contributing to its economic development. Diageo’s presence has grown and expanded over the years: the Plainfield Bottling site -opened since 1966- and the warehouse collectively employ more than 600 additional people.

About Diageo North America
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and its products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice

Eastside Distilling, Inc. Launches “Limited-Edition” Premium Craft Spirits Under New Eastside Brand

March 1, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

PORTLAND, Oregon — Eastside Distilling is expanding its premium spirits line with the new “Eastside Brand” and the new Eastside portfolio of spirits products. The Eastside special products will build on the Company’s inspiration to offer the most unique, highest quality, hand-crafted, small-batch products to our loyal consumers. All products will be limited-edition and will be available in limited markets. Product will ship in late March and should be on shelves by April of this year.

“The Eastside Distilling brand embodies all the personality and flavor of what it means to be from Portland, Oregon: creative, independent and free-spirited,” said Janet Oak, Chief Branding Officer. “Our full lineup of Eastside premium artisanal products are craft inspired, experiential, very rare and extremely hard to get.”

The Eastside Brand has been developed in conjunction with Neil Powell Design Studios and the portfolio will focus on barrel aged whiskey sourced from the cellars of Eastside Distilling. Three very distinct products will be available in Lion’s Small Batch Oak Finished Rye Whiskey, 12 year Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and a very special Single Malt American Whiskey aged in oak and finished in 70-year-old sherry casks. All of the whiskey products, Rye, Bourbon and Single Malt, offer the most unique flavor experience for the discerning spirits aficionado.

“The Eastside special process of batch-produced limited-edition products incorporates our unique ability to layer, and build flavors, with our very rare oak and rare sherry cask barrels,” said Jason Ericson, Eastside Head Distiller. In addition to the line of special hand-crafted whiskey, Jason has reached deep into our barrel cellars to create other limited-edition, small-batch products as well:

11 Year Barrel Aged Rum: Enjoyed neat or added to cocktails for a decadent depth of flavor, this rare rum reminds the drinker of warm summer breezes, AND white sand beaches. ABV 45%

Barrel Aged Navy Strength Gin: Barrel-aged and bottled at navy strength, this singular gin forms the perfect foundation for our customer’s next Martini or Negroni and provides a unique opportunity for mixologists to experiment with a rare category of spirit. ABV 57%

American Corn Whiskey: Crafted for the Pacific Northwest, this corn whiskey is found in the speed rail of the neighborhood bar in the bottom floor of an apartment building where the bartender knows all the regulars. ABV 40%

Pot Distilled Brandy: Pot distilled from Pacific Northwest wine and aged for at least two years, this limited-edition brandy lends itself well to sipping, or mixing in your next Sidecar. ABV 40%

“We are excited to build the Eastside Brand and offer exceptional craft inspired, small-batch artisanal products that are truly rare and very hard to get,” said Janet Oak. “This launch further defines Eastside’s vision to develop unapologetically original premium craft inspired spirits. We will be giving first priority to our most loyal customers in our home state of Oregon, and will release to other states on a limited basis including California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida and New York,” said Oak.

About Eastside Distilling Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon, since 2008. The Company is distinguished by its highly decorated product lineup that includes Azuñia Tequilas®, Burnside Whiskeys®, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum®, and Portland Potato Vodkas®. All Eastside spirits are crafted from natural ingredients for quality and taste. Eastside’s Craft Canning + Bottling subsidiary is one of the Northwest’s leading independent ready-to-drink canners. For more information visit: www.eastsidedistilling.com or follow the Company on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the impact of COVID-19 and related business disruption, the Company’s ongoing financing requirements and ability to achieve any financing, acceptance of the Company’s products in the market; the Company’s success in obtaining new customers; the Company’s success in product development; the Company’s ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; the Company’s success in integrating acquired entities and assets, and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release may include statements related to our strategic focus, product verticals, anticipated revenue and profitability, our ability to reduce operating or other expenses, the anticipated demand from the craft beer industry, the effects of COVID-19, including the impact on sales, and the success of initiatives implemented to address the business disruption resulting from COVID-19 and earnings guidance for 2020 and beyond. The Company assumes no obligation to update the cautionary information in this release.

