Dear Client: Tennessee-based whiskey company Uncle Nearest is valued at more than $1 billion with a four-year CAGR at more than 350%.  Uncle Nearest founder and ceo Fawn Weaver was the keynote speaker yesterday at the Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas, sharing her story and growth ambitions. Fortunately for us, our colleagues at sister … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: The softness we saw in bev alc trends in 2023 is leaking into 2024, with lackluster Q1 results. But there's reason to hope for gradual recovery as we move through the year.  Your editor pinged a few wine and spirits distributors to get a better read on Q1 performance as well as their … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: There have been quite a few retailer shipping cases filed in a handful of states in recent years, and now Arizona is dealing with more than one.  BRIEFING COMPLETE IN APPEALS COURT. Before we get to the latest lawsuit, here's a quick update on the one already winding its way through the court … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: In 2023, there were quite a few big wine deals, including Ste. Michelle Wine Estates sellingStag's Leap to Antinori, Gallo picking up both Rombauer and Hahn Family Wines, and Duckhorn acquiring Sonoma-Cutrer.  These big deals "were shifting around market share for some of the bigger players," according to Zepponi & Co. principal Mario … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: Yesterday, we published the first part of our interview with Westward Whiskey ceo and co-founder Tom Mooney about how his organization has developed over the last 20 years [see WSD 04-16-2024]. We wondered, though– how has the craft spirits industry at large changed over the same period from his perspective? YESTERDAY'S PROBLEMS ARE … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: In the relatively young world of craft spirits, hitting a 10-year anniversary is no easy feat. Oregon-based Westward Whiskey doubled that milestone this year, celebrating their 20th anniversary. At the recent American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) conference, your editor sat down with Westward's co-founder and ceo Tom Mooney to talk a little more … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: Spirit of Gallo is adding gin to its growing spirits portfolio.  Today the company announced an agreement with Mexico City-based Condesa Gin, which includes a strategic investment in the brand. Gallo will also become the brand's exclusive US importer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Condesa is made in Mexico City and … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:Beam Suntory announced this morning the appointment of Carlo Coppola as president North America, effective April 29. He succeeds Jessica Spence, "who has decided to pursue other opportunities outside the company," per release. You may recall, Jessica took over the position about a year ago from Greg Hughes, who is now global ceo. Carlo was most … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: Today Foley Family Wines announced an agency partnership with The Loch Lomond Group, adding Scotch whiskies to its growing spirits stable– the company's biggest partnership to-date.  FFW will immediately begin importing and distributing The Loch Lomond Group products in the US through its wholesale and supplier network, per release.  The Loch Lomond Group … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client: Increasingly, we're seeing beer distributors add spirits brands to their portfolios. Taking that a step further, a group of beer distributors in Texas have banded together to form The Spirits League, "with a mission to offer spirits producers an unmatched, local brand-building intensity and unified operational coordination," per release.   The members of The … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more