PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur`s

FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur’s
“Are You Indispensable?” Competition
PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur has announced the six finalists of the
second annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition. The
competition received 126 cocktail recipes from professional bartenders
and mixologists from more than 37 cities across the U.S. with base spirits
including whiskey, pisco, tequila, cognac wine and beer. The recipes were
compiled by competition partner ShakeStir.com, an online community
for bartenders.
The six finalists, in first-name alphabetical order, are Aaron Butler (The
JakeWalk, Brooklyn, N.Y.), Brett Esler (Whisler’s, Austin, Texas), Davey Jones
(Burger Republic, Nashville, Tenn.), David Bonatesta (Ward III, New York City),
Lacy Hawkins (Clover Club, Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Sam Treadway (Backbar,
Somerville, Mass.).
The final competition will be held on March 30, 2015 at Seamstress in New
York City. A grand prize of $5,000, a second place prize of $2,000 and a third
place prize of $1,000 will be awarded.
The judges will include Julie Reiner (“Doyenne of Cocktails” and owner
of Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club in New York City), Kate Shapira Latts
(Vice President of Marketing and a member of the third generation of
the family at Heaven Hill Brands, parent company of PAMA Pomegranate
Liqueur), Paul Pacult (spirits critic and publisher/editor of The Spirit
Journal) and Steve Olson (founder of “aka wine geek” and spirits, wine and
cocktail expert
VOLUME 6 | NUMBER 6
AccelPath Acquires STI
Signature Spirits Group
Special to Modern Distillery Age – by Gregg Glaser
AccelPath has agreed to acquire a 52% interest in STI
Signature Spirits Group in what it stated is AccelPath’s
“new direction.” STI is a New York-based full service
brand development, management and marketing
company with a primary focus on spirits and wine.
Over the past three years, STI has been conducting
market research, product/brand development
and business planning in spirits and wine and
currently owns two brands: Tiny’s Tequila and Copa
Imperial Tequila.
Tiny’s Tequila is an infused tequila and is a joint
venture with Local Choice and singer/songwriter/
reality TV star Tameka “Tiny” Harris, wife of rapper/
actor, TI. There are two flavors: Orange Blossom
(Honey-Orange) and Limelight (Lime) — both 40%
ABV. The tequilas are Kosher certified, made from
100% Weber Blue Agave and infused with natural
flavors using a patented purification and refinement
process that the company states: “Increases the
quality of raw distillates by way of ultrasonic energy,
oxidation and filtration.” Both products were released
in the U.S. in late 2014 as the Official Tequilas of Ladies
Night Out. They are currently available in several
markets including Georgia, Maryland, Washington,
continued on page 8
New York Tax Breaks for
Craft Distillers
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has outlined new
tax exemptions proposed for spirits, beer, wine and
cider that are similar to those already offered to the
wine industry.
The tax exemptions apply to spirits, beer, wine
and cider made for sale but are instead used for
promotional and marketing purposes. The use tax
exemption may extend to all craft beverage producers
by including an exemption for off-premises tastings. “New York spirits producers rely on tastings to
introduce their products to consumers and build
awareness of the high quality and diversity of our
craft spirits,” said Nicole Austin, President of the New
York State Distillers Guild, adding that the proposal
would reduce the cost and paperwork associated with
tastings and “allow distillers to focus on championing
their product and growing their business.”
Blackheath Beverage
Group Adds Eastside
Distilling
Blackheath Beverage Group has
added Eastside Distilling, a Portland, Ore.based craft distillery, to its portfolio, and
Blackheath will work with Eastside on
new brand development to rebrand and
ultimately manage the sales and marketing
of Eastside’s Barrel Hitch American Whiskey
(40% ABV), which will be released this
spring. A 750-ml bottle will sell for about
$22. A brand extension to Barrel Hitch
will follow.
needed for continued growth as well as
deliver favorable economies of scale as we
expand. We’ll have capacity for one million
cases a year, “and we expect to be up and
running in March or April.”