This information is being distributed to you by:
Eastside Distilling, Inc.
8911 NE Marx Drive
Suite A2
Portland, Oregon 97220

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Dogfish Head Distilling Launches Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails

February 24, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Milton, Delaware – One of America’s earliest craft distilleries, Dogfish Head Distilling Co. announces the coast-to-coast* launch of its scratch-made, ready-to-drink Canned Cocktails. The distillery’s lineup of Canned Cocktails includes three off-centered recipes –Blueberry Shrub Vodka Soda, Strawberry & Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade and Cherry Bergamot Whiskey Sour. Each recipe was crafted using Dogfish Head Distilling Co.’s house-made spirits combined with all-natural, high-quality culinary ingredients to create a liquid masterpiece that tastes as if it was poured straight from a bartender’s shaker tin. Dogfish Head Distilling Co.’s scratch-made Canned Cocktails begin hitting shelves in 4pk/355ml slim cans this week.

“A lot of folks don’t realize it, but Dogfish Head has been distilling spirits for about two decades, and we actually released our first ready-to-drink bottled cocktail back in 2017,” said Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Founder & Brewer. “Just like our award-winning spirits, our Canned Cocktails were born from blissfully inefficient recipes, the overactive imaginations of our uber talented co-workers, and a distinct distilling process centered around innovation and boundless creativity. While our spirits have been available to those throughout the Mid-Atlantic for some time, our Canned Cocktails are the first opportunity for off-centered people nationwide to drink in and explore the goodness that isDogfish Head Distilling Co.”

Each of Dogfish Head Distilling Co.’s scratch-made Canned Cocktails was artfully crafted and thoughtfully blended for maximum goodness. These flavor-forward, culinary-inspired recipes, compounded by each drink’s unique back story, provide strong points of differentiation in the exploding Canned Cocktail category, which is trending up +46%**.

Blueberry Shrub Vodka Soda (7.0% ABV) – Inspired by the James Beard Award-nominated bar program at Dogfish Head’s geographically-enamored seafood restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine, in Rehoboth, Delaware, this scratch-made Canned Cocktail begins with Dogfish Head Distilling Co.’s vodka distilled with blueberries. It is then macerated with lightly sweetened balsamic and red wine vinegar to create a blueberry shrub vodka and is blended with soda water. The ensuing deep, burgundy-colored libation is juicy and subtly sweet from the blueberries, with a slightly sour and complex fruity character from the vinegar. *L.A. Spirits Awards “Best-In-Show” winner in the ready-to-drink category.*

Strawberry & Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade (7.0% ABV) – Inspired by Sam’s visits to his friend’s honeyberry farm in coastal Maine, this scratch-made Canned Cocktail features Dogfish Head Distilling Co. vodka distilled with honeyberries, macerated with strawberries and blended with a house-made lemonade. Light coral in color with a fresh-squeezed lemonade haze, it exudes the well-balanced tartness of fresh-squeezed lemon combined with a sweet berry taste.

Cherry Bergamot Whiskey Sour (7.0% ABV) – Developed to accentuate the nuances of Dogfish Head Distilling Co.’s malt whiskey, this ready-to-drink Canned Cocktail takes whiskey distilled with tart cherries and highly-fragrant, citrusy bergamot oranges, and blends it with a house-made sour mix. Light amber in color, it is chock full of oak and vanilla whiskey flavors balanced by notes of citrus and dark cherries with a hint of honey, lemon and bergamot.“Dogfish Head Distilling Co. has always been focused on building our recipes around enticing combinations of natural culinary ingredients in their rawest forms; never adding flavorings or bringing in bulk-spirits for re-distillation,” said James Montero, Dogfish Head’s Innovation Manager for Beyond Beer. “This commitment has allowed us to produce a wide array of award-winning vodkas, gins, rums, whiskeys and more, and has helped us build a loyal cadre of spirits drinkers. I’m proud to share that that same level of rigorous care was used when creating the recipes for our ready-to-drink Canned Cocktails.”

