The latest innovation from High Noon is their Vodka Iced Tea line. High Noon Vodka Iced Tea comes in four flavors, including Original, Peach, Lemon and Raspberry. Made with real vodka and real iced tea, these are 90 calories per serving, gluten free and no sugar added. “Hard Tea was one of consumers’ most frequent RTD category purchased in 2023, which created an opportunity for High Noon to provide a premium alternative in a way only the brand can with real vodka and real iced tea,” says Britt West, EVP and general manager at Gallo. “With this launch, we’ve taken a beloved classic and elevated ..read more

Alcohol trends forever evolve, which can benefit new brands that reflect changing consumer preferences. For instance: Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs. This small line of fruit liqueurs has grown impressively since launching in the 2018/19 timeframe. Especially considering immediate challenges faced during the pandemic. From modest beginnings, Chinola is on pace for 60,000 cases sold this year, according to cofounder Andrew Merinoff. Why the rapid success? It helps having a number of savvy industry insiders behind the brand, as Chinola does. And it helps to represent a cross-section of modern tren ..read more

D.G. Yuengling & Son has announced the return of its limited-edition Team Red, White & Blue Stars & Stripes cans. These Traditional Lager cans support Yuengling’s partnership with military veteran nonprofit Team Red White & Blue (Team RWB), as part of Yuengling’s Summer Celebration, the brewery’s annual initiative supporting our nation’s military veterans. Starting today, the limited-edition Yuengling Lager 12-oz. cans roll out through the summer in 12-pack and 24-pack cans. The special packaging is available for purchase at stores, restaurants and bars across the brewery’s 26 ..read more

Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, KY, has opened the Stephen B. Beam Tasting Lodge, a new 1,250 square-foot tasting space dedicated to an expanded barrel program. The lodge is named after Limestone Branch Distillery’s founder, and is meant to pay homage to his love of Yellowstone National Park. The new building will accommodate customers selecting barrel picks of Yellowstone Bourbon Hand Picked, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey and Minor Case Rye 6-Year. “It’s humbling and exciting to have the Tasting Lodge named in my honor because it’s an expansion of our dream to bring our fam ..read more

Quintessential, a family-owned and -operated import, marketing and sales company, has added Goose Ridge Estate Winery to its portfolio, effective immediately. With this deal, Quintessential adds a Washington State winery. “The Monson family represents the epitome of excellence in the wine industry,” says Dennis Kreps, co-owner of Quintessential. “Their commitment to the stewardship of the land is evident in the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of their wines. We are excited to introduce more people to these outstanding offerings from Washington State.” Says Molly Monson-Stutesman, vice pr ..read more

Coming off three straight years of rapid growth during and after the pandemic, sales in the beverage alcohol industry cooled significantly in 2023. With a few notable exceptions, most spirit and wine categories were down in sales compared to 2022. In total, 58 spirits, 26 wines and 16 RTDs qualified as Growth Brands this year, based on 2023 calendar year sales. We spoke to brands about what makes their product successful, from their promotions and activation programs to support from trade partners in the middle tier, on-premise and off-premise. Consumer thirst for wine has measurably subsided ..read more

Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails just announced the launch of its new hard tea, a nod to its Southern heritage. Combining black tea and fruit, these hard tea cocktails will debut in four flavors: Original, Peach, Raspberry and Blackberry, the company states. “We are excited about our launch of Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails Hard Tea entering the fast-growing hard tea category. Through our partnership with Brown-Forman and the iconic Jack Daniel’s brand, we’ve developed a new twist on the beverage that pays homage to its traditional southern roots,” said Keith Cunningham, VP of Partnerships – P ..read more

George Dickel continues its well-received series with the launch of George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011, Aged 12 Years. Bottled-in-bond is a historical designation meant to protect the integrity of aged spirits by ensuring each barrel is produced in a single distillation season by a single distillery. To meet the criteria, the spirit must also be matured in a U.S. bonded warehouse for at least four years and bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). Flavors of this new release include fruit and nut notes, the company reports, before a finish of roasted nuts. Like the previous series offerings, thi ..read more

Mount Gay, an operational distillery since 1703, has launched a new limited-edition rum: Mount Gay Eclipse Navy Strength. Made by master blender Trudiann Branker, Eclipse Navy Strength draws inspiration from naval history, where rum played an important role aboard ships. This tradition dates back to when sailors relied on rum’s flammability and potency to help ignite wet gunpowder, the company says. This new release is bottled at 57.1% ABV. Navy Strength matured two to four years, and contains a higher portion of older pot still rums. Flavors include roasted pineapple, banana, mocha and vanill ..read more

The global spirits company Beam Suntory has rebranded to become Suntory Global Spirits. The new name comes as the company marks 10 years of sustained growth since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. in 2014, according to a press release. The company has expanded significantly over this time period — including from a $2.5 billion company to a $5.5 billion company — and its team has also expanded, now comprised of more than 6,000 employees around the world. The rebrand includes the launch of a new website and visual identity. “Suntory Global Spirits demonstrates our global leadership and premium ..read more