The new 41,000-square-foot state-of-theart facility will remain in the city’s Southeast
Industrial district Distillery Row area. The
new building will make Eastside the largest
craft distillery in the Pacific Northwest with
27,000-square-feet of operating space on
the ground floor and another 13,000-squarefeet of space on the mezzanine. There will be
tasting rooms with large open spaces and
wood finishes and a members-only VIP area
for monthly parties, special events and inhouse concerts.
The distillery’s current location will
continue to offer tastings and events
until the new facility opens later this year.
Eastside’s spirits are available in Oregon bars,
package stores and online in some states.
Brands include Burnside Bourbon, Portland
Potato Vodka and Below Deck Rums,
plus others.
Corsair Distillery
Honored by Fast
Company
With a mostly female leadership team,
Master Distiller/Blender Melissa Heim
has selected and blended the barrels
for Barrel Hitch. Carrie Earles is Chief
Brand Officer.
Blackheath’s sales and marketing team
will oversee and manage the promotion
of Eastside’s Barrel Hitch rebranding. Jay
Harkins, co-founder and CEO of Blackheath
and a 15-year industry veteran foresees “…
enormous growth opportunities for craft
spirits, particularly in the American whiskey
and bourbon categories. The evolving flavor
preferences of the millennials will be a key
element to any new campaign, and the
unique flavor characteristics found across
Eastside’s product portfolio address these
trends perfectly.”
As reported recently in Modern Distillery
Age, Eastside Distilling, formed in 2009,
completed its $2.2 million financing on
December 31.
“This latest round of funding will finance
the build-out of our new distillery and
tasting room, continuing our passion for
creating premium, master crafted spirits,”
said Steven Earles, CEO of Eastside Distilling.
“It will provide the additional capacity
2 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
Corsair Distillery, a craft distillery with
locations in Nashville, Tenn., and Bowling
Green, Ky., has been recognized by Fast
Company magazine in its annual ranking of
the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in
Food for 2015, “honoring leading enterprises
and rising newcomers that exemplify the
best in business and innovation.”
“We are incredibly humbled by this
recognition. One of our core values is
innovate or die,” said owner/distiller Darek
Bell. “Whiskey has been so traditional for so
long that it’s really ripe for disruption. A new
generation of whiskey drinkers has arrived
that do not want to drink their parents’
brands. They want something new.”
“One of the most striking aspects of
Corsair is the dedication to an Open Source
philosophy that is more common to high
tech companies than something as ancient
as distilling,” Bell added. “Most traditional
distilleries are very secretive about their
recipes and techniques, where Corsair
is very open, making the recipes public
through books, websites and by teaching
numerous classes.”
Bell wrote Alt Whiskeys, which details
alternative whiskey recipes and distilling
techniques, and he also wrote Fire Water,
which focuses on experimental smoked
malts and whiskeys.
Corsair has received other alcohol
industry awards: two Innovator of the
Year awards for Whisky Magazine’s Icons of
Whisky awards as well as Craft Distiller of
the Year; The American Distilling Institute
gave Corsair the Bubble Cap Distiller of the
Year award; U.K.-based Wizards of Whisky
awarded Corsair as Craft Distiller of the Year;
Bell was recently lauded as one of Beverage
Industry Magazine’s Top 50 Disruptors; and
The Spirits Business noted Bell as one of the
Top 10 Most Pioneering Distillers.
Mesquite Smoked
Malt from Briess
Briess Malt & Ingredients has added
a second smoked malt to its portfolio:
Mesquite Smoked Malt. Like its Cherry
Wood Smoked Malt, Briess Mesquite Smoke
Malt has “pronounced smoke flavor with
upfront earthy mesquite flavor and some
sweetness,” according to the maltster, and
Briess recommends capping usage at 60%.
The flavors in Mesquite Smoked Malt
come from a blend of mesquite and
other hardwoods. The malt is less sweet
than Cherry Wood Smoked Malt, which is
described as “smooth and clean with subtle
fruity flavor and malty sweetness.”
Both malts are 5° Lovibond and 140DP.
