May, 2024

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The Distillery Putting Puerto Rico Back in Puerto Rican Rum

PUNCH

Using homegrown heirloom sugarcane varieties, San Juan Artisan Distillers is part of a small group of producers challenging the imported molasses-based rums that have long dominated the island.

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Remembering Steven Liles

Imbibe Magazine

In 2017, Steven Liles—a career bartender then working at Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco—was named Bartender of the Year as part of that year’s Imbibe 75. Liles, who passed away this week after a brief and sudden illness, was a bartender’s bartender. Behind the bar, he demonstrated the kind of chatty effortlessness mixed with technical proficiency that can only be developed over years of dedicated practice, and through a true love of the profession.

Bartender 289
professionals

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The Rowdy Portuguese Summer Festival of Red Wine, Sardines, and Old-Timers Hollering Raunchy Lyrics

VinePair

Wander into any Portuguese town during the early summer, and you’ll witness enchanting street festivals happening here and there. But show up to Lisbon during the month of June — especially in the first two weeks — and you’ll be left wondering, “What the hell kind of nonstop citywide party did I just stumble upon?” The sweet, pungent scent of charcoal-grilled sardines pervades the air, stinging the nose in the most enticing way.

Wine 130
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Review: Jeptha Creed Wheated Bourbon 6 Years Old

Drinkhacker

America is in the middle of a new golden age of whiskey. The legacy distillers will always be what they are, but America is at the point where a significant wave of craft distillers are host to whiskey at 5 years and older. It doesn’t seem that long ago that craft whiskey meant a grossly overpriced bottle of 18-month product. Expensive young whiskey still exists in the craft sector, but now we also have offerings such as Jeptha Creed Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon 6 Years Old.

Whiskey 118
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Food & Beverage Industry Report 2024

Driven by a diverse and exciting ecosystem of passionate, ambitious, and often young entrepreneurs, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector is a highly competitive environment full of immense challenges and exciting opportunities. Expert Market’s 2024 industry report, sponsored by Toast, is informed by a survey of 522 U.S. food and beverage professionals, from restaurant owners to food service managers, providing insights into the real-time challenges and opportunities within the industry.

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Lost in a haze: North American craft beer searches for mojo

Just Drinks

The once-dynamic North American craft beer market is now stagnant. A lack of innovation in a sector awash with hazy IPAs has been blamed.

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New release from Kentucky Senator Bourbon

Spiritz

Kentucky Senator Bourbon has announced the upcoming release of its fifth small batch of Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey, titled after the illustrious Kentucky Senator John Brown, known for his pivotal role in bringing about Kentucky’s statehood. Here it deserves a mention that each release of Kentucky Senator Bourbon is dedicated to a distinguished US Senator from Kentucky.

Whiskey 111

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6 to Try: Sotol Cocktails

Imbibe Magazine

With its unique earthy qualities, sotol is a Mexican spirit that proves versatile as an ingredient. A new favorite for bartenders everywhere, sotol cocktails are the perfect next step for fans of mezcal-based recipes. Here are a few to try. Beatriz Sotol lends an earthy quality to a mix of elderflower liqueur and Cocchi Americano. Naked in the Desert A nod to Joaquín Simó’s Naked and Famous cocktail.

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Would You Drink Fine Wine From a Paper Bottle?

VinePair

Wine packaging has gone through a wild transition over the past two decades. Prior to this relatively fresh movement, consumer desires had been affixed to a glass-or-nothing mentality for so long that an upheaval of the current level was nearly unthinkable. Glass in all its permutations and assorted clever designs still confidently reigns with few challengers in the segments ranging from super-premium (about $20-plus) on up, but the diversity and growing market strength of alternatives is noneth

Bottling 130
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Glen Grant’s Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm OBE To Retire, New Master Distiller Named

The Whiskey Wash

Dennis Malcolm is leaving Glen Grant after a 63-year career in the scotch whisky industry. Credit: The Glen Grant The Glen Grant , a Speyside scotch whisky distillery, has announced the retirement of Dennis Malcolm OBE, Master Distiller. After a 63-year career in the whisky industry, Malcolm is passing the mantle to Greig Stables on July 1st, 2024.

Bottling 113
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Book Review: The Tequila Ambassador Version Originale

Drinkhacker

Spirits enthusiasts are always on watch for the next trend in spirits. Whiskey and brandy have held international acclaim for eons, but could tequila be the next craze? The popularity and credibility of tequila as a premium spirit has been on the rise, thanks in large part to Tomas Estes. Estes passed in 2021 but served as the champion that tequila required.

