Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i Market Watch

There’s much to take away from this year’s “Hot Brands” list, and it’s always an interesting exercise to see where the fastest-growing brands are taking us. This year, there are 31 spirits Hot Brand winners, accounting for 39.9 million cases. Whiskies had the biggest volume presence, with 16 million cases across ten brands. Given all the buzz surrounding whiskies these days, that’s hardly a surprise, but it’s certainly compel-ling to see it play out in the data. Vodka, meanwhile, remains very much in the game. In fact, the two biggest spirits Hot Brands—Tito’s and New Amsterdam—are vodkas. Four other vodkas also made the list, bringing vodka’s total to 14 million cases—not so far behind those red-hot whiskies. And what’s this? Tequila now has 11 of the 31 brands in the…

• Emphasizing music and cocktails, The Seville opened in February in an underground space inside The James Hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad district. The chic bar highlights classic drinks, with updated takes on the Old Fashioned, Highball, and Rob Roy, as well as spirits and Champagne bottle service. • The tropical lounge Del Mar opened in February in San Francisco’s Marina District. The venue, which features built-in swing chairs, a DJ, and a dance floor, offers brightly colored cocktails made with house-infused spirits, punch bowls, and slushies, as well as wine on tap and beers from the likes of Maui Brewing and Kona Brewing. • Chicago’s Heisler Hospitality unveiled Ludlow Liquors in February in the city’s Avondale neighborhood. The venue has a cocktail program that allows guests to order several drinks…

Louisville, Kentucky-based Blue Equity is invested in everything from Mexican resorts to flooring companies to talent management firms that represent chefs and TV broadcasters. But chairman Jonathan Blue’s great passion lies close to home in Kentucky, where he was an early backer of Angel’s Envy Bourbon and, more recently, an investor in beverage alcohol retail. In late 2015, Blue Equity purchased the two-location, Louisville-based Party Mart group, and last year, the company acquired the Liquor Barn retail chain from Canada’s Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd.—a roughly $26 million deal that included 15 Liquor Barn locations around the Bluegrass State, which range in size from 2,700-44,000 square feet. With the purchase of Liquor Barn, Blue Equity became Kentucky’s biggest beverage alcohol retailer, although competition from Total Wine & More is on the…

While mezcal continues to surge in popularity in the United States, agave pricing and supply issues in Mexico are poised to make a deep impact on this burgeoning spirits category. Mezcal holds just a tiny slice of the overall spirits pie, but it’s posting consistent gains, thanks largely to bartenders who are offering it in mixed drinks and as a standalone sipping spirit. The on-premise dominates mezcal’s U.S. sales, which have grown more quickly than many suppliers anticipated over the last few years. This, in turn, has led to a surge in agave pricing and potential supply issues as established labels increase production and new entrants flood the market. Mezcal can be made in several Mexican states, but the vast majority of it comes from Oaxaca and is made using…

In the 15 years that 4 Star Restaurant Group has been in operation in Chicago, the company has never closed a restaurant. That’s a feat to be celebrated in a crowded and competitive on-premise market like the Windy City, and it’s one that isn’t lost on 4 Star’s executive team. Launched by cousins Doug and Michael Dunlay in 2003 with the debut of the American grill Dunlays on Clark in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, 4 Star now operates nine concepts and manages 11 venues overall, with a 12th set to open this spring. Revenues topped $30 million for 4 Star Restaurant Group in 2017, with beverage alcohol comprising between 35% and 40% of total sales. Wine is a category leader, as 4 Star operates two wine bars, a pizza and…

With a fortune of around $4 billion, according to Forbes, Argentine energy magnate Alejandro Bulgheroni is known for thinking big, and his plans for his rapidly expanding portfolio of global wine interests are no exception. Bulgheroni has invested around $1 billion in wine projects around the globe over the past decade, beginning with Bodega Garzón, his Uruguayan estate seated just to the east of the posh resort town of Punta del Este. While Garzón—and Uruguay as a whole—is a relative newcomer on the global fine wine landscape, the winery has already begun to garner critical interest, with Garzón’s 2015 Uruguay Reserva Tannat ($17 a 750-ml.) ranking 41st among Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2017. In early 2016, Bulgheroni hired Christian Wylie—formerly commercial director for Chile’s Carolina Wine Brands—as managing…

Born and raised in Chicago, Jacyara de Oliveira dove into the world of bartending early. “I have a tendency to lean in hard to new things and working in bars was no different,” she says. “At 21, I landed a job at the best bar in the city—The Drawing Room—working with some of the best bartenders in the world. I decided then and there that I was going to continue down this career path.” Since starting out as a barback at The Drawing Room in 2010, de Oliveira has made a name for herself. As part of the opening team for Chicago’s acclaimed Sportsman’s Club, she managed the bar while racking up accolades—including Miss Speed Rack Chicago, a “Rising Star Mixologist” recognition from Food & Wine, and a Jean Banchet…