The maltster said the release of Mesquite
Smoked Malt offers craft distillers and
brewers expanded formulating options
and flexibility.
2015 Summit
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are guaranteed a one million percent return
on their marketing investments.
Ok, maybe not one million percent,
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You’ll get world-class insights from some of the
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3 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
Patrón Tequila’s “The
Art of Patrón”
The Patron Spirits Company continues
its campaign called The Art of Patrón,
which includes culinary arts, mixology and
cocktails, music and culture, the Patrón
bottle and the tequilas. The integrated
program will recognize artists’ commitment
to their crafts — tequila makers, bartenders,
musicians and chefs — with marketing,
public relations, digital and events.
Culinary Arts
will continue to support
chefs and food professionals and sponsor
culinary events such as the Food & Wine
Classic in Aspen, DIFFA Dining by Design
and Pebble Beach Food & Wine as well as the
series of Secret Dining Society events where
local chefs and bartenders collaborate to
create meals paired with Patrón cocktails in
unexpected “secret” locations.
Mixxology and Cocktails
will continue
Patrón’s partnership with the United States
Bartenders’ Guild, the “60 Hands Alliance”
of bartenders and other initiatives with the
spirits and hospitality trade.
Music and Culture
begins this
month with a partnership with Rolling
Stone and its new Rolling Stone Films
video platform.
The Patrón bottle part of the campaign
includes a consumer bottle art contest
beginning in March to design and share
creative or functional works of art using the
Patrón bottle as inspiration.
Later this year, two new extra-aged Patrón
tequila special editions will be released.
The Art of Patrón has a new website
(www.artofpatron.com) and will include
Patrón’s social media channels, off-premise
retail materials and on-premise events plus
PR and media support. Later in the year,
several Art of Patrón events are planned
across the country in addition to Secret
Dining Society dinners, Rolling Stone events
and sponsorships of culinary, food and
cocktail festivals.
Diageo at the Oscars
Diageo will again feature some if its
brands — Johnnie Walker, Haig Club,
Mortlach and Talisker Scotch whiskies, Ketel
One vodka and Sterling Vineyards — at this
year’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences’ Governors Ball, which is the official
party following the 87th Oscars that takes
place February 22.
Uisce Beatha Real
Irish Whiskey –
Donuts for Grownups
Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts, founded by
Todd Jones, known as “the Donutologist,”
has partnered with Uisce Beatha Real Irish
At the Dolby Theater, guests will be
served the Scot’s Pear signature cocktail
featuring Johnnie Walker Platinum Label.
After the awards at the Governors Ball, there
will be the Winter Oasis seasonal cocktail
with Ketel One and whiskies at the Ultimate
Luxury Whisky Bar featuring Mortlach Rare
Old and Talisker Storm as well as Haig Club.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve will be at
the Gold and Soda bar.
Jägermeister Sin
Igual
Jägermeister has created the brand’s first
campaign developed to reach Hispanics:
“Sin Igual,” which translates to “Like No
Other.” The campaign was developed by
following “a non-traditional approach of
randomly selecting everyday Latinos while
out with friends,” according to a statement
from Sidney Frank Importing.
Whiskey to create Grownup Donut for
Valentines Day: “Nothing says ‘I Love You’
better than a delicious donut imbued with a
hint of Real Irish Whiskey’” is the tagline.
203-971-8710
[email protected]
www.distilleryage.com
EDITORIAL STAFF
Publisher/Editor: Gregg Glaser
Contributing Editor: Peter V. K. Reid
Contributing Editor: Michael Anstendig
Copy Editor: Christine Barber
ADVERTISING
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Without any styling, makeup, model
casting or the formal setup of a studio, the
campaign features the faces of Juan Salas
Jr., Aaron Alexander Correa and Andres
Leyva. These images were taken by MexicanAmerican photographer, Stefan Ruiz.
4 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
With a focus on Houston, where 44%
of the population is Hispanic, according
to the U.S. Census, the campaign features
out-of-home billboards in high visibility
intersections, social sharing of #SINIGUAL
and an experiential showcase from February
through March inviting consumers to
participate in real-time photo shoots to be
featured on Jagersinigual.com.