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Top 5 Ways to Optimize Your Loyalty Strategy

Speaker: Lauren Barash, Vice President, Brand Marketing

In an ever-evolving industry, building and retaining loyal customers is critical to the success of any restaurant business. Join Lauren Barash, VP of Brand Marketing at Full Course, as she delves into the world of restaurant loyalty programs, and reveals the top five essential strategies to optimize your approach! This webinar will explore: Loyalty trends and what you should be focusing on 📊 Actionable insights and ideas to help you develop the most powerful and effective loyalty program

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Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin leads

Spiritz

Radico Khaitan Limited has announced that Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin leads the luxury craft gin space in India with about 50 percent market share. With its distinctive blend of botanicals inspired by the rich heritage of India, the gin has garnered acclaim for its exquisite taste and luxurious experience. Of the 11 botanicals used in the distillation, seven have been sourced from all four corners of India.

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What Does Baby Reindeer Have to Say about Bartending? A Lot.

PUNCH

The new Netflix series captures the uncertain power dynamic and unusual level of intimacy between bartender and patron—real, illusory, performative, sometimes all three.

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Drink of the Week: Stray Dog Wild Gin

Imbibe Magazine

It took me a minute to comfortably talk about terroir without feeling like a parody of myself or drinks writers everywhere. But it’s a really useful way to analyze what you taste. The beverage business is rife with convoluted corporate ownership structures, so determining whether what’s in my glass reflects the land, people, and culture that it came from helps me cut through the noise.

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The 30 Best Rosé Wines of 2024

VinePair

Check out the best rosés from previous years here ! Every year, when the sun starts to emerge and the flowers start to bloom, there’s an undeniable urge to reach for a glass of rosé to toast the beginning of the season. When that feeling hits, we know it’s time for VinePair’s annual ranking of the best rosé wines. While rosé used to be the unrivaled summer beverage, in 2024 it’s going up against orange wines, chillable reds, and the infallible spritz.

Wine 130
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Whiskey Review: Southern Star Paragon Bottled-In-Bond

The Whiskey Wash

We review Southern Star Paragon Bottled-In-Bond, a wheated bourbon distilled from 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% barley that’s been aged at least four years and bottled at 100 proof. (image via Southern Distilling Company) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies , this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.

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The Glen Grant master distiller to retire

Drinks International

The Glen Grant has announced the retirement of master distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, who will leave his role at the end of June, after a six-decade long career.

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Review: Rolling Fork Heart of Gold Rum

Drinkhacker

It’s often been said that bourbon is America’s native spirit. However, rum was America’s first love. Long before whiskey became common in North America, the American colonists had a thriving domestic and imported rum industry. The American rum industry began to diminish heading into the American Revolution and was dealt a near-fatal blow with westward expansion.

Rum 112
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A Martini Built From the Bounty of the Arizona Desert

PUNCH

Phoenix’s Bar 1912 calls on more than a dozen local botanicals—cactus paddle to ocotillo blossom—that have been foraged, extracted and preserved in its take on the classic.

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Crowd-Pleasing Pitcher Drinks

Imbibe Magazine

With the warm weather ramping up, more outdoor gatherings—such as backyard barbecues, pool parties, and al fresco brunches—are on the horizon. Put that pitcher to good use with these warm-weather recipes that work swimmingly in large quantities. Black Rock Chiller In this simple batched cocktail, Branca Menta’s minty cooling power matches crisp tequila and earthy gentian liqueur.

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With Bonanza — a.k.a ‘Baby Caymus’ — the Wagner Family Strikes Gold Again

VinePair

No matter how you measure it, the U.S. wine industry has enjoyed very little good news in 2024. Market data paint a grim picture of declining overall consumption , a less interested consumer, excess grape inventories, and a growing “ wine lake.” Premiumization, which offset declines in sales volumes in recent years as consumers purchased fewer but more expensive bottles, can no longer carry the industry.

Wine 128
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All Of The Platinum Medal Winning Bourbons From The 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The Whiskey Wash

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is one of the most respected spirits competitions in the industry, with the annual results eagerly anticipated. The competition is held every year in San Francisco by The Tasting Alliance. First held in 2000, the contest has been awarding accolades to spirits from across the US for almost 25 years.

Whiskey 108
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Ian Macleod Distillers and The Islay Boys reveal new distillery

Drinks International

Ian Macleod Distillers, in partnership with The Islay Boys, has announced an update on the progress of their new single malt whisky distillery, Laggan Bay, on Islay.

