News Briefs for June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

•Ireland’s Clonakilty Distillery has released a new 7-year-old Irish single malt finished in Bourbon barrels from Texas-based Garrison Brothers. The new malt is bottled at 58.8% abv and initially matured in used Bourbon barrels before finishing for seven months in barrels used to age Garrison Brothers’ double-matured Bourbon, Balmorhea. The whiskey is a one-time release exclusively available in Texas for a suggested price of $70 a 750-ml. In the U.S., Clonakilty’s portfolio is handled by Marussia Beverages USA.

•New York-based importer Empson USA is adding Poggio Argentiera from Maremma, Tuscany, to its portfolio. Empson will import three of Poggio Argentiera’s offerings, including Bellamarsilia Morellino di Scansano DOCG, Capatosta Toscana Rosso IGT, and Poggioraso Toscana Cabernet Franc IGT. The Italian newcomers are rolling out nationwide. Empson’s portfolio includes offerings from Italy, Spain, Chile, New Zealand, and the U.S.

•Los Angeles, California’s Greenbar Distillery has released three new full-proof bottled cocktails, expanding its portfolio of spirits, liqueurs, RTDs, bitters, and other offerings. First up is the California Poppy Negroni, bottled at 28% abv and made with Poppy amaro, dry gin, and a hibiscus-forward vermouth. The next release is a Smoky Vesper Martini at 26% abv and made with vodka, gin, and a smoked vermouth. Finally, Greenbar has released a Single Malt Old Fashioned, made with its own single malt, orange liqueur, and bitters, bottled at 35% abv. All three are available in 375-ml. bottles for a suggested price of $20 for the Negroni and Martini, and $23 for the Old Fashioned.

•Labatt USA introduced a flavored extension of its Labatt Blue line. Part of the Labatt Blue Light subseries, the new flavor is Labatt Blue Light Apple. It joins Labatt Blue Light Lime and Blue Light Grapefruit in the lineup. All light pilsners, the Blue Light series is at 4% abv. Blue Light Apple is available in 12- and 30-packs now in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Delaware, while supplies last. Additionally, after migrating Blue Light Lime and Grapefruit to slim cans for the last year, Labatt has returned them to standard 12-ounce cans.

Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.

Tagged : Clonalkilty, Empson USA, Greenbar, Labatt USA, Poggio Argentiera

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2021 DATA AND 2022 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2022 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.