With quality and authenticity at the core of its DNA, Dogfish Head Distilling Co. spent hundreds of hours honing its Canned Cocktail recipes, using a number of stringent R&D processes to inform its quest for excellence. From conducting quality control analyses and tasting panels to garnering feedback from guests at Dogfish Head’s coastal Delaware restaurants and taproom, the development of these Canned Cocktails was recognized and rewarded in late 2020. “We knew we weren’t going to officially release these tasty cocktails until early 2021, but we just couldn’t contain our excitement any longer,” said Sam. “So, we submitted a preliminary sample of our Blueberry Shrub Vodka Soda to the L.A. Spirits Awards and it ended up winning “Best-In-Show” in the ready-to-drink category. What an awesome way to kick-off the New Year and celebrate the soon-to-be launch of our latest endeavor!”

For more about Dogfish Head Distilling Co. and its NEW lineup of scratch-made, ready-to-drinkCanned Cocktails, please visit www.dogfish.com/distillery.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery:
Dogfish Head has proudly focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened as the smallest American craft brewery nearly 25 years ago.Dogfish Head has grown into a top-20 craft brewery and won numerous awards throughout the years, includingWine Enthusiast’s 2015 Brewery of the Year and the James Beard Foundation Award for 2017 Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional. A Delaware-based brand with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, an off-centered brewpub and distillery, Chesapeake & Maine, a geographically-enamored seafood restaurant, Dogfish Inn, a beer-themed inn on the harbor, and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and distillery featuring theTasting Room & Kitchen and Dogfish Head Distilling Co., Dogfish Head is a supporter of the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, the definitive icon for American craft breweries to identify themselves to be independently-owned and carry the torch of transparency, brewing innovation and the freedom of choice originally forged by brewing community pioneers. Dogfish Head currently sells beer in all 50 states and Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.dogfish.com.

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MGP Announces Plans to Expand Distribution for Green Hat Gin

February 17, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

Washington D.C. – MGP has announced plans to roll-out Green Hat Gin to their current distribution partners in the first half of 2021. This gin is Washington, D.C.’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Crafted with a unique blend of botanicals in copper pot stills, Green Hat is offered in four styles: Green Hat Original Batch Gin, Green Hat Navy Strength Gin, Green Hat Citrus Floral Gin and Summer Cup Cordial.

Green Hat Gins are the latest addition to the portfolio of award-winning brands at MGP, and their first proprietary gin brand. MGP acquired New Columbia Distillers in March 2020, encompassing the Green Hat distillery, retail tasting room, bar and gin garden, all located in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

“This will be a very exciting season for our team as we build the Green Hat brand and grow our distribution footprint,” says Andrew Mansinne, Vice President of Brands, MGP. “We are receiving outstanding feedback from our trade partners about the quality of Green Hat and look forward to sharing our brand story with gin lovers across the country.”

Green Hat Original Batch Gin is the inaugural recipe, made for those that appreciate a juniper-forward blend balanced with original botanicals. This super-premium gin contains classic aromas of juniper, citrus and herbs that linger on the palate with anise notes and a crisp finish. Green Hat offers three additional expressions: a higher-proof Navy Strength Gin with notes of candied lemon, grapefruit, lavender and clover; Citrus Floral Gin, a bright lemon, orange, and cherry blossom style; and Summer Cup Cordial, a fruit and herb cordial with cheerful bursts of citrus, rosehips, cucumber, black tea, verbena and lavender.

This gin is inspired by George Cassiday, the infamous “Man in the Green Hat.” Instantly recognizable in his green felt fedora, Cassiday was a mysterious bootlegger who kept Congress well-stocked during Prohibition from his private offices in the House and Senate. Legend has it that he recorded more than 25 deliveries per day in his Black Book over the course of a decade, making him very popular indeed on both sides of the Hill. Cassiday is credited with helping to bring Prohibition to an end with a series of scathing front-page articles, even at the demise of his own good fortune. A man of his word, he destroyed the Black Book on the eve of Repeal and has been synonymous with the D.C. spirits scene ever since.

