Upscale, Multi-Serve & Global: Wolf Spirit Distillery Launches RTDs

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.

Spirits: New Releases From Hemingway, Jack Daniel’s, Wolves, Brugal and More

In this roundup of notable new spirits, Colorado-based Root Shoot announces the launch of its first completely locally sourced spirit, Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new LTO and Jack Daniel’s introduces the latest addition to its Single Barrel Special Release Collection.

Instacart Files IPO on Nasdaq

Instacart filed for its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, as the grocery delivery leader aims to create a "truly omni-channel experience" across physical and online stores.

Pronghorn Backs Three More Black-Owned Brands

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.

Taste Radio: It’s Controversial… Till It Makes Money. Plus, A Sip Of Slane And Eggo Cream.

Is it groundbreaking or headed for infamy? The hosts sample several new products made with controversial (or, perhaps, objectionable) ingredients and flavors and assess the mainstream potential for each. This episode also features an interview with Alex Conyngham, the co-founder of Slane Irish Whiskey, who discussed the duality of building a modern brand that’s rooted in tradition.

Data: Luxury Spirits Decline; RTDs Up On-Premise

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.

Analysis: Inside the Waterloo Tidal Wave

Waterloo has not yet met its Waterloo. In fact, it’s making more like early season Napoleon, conquering territory and building the empire.

Design: Mayawell’s Makeover Aims To Meet Category Evolution

When Mayawell began building the identity for its prebiotic better-for-you soda in 2019, the category was still fairly nascent. Now, only four years later, consumer familiarity and well-established category leaders have inspired the brand to lean into its product’s more compelling attributes.

Data: Dollar Sales Up for RTDs & FMBs As Overall BevAlc Vol Slows

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.

Review: Gunna Drinks

Founded in 2016, Gunna Drinks is a soft drinks line that has previously only been available in the UK market. Positioning itself as a “better made lemonade,” the brand is now working on expanding into the U.S. with five uniquely flavored varieties. 

Elevator Talk: Blackbird Botanica, Soldadera, The BAD Tea Co., Narra

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Alex Sonageri, a consumer investor with Blackstone Growth, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.