Dow Scoggins

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Tennessee Distillers Guild has named Sara Beth Urban its new Executive Director. In her role, Urban will continue to move the Guild and its initiatives, including the Guild’s flagship Tennessee Whiskey Trail, forward.

“The Guild has worked hard to get the Trail up and running. We have a large opportunity to grow the Trail and to continue to enhance our position in the State of Tennessee as a primary player for tourism,” said Kris Tatum, President of the Tennessee Distillers Guild. “Sara Beth brings the right combination of enthusiasm, energy, and relationships to elevate the Guild and Trail to a whole new level.”

Urban is a Nashville native and graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. She comes to the Guild following three years with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, where she promoted Tennessee as a global destination for music, food, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

“I am thrilled to take on this opportunity with the Guild. The team has already created this one-of-a-kind trail experience that allows visitors to explore and taste this legendary Tennessee product, and I can’t wait to enhance that vision,” Urban said. “From the well-established distilleries to the new brands that are crafting the next generation of whiskey, you won’t find a more dedicated group of individuals devoted to honoring Tennessee’s legacy. After all, when you have stars like George Jones and Chris Stapleton singing about your product, you know you’ve got something special.”

Urban joins an already-established team that has worked hard to market Tennessee whiskey since the formation of the Guild in 2014. Jill Talbert has served since 2014 and will continue to collaborate with the Guild as its lobbyist and advocate. Kim Mitchell currently manages operations for the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and Mariko Hickerson handles PR and media relations.

Urban previously served as the Executive Director at Historic Rock Castle, a nonprofit house museum in Hendersonville, and obtained her master’s degree in public history and museum management from MTSU. She resides in East Nashville with her husband, J.P., an attorney with the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General. They have one son, James, and are expecting their second son, Dominick, in February 2020.

About Tennessee Whiskey Trail:
The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is a 26-stop tour of distilleries across Tennessee. For more information, visit www.tnwhiskeytrail.com.

The 2019 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition received 399 Spirits entries from 147 producers. For the past several years we have made Mixers its own competition being that we receive so many entries in this non-alcoholic product category. There were a total of 3 Best of Show Awards given this year, 1 Best of Show was awarded to Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila with 96 points, 1 Best of Show in the Mixers Competition was awarded to Nimble Nectar Tart Cherry Lime Mixer with 97 points and 1 Best of Show in Packaging Design which was awarded to Empress 1908 Gin. We awarded 47 Best of Category Awards, 9 Best of Division Awards, 236 Gold Medal Awards, 111 Silver Medal Awards, 10 Bronze Medal Awards and 34 Packaging Design awards. This year’s competition received spirits from 24 different countries, Mexico, Poland, Australia, Germany, France, Canada, Belarus, Brazil, Japan, UK, Ireland, England, Caribbean Islands, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, USA, Myanmar, Netherlands, Scotland, Philippines, Italy and London. We had 19 prestigious judges from all over the United States from on and off-premise as well as Young’s Market, Wine Warehouse, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Mutual Trading.

2019 Award Winning Spirits
Best of Awards

Best of Category Awards

Spirits Packaging Design Awards

Gold Medal by Points Award Winning Spirits

Silver Medal Award Winning Spirits

Bronze Medal Award Winning Spirits

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Pernod Ricard announces the acquisition of Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., owner of the TX brand, a leading whiskey portfolio headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

The TX brand range includes super-premium whiskey and bourbon. TX Blended Whiskey, launched in 2012, is a smooth-drinking, award-winning brand that has already garnered a passionate following. The full TX range espouses the brand’s rugged elegance; the bottle tops are hand made from boot leather, the canvas neck wraps are a nod to pioneer covered wagons and the silver band around the base of every bottle represents a polished symbol of Western culture. With this deal, Pernod Ricard once again is expanding its portfolio to include brands with unique and comprehensive value propositions.

The deal includes Whiskey Ranch, a state-of-the-art distillery minutes from downtown Fort Worth, where consumers can enjoy the full TX brand Experience, including tours and tastings.

For Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, “The addition of TX, which is an exceptional super premium whiskey blended by skilled Texan craftsmen, represents a very promising venture which strengthens our portfolio and footprint in the United States.”

For Paul Duffy, Chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, “The TX Blended Whiskey distinguishes itself as a brand poised for tremendous growth. The team at Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. have done an excellent job developing the brand, and we are keen to build on this success. We will continue to reinforce the community of loyal TX brand ambassadors, both as we expand distribution and as we welcome consumers to the Whiskey Ranch.”

For Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, Founders of Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., “This is an exciting day for all of us at Firestone & Robertson. Building our company and producing award-winning whiskies has been a truly remarkable experience. We are so proud of our team, and grateful to the many people that supported our efforts over the years. It is an extraordinary opportunity to partner with Pernod Ricard, and we are confident this relationship will accelerate the growth of our brands while preserving our roots and shared core values.”

