APRIL 29, 2016 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 14

ADI Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo Brown-Forman to Acquire BenRiach, GlenDronach & Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

Brown-Forman has reached a definitive agreement to purchase The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited for approximately £285 million. When completed, the purchase will bring three single malt Scotch whisky brands into Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio: BenRiach, The GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. The purchase will include brand trademarks, three malt distilleries, a bottling plant and the company’s headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. The BenRiach Distillery Company, which has a workforce of 165 employees including 55 seasonal and casual workers, will operate as a subsidiary of Brown-Forman.

“The acquisition of these super premium brands will allow Brown-Forman to re-enter one of our industry’s most exciting and consistent growth segments, single malt Scotch whisky,” said Brown-Forman CEO Paul Varga. “The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh single malt brands are rich in history, and we believe they will continue to prosper and grow in our hands.”

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The American Distilling Institute’s (ADI) 2016 Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo took place in San Diego earlier this month. The event was attended by more than 1,500 people in the distilled spirits business “to advance the art and science of distillation and celebrate the bonds that make this industry unique,” according to an ADI statement.

“The ADI conference with 16 hands-on workshops and 75 breakout sessions is about education,” said ADI President Bill Owens. “It is also networking, as the expo floor had 146 vendors ranging from cork supplies to still manufacturers. You could ‘meet the maker’ of barrels, stainless steel fermentation tanks and bottling lines. The conference is a must attend event for the craft distiller.”

The six-day conference began on April 2 with a three-day, hands-on Whiskey Distilling Workshop at Old Harbor Distilling taught by Donald Snyder of Whiskey Resources. By April 4, eight workshops were in progress in locations around San Diego County, and several bus tours were visiting loops of distilleries. Receptions were held that night including the launch of a Slow Distillation and Maturation Movement inspired by Hubert Germain-Robin.

The conference began on April 5 at the General Session with several speakers. Keynote speaker Yuseff Cherney, CEO of Ballast Point Brewing and Distilling, held up his copy of Bill Owens’s How to Build a Small Brewery. Cherney credited the book with starting him as a homebrewer and his eventual position as Ballast Point’s founding brewer — a brewing career that culminated in the sale of Ballast Point Brewing for $1 billion. Cherney also credited a gold medal from ADI’s 2010 Judging of Craft Spirits with helping him talk the brewery’s ownership into buying a Vendome still to begin distilled spirits production at Ballast Point. The spirits brands were not part of the brewery sale and will reappear through a new company, Cutwater Spirits, founded by Cherney and Ballast Point founder Jack White.

State of the Industry Address In his annual State of the Industry address, research economist Michael

Kinstlick presented the results of ADI’s 2015 year-end survey, demonstrating that craft spirits are consistently growing by 35% annually, and that the total amount of operating craft distilleries doubles approximately every three years.

Oregonians for Competition, a grocer-led group pushing to privatize alcohol sales in Oregon, has withdrawn the proposal, Initiative Petition 71. A similar proposal in 2014 was defeated.

Oregon Alcohol Privatization Campaign Halted

L-R: Dain Grimmer and Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling receive the award for Best of Class Gin from David T. Smith and Andrew Faulkner of ADI

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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) presented its 2015 Distinguished Political Award to Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) on April 18 at an association board meeting held during the organization’s 73rd Annual Convention & Exposition.

The award is given each year to a WSWA member company that sets new standards for broad employee participation in the WSWA Political Action Committee (WSWA-PAC) and a high level of engagement in association outreach and educational activities with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.

In addition to providing financial support to WSWA-PAC as individual contributors, RNDC executives and employees participated in a variety of WSWA-PAC and association activities including wholesaler warehouse tours and educational briefings for state and federal elected officials as well as the annual WSWA Legislative Fly-In when wholesalers visit with their representatives and senators in Congress.

“WSWA-PAC prominence and success is due in large part to the efforts of companies like RNDC engaging employees and owners in support of a pro-wholesaler agenda,” said WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf. “Like many wholesalers, RNDC is actively engaged across their market states, and this collective effort benefits the entire industry.”

The award was presented to RNDC President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Cole by Barkley Stuart, Executive Vice President of Glazer’s in Dallas, Texas.

WSWA Presents Distinguished Political Award to RNDC

WSWA Elects 2016-2017 Officers

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) elected its 2016-2017 officers during the WSWA 73rd Annual Convention & Exposition held last week in Las Vegas.

Incoming Chairman of the Board is Doug Epstein of Horizon Beverage Group of Norton, Mass., Vice Chairman is Carmine Martignetti of Martignetti Companies of Norwood, Mass., Senior Vice President is Barkley Stuart of Glazer’s of Dallas, Texas and Syd Ross of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits of Highland Park, Mich., is Vice President.

Other officers include Secretary Danny Wirtz of Breakthru Beverage Group of Chicago, Ill., and Treasurer Chris Underwood of Young’s Market Co. of Tustin, Calif. Past Chairman Brien Fox of Henry A. Fox Sales Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich., also serves as an officer.