Green Hat Original Batch Gin retails for a suggested $29.99 per 750-ml bottle (83 proof/41.5% ABV). Green Hat Navy Strength Gin retails for a suggested $32.99 per 750-ml bottle (114.2 proof/57.1% ABV). Green Hat Citrus Floral Gin retails for a suggested $29.99 per 750-ml bottle (90 proof/45% ABV). Green Hat Summer Cup Cordial retails for a suggested $29.99 per 750-ml bottle (66 proof/33% ABV). Green Hat is currently available in Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and will be rolling out to other MGP markets through the first half of 2021.

About Green Hat Gin
Green Hat Distillery (1832 Fenwick St. NE) was founded in 2011 in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Housed in an historic warehouse, Green Hat was the first distillery licensed in D.C. after Prohibition, and offers on-site production as well as a tasting room, bar and gin garden. A premium distilled gin crafted with a unique blend of botanicals, Green Hat is available in Original Batch Gin (SRP: $29.99/750-ml), Navy Strength Gin (SRP: $32.99/750-ml), Citrus Floral Gin (SRP: $29.99/750-ml) and Summer Cup Cordial (SRP: $29.99/750-ml). This gin is inspired by George Cassiday, the infamous “Man in the Green Hat.” Known for his green felt fedora, the mysterious bootlegger operated out of offices in the House and Senate buildings to supply congressmen throughout Prohibition. Green Hat was named “#5 Best U.S. Craft Gin Distillery” by USA Today. Connect with us – Click Here. Enjoy Yours Responsibly.

About MGP
Founded in 1941, MGP is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science backed by a long history of experience. The company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high-quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled in Washington, D.C., and distilled and matured at the company’s facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

MGP Brands proprietary spirits include: TILL American Wheat Vodka, George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, Rossville Union Barrel Proof Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey, Tanner’s Creek Blended Bourbon Whiskey and Green Hat Gin. All brands are wholly-owned by MGP Ingredients, a leading distiller with operations in Atchison, Kansas, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and Washington, D.C.

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MGP Launches 2021 George Remus Bourbon Single Barrel Program

February 11, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana — MGP has launched the New Year with the release of their 2021 George Remus Bourbon Single Barrel Program. George Remus Single Barrel selections will be offered at cask strength in two mash bills that reflect MGP’s signature high-rye bourbon character. Participating accounts in the Single Barrel program are invited to connect virtually with the distillery team in Lawrenceburg to taste, select and order their preferred mash bills. Participating retailers can also opt to customize the label on their 2021 Single Barrel Selection to enhance the collectible aspect of this special offering. George Remus Bourbon Single Barrels are available for pre-sell until March 15.

“The Remus Family of Bourbon Whiskies exemplifies MGP’s expertise in distilling, aging and blending. Our Single Barrel program offers an exciting complement to our Bourbon portfolio and allows us to showcase our historic high-rye mash bills,” says Andrew Mansinne, Vice President of Brands, MGP. “We’re thrilled to expand this year’s program with a renewed commitment to support our partners with marketing support tailored to reach the most discriminating Bourbon consumers.”

Bottled annually, the George Remus Single Barrel Bourbon will be shipped to each participating retailer by September 2021, to coincide with National Bourbon Month. Partners can also “Order the Barrel” to proudly display their custom-stenciled private selections.

About George Remus® Straight Bourbon Whiskey
George Remus, a bourbon brand named after the legendary “King of the Bootleggers,” is crafted by MGP at their historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery. George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a high-rye blend of Bourbon whiskies, aged over four years, with a hint of vanilla, a maple aroma, and a sweet-yet-characteristic rye flavor (SRP: $39.99/750-ml). Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV is crafted from 2008 reserve Bourbons and is available in limited quantities (SRP: $84.99/750-ml). Connect with us: GeorgeRemus.com.

About MGP
Founded in 1941, MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science backed by a long history of experience. The company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high-quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled in Washington, D.C., and distilled and matured at the company’s facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.