MAILING ADDRESS
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Norwalk, CT 06850-2032
All content Copyright © Modern
Distillery Age, 2015 — Copies may not
be sent to others & issues may not be
posted to websites.
Booker’s Bourbon
Batch 2015-1
Booker’s Bourbon has released Booker’s
Bourbon Batch 2015-1 (64.35% ABV) as the
first batch of its limited-edition collection
celebrating founding distiller Booker Noe
and the small batch bourbons released
under his name. Bottled straight from the
barrel, Booker’s Bourbon will now feature
limited-edition labels available throughout
the year.
Uncle Val’s Peppered Gin
35 Maple Street Spirits has extended the Uncle
Val’s line with Peppered Gin (45% ABV), a handcrafted
gin infused with red peppers, black peppers and
pimento. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $39. The
other Uncle Val’s gins are Botanical and Restorative.
Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2015-1, named
“Big Man, Small Batch,” features a custom
label inspired by the image of Booker
sipping bourbon in his rocking chair with
his dog, Dot, by his side. The bourbon aged
for seven years, two months and 16 days. A
750-ml bottle sells for about $55.
Belvedere Wild
Berry
In April, Belvedere Vodka will extend
the line with Belvedere Wild Berry (40%
Dark Corner Journeyman
Reserve Elder Tiger Gin
Dark Corner Distillery, a South Carolina craft
distillery, has released a limited batch of 40 bottles of
its “rested gin”: Journeyman Reserve Elder Tiger (40%
ABV), aged for 54 months. A 750-ml bottle sells for
about $120.
Skinnygirl Spicy
Lime Margarita
Beam Suntory has expanded the
Skinnygirl line with Spicy Lime Margarita
(19.95% ABV), with the flavors of lime, chili
and tequila. A 750-ml bottle sells for about
$13 (1.75-ml bottles are also available).
ABV), made with Polish strawberries and
American blueberries. A 750-ml bottle will
sell for about $35.
5 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
CH Distillery’s Spirit
of Du Sable
CH Distillery & Cocktail Bar in Chicago
has released an extremely limited amount
(69 bottles) of Spirit of du Sable (40%
ABV), a collaboration with Chicago craft
brewery Ale Syndicate. CH barrel-aged Ale
Syndicate’s du Sable Hoppy Saison beer for
six months before distilling it. Spirit of du
Sable went on sale at CH Distillery’s tasting
room by the shot and also by the bottle. A
375-ml bottle sells for about $30.
Johnnie Walker
Blue Label Year of
the Ram Bottle
Johnnie Walker has released its
second annual collector’s edition bottle
to commemorate the celebration of the
Lunar New Year.
Viniq Original
Liqueur
E. & J. Gallo’s Viniq Original Liqueur (20%
ABV) is now available nationally after being
tested in seven markets.
High West Bourye
High West Distillery, a Utah craft
distillery, has again released Bourye (46%
ABV — pronounced “boo-rye”), a blend of
a nine-year-old straight bourbon with 10and 16-year-old straight rye whiskeys. The
front label is a picture of a jackelope drawn
in 1743. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $80.
6 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the
Ram (40% ABV) uses traditional Chinese
ceramic artistry. When four bottles with
their Johnnie Walker slanted labels are
placed side by side, a single image unfolds,
much like a Chinese scroll painting. The
artwork illustrates three rams standing
in distinguished positions, a traditional
reference to the Book of Changes, signifying
a New Year of great fortune. A 750-ml
bottle sells for about $258.
Viniq Original is a “shimmering” liqueur
that shimmers when shaken. It’s made with
the same ingredient that gives frosting its
shine or rock candy its sparkle. The liqueur
is a fusion of vodka, Moscato and fruit
flavors. A 750-ml bottle sells for about $20
(375-ml bottles are also available).