This transaction is expected to close shortly. White & Case LLP and Deloitte Finance served as legal counsel and transaction services support to Pernod Ricard, respectively, and Nomura Securities International and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as exclusive financial advisor and counsel, respectively, to Firestone & Robertson with respect to the transaction.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed via six Brand Companies through 86 direct affiliates across five continents. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

About Firestone & Robertson Distilling
Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co (F&R): Established in 2010 by Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, F&R is a premier artisanal whiskey distillery located in Fort Worth, Texas, crafting TX Whiskey and TX Straight Bourbon.
TX Whiskey was released in 2012 and quickly became renowned for its exceptionally smooth and flavorful taste, winning “Double Gold” and “Best American Craft Whiskey” honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The brand has become wildly popular throughout a growing number of states across the country not only for its taste but also for the handmade bottle tops adorned with leather the company sources from local cowboy boot makers.
Distilled and aged in the North Texas climate for approximately five years, TX Straight Bourbon gained industry notoriety for its Texas provenance by utilizing Texas grown corn and wheat, and a proprietary yeast captured from a Texas pecan nut. TX Straight Bourbon is the only bourbon in the world to utilize a wild Texas yeast strain, and is also award winning, securing a silver medal in the 2017 San Francisco competition. For more information, please visit www.frdistilling.com.

MELBOURNE, Australia– Australian whisky brand Starward officially launches in the U.S. today, introducing Americans to a distinct new style of whisky, utilizing the unique climate, terroir and raw materials of Australia. The first expression available in the U.S. is Starward Nova, an Australian single malt whisky matured in Australian red wine barrels.

Nova is a unique whisky which draws influence from the vibrancy of “big red” wines from southeastern Australia. The distillery team sources barrels from local wineries that previously held Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. This proximity allows the team to maximize the flavor of the wine permeated into the oak, lending a vibrant red ochre color to the final liquid. The full maturation in red wine barrels creates a light and fruity whisky with a long and spicy finish, similar to some of the country’s award-winning wines.

Since its Australian debut in 2016, Nova has received numerous accolades including two gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for both the “World’s Best Craft Distilled Whisky” and the “Best Australian Single Malt Whisky.” Starward was also recently named “Best Australian Whisky Innovator” from Icons of Whisky and crowned “Best Australian Single Malt” by the World Whiskies Awards in 2016 and 2017.

Starward utilizes the dynamic temperatures for which Melbourne is famous to accelerate the whisky maturation process in an approach known as Elemental Maturation or more colloquially “a Melbourne year.” The result is a long, distinct and spicy finish that creates a complex single malt from a relatively young whisky.

David Vitale founded the distillery in 2007 in his hometown of Melbourne. After working as business manager of a prominent Tasmanian distillery for several years, Vitale wanted to make an accessible whisky that was representative of Melbourne’s cosmopolitan character. His passion for food, wine and beer led to Starward’s original purpose of being an easy drinking whisky designed to pair well with food.

“Starward began with a simple vision: to make a distinctly Australian whisky we could offer the world with pride,” said David Vitale, founder of Starward Whisky. “I have long dreamed of being able to share our whisky in the U.S. It is a genuinely exciting time for the team as we take the next step on our Starward-bound journey.”

Tasting Notes
Nose: Bright red berries, orchard fruits, soft oak spice
Palate: Vanilla and berries balanced with caramel and spice
Finish: Long, fruity and slightly tart with hints of baking spices.

Starward Nova has an ABV of 41% and is available nationally for the suggested retail price of $55 per 750ml bottle.

About Starward Whisky
Starward was founded by David Vitale in 2007 in Melbourne, Australia and is a modern Australian whisky, elementally matured for three “Melbourne years” in Australian red wine barrels, pushing the boundaries of what whisky can be. The core ethos is built on the foundation of an approachable whisky fusing old and new. Old World – traditional product and stills, new world – maturation methods and attitude. The ingredients used to distill Starward are a day’s drive away from the Melbourne-based distillery. The red wine barrels that mature the whisky are built around a broad cross section of big Australian reds, with the keystone being 100L Barossa Shiraz barrels. Using a minimal intervention approach, the whisky gets the best flavor results and the quick turnaround time between the barrels being disgorged at the winery and arriving at Starward means that the barrels retain much of their original character that is apparent in the flavor and texture of the whisky. For more information on Starward visit starward.com.au.

BARDSTOWN,  Kentucky– Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a new look for its brand lineup. The updated packaging reinforces the brand’s rebellious spirit and elevates the brand’s look, bridging the gap between its proud heritage and modern tastes. The new bottle features an embossed rounded shoulder in addition to a revised front and back label. The new bottle is topped with a matted capsule closure and a natural cork, further enhancing the packaging, which was designed by David Cole.