The 2016-2016 Executive Committee includes three at-large representatives: Paul Powell of American Premium Beverage of Colfax, N.C., on behalf of Leadership Caucus A; and Andy Crisses of Breakthru Beverage Group of New York, N.Y., and Steven Becker of Southern Wine & Spirits of Miami, Fla., on behalf of Leadership Caucus B.

“WSWA is stronger and more engaged than ever, and our success is a direct result of the time, energy and financial support of our diverse leadership,” said WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf. “Under the guidance of Chairman Epstein and the entire Executive Committee, we are poised to tackle a host of issues facing wholesalers in state capitals and at the federal level in the days ahead.”

Doug Epstein – WSWA Incoming Chairman

L-R: Barkley Stuart of Glazer’s & Tom Cole of RNDC

Spirits Consulting Group in New York City, a company that specializes in brand development for the spirits industry, has acquired Midnight Solutions Management, a spirits sales strategy and marketing agency.

Midnight Solutions owner Shu de Jong will remain an integral part of the team as Managing Director. He’ll lead national sales and major account management, while Spirits Consulting Group founder Susan Mooney will remain CEO and director of branding, product development and the strategic planning service modules.

“Shu’s long-standing relationships and ability to meaningfully expand our brand representation and sales services nationally is a major asset to increase the breadth of services for new and existing clients,” said Mooney.

“After much discussion, Susan and I determined that our companies’ skill sets are aligned to provide the counsel necessary to successfully launch and incubate new brands in this competitive industry,” added de Jong.

De Jong has worked in the spirits business for over 20 years. In 2002, he co-founded Panache Imports, which became the importer on record and partner of 42 Below Vodka in North America. He was responsible for building the brand’s image, identity and sales nationally while guiding it to a lucrative acquisition in 2007 by Bacardí USA.

Shu then created his second company, Panache Beverages, which owned, sold and marketed Wodka Vodka, Alchemia Vodka

Spirits Consulting Group Acquires Midnight Solutions

L-R: Shu de Jong & Susan Mooney

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Espiritus CEO and spirits industry veteran Jay Maltby is the co-founder and former Chairman of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, which was acquired by Bacardí last year.

“Corner Creek has many of the same qualities of Angel’s Envy,” Maltby said, “great taste, distinctive package and loyal customers. Most importantly, in a growing bourbon market, it has a stock of mature bourbon.”

Corner Creek, founded in 1998, was a partnership of two long-time industry veterans: Ted Kraut, a successful brand-builder and holder of a number of industry executive sales positions, and Eliot Levin, former owner and publisher of Southern Beverage Journal. Kraut, although no longer a shareholder, will consult for the company, and Levin will remain a significant shareholder and work closely with the Espiritus team.

“Corner Creek has the building blocks in place for breakout growth,” said Chuck Chand, Espiritus co-founder and COO, who has brand development experience at Brown-Forman and Group Danone. “Espiritus has a knowledgeable and experienced sales force, which will build upon Corner Creek’s strong foundation.”

As the Corner Creek brand grew, Kraut and Levin secured stocks of aged whiskey and began distilling and aging their own supply. Now, with Espiritus’ resources, more whiskey can be laid away for even greater sales as well as special releases.

“Though Corner Creek has been in limited distribution, the aged whiskey along with maturing stock will enable the 15-strong sales force of Espiritus to complete Ted and Eliot’s vision for the brand,” said Maltby.

“The sales force was immediately struck by Corner Creek’s Burgundy-style bottle,” added Chand, and he noted that the brand’s philosophy is stated on the back label: “In

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CIL US Wines & Spirits, the American subsidiary of independent and family-owned Camus Wines & Spirits, has been selected as the importer and supplier for the return of Danzka Vodka to the U.S.

Danzka Vodka (40% ABV) is Scandinavian-style vodka made with demineralized water and distilled from 100% whole-wheat grain in a continuous six-column still and filtered three times.

“We are thrilled to lead the effort to welcome Danzka Vodka back to the U.S.,” said Jean Denis Voin, Executive Vice- President, CIL US Wines & Spirits. “It is a great liquid and a brand which never had the kind of aggressive focus and attention that we are prepared to devote.”

Danzka Vodka was established in Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 years ago and is packaged in an aluminum bottle. In 2004, the brand was acquired by V&S/The Absolut Spirits Co. and released in the U.S. In 2006, Danzka was sold to Belvedere, and it was next purchased by Waldemar Behn, a fourth-generation German family-owned spirit business headquartered in Eckernförde, Germany on former Danish territory in the most northern part of the country.

CIL US Wines & Spirits to Import Danzka Vodka

Espiritus LLC of Florida has purchased a majority interest in Corner Creek Distillery of Kentucky, maker of Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (44% ABV), a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged in new American oak a minimum of four years as a blend of whiskeys up to eight years old.