Disaronno Versace
Bottle
Disaronno (28% ABV) has released a
limited edition bottle in collaboration with
Versace. The bottle is based on the Versace
Home Collection print, Tresor de la Mer,
showing “the abundant treasures of the
Sea God Neptune — complete with shells,
pearls and golden statues.”
New Amsterdam
Pineapple &
Orange Vodkas
New Amsterdam has extended the line
with Pineapple & Orange Vodkas (both
Amy Greenberg
– Director, TTB
Regulations &
Rulings Division
Amy Greenberg has been named
Director of TTB’s Regulations and Rulings
Division, effective February 8.
35% ABV). A 750-ml bottle of each sells for
about $14.
A portion of the proceeds from the
bottles’ sales will go towards the charitable
organization Fashion 4 Development. A
750-ml bottle sells for about $28.
Captain Morgan
Pineapple, Coconut
& Grapefruit Rums
Diageo has extended the Captain
Morgan line with three new rums:
Jeff Hodson –
President, Distillery
No. 209
Leslie Rudd, founder of San Francisco’s
Distillery No. 209, has named Jeff Hodson
as president of the company. He’ll oversee
all operations, sales and marketing with
an emphasis on solidifying distributor
partnerships and alignments both
domestically and abroad.
Jeff Hodson
Pineapple, Coconut and Grapefruit (all
35% ABV). A 750-ml bottle of each sells for
about $16.
7 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
Hodson was most recently Western
Region Vice President for Tito’s Handmade
Vodka. He’s also worked for Kobrand,
Pernod Ricard and Spirits Marque One
(Svedka Vodka).
Amy Greenberg
Greenburg joined TTB in 2004 as a
Presidential Management Fellow and
was instrumental in building TTB’s
Tobacco Program from the ground up.
Besides serving as Program Manager
of the Tobacco Program, she has also
been Assistant Director of RRD and
has led many complex regulatory
projects including implementing the
Children’s Health Insurance Program
Reauthorization Act provisions and
current work on implementing TTB’s
International Trade Data System under
the President’s Executive Order on
Streamlining the Export/Import Process for
American Businesses.
Constantino Spas –
Managing Director,
Latin America &
Caribbean, Bacardí
Bacardí Limited has made an internal
appointment of Constantino Spas as
Managing Director - Latin America &
Caribbean (LAC), effective immediately.
He’ll be responsible for leading commercial
operations in the region, and he succeeds
Paolo Perego, who was recently named to
lead Bacardí for Europe. Spas will report to
Bacardí Limited CEO Mike Dolan.
Constantino Spas
A 20-year veteran of the consumer
goods industry, Spas was most recently
Northern LAC Hub Leader for Bacardí
working in nearly 40 countries and
territories including Mexico, the Dominican
Republic, Venezuela and the islands in
the Caribbean. He joined Bacardí in 2011
as Vice President - Sales & Marketing for
Latin America responsible for building
strong commercial and marketing
capabilities across the region. In 2013,
he was promoted to Managing Director
- Mexico, the largest market of the LAC
region, where he returned Mexico to solid
growth, increased market share, created
new distribution partnerships including
the fast-growing category of mezcal and
created a new focus on digital media.
Prior to joining Bacardí, Spas held
sales and marketing senior leadership
positions at SAB Miller, Cerveceria Polar
and Kraft Foods. Throughout his career,
he has lived in seven countries in the
LAC region.
AccelPath Acquires STI Signature Spirits
Group
continued from page 1
D.C., Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York and Texas with more states being added soon.
A 750-ml bottle of each sells for about $33.
Early this year the company will release a line of Copa Imperial Tequilas, also Kosher
certified, 100% Weber Blue Agave plus organic, as well. Copa was originally released in China
in 2011. After acquiring the brand in 2013, STI decided to reposition Copa for introduction
to the North American market. Copa Extra Añejo (aged for over eight years) will be the first
release, followed by Blanco, Reposado and Añejo (all 40% ABV). STI said that Copa Extra Añejo
was “handcrafted from the first batch of certified organic Weber Blue Agave ever planted.”
A 750-ml bottle of Copa Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo will sell for about $60,
$65, $75 and $299, respectively.
Through strategic partnerships with companies such as Local Choice, STI’s plans are to
continue building its portfolio, brand creation and acquisitions.
“We have identified several potential targets and have a number of potential deals in
the works that will compliment and add tremendous value to our portfolio,” said Robert
Montgomery, STI’s managing partner. “We are extremely excited about being a part of
AccelPaths’ growing family of companies, which we feel will allow us to leverage our
combined resources and experience to create a platform that will grow our existing brands
and also enable other small to mid-size companies with great brands and ideas to expand
their businesses and fulfill their dreams in the wine and spirits industry.”
Tiny Harris
“We won’t be developing any “me-too” products, added Janon Costley, a partner in the
company. “Our brands will be original and in the premium to super premium space.”
“We are truly excited about adding STI to our growing portfolio of companies in the
beverage sector,” said Gilbert Steedley, CEO of AccelPath. “As with our recent acquisition of
Village Tea Company, STI is a young company with young and exciting artisanal brands in
a sector where there is currently significant growth in premium and super premium small
batch brands that are being developed with a specific purpose and audience in mind. We
are confident that STI is uniquely positioned to capture the kind of revenue share in the
emerging spirits market where consumers enjoy premiumization — trading up in premium
while looking for the affordable value play in a trend setting luxury market. We feel that STI is
poised for exponential growth, and we are proud to have an opportunity to be involved at an
early stage of the company’s development.”
return to page 1
8 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
Spirts Brands — Current 52 Weeks Ending December 28, 2014
Total U.S. Multi-Outlet w/ C-Store (Supermarkets, Drugstores, Mass Market Retailers, Gas/C-Stores, Military Commissaries
and Select Club & Dollar Retail Chains)
Stats from IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm.
SPIRITS
BRANDY
COGNAC
Current
Change vs YA
%Change vs YA
$146,118,858
-$364,815
-0.2%
$6,217,099,144
-$930,876
-0.5%
$359,505,631
$13,774,702
4.0%
$1,892,971,209
$191,985,465
$356,864,862
$8,850,431
$648,129,460
VODKA
WHISKEY
PREPARED COCKTAILS
NON-ALCOHOLIC MIXERS
$1,739,816,642
$266,208,856
Current
SPIRITS
$120.42
COGNAC
$387.16
GIN
$133.59
BRANDY
CORDIALS
RUM
TEQUILA
VODKA
$114.68
$192.19
$130.79
$207.90
$114.40
WHISKEY
$171.49
NON-ALCOHOLIC MIXERS
$39.18
PREPARED COCKTAILS
$66.73
$445,770
$64,575,023
-$48,583,031
Price per Volume
%Change vs YA
1,274,118
-26,710
-2.1%
293,616
$183,981,103
RUM
$15,368,958
Change vs YA
51,627,055
14.4%
1,377,233
-49,388
-3.5%
1,729,229
44,215
2.6%
3.1%
2,652,775
0.1%
4,955,645
421,591
-15.4%
3,989,619
-551,424
2.5%
11,038,600
9,107,449
$2.07
1.8%
$9.56
$3.97
$0.69
$2.72
$1.11
$6.02
-$2.60
$0.57
2.8%
2.5%
0.1%
3.1%
$10.04
$32.26
$16.02
$11.13
0.5%
$10.90
1.0%
$9.53
1.3%
$17.32
3.6%
$14.29
1.5%
$3.27
-3.7%
$5.56
3.0%
-22,929
15,208,771
Current
$0.28
76,229
3.9%
11.3%
1.5%
11.6%
%Change vs YA
$9.42
775,627
30,604
Change vs YA
$3.27
Volume Sales
Current
4.4%
$14,325,105
$509,826,084
TEQUILA
$259,446,732
$113,676,437
CORDIALS
GIN
Dollar Sales
-0.5%
2.9%
758,627
94,809
7.4%
-12.1%
Price per 750 ml Volume
1.1%
Change vs YA
%Change vs YA
$0.17
1.8%
$0.27
$0.78
$0.02
$0.33
$0.06
$0.23
$0.09
$0.50
-$0.22
$0.05
GuestMetrics: On-Premise Trends for Four Weeks Ending 1/25/15
2.8%
2.5%
0.1%
3.1%
0.5%
1.3%
1.0%
3.6%
-3.7%
1.5%
According to the most recent report from GuestMetrics, the on-premise channel started out 2015 with strong growth. Traffic was up 2.6%,
and food and beverage sales were up 2.6%: “This is the single best month we have seen in years,” the report stated.
