With ready-to-drink UPC proliferation nearing 7,000 items, how does an independent spirits company find a niche on the shelf - especially when starting from scratch? For Wolf Spirit Distillery, an Oregon-based spirits producer, the opportunity lies in upscaling a version of a cocktail people already love, and possibly upping the size too.

Investment firm Pronghorn, an initiative focused on boosting Black entrepreneurship in spirits, announced yesterday new investments in three more spirit companies: Abisola Whiskey, Los Hermanos Tequila 1978, and Alexander James Whiskey. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Moderate and declining spirit trends continued over the first half of 2023, leaving the category slightly down against the backdrop of inflation-weary consumers looking for high quality deals, according to a new report.

Volume growth decelerated on a sequential basis across beer, wine, spirits and flavored malt beverage categories, while holding relatively steady across hard seltzer in the two-week period ending August 12, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

In bringing together two of the biggest names in beverage – Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola – for a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail, Dallas Cheatham, Brown Forman’s ready-to-drink portfolio director, knew the consumer buy-in was there.

Campari is set to increase shareholders’ voting rights this month, a move which may carve a path toward making a big acquisition as the Italian spirits group seeks to compete against larger rivals like Pernod Ricard and Diageo.

Beam Suntory reported a 10% rise in net sales for the first half of 2023, driven by ready-to-drink (RTD) brands and the company’s premiumization strategy, but nevertheless did face performance struggles in North America.

Pernod Ricard is continuing to double-down on American whiskey by partnering in a new venture with Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member and Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian.

As more drinkers trade their well shots for premium tequila, new marketing partnerships with some of the sports world’s more luxury events and surprising celebrity backers are emerging.

In the era of peak bourbon, how does a brand standout? The racehorse on the Pinhook label may shout “Kentucky”, but its winemaker-inspired business model is one way this craft brand has crafted an unique identity in a crowded category.

As the no/low $11 billion global business grows, so do the opportunities for brands playing in the moderation space. But what are the sober drinking occasions to win?

Ohio’s Watershed Distillery has been acquired by New Jersey-based Marussia Beverages USA, the U.S.-arm of Swiss firm Marussia Beverages Group.