Espiritus Takes Majority Interest in Corner Creek Distillery

and Alibi American Whiskey. Following his time with Panache Beverages, de Jong began consulting for spirits entrepreneurs to build their brands through Midnight Solutions Management.

“I kept hearing that SCG was the place to go to incubate your brand,” de Jong said. “When I met Susan, we discovered we had similar relationships, our approach to the business was aligned we have complementary skills, so it was pretty much a no-brainer for me”

“Spirits Consulting Group was founded by Mooney in 2010 after identifying a hole in the market for a one-stop shop that provides solutions for successfully launching new spirits brands,” according to a company statement. “She found that brands were introduced either by behemoths who lacked the structure, culture or team necessary for innovative new brands, or brands that were started by independent entrepreneurs with little experience growing companies effectively or managing teams in the federally mandated three-tier system for alcohol companies.

“We are passionate about innovative brands either in their approach or their product,” Mooney said. “We roll up our sleeves to get their sales going, their marketing sharp and to place the brands on the map in a cluttered and competitive industry. This acquisition gives Spirits Consulting Group a significant advantage and provides a stronghold on advisory and consultancy both on a national and international level. Spirits Consulting Group will continue to seek relevant brands, find interesting new brands and to continue to expand.”

Spirits Consulting Group Acquires Midnight Solutions

the tradition of the great wine importers, we at Corner Creek search for the elusive few great barrels of prime American grain and offer it to you in this limited bottling of Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.”

The front label is an original drawing by artist William Nagle, which “brings back the good, relaxed feeling of sitting by the creek, listening to the rushing water while sipping a fine bourbon whiskey,” according to a company statement.

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“From the onset of our relationship with the Camus team, we have felt a shared respect for tradition and handcrafted quality,” said Rüdiger Behn, Managing Director, Waldemar Behn. “Both of our portfolios have been guided by generations, and we are confident that the CIL US team is ideally suited to help us prove that Danzka Vodka is more than a cool package.”

Danzka Vodka will initially be released in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida and Illinois in the middle of this year, with a national rollout continuing in 2017.

The U.S. portfolio of Danzka includes Danzka Vodka, Apple, Citrus and Cranraz (all 40% ABV), available in 750-ml and one-liter bottles (a 1.75-liter bottle will be added later this year). The U.S. release will be supported nationally with print advertising, on- and off-premise POS, public relations and events.

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CIL US Wines & Spirits to Import Danzka Vodka

During March, nine-liter spirits case sales in the Control States grew 8.4%. Rolling 12-month volume growth of 3.1% compares favorably with February’s 2.7%. Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming reported monthly volumetric growth rates in excess of their 12-month trends.

Control State spirits shelf dollars were up 10.9% during March while trending at 5.7% during the past 12 months. Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming reported monthly growth rates that exceeded their 12-month trends.

Price/Mix for March is 2.5%, up from February’s 2.2%.

March’s Control State spirits growth rate was affected by the Control States’ reporting calendars. Utah, with more than 2% of Control States’ spirits nine-liter case volumes and dollars, reported five weeks of sales this year versus four weeks of sales during March 2015, artificially inflating sales and skewing Control States results. Utah had six more selling days during this year’s March than during last year’s.

NABCA March Control State Results

Michigan, with more than 15% of Control States’ spirits nine-liter case volumes and dollars, reported five weeks of sales this year versus four weeks of sales during March 2015, artificially inflating sales and skewing Control States results. Michigan had seven more selling days during this year’s March than during last year’s.

March 2016, had four Sundays compared with five during March, 2015. Stores in six Control States — Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Utah and West Virginia — are not open on Sundays.

Overall, March 2016, had 15 more selling days, 2.8% more than last year’s March.

After equalizing nine-liter spirits case sales with respect to selling day variations, March’s volumetric growth is 3.9%, and rolling 12-month volume is up 2.7%. Likewise, after equalizing shelf dollars, March’s Control States shelf dollar growth rate is 6.0% with a 12-month trend of 5.2%.

March’s equalized Price/Mix is 2.1%. Tequila, with 5% share of the Control

States spirits market, was March’s fastest growing category with 16.2% reported and a 12-month trend of 8.4%. Vodka, with 35% share, grew during the same periods at 9.0% and 2.6%. Brandy/Cognac (15.1%), Canadian Whiskey (7.7%), Cocktails (13.0%), Cordials (3.6%), Domestic Whiskey (7.3%), Gin (7.5%), Irish Whiskey (15.8%), Rum (4.8%), Scotch (5.1%), Tequila (16.2%) and Vodka (9.0%) grew at monthly rates exceeding their 12-month trends.

Sky Ranch Foundation & Sky Ranch for Boys Award $25,000 Grant to Boys & Girls Haven

Sky Ranch Foundation (governed by a board of directors comprised mainly of active and retired members of the beverage alcohol industry) awarded a $25,000 grant to Louisville, Ky.-based Boys & Girls Haven in 2015. Founded by Father Maloney in 1948, Boys & Girls Haven has transformed the lives of more than 3,500 abandoned, abused and neglected children.

