Happy Halloween!

The great craft spirits microdistillery campaign of 2012 continues to roll into new territories, as the great state of Wyoming is getting into the action. Wyoming Whiskey will debut this December; the product of some savvy investors and Steve Nally, a long time employee of the whiskey industry. The group plans on issuing 8,000 cases of its inaugural blend; roughly 20 cases per citizen of legal drinking age in Wyoming. [Wyoming Business Report]

Going further west, we find Gig Harbor, Washington also staking their claim on locally made spirits. Heritage Distilling Company is boasting to be the nation’s first “make your own” spirits distillery, with custom crafting plans based on several price points. The company is also planning to make its own brands available to the public, including a line of whiskeys designed exclusively for women. The distillery is scheduled to have its grand opening this weekend. [News Tribune]

This week is just not a very good week for French drinkers. Yesterday we heard reports that wine production could be down as much as 20% this year, and now The Guardian reports that French beer makers could be hit with a beer tax increase of 160%.  In less agonizing news, The Guardian also featured a profile on Balvenie master distiller David Stewart discussing a day in his life as well as his half-century long career with the company. [The Guardian]

The Glass Packaging Institute has announced its 2012 Clear Choice Award winners for packaging that is innovative, well designed and had consumer appeal. Beam Global’s Skinnygirl Vodka won best overall, with Frïs Vodka and Woodford Reserve’s New Cask Rye tying in the Distilled Spirits category. Here’s a PDF of the entire list of award winners. [Glass Packaging Institute]

A charity bottling of 1957 Bowmore failed to meet its $160,000 reserve at a Bonhams auction in New York City this weekend. No doubt most affluent New Yorkers probably had something else weighing on their minds. [Business Week]

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