Diageo Renames George Dickel Distillery…. Diageo has renamed its Tennessee-based George Dickel Distillery as Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., and appointed Nicole Austin as general manager and distiller. Cascade Hollow will continue to be the home of the George Dickel Tennes-see whiskey brand, as well as unspecified “future innovation spirits,” according to Diageo. Austin, who was most recently project commissioning engineer at William Grant & Sons’ Tullamore D.E.W. distillery in Ireland and also worked as master blender at Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn, will lead the charge as Cascade Hollow looks to innovate under the George Dickel brand and launch new spirits from the distillery. Pernod Backs Jameson With Global Campaign…. Looking to stoke further growth for Jameson Irish whiskey, Pernod Ricard is backing the brand with a new multi-million dollar…

Captain Morgan Watermelon Smash Diageo North America expanded its Captain Morgan range this spring with a new release targeting the shot occasion. Captain Morgan Watermelon Smash ($16 a 750-ml.) is a blend of Caribbean rum with watermelon flavors. Packaged in a scratch-and-sniff bottle, the 25% abv spirit is available nationwide. For more information, visit Captainmorgan.com. Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish William Grant & Sons launched a permanent new non-age-statement expression from its Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey brand. Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish ($26-$29 a 750-ml.) was finished in barrels previously used to age Demerara rum. The 43% abv whiskey is available nationwide. For more information, visit Tullamoredew.com. Booker’s Kathleen’s Batch Bourbon Beam Suntory has launched the first whiskey in the Booker’s Bourbon 2018 collection. Booker’s Kathleen’s Batch Bourbon…

As a new generation of consumers reshapes the drinks market, the defining trends like the brown spirits renaissance, the move to upscale Tequila, and the expansion of rosé wine are all in evidence on Impact’s annual “Hot Brands” list. (See tables for the criteria a brand must meet in order to make the list.) In spirits, Tequila has risen to the fore while whiskies continue their strong showing. The domestic wine roster is led by California labels at the $10-$20 tier, as consumers reach for offerings like Deutsch’s Josh Cellars and Terlato’s The Federalist. Among imports, Italian sparklers and French rosés remain the order of the day. A total of 31 brands are newcomers to the Hot Brand ranks this year, representing more than 40% of the list. Spirits: Tequila…

When Pouring Ribbons opened in New York City in the fall of 2012, partner Joaquín Simó decided to offer a rotating seasonal menu that changed four times a year. “We did that for the first three years, but eventually I found it to be very limiting, and it was getting harder to keep the staff motivated, interested, and inspired,” he says. Simó then took it down to two menus a year, both fitting into an overarching year-long theme. He started with Roads and Travel for fall 2015 through summer 2016. In fall and winter, the menu revolved around Route 66. “Our staff sought inspiration from roadside diners as well as the differing regional flavors and ingredients that come from the mountains and the desert,” Simó says. For spring and summer…

More widely known for their holistic healing properties, aloe and eucalyptus can be interesting additions behind the bar. Aloe vera, a tropical succulent plant, has long been a staple in skincare products, while eucalyptus, a tree native to Australia, is often found in cold remedies, home gardens, and bug repellents. Both botanicals, however, are starting to make inroads within the mixology community as bartenders look for unique ingredients to make their drinks stand out. Daniel Villanueva, a mixologist for the New York City Latin restaurant concept La Pulperia, which has locations in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown East neighborhoods, uses both aloe and eucalyptus in drinks. He says the plants are versatile, noting that aloe gel and eucalyptus oil can be directly infused into spirits or mixed into purées and…

Amidst a realignment of its portfolio, Proximo Spirits has named Alex Tomlin as general manager of its newly formed Signature Brands unit. Tomlin comes to Proximo following a 23-year tenure at Diageo, where he held a series of marketing and innovation leadership positions across the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and North America regions. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of marketing for Reserve & Scotch Whisky brands at Diageo North America. In his new role, Tomlin will guide the Signature Brands division in its mission to develop, nurture, and accelerate new brands, including Maestro Dobel Tequila, Tincup whiskey, and Hangar 1 vodka, among others. Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve has promoted master taster Elizabeth McCall to assistant master distiller. With the promotion, McCall—who’s been a member of Brown-Forman’s research and…