“More than just a home, Boys & Girls Haven provides stability, education and new productive skills that will lead to success in adulthood,” Sky Ranch Foundation said in a statement. “In a time where more and more children find themselves growing up without the support of a loving family, Boys

& Girls Haven provides a home and a future filled with promise.”

Boys & Girls Haven also has grants from Target, Walmart, Ronald McDonald House Charities, GE and others. Among its corporate partners is Brown-Forman Corp.

“This is the third time that the Foundation has awarded a grant to this deserving organization,” said Ralph Aguera (retired from Brown-Forman), President of Sky Ranch Foundation. “For kids who have grown up with nothing but abuse and neglect, Boys & Girls Haven has been a welcoming refuge.”

Sky Ranch Foundation board members assemble annually to review Letters of Inquiry. The next meeting will be held in June, and all those involved with an organization that fits the Foundation guidelines (www.skyranchfoundation.org/grants/funding-guidelines/) or who know of any organization are encouraged to apply for a grant.

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The Bardstown Bourbon Co. in Kentucky recently installed a 50-foot tall, custom made, 36-inch stainless steel Vendome Copper & Brass Works still. Delivered in one piece and hoisted above the still tower by crane, the still was lowered into the center of the building. Bardstown Bourbon Co. — the largest new distillery in the U.S. — plans to open its state-of-the-art whiskey distillery by September 2016 in Bardstown, Ky.

The still features a special design that incorporates large, rectangular glass manways — a shape never before used by Vendome in still manufacturing — that enables visitors to watch the whiskey moving through the distilling process.

“The Bardstown Bourbon Co. is just a few short months away from becoming a significant addition to the American whiskey landscape,” said David Mandell, President & CEO. “With the development of our own brands, new Collaborative Distilling Program and unique visitors experience, we will continue to fuel interest, innovation and growth across the entire whiskey category.”

“We can’t wait to start the whiskey flowing at the largest new distillery in the country,” said Master Distiller Steve Nally. “It’s an exciting time for bourbon, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation.”

The Bardstown Bourbon Co. in its current configuration has a 1.5 million proof gallon annual capacity, which can be expanded to six million proof gallons within the current design of the distillery.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Installs Still

The winner of this year’s Woodford Reserve’s Manhattan Experience Cocktail Competition is Jonathan Howard from Nashville, Tenn. Howard won with a rye Manhattan and an original cocktail made with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked named Gentleman’s Carry-On.

The national cocktail competition, conducted by Liquor.com and the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) was open

Woodford Reserve’s Manhattan Experience Cocktail Competition

On National Margarita Day in February, Patrón Tequila initiated its global Margarita of the Year competition. Seven different styles of competing margaritas have been tasted and with more than 50,000 votes cast, the “Spicy Margarita” style is the winner. Rosa Picante was created by Jordan Corney of San Antonio, Texas.

The seven recipes from U.S. and Mexican bartenders — with flavors that were herbal, spicy, smoky, savory, modern, tropical and classic — were posted at www.MargaritaOfTheYear.com, and the public was invited to cast a daily vote for their favorite. Consumers were also invited to vote at Patrón-sponsored events, culminating in a final contest of the three top favorites — spicy, smoky and modern — in New York City.

Patrón Tequila’s 2016’s Margarita of the Year

Jonathan Howard

RumChata has published a recipe book — 101 Uses for RumChata — that includes recipes created, discovered and compiled

by RumChata mixologist, Nicholas Maas. It’s available for $5 in the RumChata Island Store at www.rumchata.com. All proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to a hunger relief organization.

RumChata Publishes Recipe Book

to all U.S. bartenders. Entries were received from 34 markets.

At the finals in New York City, six finalists competed. Judges included Julie Reiner, Dave Wondrich, Jacques Bezuidenhout and Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris.

Howard will receive a feature on Liquor.com and a trip to San Francisco for a photo and video shoot for the Liquor.com site.

Jordan Corney

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Shortly after Kinstlick announced that there were 962 craft distilleries at the end of 2015 and estimated that the total number stood near 1,000, ADI president Bill Owens stepped to the podium to announce the 1,000th craft distillery that ADI has recognized, Mingo Creek Distillers of Pennsylvania.

After introducing Mingo Creek, Owens opened the conference and the attendees headed to the expo floor. The two days that followed included 75 breakout sessions on topics ranging from international distribution to using a spectrophotometer, a charity auction, an awards gala and a luncheon for women in distilling.

Auction & AwardsADI donated 50% of the proceeds of its

auction, which supports the ADI internship program, to Lifting Spirits – Jay and Kyle Rogers Support Fund, administered by the Kentucky Distillers Association to support the families of the two distillers involved in the explosion and fire last year at Silver Trail Distillery in Hardin, Ky.

