Author Archives: Rob Theakston

Plenty of new product information going around this week, so let’s just get right down to it:

The folks over at Jefferson’s have been keeping busy with a steady stream of new releases over the past year, and its latest edition promises to keep the momentum going. Bourbon and Banter gets the lowdown via Jefferson’s head honcho, Trey Zoeller. The deal: a 21 year expression with no wheat in the mashbill, and which does not use any bourbon distilled at from the infamous the Stitzel-Weller distillery. It’ll be priced at $120 and will be available nationally starting April 1^st . [Bourbon and Banter]

The second edition of Johnnie Walker’s Explorers Club series is on its way to duty free shelves around the globe. This particular expression, “The Gold Route,” is the second in a planned trilogy of blends inspired by the trade routes of yesteryear. It’s currently shipping and can be found sporting a suggested price tag of $95.  [Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Collection]

Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 03.11.2013 – New Whisk(e)y Release News” »

One of the larger announcements from yesterday’s newswire was the press release from Michter’s announcing the return of its legendary staples to its lineup: the Sour Mash. The Sour Mash was the company’s biggest seller in the ’70s and ’80s, but disappeared when Michter’s ceased production in 1989. It will ship and arrive on shelves shortly for a suggested retail price of $44. Photos and review forthcoming. [Michter’s]

The hits for Anheuser-Busch/InBev just keep on coming. This past weekend a security guard was arrested for reportedly stealing $100,000 worth of Budweiser products from its New York warehouse over the course of several months. [DNA New York]

Diageo has given the green light to a new crowdsourcing initiative. As a part of its Show Your Spirit Initiative, bartenders across Western Europe are being invited to create their own spirit for its product line; with a portion of the profits going back into the bartender’s pockets over the first five years of the spirit’s existence. Submissions are being accepted, with the winner to be announced in May.
[The Spirits Business] Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 03.06.2013 – Michter’s Sour Mash Returns” »

In the continuing dramatic saga of Diageo and Cuervo, news was announced this past weekend that Cuervo has now signed on with Proximo for distribution in North America. What does this mean for the bottom line? Not much, really. Diageo and Proximo find themselves owned by the same family (the Beckmanns), so the money will still go to the same pockets in the end. However, the whole thing is akin to two extremely competitive siblings sparring for the attention and affection of parents, and no doubt Diageo isn’t taking this move lightly. Look for Diageo to ramp up promotion and production for its other big tequila brand over the coming year. [The Spirits Business]

This was generally a good weekend for Proximo’s brands, as its Three Olives announced it is branching out into the celebrity tribute market, partnering with the estate with the Marilyn Monroe for a flavored edition of its vodka. Three Olives Marilyn Monroe Strawberry will be available nationwide later this month at a price tag of $21. Rumor has it the company will shortly unveil a Joe DiMaggio chewing tobacco-flavored vodka. [PR Newswire] Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 03.04.2013 – O! Cuervo Ditches Diageo for Proximo” »

The annual unveiling of the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle has become a bit of an event for Woodford fanatics and bourbon trinket collectors alike. This year’s edition is adorned with a painting courtesy of Oregon-based visual artist Eric Bowman and will be shipping to select stores around the nation later this spring at a price tag of $43.99. A quick survey of Woodford Reserve bottles past will help you gear up for Derby day in May. [Woodford Reserve]

The folks at AnheuserBusch/InBev are having what we in the real world like to call “a very bad week.” It’s not enough that class action suits are accusing the company of watering down products, or that the Department of Justice is investigating potential monopoly violations. Today, ABIB announced to investors even more bad news: overall beer consumption is down in the United States, and for the first time ever more people are drinking Budweiser outside of the United States than in it.  But all is not lost: ABIB managed to stabilize this loss by raising prices, leading to a rise in revenue. [Los Angeles Times]   Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 02.28.2013 – New Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby Bottle Unveiled” »

Following the Maker’s Mark debacle over the last few weeks, new allegations and class action lawsuits are coming to light in several states against Anheuser-Busch/Inbev. The suits claim numerous brands in AB/InBev’s product line have allegedly received a watering down in order to increase profits and enhance inventory. While the company line is in strict denial of these allegations, several former employees (including some in high-level positions) have given testimony claiming otherwise. No doubt this will be a continuing story to watch as it develops. [Yahoo]

