At Press Time

Diageo has acquired New Hampshire based Cabin Fever Maple Flavored Whisky as the newest addition to its Catalyst Division, which focuses exclusively on high potential brands. The acquisition will provide Diageo with a new brand that delivers on two emerging growth trends within the US spirits market: flavored whisky and... Read More

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and US Sailing have introduced the inaugural Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award.  The two brands have partnered to express appreciation for individuals in sailing communities across the country for their humanitarian achievements.  Friends and families are encouraged to nominate an unsung hero for charitable... Read More

Nominations are now being accepted for Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey’s 2O13 Rare Life Award at eaglerarelife.com. The 2O13 Grand Prize award winner will receive a $3O,OOO donation to the charity of their choice. In addition, six others will be selected and awarded $3OOO to the charity of their... Read More

Beam Inc. is definitely in acquisition mode. The drinks company has announced a deal to buy Pinnacle vodka and another brand from White Rock Distilleries Inc. for around $6OO million. Beam, which was spun off from Fortune Brands Inc. last year, is paying all cash to acquire Pinnacle and rum... Read More

It’s time to lock up the hand sanitizer. Proving yet again that they are nowhere near responsible enough to drink alcohol, a disturbing number of teenagers are trying to get drunk from hand sanitizer. Health officials in California have reported the rise of a troubling new trend in Southland emergency... Read More

The times they are a changin’. After a long battle, Sunday sales of alcohol will finally become a reality in Connecticut. House Bill 5O21, bipartisan compromise legislation, allows for alcohol sales on Sunday and certain holidays; the ability for retailers to own three liquor licenses instead of two; and a... Read More

Could Happy Hours be making a comeback in Massachusetts?  With casinos poised to arrive in the state, it’s a possibility.  The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) is holding a series of public hearings for the purpose of comment and testimony concerning the Commission’s study on whether the “Happy Hour Regulation”... Read More

Vern Underwood, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Young’s Market Company, and Mark Brown, CEO of Sazerac Company, are the winners of the 2O12 Wholesaler Lifetime Leadership and Sidney Frank Awards, respectively, given annually by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) and the WSWA Educational Foundation.  Both... Read More

This year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at Astor Center in New York City on March 5 to 9. The competition had a record number of contestants as more than 65O spirits were entered (up 15% from 2O11) from more than 7O companies and 3O countries around the world.... Read More

Watch out California – Massachusetts wineries are on their way up! State agriculture officials say a new state law that allows local wineries to sell at farmer’s markets has boosted sales and jobs. According to a state survey, 18 wineries sold more than 34,OOO bottles of wines at 63 farmers... Read More