At the awards gala, ADI presented a $9,000 check to the relief fund, and Jay Rogers accepted the contribution and delivered an impromptu speech. He focused not on his accident and the passing of Kyle, but he delivered a message of gratitude to the distilling community and the extended family of people in related industries who stepped forward to help him and support the hospitals in which he received treatment. Rogers also spoke the next day about the causes of the explosion, and he asked distillers to improve safety in the hopes of preventing a similar tragedy.

At the banquet, ADI recognized the spirits that earned medals in the Tenth Annual Judging of Craft Spirits. Of the 648 spirits entered from craft distilleries as far away as Australia and South Africa, ADI recognized 13 double gold, 48 gold, 111 silver and 110 bronze medals. The distillery garnering the most awards was Heritage Distilling of Gig Harbor, Wash., which earned 20 medals including seven gold medals, six best of category and two best of class awards. The next big winners were Turin Vermouth of Italy and Tattersall Distilling of Minneapolis with eight medals each and Ballast Point Brewing and Distilling, which earned six medals.

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ADI Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo

Brown-Forman to Acquire the GlenDronach, BenRiach & Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

Distillery of the Year The Bubble Cap Award for Distillery of

the Year went to Colin Spoelman’s Kings County Distillery.

“Craft distilling is a movement that depends entirely on distilleries working together and learning from each other,” said Spoelman. “ADI is the forum for that discussion, and to me the Bubble Cap Award represents what our distillery has done to advance that discussion both in terms of the whiskeys we make and the way in which we participate in the conversation. It’s the highest honor a craft distillery can get, and with previous Bubble Cap Award winners like Corsair, Dry Fly and Leopold Brothers, we get to join a small group of nationally recognized craft distillers that are contributing to the excellence of American craft spirits.”

Ladies of American Distilling A previous Bubble Cap Award winner,

Karen Hoskin of Montanya Distillers in Colorado, lead several panel discussions at the conference ranging from avoiding pitfalls in business partnerships to the sourcing of non-GMO ingredients. Hoskin also introduced the Ladies of American Distilling (LOAD) at the Women in Distilling Networking Luncheon, which was attended by approximately 150 women.

“Women face barriers,” Hoskin said. “They have to work harder for access to work experience, capital and financing, equal pay and, quite honestly, respect. So if we can make the industry a more inviting place for women, it is a small step and everyone wins.”

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Brown-Forman previously was a minority shareholder of Glenmorangie plc and marketed the Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky brand in the U.S. and Canada from 1992 to 2005 and in Continental Europe and certain Asian markets from 2000 to 2005. Brown-Forman sold its interest as part of Glenmorangie plc’s sale to Moët Hennessey in 2005.

“We feel immensely privileged to have been custodians of this business for the last 12 years and to be associated with these wonderful brands and great distilleries,” said Billy Walker, Managing Director of The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited. “Our team have energized these distilleries and engaged creatively and successfully with the premium end of the market. We are very confident that Brown-Forman will take The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh brands to the next level and fulfill their full potential, and prove to be worthy custodians of these historic distilleries.”

The GlenDronach Distillery, located in the hills of the Scottish Highlands, was founded in 1826. GlenDronach produces a range of ultra-premium single malt whiskies and is most noted for its richly sherried whiskies. Located in the heart of Speyside, The BenRiach Distillery began making malt whisky in 1898 and is known for experimenting with wood finishes producing whisky from both non-peated and peated malted barley. The Glenglassaugh Distillery, founded in 1875, is located on the coast in the northern Scottish Highlands overlooking the North Sea producing a coastal Highland malt.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close on or about June 1.

Johnson Brothers Liquor Co. in Minnesota has expanded its distribution partnership with Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.

Johnson Brothers currently has the exclusive rights to sell Deutsch Family’s portfolio of spirits and wines in Minnesota. This new agreement will expand distribution to include North and South Dakota. Effective May 1, Johnson Brothers will be the exclusive distributor of Deutsch Family’s full portfolio of wine and spirits in all three states.

Johnson Brothers Expands Distribution Agreement with Deutsch

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Beach WhiskeyBeach Whiskey will be released in June

as Bonfire Cinnamon (35% ABV) and Island Coconut (26%). The whiskies are packaged with an etched label on custom sea glass bottles. A 750-ml bottle of each will sell for about $24, and the whiskies will be initially available in Florida, California and New York. The brand’s founders include TV and radio personality Billy Bush and spirits industry veteran J. Smoke Wallin.

A national campaign called Beach Whiskey Music Wave will include musicians from different venues. The initial list includes Jake Owen, Stephen Cochran, Kyle Turley, Anitra Carr, Dave Preston and Noah Matthews.

Don Q 2005 Signature Release Single-Barrel Rum

Destilería Serrallés in Puerto Rico, producers of Don Q Rum, has released 6,000 bottles of its 2005 Signature Release Single-Barrel Rum (40% ABV), aged for over 10 years. It’s the first of a planned series of single-barrel aged rums. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $40.