“By adding the new capsule closure with hints of silver and updating the label with bolder lettering, the new Rebel Yell look aligns with the brand attitude,” said Eric Winter, whiskey brand manager at Luxco.

“The glass embossing on the bottle also adds a tactile component to the consumer’s experience, further elevating the overall look of the package,” added designer David Cole.

The new packaging will roll out in April and will apply to the full family lineup including Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Rebel Yell Straight Rye, Rebel Yell Root Beer and Rebel Yell Ginger.

Brand Launches New Variant
In addition to the new packaging, the brand is launching a new variant this year: Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 100 proof. This whiskey – crafted according to the original time-honored recipe with a smooth ‘wheated’ mash bill – features honey, vanilla and caramel notes followed by oaky tones and a deep, warm finish. This whiskey will also have the new brand packaging enhancements and has an SRP of $19.99.

“Our traditional 80 proof Rebel Yell is an approachable bourbon, softer on the palate than the new 100 proof Rebel Yell, which brings a bit more bite in the finish,” said John Rempe, head distiller at Lux Row Distillers. “We wanted to offer consumers a higher proof option in this brand family, and this bourbon holds up well with balance of smoothness and flavor, whether providing fuller flavor in a cocktail or as a sipper.”

Award-winning Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Also Available for 2019

This year, Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel will also be available nationwide in a very limited allocation once again. This year, about 2,600 cases of this highly-acclaimed bourbon will be available in its original packaging, 750ml bottle sold in individual boxes. A limited amount will be available for sale at the Lux Row Distillers gift shop as well.

About Lux Row Distillers
Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a new bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry. Lux Row Distillers is the home of Luxco’s bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbons.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers includes a visitor center, barrel warehouses, a tasting room and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18th century stone house – which is registered as a National Historic Place – and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

For more information about the distillery, visit Fluxrowdistillers.com.

The Distilled Spirits Council  released a new report showing the negative impact of the retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskeys is accelerating, particularly to the European Union (EU), according to full year 2018 export data.

Last month, at its Annual Economic Briefing, the Council reported the imposition of retaliatory tariffs beginning in June 2018 caused American Whiskey exports to decline by 8.2 percent between July and November as compared to the same period in 2017. But the available data was only through November, and the Council declined to project full year results due to the uncertainty in the marketplace resulting from the retaliatory tariffs.

Full Year Data Underscores Accelerated Tariff Damage
Globally, for the first six months of the year American Whiskey exports grew 28 percent to a total of $595 million. Following the imposition of the retaliatory tariffs, exports during the second half of the year declined 11 percent compared to 2017, for a total of $593 million. Typically, U.S. distilled spirits exports in the second half of the year are much higher than in the first half, underscoring the harm the tariffs have caused.

Overall, total American Whiskey exports still managed to eke out a small gain of 5.1 percent in 2018, to a record $1.18 billion—a significant deceleration from the annual growth rate of 16 percent recorded in 2017.

With the full year data in hand it is clear that the retaliatory tariffs are having a significant and growing impact on American Whiskey exports, which had been a bright spot for U.S. agriculture exports,“With the full year data in hand it is clear that the retaliatory tariffs are having a significant and growing impact on American Whiskey exports, which had been a bright spot for U.S. agriculture exports,” said Council President and CEO Chris Swonger. “The damage to American Whiskey exports is now accelerating, and this is collateral damage from ongoing global trade disputes.”

Significant Slow Down of American Whiskey Exports to Top Market EU
The EU, which accounted for nearly 60 percent of total American Whiskey exports in 2018, experienced sizzling first half growth of 33 percent but whiplashed into a 13.4 percent decline in the second half when the tariffs slammed on the brakes. That is a significant deceleration in American Whiskey exports to the EU from the 8.7 percent decrease the Council first reported in February resulting from the 25 percent import tariff. American Whiskey exports to the EU still reached a record $704 million, up from $667 million in 2017.

Snapshot of Tariff Impact on Total U.S. Spirits Exports
Total U.S. spirits exports reached a record $1.8 billion, a 9.5 percent increase from $1.64 billion in 2017, but the rate of growth significantly slowed from the 14.9 percent growth recorded between 2016 to 2017. For the first half of 2018, total U.S. spirits exports grew 26.1 percent to a total of $881 million. Following the imposition of the retaliatory tariffs, exports during the second half of the year declined 3 percent compared to 2017, for a total of $909 million. In the fourth quarter alone, exports fell by 13.1% relative to the same period in 2017.

“These numbers are worrisome—even if some portion of the front-end growth is attributable to larger producers positioning product in foreign markets ahead of the tariffs,” Swonger said.

