Miami-based Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. and Glazer’s Inc., Dallas, announced they will officially merge to form Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits LLC.
“The new company, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, LLC (“Southern Glazer’s”), will distribute more than 150 million cases of wine and spirits annually, cover nearly 90% of the legal drinking age (LDA) population in the U.S., employ more than 20,000 team members, and have operations in 41 states plus the District of Columbia, the Caribbean, and Canada. The company will be headquartered in Miami, with significant ongoing operations, systems, executives, and team members to be based in Dallas.” (SouthernWine.com)
Bacardi has ended its relationship with Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol distributor co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz.
Bacardi has shifted business to the newly renamed Miami-based Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. Bacardi’s distribution business is valued at about $1 billion. The new agreement iss effective April 1. ChicagoTribune.com
Robert Burr has released another Rum Minute. This episode discusses South Florida Distillery’s FWAYGO Grilled Pineapple rum.
Bright aromas of cane are complimented by the caramelized pineapple notes over a hint of cinnamon apple pie and charred wood. On the palate, the fresh pot still rum makes a fine base for the tropical fruit notes, well balanced with a hint of butter and spice before the medium dry finish slowly fades. – RobsRumGuide.com
In the heart of whisky territory, Dan DeHart has introduced his Grander Panama Rum. Originally wanting to open his own distillery, DeHart found that it would be easier and less expensive to work with an existing distillery to create his signature rum. He selected the Ingenio San Carlos Distillery, owned by Alcoholes y Rones de Panama. Working with distiller F.J. Fernandez to produce a rum using bourbon techniques aging the spirit in barrels that had previously held bourbon for at least four years. DeHart chose a blend of 8-year-old rum that matched his flavor preference and bottles Grander at the higher 90 proof. Courier-Journal.com
Village of Elgin Winery opened Elgin Distillery back in May 2015 where they produce traditional rums as well as other spirits. Now its been announced that Flying Leap Vineyards is opening their own distillery in the town of Elgin, AZ. They will also produce a variety of spirits including rum. Tucson.com
CTVNews.ca recently reported on trends coming out of 2015 which included a rise of Premium Rums.
Analysts saw the launch of Bacardi’s Gran Reserva Maestro de Ron in 2015, a super-premium rum, as a turning point for the spirit that is often cast as a party drink among young revellers. Double-aged using white oak casks, the white sipping rum is marketed as an upscale version of the brand’s flagship rum and was strategically launched at a James Beard Foundation Awards event in the spring. Experts also highlighted the popularity of spiced rums throughout 2015. At the World Rum Awards, the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth took the title of best spiced rum 2015 for its Rumbullion! XO 15 Years Old. Notes include licorice, treacle, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, molasses and menthol.
As of January 11th, shoppers in the Philadelphia area will be able to purchase Faber Rum from Midnight Madness Distilling.
“We ended up taking a little while to get our products out there and get our prices to where we want them to be,” owner Anthony Lorubbio said. “It wasn’t high enough quality in the early goings. We took our time for product development.”
Their craft distilled rum is priced quite affordably at $15.99/liter. BizJournals.com