2005 Signature Release Single-Barrel Rum will have 3,000 4.5-liter cases allocated to the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and the remaining 1,000 cases will go to Europe. A 2007 Single-Barrel variant will follow in 2017.

Maker’s Mark American Pharoah Bottle

Maker’s Mark (40% ABV) has released a limited edition American Pharoah commemorative bottle. A one-liter bottle sells for about $75.

American Pharoah was the 2015 winner of horse racing’s Grand Slam. Maker’s Mark and the Zayat family (American Pharoah’s owner) will also make a donation benefitting the Kentucky Derby Museum.

High Stick Vodka High Stick Vodka (40% ABV) from Canada

has been released, packaged in a nearly three-foot tall 750-ml hand-blown glass

hockey stick bottle. The vodka is distilled from Canadian grains. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $75, and High Stick Vodka is initially available in New York, Illinois and Michigan.

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New Liberty’s Maryland Heritage Collection

New Liberty Distillery in Philadelphia, maker of Kinsey Whiskey, has re-released three of Maryland’s best-known heritage spirits brands in Maryland and Washington, D.C., in what New Liberty is calling the Maryland Heritage Collection.

Melvale Straight Rye (45% ABV) was made by the Melvale Distillery, first located in the Jones Falls section of Baltimore. Melvale Rye was thought to be the most premium of the pre-Prohibition Maryland ryes. The new Melvale Straight Rye has a mash bill of 51% rye and 49% barley. It’s a straight rye aged three years and is hand-bottled.

Melky Miller Eight Year Old American Whiskey (45%) was made as Melky Miller Whiskey by M.J. Miller’s Sons Distillery located just outside the village of Accident, Md. This version is distilled from 100% U.S. corn and aged for at least eight years.

Maryland Club Straight Bourbon (47.5%) is a revival of Maryland Club Whiskey, originally made between 1870 and 1919 at the Cahn, Belt & Co. facility in Baltimore. The new version has a mash bill with 51% corn, and it aged in new oak barrels for at least three years. It’s a straight whiskey and is hand-bottled.

A 750-ml bottle of each sells for about $30.

Ol’ Major Bacon Bourbon

Branded Spirits USA has released Ol’ Major Bacon Bourbon (35% ABV). The mash bill includes 88% corn, 8% rye and 4% barley. Bacon is pressure-infused into the bourbon, which is then frozen, causing the bacon fat and bourbon to separate. The fat is removed, and the bourbon is filtered multiple times. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $28, and Ol’ Major Bacon Bourbon is initially available in 15 states.

Other brands from Branded Spirits USA (the parent company is based in Hong Kong and sells there and in China) include Ice Fox Vodka, Hana Gin, Motu Rum, HM the King Blended Scotch whiskey, and two cognacs — Majesté XO and VSOP.

New Novo Fogo Single-Barrel Cachaças

Novo Fogo from Brazil has released four new single-barrel cachaças aged one to four years in oak.

Single-Barrel Cachaça, Barrel 86 (48% ABV) aged for one year, and 372 bottles are available. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $50.

Single-Barrel Cachaça, Barrel 33 (44.5%) aged for three years, and 372 bottles are available. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $70.

Single-Barrel Cachaça, Barrel 152 (44%) aged for three years, and 204 bottles are available. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $70.

Single-Barrel Cachaça, Barrel 87 (41%) aged for five years, and 300 bottles are available. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $100.

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Paul Hletko – President, Board of Directors, ACSAThe American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has appointed Paul Hletko, founder of FEW Spirits in Evanston, Ill., as President of the Board

of Directors, replacing Thomas Mooney, who served as the organization’s inaugural President since 2014. Together, Hletko, who has been a key member of ACSA’s Board of Directors since the organization’s founding in 2013, and the newly-elected Board of Directors will work with Executive Director Margie A.S. Lehrman to address the key issues facing the craft distilling industry.

In addition to Hletko’s appointment as President, Dan Garrison of Garrison Brothers Distillery in Texas is a newly-elected board member and also the new Vice President. Steve Johnson of Vermont Spirits in Vermont, a seasoned board member who helped bridge the growing pains of ACSA, will continue to serve as Secretary/Treasurer.

“I have had the privilege of working with Paul Hletko on the ACSA board of directors during the past two years, and I’m thrilled to see him at the helm,” said Thomas Mooney, who will remain on the organization’s Board as Hletko takes on this new role. “Serving as President of the Board of Directors these past two years has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I look forward to supporting Paul and working closely with each of our new board members in the year to come.”

“While Tom has left an indelible legacy, working tirelessly with the Board of Directors these past two years to transition ACSA from a clear vision — one deeply rooted in industry values and a code of ethics — into a thriving organization, I am thrilled to take on this new role,” said Hletko. “Our team and Board of Directors look forward to addressing key issues on behalf of our nation’s 1,287 craft distillers as together we move our industry forward.”