Casual dining traffic was up a solid 3.6%, bars/clubs were up 2.7% and fine dining was up 2.6%.
“The industry had an extremely easy comp from a year ago, but underlying growth was solid. Comps will get sequentially tougher with
each passing quarter of 2015.”
Alcohol beverage volume was up 1.5% in January vs. a decline of 1.8% for the full year of 2014. Spirits led the way with 3.1% volume growth
(vs. down 0.3% for 2014) while wine was up 0.9% (vs. -0.8% for 2014) and beer was up 0.3% (vs. down 3.4% for 2014). Beer had the biggest
improvement relative to 2014 trends, and wine had the least improvement.
Within the spirits category, bourbons/blends gained 0.8% volume share, tequila gained 0.4% share and Irish whisky gained 0.4% share,
while vodka lost 0.4% share and rum lost 0.4% share.
Craft spirits gained 2.4% share vs. 1.9% for 2014 and is accelerating. Domestic craft spirits now hold a 6.6% share of the on-premise
spirits segment.
Food sales were up 6.6% (vs. 2.8% for 2014) with food volume up 3.7% (vs. up 0.6% for 2014).
Price/mix was up 2.6% for total food and beverage, with price/mix up 3.2% for beer, 2% for wine, 2.3% for spirits, 2% for soft drinks and
2.8% for food.
The following is a continuation of a new addition to the Modern Distillery Age tasting panel pages from spirits, bartending and beverage
management writer Robert Plotkin, previously published on his website, AmericanCocktails.com. Robert is not only a pro in the business, but also
a friend, and we thought it would be interesting for Modern Distillery Age subscribers to read his spirits reviews, which are stylistically different
than ours.
BarSol Primero Quebranta Pisco, 41.3%
Distilled by Bodega San Isidro, Peru, ~$29
Imported by BarSol USA
Spanish Conquistadors brought the first wine-producing grapes to Peru, establishing vast vineyards in the fertile Ica Valley located on the
country’s southern coast. Grapes not suitable for export to Spain were traded to local farmers, who in turn would distill them into brandy. Its
popularity steadily grew, especially among seafarers and visitors to the port city of Pisco, from whence came its name. If you’ve yet to experience
the unbridled pleasure of Peru’s national spirit, highly acclaimed BarSol Primero Quebranta Pisco makes for a marvelous introduction.
Produced at Bodega San Isidro in the heart of the Ica wine-growing region, the BarSol Pisco Primero Quebranta is a luxurious artisanal
spirit distilled exclusively from the dark purple Quebranta grape. The pressed grapes and pomace are allowed to slowly and naturally ferment
at room temperature. Afterwards the fermented grape juice and pulp is single-distilled in copper alembic stills, a practice designed to best
preserve the grape’s distinctive characteristics. Stringent production regulations established by the Peruvian government do not allow
anything else be added to pisco, not even water. It’s bottled at 41.3% ABV.
An excellent example of how lush and magnificent these brandies can be is the highly acclaimed BarSol Primero Quebranta Pisco, Peru’s
leading export brand. It has crystalline clarity, an oily, medium-weight body and a wafting bouquet of red berries, citrus and mocha. The
gentle entry rapidly expands bathing the palate with the long-lasting flavors of tropical fruit, citrus, dark chocolate, spice and oaky flavors. Its
brilliant character makes BarSol Primero Quebranta an inspired choice to feature in the classic cocktail, the Pisco Sour.