Small and Large Distillers Negatively Impacted
Small distillers have been particularly hit hard. They report orders lost and calls not returned as local distributors are reluctant to commit to new orders given the uncertainty. Many small distillers made substantial investments in international marketing and distribution in order to grow their overseas business, just as American Whiskey is becoming increasingly popular in markets around the world.

However, small distillers are not alone in feeling the impact of the tariffs. Large distillers have reported declining sales in some key export markets as a result of the tariffs.

The Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has conducted an export promotion program for U.S distilled spirits exports since 2006, hosting promotional events in 18 countries, primarily to educate spirits trade, distributors, mixologists and local journalists about American Whiskeys.

“With our member companies, we have worked for many years to promote American Whiskeys in key export markets. As a result, their popularity has been skyrocketing. We urge policy makers and our trading partners to rapidly address these retaliatory tariffs before more damage is done to what has been a great American trade success story,” Swonger concluded.

THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION (SFWSC), founded in 2000, is one of the oldest competitions of its kind with medals from the competition being recognized globally as an indicator of the highest calibre of quality.

Judging of spirits that are entered into the SFWSC is done so blindly to ensure impartiality and the competition is held in high global regard due to the esteemed and seasoned spirits experts on the panel.

With the former in mind it is with great honour and pride that Wemyss Malts can announce that The Hive has achieved the massive honour of winning Best in Class against all other Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies that were judged.

Further credit was bestowed on The Hive and Spice King, two of our Core Range malt whiskies as they both won Double Gold Medals in this year’s Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky category.

Wemyss Malts ranges of blended malt whiskies have now achieved over 80 medals and awards.

THE HIVE is a honey-sweet and fruity malt whisky that is made from a carefully sourced and blended selection of Lowland, Highland and Speyside whisky. This quality malt whisky now boasts several medals and awards since its release including 93/100 points awarded by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and a gold medal for The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.

SPICE KING; a complex whisky made from multiple malts from across Scotland with a peppery and maritime flavour has also won many awards since its release including 93/100 points awarded by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and a Gold Medal with Concours Mondial Bruxelles.

The Dalmore L’Anima is a single malt created from three unique assemblages (blended by The Dalmore master distiller Richard Paterson) using some of the distillery’s rarest casks that previously held 40 year old Pedro Ximenez sherry and Graham’s Vintage Port Pipes.

Paterson selected whiskeys that embody the chocolate orange profile The Dalmore is known for, and Bottura layered flavors he loves working with in his kitchen. The two visited local markets to choose the right flavors.

The single malt has aromas of sun-kissed raisins, bitter chocolate and old English marmalade; hints of Java coffee, Demerara sugar, pecan pie and crème brûlée in taste; and Sanguinello blood oranges, figs and treacle linger on the after taste, according to Bottura.

There is no reserve on the auction for the whiskey, but Dalmore believes it may sell for higher than $85,000. The rare Dalmore 62 was expected to sell for $65,000 but went for $149,000 in December 2017.

Dalmore
Our creative processes fused together with our deep understanding of flavor complexity and connection,“Our creative processes fused together with our deep understanding of flavor complexity and connection,” Bottura said in a press release. The whiskey is “bold, different and full of warmth,” according to Paterson.

All proceeds will benefit Food For Soul, according to The Dalmore, which is a non-profit organization that empowers communities to fight food waste through social inclusion.

The mission of the Texas Whiskey Festival is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, we want to educate whiskey lovers about the many top-of-the-line whiskeys being produced in our great state. And we’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable. The folks at the Texas Whiskey Festival would like to thank all the participating distilleries and congratulate all the winners.

Bourbon Distilled Grain to Glass in Texas
1. Ironroot Republic Harbinger
2. Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
3. Ranger Creek .36 Bourbon

Bourbon Bottled in Texas
1. Oak and Eden Bourbon & Spire
2. Ben Milam Single Barrel Bourbon
3. Treaty Oak Red Handed Bourbon

Rye Whiskey
1. Balcones Texas Rye 100 (Grain to Glass)
2. Ben Milam Rye Whiskey (Bottled in Texas)
3. Yellow Rose Distilling Rye Whiskey (Bottled in Texas)

Malt Whiskey
1. Spirit of Texas Pfluger Single Malt
2. Balcones Texas ‘1’ Single Malt
3. Real Spirits Distilling Signature Whiskey

Whiskey Distilled Grain to Glass in Texas
1. Balcones True Blue 100
2. Andalusia Whiskey Co. Stryker
3. Real Spirits Distilling Double Barrel Whiskey

Whiskey Bottled in Texas
1. Oak and Eden Cabernet Steeped
2. Dripping Springs Distilling Republic Whiskey
3. Austonian Spirits Austonian Whiskey

Peoples Choice Award
1. Garrison Brothers Distillery
2. Ironroot Republic Distilling
3. Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery