Liquor Industry Weekly Update: Trends and New Products

Liquor Industry News 02-09-26

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*

02-09-2026

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Would you drink beer made with bear poop?

Do De-Alcoholized Wines Deliver?

California Awash with Unsold Wine

Is ‘additive-free’ rum about to boom?

As the Tequila sector cracks down on ‘additive-free’ claims, one producer is predicting rum will soon be under similar scrutiny.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/is-additive-free-rum-about-to-boom/

Investor group eyes Uncle Nearest purchase

NexGen 2780, a Georgia-registered investor group, has expressed interest in acquiring Uncle Nearest’s assets and settling the distiller’s US$108 million debt to Farm Credit Mid-America

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/investor-group-eyes-uncle-nearest-purchase/

POLL FINDS A RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICANS SEE MODERATE DRINKING AS A HEALTH RISK

Fewer Americans are reporting that they drink alcohol amid a growing belief that even moderate alcohol consumption is a health risk, according to a new Gallup poll released in August.

https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/poll-finds-record-number-americans-see-moderate-drinking-health-risk/

The 10 Most Overrated Liquor Brands

Being overrated doesn’t automatically mean a spirit is bad. Many of these brands are technically well-made and can be enjoyable in moderation or in cocktails.

https://www.tastingtable.com/2075551/most-overrated-alcohol-brands/

New Rebel

Luxco’s Rebel Bourbon has announced the return of Rebel Root Beer to the brand’s portfolio. The 35% abv flavored whiskey is made with Rebel’s wheated Straight Bourbon whiskey and blended with the flavor of root beer before bottling. It carries a suggested price of $20 a 750-ml. and $0.99 per 50-ml. and is now available across the U.S. Rebel is part of Luxco, MGP’s branded arm, alongside brands like Ezra Brooks, Yellowstone, and Penelope, among others.

What wine to pair with risotto?

Risotto, a nurturing Italian dish, treats us to a whole host of possible flavors. When choosing a wine to pair with it, focus on extenuating the main ingredient or flavor of the dish.

https://www.idealwine.info/what-wine-to-pair-with-risotto/

New Maker’s

Suntory Global Spirits has launched new packaging for Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, with the new label featuring an age statement for the first time. The whisky is bottled between seven- and eight-years-old and at ABVs ranging from 53.5% to 57%. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength carries a suggested price of $50 a 750-ml. and the new packaging is now rolling out across the U.S. Last year, the Maker’s Mark brand was at an estimated 2.25 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Reconsidering a Dry January

Could Drinking Wine be Beneficial to Your Health?

https://winereviewonline.com/reconsidering-a-dry-january-could-drinking-wine-be-beneficial-to-your-health/

Calories, Sugar Fears, and ‘Eco’ Appeal Are Reshaping Wine Consumption

Consumers Cut Back on Alcohol for Health–But Still See Wine as the “Healthier” Choice

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/313114

7 Things You Should Know About Castle & Key, the Kentucky Distillery Housed in a Stunning Castle

Important figures in the drinks world often leave massive legacies behind their names — think Veuve Clicquot and Jack Daniel’s. But significant parts of their stories can easily go unnoticed, and reviving those lost details is largely the ethos behind Castle & Key.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-castle-and-key/

Chateau Ste. Michelle overhauls packaging following acquisition

The flagship brand of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has been given a fresh new look after being acquired by The Wyckoff Family in December. The update marks the first time its bottle design has been revamped in decades.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/chateau-ste-michelle-overhauls-packaging-following-acquisition/

Genetic study finds no overall cancer link for alcohol intake

A major genetic analysis reports no association between alcohol consumption and overall cancer risk, offering a more nuanced view than some headline health warnings. The findings arrive as global policy debates intensify over alcohol affordability and taxation.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/genetic-study-finds-no-overall-cancer-link-for-alcohol-intake/

An Intro to Champagne Wine Labelling

Champagne, the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine, comes exclusively from the Champagne region in northeastern France

https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/21/an-intro-to-champagne-wine-labelling/

More Bourbon Distilleries Are Closing.

So What Happens to the Whiskey?

https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-boom-leftover-whiskey/

Global Champagne shipments fall by 2% in 2025

The number of bottles of Champagne shipped worldwide, including the domestic market, totalled 266m in 2025 – representing a decline of 5m bottles, or a drop of 2% on the previous year.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/global-champagne-shipments-fall-by-2-in-2025/

New documentary tells Old Forester’s story

The 156-year history of Old Forester Bourbon in Louisville, Kentucky, is the subject of a new documentary.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/new-documentary-tells-old-foresters-story/

California prepares for record grape shortage

The 2025 California grape harvest is expected to be the lowest produced by the US state for nearly 50 years, down 24% on last year’s crop, writes Ron Emler.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/california-prepares-for-grape-shortage/

Rats Can Differentiate Between Two White Wine Varieties

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled that rats possess the remarkable ability to not only differentiate between two varieties of white wine but also to generalize their taste preferences across these two distinct classifications

https://scienmag.com/rats-can-differentiate-between-two-white-wine-varieties/#google_vignette

Exploring Champagne Through Iconic Film Scenes

Champagne lights up classic films as a sign of joy, wealth, and love.

https://glassofbubbly.com/exploring-champagne-through-iconic-film-scenes/

These 5 Wines Are Considered the “Healthiest” by Nutrition Experts

Ready to raise a glass? Here are the top RD-approved wine options.

https://www.realsimple.com/healthiest-wines-11888389

Does Storytelling Really Sell Wine?

Great storytelling can help illustrate a product, but it perhaps takes a little more to paint the whole picture.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/does-storytelling-really-sell-wine

Early warning for wine spoilage glows in the dark

Researchers built a living biosensor made of bacteria that lights up when it detects acetic acid, the main chemical signal that wine is starting to spoil.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-early-wine-spoilage-dark.html#google_vignette

Spain’s Sparkling Wine Revolution

Will the vintners staging a sparkling rebellion in Spain spark a real revolution?

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/spains-sparkling-wine-revolution

8 Worst Celebrity-Owned Liquor Brands

It’s easy to be a little snobby about celebrity-owned liquor brands.

https://www.tastingtable.com/2082789/worst-celebrity-liquors/

How Gen Z is influencing low-and-no

While the idea that Gen Z has turned its back on alcohol is misplaced, according to research, many drinkers across the board are mindful of what they consume. What does this mean for low-and-no brands?

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/how-gen-z-are-influencing-low-and-no/

How smoothie beers are helping to boost sales

A polarizing beer trend is boosting beer sales in the US. But what is a smoothie beer and how can it help the brewing sector? db looks at how one niche beer style has taken off on a global scale and is now reaping the success of consumer demand.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/how-smoothie-beers-are-helping-to-boost-sales/

The worst places to store wine at home

From the top of the fridge to the back of the garage, many homes unwittingly subject wine to conditions that hasten its decline. In the first of a two-part series, two experts explain to db where bottles suffer most and why good intentions so often end in disappointment.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/the-worst-places-to-store-wine-at-home/

New Grey Goose

Bacardi has launched Grey Goose Berry Rouge, the first new flavored addition to the vodka’s portfolio in 10 years. The 40% abv vodka is made with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries flavors and does not contain any added sugar. Grey Goose Berry Rouge is now available across the U.S., retailing at $26 a 750-ml. The new flavor sits alongside Grey Goose’s other flavored offerings, including Le Citron, La Poire, and L’Orange. Last year, Grey Goose was at 2.5 million cases in the U.S., down 2.2%, according to Impact Databank.

Can you pair Champagne & Chocolate?

What might have been a confrontational question several years back within the industry, one to spark a heated debate, today the subject is very approachable.

https://glassofbubbly.com/can-you-pair-champagne-chocolate/

Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail has added 10 new distillery experiences and satellite tasting room locations, bringing the total to 68 stops.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/kentucky-bourbon-trail-adds-10-new-stops/

Average price of a bottle of US wine hits $56.78

The price of American wine sold DTC shot up 11% last year to more than $50 per bottle, reveals numbers crunched by Sovos ShipCompliant. But which regions saw the highest leaps? Sarah Neish investigates.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/average-price-of-a-bottle-of-us-wine-hits-56-78/

That Drinks Business headline claiming the average price of a bottle of US wine hit $56.78 in 2025 is… just not true

One of the UK’s most important beverage trade journals shared a shocking statistic: that the average price of a bottle of American wine had risen 11% in 2025, to $56.78. The only problem? It wasn’t true.

https://blog.tablascreek.com/2026/01/that-drinks-business-headline-claiming-the-average-price-of-a-bottle-of-us-wine-hit-56-78-in-2025-is-just-not-true/

How To Market Wine Like Taylor Swift

You, too, can be cool, subtle, relevant. Believe.

https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/p/how-to-market-wine-like-taylor-swift

What does sustainability in spirits mean today?

Despite ‘sustainability’ being a nebulous phrase, many spirits brands are determined to demonstrate their commitment to doing better by the environment.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/what-does-sustainability-in-spirits-mean-today/

NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas Unveils Luxury Kosher Champagne

Isiah Thomas, owner-operator of Cheurlin Champagne, is redefining the luxury kosher wine category with the launch of his premium kosher Champagne collection, created in collaboration with the historic Cheurlin Champagne House.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2026/01/28/nba-hall-of-famer-isiah-thomas-unveils-luxury-kosher-champagne/

Is Wine Really Healthy? Experts Summarize the Research

The Answer Isn’t Simple and May Depend on a Variety of Factors

https://www.ucdavis.edu/magazine/wine-really-healthy-experts-summarize-research

California Awash with Unsold Wine

A small harvest this year likely won’t be enough to reduce the huge oversupply facing the California wine industry.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/california-awash-with-unsold-wine

Do De-Alcoholized Wines Deliver?

As new nonalcoholic options enter the market, we blind-tasted 50 bottles to test which—if any—can stand in for the real thing

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/best-nonalcoholic-dealcoholized-wine-2026-blind-tasting-na

Would you drink beer made with bear poop?

This Oregon brewery is betting you will

https://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2026/01/beer-collab-from-two-portland-companies-that-will-be-served-outside-the-super-bowl-uses-actual-bear-poop.html

Tabasco maker sues Stoli ahead of Absolut launch

McIlhenny Company has filed a trademark lawsuit against Stoli Group’s new jalapeño vodka as the Tabasco maker announces a spicy vodka collaboration with Absolut.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/tabasco-maker-sues-stoli-ahead-of-absolut-launch/

Survival of the smallest: limited-production wineries fare best

Bigger players producing more than 500,000 cases per year saw the largest slump in sales during 2025, reveals shipping company Sovos, while smaller producers were more shielded from the downturn. However, while sales of lower-priced wines plummeted, this “shouldn’t be labelled as premiumisation”, the report cautioned. Here’s why…

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/survival-of-the-smallest-small-us-wineries-fare-best/