BarSol and Bodega San Isidro handcraft a broad range of world-class piscos. Among its ranks is ultra-popular BarSol Pisco Selecto Italia,
which is distilled entirely from premium Italia grapes cultivated in the Ica valley. The pisco is exceptionally aromatic, possessing a bouquet
brimming with delightful floral and fruit aromas. Its palate is a mélange of cantaloupe, honeydew, orange zest, roses, jasmine and lilacs. The
finish is long and delicious.
BarSol Pisco Selecto Torontel is distilled solely from locally grown Torontel grapes. The crystal clear, satiny textured pisco has enticing
aromatics and an expansive, semisweet palate of grapes, raisins and fresh berries. Equally engaging is BarSol Pisco Selecto Acholado, which is
distilled from a blend of the Ica Valley’s three preeminent grape varietals: Quebranta, Italia and Torontel. The Acholado has a curvaceous body
and a bouquet saturated with floral and fresh fruit aromas. Its spicy, fruity character carries through on the palate. The smooth, lingering finish
adds the flavor of blueberries to the mix.
The Peruvian powerhouse also markets three mosto verde piscos, which are distilled from partially fermented grape juice and pomace.
Each is made using a solitary varietal of grapes. The mosto verde piscos range from 40% to 41.8% ABV.
The BarSol Pisco Supremo Mosto Verde Quebranta, which is distilled entirely from Quebranta grapes, has a silky textured body and a
captivating palate of chocolate, toffee, baking spice and fresh fruit. Its lingering finish is thoroughly satisfying. BarSol Pisco Supremo Mosto
Verde Italia has a fresh, fruity character, while the BarSol Pisco Supremo Mosto Verde Torontel is imbued with a balanced fruit, floral and
spice personality.
The esteemed portfolio includes one final opus, a sensational aperitif wine called BarSol Perfecto Amor. Similar to France’s Pineau des
Charentes, the small batch aperitif is crafted from a blend of pisco and fresh grape juice obtained from the three major grape varietals —
Quebranta, Italia and Torontel. Each grape is juiced separately and fortified with pisco distilled from the same grape prior to fermentation.
After fermentation, the three fortified varietals are blended together to become BarSol Perfecto Amor. It’s bottled at 17% ABV.
Barsol Perfecto Amor has a deep amber/golden hue, a velvety textured, medium-weight body and a lavish floral and fresh fruit bouquet.
Its aromatics set the stage well for the pleasures to follow. The aperitif is skillfully balanced and sports a palate loaded with the long lasting
flavors of raisins, pears, apricots, caramel and marzipan.
This is not the first time pisco has caught on big in the U.S. During the days of the California Gold Rush, miners from South America
streamed into San Francisco bringing with them ample supplies of Peru’s native spirit. Its popularity gave rise to such classics as the Pisco Sour
and Pisco Punch. After the onset of Prohibition, the crystal clear brandy disappeared from American bars.
Fortunately for us the cocktail resurgence has enticed piscos back to our shores led by award-winning BarSol. In the journey of discovery,
they’re an essential port of call.
10 FEBRUARY 13, 2015 | MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
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February 14, 2015: Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival, Tampa, FL,
www.BeerAndBourbon.com
February 14-16, 2015: American Craft Distillers Association’s
Convention & Trade Show, Austin, TX,
www.americancraftdistillers.org
February 25, 2015: Whisky Live, New York City,
www.whiskylivena.com/event/whisky-live-new-york-2015
February 28, 2015: Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival, Atlanta, GA,
www.BeerAndBourbon.com
March 7, 2015: Whisky Live, Washington, D.C.,
www.whiskylivena.com/event/whisky-live-dc-2015
March 13-14, 2015: Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival, Timonium,
MD, www.BeerAndBourbon.com
March 15-17, 2015: NABCA’s 22nd Annual Symposium on Alcohol Beverage Law & Regulation, Alexandria, VA, www.nabca.org
March 26-27, 2015: Sarasota Whiskey Obsession, Sarasota, FL,
www.WhiskeyObsessionFestival.com