In addition to electing the key officer positions, the Board of Directors also appointed the following members to lead its governing committees:

Membership: Mike BlaumEthics Chair: Tom JensenConvention: Matt Hofmann, Mike Blaum, P.T. Wood Education: John Jeffrey, Maggie CampbellJudging: Maggie Campbell, Ted Huber, Dan FarberLegislative Affairs: Nicole Austin, Mark ShillingState Guilds: P.T.Wood, Nicole Austin Technology: Chip Tate, Mike BlaumDevelopment: Thomas Mooney, Orlin SorensenThe 2016 Board of Directors is comprised of the following:Nicole Austin, Kings County Distillery (N.Y.)Mike Blaum, Blaum Brothers Distilling Company (Ill.)Maggie Campbell, Privateer Rum (Mass.)Dan Farber, Osocalis Distillery (Calif.)Dan Garrison, Garrison Brothers Distillery (Texas)*Paul Hletko, Few Spirits (Ill.)Matt Hofmann, Westland Distillery (Wash.)*Ted Huber, Starlight Distillery (Ind.)John Jeffrey, Santa Fe Spirits (N.M.)Thomas Jensen, New Liberty Distillery (Penn.)Steve Johnson, Vermont Spirits (Vt.)Thomas Mooney, House Spirits (Ore.)Dave Pickerell, Ex OfficioMark Shilling, Revolution Spirits (Texas)*Orlin Sorensen, Woodinville Whiskey Co. (Wash.)*Chip Tate, Ex OfficioP.T. Wood, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery (Texas)**newly-elected to the ACSA Board of DirectorsBoard elections, which were supervised and certified by Robin McDougall of Lake George Distilling (N.Y.) and Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Spirits

(Ind.), were held late last week, with more than 60% of voting members casting ballots, while leadership appointments and committees were chosen this week.

Paul Hletko

10 APRIL 29, 2016 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE

Modern Distillery Age Tasting Panel

The Modern Distillery Age Tasting Panel meets once or twice a month. Samples are sent by distillers and

importers and are tasted blind. Samples can be sent to:

Modern Distillery Age228 Silvermine Avenue

Norwalk, CT 06850

Amber with an aroma that pops with charcoal from the fire, oak, toasted marshmallows and sweetness. Dense, intense flavors of oak, vanilla, almond paste, spices and alcohol warmth. A big body. Finishes spicy with alcohol warmth.

Popcorn Sutton Barrel Finished, 42%Popcorn Sutton Distilling, Newport, Tenn., ~$50

Amber with an aroma of caramel, vanilla, charcoal, nuts and alcohol warmth. The alcohol is powerful in the taste before water is added. Flavors of nuts, oak, caramel, maple syrup, menthol and corn sweetness. Although it’s a wee bit strong without water, there’s still good flavor. Water brings out fruity notes. A big body, and a long, full finish.

Booker’s Bluegrass, 63.95%Beam Distilling, Clermont, Ky., ~$60Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged for six years, 11 months to seven years 11 months & bottled at cask strength; made with barrels from seven different rack houses; 61% of the barrels were stored in nine-story houses, 34% in seven-story houses and 5% in a five-story rack house

Amber with a big aroma of cedar, oak, wax, phenols, bananas, lima beans, candy corn, summer squash and other cooked vegetables — all good. Mushy vegetables in the taste along with sweetness, wood, overripe bananas, crème brulée and sourness — all tasty together. A big body. Finishes spicy with alcohol warmth. A different whiskey, and a good one.

Bainbridge Yama Single Grain Mizunara Cask Whiskey, 45%Bainbridge Organic Distillers, Bainbridge Island, Wash., ~$450aged exclusively in unused Japanese mizunara oak barrels; the mizunara oak is quarter-sawn and air-dried in Japan for at least three years before it’s exported to the U.S. and made into barrels; the whiskey is distilled from organic Full Pint & Alba barley grown in Washington state’s Skagit Valley; bottled non-chill-filtered with no coloring added; only 200 bottles available

In this week’s tasting panel we tasted three American whiskies. All spirits are tasted blind. The panelists know only the style and ABV. The notes are a distillation of the panelists’ comments. The panelists vary with each panel but often include:

Dave Schmier (Producer of the Independent Spirits Expo), David Talbot (Ultimate Beverage Challenge), John Heffernan (Senior Master of Whisky), Renzo Kian-Kubota (Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market), Jonathan Forester (distiller & cocktail consultant), Frank Whitman (Silvermine

Tavern), Linda Kavanagh (Maximum Exposure PR), Paul Zocco (Zok’s Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies), Ernie Adamo (Legislative Liaison for the State of Connecticut), Steve DeFrank (attorney), Phil Simpson (PMS Graphics), Tom Conti (Conti Design & Graphics),

Melissa Dowling (Editor of Cheers), Pete Reid (Publisher/Editor of Modern Brewery Age), Michael Anstendig (Modern Distillery Age) and Gregg Glaser (Publisher/Editor of Modern Distillery Age).