Elsewhere in Budweiser land, the Justice Department is currently investigating the possibility of a monopoly via a potential merger with Grupo Modelo. The New York Times ran a piece courtesy of NPR’s Adam Davidson about the ramifications of the potential merger, and what it means for the bottom line for consumers, microbrewers, and the potential megabusinesses of the future. [New York Times] Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 02.27.2013 – Budweiser Allegedly Watered Down in New Controversy” »

Master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell are readying the latest expression to the Russell’s Reserve line, and reports are in from various sources that shipping has already begun. This edition is curiously absent an age statement, but is brought to you at 110 proof and is non-chill filtered. It also boasts of being small batch single barrel, which sounds confusingly redundant to us. [Russell’s Reserve]

In other bourbon news, Angel’s Envy hit a home run with its cask strength offering a few months ago, and it is looking to follow up that success with its inaugural rye. Shanken reports that the Angel’s Envy Rye was aged for six years and then finished in Caribbean rum casks for an additional 18 months. Look for it to ship to select states around May at a price tag of $79.99 [Shanken News Daily]

Recently Drinkhacker was the recipient of good fortune with an invite to Beam Global world headquarters, where we received a sneak preview of several new spirits the company plans to launch in the upcoming year. One of these gems was the announcement of a new member of the Jim Beam family, arriving later this August. The Jim Beam Signature Craft Bourbon is a 12 year expression, the oldest in the Beam stable, and will come in at about 86 proof and retail for $39.99. According to master distiller Fred Noe, several other unique finishes and variations will be announced in the series from time to time, but when pressed he would not reveal further details. Look for a proper review of the inaugural edition shortly. [Jim Beam]

Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 02.25.2013 – New Russell’s Reserve, Angel’s Envy and Jim Beam” »

When not covering the hacking of the United States government by a secret Chinese state organization or Burger King’s Twitter page, The Atlantic has been quite busy as of late covering the spirits industry. Today we find the magazine explaining to us why we can’t tell the difference between cheap and expensive wines, and providing a giant map on where in world one can find beer brands owned by InBev and Miller. Perhaps it was all the heat from the Maker’s Mark ballyhoo that got one of our favorite magazines all riled up, but it’s good to see it going for the gusto this week, and it’s only Wednesday! [The Atlantic]

In trade news, Shanken News Daily has released its impact report of the top 100 global brands and their recent growth (or lack thereof). While eight of the top 10 reported positive growth, two trended downward. Which spirits juggernauts experienced a decline? Click through to find out. [Shanken News Daily] Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 02.20.2013 – Are Wine Reviews Stupid?” »

In celebration of the United States holiday known as President’s Day:

And you thought you knew how to party…

(courtesy of our friends over at Lapham’s Quarterly)

In a move that would make any flip-flopping politician proud, Maker’s Mark quietly announced over the weekend that it was reversing its course and keeping the product the way it was originally envisioned. In an interview with author Fred Minnick, Makers COO Rob Samuels admits the whole idea brought a bit of perspective to the company:

“Over the last week, my father and I have just been humbled by the overwhelming response from consumers, which was very clear. And, they were right. We decided effective immediately we are bringing Maker’s Mark back to 90 proof.”

More of Minnick’s news-scooping interview with Samuels can be found over on his web page. [Fred Minnick]

CELEBRITY PRODUCT ENDORSEMENT OF THE WEEK: Yes it’s only Monday, but this one’s too good not to mention, and probably won’t be trumped this week. While other parts of the Beam universe may be wavering, a new campaign featuring A-list actor Leo DiCaprio endorsing the flagship brand is slated to launch this week in Japan . The ads feature Leo really going for the “cool bourbon” while an obnoxious house track blares in the background, and that’s pretty much it. The commercials are up on Suntory’s Beam page for your viewing pleasure. [Nonjatta]

Continue reading “Drinkhacker Reads – 02.18.2013 – Maker’s Mark Backpedals” »