Master Distiller Alan Winchester in Sydney, Bacardi Legacy Global postponed, distillery visitor centres closed, new Black Tot Rum Global Ambassador and a lot more in this week’s industry news.
Adam Dow’s Cocktail for Bacardi Legacy Global – Photo Supplied
Distillery Visitor Centres Closed
In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, several distilleries around the world have announced the closure of their visitor centres. William Grant & Sons has closed all of its visitor centres indefinitely (source), Beam Suntory has temporarily suspended public tours at all of its distilleries, while eight Kentucky Bourbon producers have also made similar moves. A number of Irish whiskey distilleries, including Jameson and Teeling, have also closed their sites to visitors temporarily. Brown-Forman has also announced that it has temporarily suspended all tours, tastings and shops across its distilleries due to the coronavirus outbreak. (source).
Bacardi Legacy Global Postponed
Bacardi has announced that it has postponed the 12th annual BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition which was scheduled to take place May 1st -7th in Miami, Florida. In light of The World Health Organization’s assessment that COVID-19 can be characterised as a global pandemic, the global competition is postponed until further notice.
Tips for Small Business Owners during COVID-19 Outbreak
Hope & Sesame, the first “speakeasy” bar in Guangzhou, China and no 35 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars has issued a long statement with tips for small business owners on how to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the full article here.
Pernod Ricard and Italicus
Almost four years after its launch, Pernod Ricard has announced that it has invested in Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto in a bid to establish it as “one of the world’s most successful aperitivo brands”. (source)
New Jane Walker Bottling
As part of Diageo’s Craftswomen Programme, a new Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker bottling has been released in the UK. Unlike the previous Jane Walker, this is a new blend created by master blender Emma Walker and is made with liquid from Speyside distillery Cardhu. Diageo said Elizabeth Cumming, who owned the Cardhu distillery during the late 19th century, “played a significant role in the brand’s history”. The new whisky is said to have notes of ripe orchard fruit and white peaches, which develop into hints of baked apple and sweet cream, with a lingering dark chocolate finish. (source)
Alan Winchester in Sydney
Alan Winchester, The Glenlivet Master Distiller visited Sydney last week and hosted an intimate masterclass at Shady Pines Saloon in Sydney, regaling the trade audience with stories while tasting The Glenlivet 12 yo, 18 yo, Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish and The Glenlivet Code.
New Black Tot Rum Global Ambassador
Mitch Wilson (ex Trailer Happiness in London, Henrietta’s Supper Club in Sydney and Plantation Rum Australia and New Zealand Ambassador) has been named Black Tot Rum Global Ambassador. His appointment coincides with the 50th anniversary of Black Tot Day on 31 July 2020, an event that marks when the British Royal Navy ended the 239-year tradition of issuing a daily rum ration (‘tot’), to crew members. (source)
Condensation in Spirit Bottles
Why is there condensation in my spirits bottle? We’ve all seen it, be it in our home bar but does it mean the spirit has gone off? This article explains that condensation forms when the air inside the bottle is cooler than the air outside, and a good sign that the seal on that bottle is tight. (source)
Recommended Reads
- Ten spirits tapping into the hybrid trend (source)
- Thinking about hosting an intimate spirit tasting at home? Here’s an idea (source)
- Is It Time to Ditch the Sugar Rim? (source)
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