11 APRIL 29, 2016 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE

The following is a continuation to the Modern Distillery Age tasting panel pages from spirits, bartending and beverage management writer Robert Plotkin, previously published on his website, AmericanCocktails.com. Robert is not only a pro in the business, but also a friend, and we thought it would be interesting for Modern Distillery Age subscribers to read his spirits reviews, which are stylistically different than ours.

Wild Shot Silver 100% Agave Mezcal, 43.4%

That Wild Shot Silver 100% Agave Mezcal has earned medals at all of the major international spirit competitions shouldn’t obscure the fact that it was created with good times in mind. The brand is the brainchild of country recording artist Toby Keith, a man renowned for treating his fans, friends and guests to memorable evenings. In the Texas tradition, nights to remember include drinking mezcal and eating the worm. As far as Toby Keith is concerned, the mezcal of choice is Wild Shot Silver. For that matter, the world’s leading spirits experts would agree.

This vivacious 100% agave spirit is crafted at Destillería La Perla (NOM 070) in San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca, Mexico. The mezcal is distilled from mature, green Salmiana agaves that grow in the wild in the region’s rugged mountainous terrain. The agaves are harvested by hand, shredded and baked in brick ovens for two days. Afterwards, the agaves are crushed using a traditional tahona wheel pulled by a pair of mules. The extracted juice is collected and transferred to a wooden tank where it is allowed to slowly ferment. It is then double-distilled in copper pot stills and bottled at 43.4% ABV.

Wild Shot is a sublime treat in every respect. The spirit is crystal clear with a lightweight, velvety textured body and the wafting aromas of citrus, leather, spice, pineapple and mesquite smoke. The bouquet is absolutely irresistible and provides advanced notice of coming attractions. On the palate, the mezcal is brimming with the appealing flavors of black pepper, roasted green peppers, lime zest, cucumbers, savory herbs and toasted oak. The finish is long and spicy warm with enticing smoky notes.

As is tradition, Wild Shot Silver Mezcal contains a mezcal worm — gusano rojo — in the bottle. According to Keith, the worm is there to be tasted and experienced, as part of the Mexican culture.

“We don’t include the worm for looks, it’s there to be eaten,” explained Keith. “It is believed that the worm will bring wondrous experiences and every individual’s will be somewhat different.”

Wild Shot Silver Mezcal is a first class experience from first sip to its lingering smoky finish. Salud!

Destillería La Perla (NOM 070) in San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca, MexicoImported by Shaw-Ross International Importers — ~$43

Independent Distillers, the world’s fourth largest producer of RTD’s, has initiated a consumer promotion — You Call the Shot! — for its Twisted Shotz brand.

The contest, which allows consumers to create and name the next shot flavor for the portfolio, will reach 1.7 million consumers on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, blogger outreach and promoted posts to 425,000 Twisted Shotz fans. Recipes and names can be submitted via a Facebook and web app, and the Sweet Sixteen finalists will be voted on by the fans until only the final four remain. A panel of bartenders will then select the winner. The new shot will go into production this fall and will be shipped to retailers by March 2017.

Twisted Shotz has sold more than 65 million units since its release in 2011. Flavors include Buttery Nipple, Washington Apple, Porn Star, Sex on the Beach, Screaming O, Polar Bear, Whipped Chocolate, Rattlesnake, Chocolate Buttery Nipple, Miami Vice, B-52, Ginger Snap, Strawberry Sundae and Root Beer Flirt.

Twisted Shotz Contest for Next Flavor

12 APRIL 29, 2016 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE

14 Cities — March-Novemberwww.singlemaltextravaganza.com

The full Modern Distillery Age calendar is available at www.distilleryage.com

New York City — May 23, 2016Chicago — September 2016

Tasting Events & Competitions

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Calendar of Events

www.breweryage.comCovering the beer business since 1933The sister publication to Modern Distillery Age

May 20-22, 2016: NABCA 79th Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, www.nabca.orgMay 20-23, 2016: Thirst Boston, Boston, MA, www.facebook.com/ThirstBostonMay 21, 2016: Tennessee Whiskey Festival, Chattanooga, TN, www.tnwhiskeyfestival.comMay 23, 2016: Indie Spirits, New York, New York, www.indiespiritsexpo.comJune 12-14, 2016: ABL 14th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, www.ablusa.orgJune 15, 2016: Whisky Jewbilee, New York, N.Y., www.whiskyjewbilee.comJune 26-29, 2016: NCSLA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, www.ncsla.orgJuly 22, 2016: Indie Spirits at Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans, LA, www.indiespiritsexpo.comSeptember 21, 2016: Chicago Independent Spirits Expo, Chicago, IL, www.indiespiritsexpo.com