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Strawberry Sunrise Cocktail is like Dessert in a Glass

Mix That Drink

The Strawberry Sunrise is a dessert cocktail. You can certainly drink it as an aperitif or with a meal or by itself, but if you've got a hankering for sweets, this drink will take care of it.

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In Search of the Ultimate Daiquiri

PUNCH

We asked 11 of America’s best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Daiquiri—then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

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Where to Drink Frozen Margaritas in Houston

Imbibe Magazine

It’s strange to position the fourth-largest city in America as an underdog. And yet I find that Houston’s extraordinary, kaleidoscopic culinary scene is often overlooked by those beyond its borders. Truthfully, it’s their loss. The bayou, Beltway, and serpentine freeways of this sprawling city traverse cutting-edge cocktail bars, lively patios, stalwart ice houses, generations-old family restaurants, tiny kitchens serving genre-defying multicultural cuisines, and so much more.

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Mapped & Ranked: The States With the Most Craft Breweries in 2023

VinePair

Despite periods of uncertainty , 2023 turned out to be a solid year for the craft brewing industry. The Brewers Association (BA) recently released its annual report detailing the state of craft brewing in the U.S. Last year, the number of craft operations reached an all-time high with a whopping 9,761 craft breweries, up from 9,552 in 2022. But despite there being over 200 more operational breweries last year, beer output shrank by about 1 million barrels year-over-year, with just 23.4 million b

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Whiskey Review: Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

The Whiskey Wash

We review Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon, aged at least four years and distilled from red bloody butcher corn (75%), malted rye (20%), and malted barley (5%). (image via Jeptha Creed) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies , this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.

Bottling 115
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Indians fuelling a Rapid Surge in GTR

Spiritz

A great many Indians are taking to the skies, and how! Vacations now include spending quality time in places like Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Europe and the US. And all this is translating into a big surge in global travel retail, especially when it comes to buying alcoholic beverages. As Mandeep S Thukral, Regional Commercial Manager - GTR, Suntory Global Spirits explains, duty-free shopping has become an integral part of travel and it is the experience that counts.

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Review: 2021 La Crema Pinot Noir Sealift Vineyard

Drinkhacker

La Crema produces excellent Pinot Noirs from several different regions , but their home base is in Sonoma. Today we are trying one of their higher end expressions, which comes from the Sealift Vineyard, very close to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Sonoma. Before bottling, the wine was aged for nine months in French Oak. Trying the wine, I found it surprisingly assertive for a Pinot.

Wine 112
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What Ever Happened to the Session IPA?

PUNCH

Once dubbed the “hottest style,” the low-proof spin on the genre is waning. But of the few still on shelves, these three beers represent the misunderstood category at its best.

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Suntory Global Spirits continues peat preservation work on Islay

Drinks International

Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory) has restored a further 80 hectares of peatland through its Peatland Water Sanctuary programme on the Scottish island of Islay.

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We Asked 11 Beer Pros: What’s the Most Underrated Macro Beer?

VinePair

While it seems like every state in the U.S. now has a selection of local microbreweries, there are still moments that call for a good old macro beer. You might find yourself in a dive bar or at a sports arena without a wide selection of craft brews, or you could end up at a party or tailgate where the hosts have opted to lean into a more affordable beer lineup.

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The Best Age-Statement Bourbon & American Whiskey From The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024

The Whiskey Wash

Awards season is well and truly underway. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2024 recently published the results of this year’s contest. Held by The Tasting Alliance , the SFWSC is one of the most prestigious competitions in the spirits industry, with thousands of entrants and numerous medals up for grabs. The competition was first held in 2000 and is the oldest competition of its kind in the United States.

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Edinburgh Gin Boutique at Edinburgh Airport

Spiritz

Ian Macleod Distillers has unveiled its first airport boutique for Edinburgh Gin, at Edinburgh Airport, developed in collaboration with Avolta. The Edinburgh Gin Boutique at Edinburgh Airport, the historic home city of Edinburgh Gin, covers 20sqm in the World Duty Free store. It reflects the architecture of Edinburgh Gin’s new distillery and visitor centre at The Arches near Waverley Station in central Edinburgh, which opens this autumn.

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Review: Renegade Rums – Aura, Nova, Dunfermline, and Hope – Swimming Pool

Drinkhacker

Drew has been dutifully chronicling the many releases of the terroir-obsessed Renegade Rum , a Grenada-based operation that specializes in products with incredibly specific provenances. Various “pre-cask” (white, unaged) rums, blends called Cuvees, and “super-geeky ‘MicrOrigin'” products are available — with nearly 20 different expressions now on the market.

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