Spirits Sales + Marketing Digest

March 1, 2022

Nick Cook, Publisher

One of the big, interesting stories is revolting against Russian-made vodka. Many control states (PA, OH, VA, NH, IA, and UT) have banned it entirely, and many individual similar initiatives taking place in Texas, California, Kansas, Upstate New York, Maryland, and more. However, with it only representing 1.2% of US vodka imports, the move is more symbolic than economically devastating to Russia. But for non-Russian vodkas, this could be a great time to advertise yourselves as “Non-Russian Vodka”. But on a serious note, our thoughts and support go out to those defending their homeland in Ukraine.

 

Other interesting news is fines to a Hawaiian distributor who dumped out enough liquor to make a stream alcoholic, key trends for the alcohol industry in 2022, and an article to understand better the motivations of distributor reps.

 

Also, the draft agenda for the 1st Annual Spirits Sales & Marketing Conference has been announced! Check it out with this link.

 

Lots of great news, so grab the coffee and dig into the latest and greatest in spirits sales & marketing.

 

And now, the news…

Issue #10

The way alcohol is sold is a problem, but don't look to government for help

Treasury does not recommend drastic changes in the way beverage alcohol is sold in this country, but the 64-page report clearly recognizes inherent problems in the status quo that restrict our ability to buy the brands we desire.


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Understanding your sales rep can make for a better beverage program

A good article to gain better perspective into the life of distributor sales reps.


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Global Alcohol Beverage Industry – Key 2022 trends

Beverage alcohol has proven to be one of the most crisis-proof consumer goods categories at a time of significant disruption according to IWSR Market Analysts through a number of beverage alcohol reports.


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‘It’s Growing Every Day’: The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shops and Bars

In the last few years, NA stores have been opening all over the country, from The Open Road in Pittsburgh, which started in January 2020, to Boisson’s five New York City locations, all of which opened in 2021.


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15 Celebrity Liquor Brands That Are Actually High-Quality and Worth Purchasing

A review of 15 of the biggest celebrity-backed spirits brands.


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Virginia Legislature Passes Bill Extending Cocktails To-Go Until July 2024

Virginia Legislature passed HB 426, a bill to extend cocktails to-go until July 1, 2024, in an effort to support hospitality businesses struggling to cope with the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19.


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TTB Newsletter for February 25, 2022

Deadline approaching for public comments (April 19th) including the labeling and advertising requirement changes.


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Mom-and-pop liquor stores hope for product fairness bill

The Florida Independent Liquor Store Owners Association came forward this Session with a proposal that would require distributors and manufacturers of wine or liquor to make even deals to vendors.


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Will A U.S. Ban on Vodka Sales Actually Hurt Russia?

Most vodka does NOT come from Russia. USA Today points out that according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, only 1.2% of vodka imports come from Russia.


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Pennsylvania liquor panel ends sale of Russian-made products

The panel that regulates the sale of alcohol in Pennsylvania has ordered the removal of Russian-made products to show solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.


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DeWine halts sales of vodka made by Russian-owned distillery

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered the state to stop buying and selling vodka made by a Russian-owned distillery in the wake of last week’s invasion of Ukraine.


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Virginia to remove Russian-sourced vodka brands from state liquor stores

Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority announced Sunday morning that it was removing seven Russian-sourced vodka brands from its shelves.


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Reynolds halts sale of Russian-produced liquor from state warehouse

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday announced new measures aimed at supporting Ukraine.


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Cox orders all Russian products pulled from Utah liquor store shelves

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is ordering all Russian vodka to be pulled off of Utah's state-run liquor store shelves effectively immediately.


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Gov. Sununu bans sale of Russian spirits at state liquor outlets, grocery stores

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed an executive order Saturday directing the state Liquor and Wine Outlets to remove Russian-made and branded spirits.


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New wine, spirits distribution center coming to suburbs

RNDC will soon open a distribution center in Romeoville – RNDC’s first Chicago-area facility.


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Distributor Slapped With Fine After Dumping Enough Booze to Turn Local Stream Alcoholic

The Hawaii State Department of Health has slapped Paradise Beverages with a $75,000 fine after the liquor distributor dumped enough expired drinks and other pollutants to give Waiawa Stream in Waipio a 1.2% ABV, according to Hawaii News Now.


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Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Signs Multi-State Distribution Agreement with Insolito Tequila

SGWS announced it has signed a multi-state distribution agreement with Insolito, a small-batch, super-premium tequila from the brothers Octavio and Alberto Herrera, who own and operate the Premium de Jalisco distillery, the band Midland, and Spirits Innovation Partners.


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ecoSPIRITS & Park Street Partner to Launch Sustainable Spirits Distribution Technology in U.S.

ecoSPIRITS, the world’s first low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology, today announced it has partnered with Park Street to bring its closed-loop distribution system to the U.S. market.


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Prestige-Ledroit Named Mid-Atlantic Distributor for Diamond Wine Imports

Prestige-Ledroit Distributing announced today its appointment as the exclusive Mid-Atlantic distributor for Diamond Wine Imports.


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Tequila distributor Mexcor doubles South Florida distribution operation

The tequila business in Florida is very good for Mexcor International. Hence why the Houston-based company moved into a bigger warehouse and is looking to hire more people.


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Meet the Memphis Master Distiller: Alex Castle

Alex Castle is the Master Distiller and Senior Vice President at The Old Dominick Distillery, located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee.


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Innovative Software Platform Providing Purchase to Delivery Compliance Solutions for the Alcohol Beverage Industry

“Our goal is to have e-commerce, shipping, compliance, sales and excise tax reporting rolled into one convenient, user-friendly solution for our clients.”


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After Three Decades, Chopin Vodka Is Still Working To Change The Conversation Around Vodka

These days Dorda is still on a mission to raise the awareness of vodka as a sipping beverage, one with nuances and subtleties.


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Montagave Tequila Blanco ‘Heritage’ – Product Launch

The spirit has been rested in red wine barrels for 29 days, creating a slightly pink Tequila.


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B.R. Distilling's new CEO and his brand belief in Blue Note Bourbon and Riverset Rye whiskey

"I have to be a big believer in what I'm a part of. And as soon as I sampled the whiskey, I said, 'I'm in.'"- Nick Nelson, CEO


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New Arrival of the Week: Pierre Ferrand Renegade Barrel No.3

An eaux-de-vie from the Charente region aged in French oak before a secondary maturation in casks that previously held some seriously funky Jamaican rum.


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