TREE POSE INGREDIENTS: 1½ ounces Leblon cachaca;¼ ounce Chareau aloe vera liqueur;¼ ounce Hamilton’s Pimento Dram liqueur;½ ounce Small Hand Foods Pineapple Gum syrup;1 ounce tomatillo juice;½ ounce lime juice;Bunch fresh cilantro. RECIPE: Combine cachaca, liqueurs, syrup, and juices in a rocks glass over crushed ice. Swizzle lightly to chill and combine, and top with more crushed ice. Garnish with fresh cilantro. EMPRESS OF MARS INGREDIENTS: 1½ ounces Yzaguirre Blanco vermouth;1 ounce El Buho mezcal;3 dashes Pernod absinthe;¾ ounce lime juice;½ ounce rosemary syrup1;Dash Bar Keep Lavender bitters;3 ounces Fever-Tree tonic water;Rosemary sprig. RECIPE: Combine vermouth, mezcal, absinthe, lime juice, syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Quickly shake to chill and combine ingredients. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice and top with tonic water. Garnish…

• Michelin-starred chef Kevin Adey unveiled General Deb’s, a laid-back Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, in February. The eatery focuses on Sichuan noodle culture and features a spirits-heavy cocktail menu, as well as local draft beers and Old World wines. • Southern-inspired eatery Lowcountry added a second unit in Chicago in February. The South Loop location, which is a sister to the original in the Windy City’s Lakeview neighborhood, specializes in boil-in-bag seafood dishes that include crawfish, shrimp, and crab. Meanwhile, the drinks menu consists of craft cocktails and beers. • The food hall Grandview Public Market opened in February in West Palm Beach, Florida inside a repurposed warehouse. The venue houses 15 local and national vendors, including a chicken concept and full bar from Three Kings Restaurant Group,…

Svedka Despite difficult conditions faced by many leading vodka brands, Constellation Brands-owned Svedka vodka has remained in positive territory over the past two years. The brand reached 4.4 million cases on 2% growth in 2017, according to Impact Databank. Svedka has added more than 1 million cases to its U.S. total since 2010, and it passed Absolut in 2015 to become the U.S. market’s largest imported vodka by volume. Svedka is now the market’s fourth-largest vodka overall, behind only Smirnoff, Tito’s, and New Amsterdam. It retails at around $12 a 750-ml. for the core vodka and flavors, with its 100-proof version at about $14. The flagship 40%-abv unflavored vodka drives a healthy 80% of the business. Carl Evans, Constellation’s vice president of marketing for spirits, sees ample potential to increase…

The beverage alcohol retailing world has evolved dramatically over the years, and few independent players have embraced those changes like Gary Fisch. Since first launching his business in 1987—and forgoing a salary for the first four years—Fisch has weathered many storms. His keys to staying relevant are strategic growth and a willingness to continually embrace the changing dynamics of the beverage alcohol retail industry. Those tenets have allowed Fisch, the president and CEO of the five-unit Gary’s Wine & Marketplace in New Jersey, to enjoy more than three decades of growth. “I’m exceedingly fortunate,” Fisch says. “When we opened in ’87 we had no money, but this industry has been good to me. Back then, New Jersey was just starting to become a wine state, and now it’s one of…

KIX By Morgan Schick Inspired by Japan, named for Kansai International Airport Ingredients: 1½ ounces Plymouth gin;¾ ounce Murai Family Nigori sake;½ ounce Lillet Rose aperitif;½ ounce wakame-lychee syrup1;½ ounce lime cordial2;3 drops saline;Micro purple shiso leaves. Recipe: Combine gin, sake, aperitif, syrup, cordial, and saline in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a small cocktail glass. Garnish with micro purple shiso leaves. LADY PINK By Brooke Toscano Inspired by the eponymous graffiti and mural artist Ingredients: 1½ ounces Lady Grey tea-infused Tanqueray gin3;½ ounce Copper & Kings Immature brandy;½ ounce Lavender-infused Lillet Blanc aperitif4;¼ ounce Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto liqueur;¾ ounces lemon juice;⅔ ounce vanilla syrup5;1 teaspoon rose syrup6;Dash Bittercube Bolivar bitters;Egg white;Crushed dried cornflower and rose petals. Recipe: Combine gin, brandy, aperitif, liqueur, juice, syrups,…

On-Premise News Urbanspace Food Hall Debuts New Location In NYC New York City food hall Urbanspace has added another Midtown East location. The new locale features three floors and 11,400 square feet of space, and counts a variety of popular purveyors as vendors, including Bushwick-based pizzeria Roberta’s and beer retailer Top Hops Beer Shop, among a handful of others. Off-Premise News New NHLC Outlet Opens In Rochester The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) opened a 20,000-squarefoot NH Liquor & Wine Outlet in Rochester in March, replacing an older location. Located off the Spaulding Turnpike in a shopping center with potential traffic of 36,000 motorists daily, the store features over 6,600 wine and spirits SKUs. Like other recently opened NHLC outlets, it will highlight premium and ultra-premium spirits and high-end wines…