Liquor Industry News

Liquor Industry News 07-13-26

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

07-13-2026

Liquor Industry News

New Products

What is “American” Wine?

Top 10 oldest wineries and distilleries in the US

The 6 Best Summer Beers, According to Experts

The No. 1 Mistake to Avoid Before Your First Sip of Wine, According to a Sommelier

If you’ve ever written off a wine after one taste, you may have been judging it too early.

https://www.foodandwine.com/dont-drink-water-before-tasting-wine-12003407

Willett starts production at Springfield site

Family-owned Willett Distillery has filled its first cask and begun whiskey production at its new facility in Springfield, Kentucky.

Willett starts production at Springfield site

How the Martini glass became more than the Martini

Think of a Martini and what do you picture? We bet that it’s the classic V-shaped cocktail glass that immediately comes to your mind.

How the Martini glass became more than the Martini

Why Is Everybody Making Blackberry Whiskey?

As a spirits writer and reviewer, samples arrive at my (home) office nearly every single day. Some are exciting. Some aren’t great. Many are just part of the job. And you never quite know until you open the box

https://vinepair.com/articles/blackberry-whiskey-distilleries-recent-trend

The 10 Most Popular American Whiskey Brands in the World for 2026

Despite the dips in certain regions, American whiskey was the country’s most exported spirit with major growth in new markets like Brazil and Australia

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/most-popular-american-whiskey-brands-2026

Buffalo Trace’s Proof of Concept

The distillers behind Pappy Van Winkle have been experimenting with what strength to cask at and the results are surprisingly good.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/06/buffalo-traces-proof-of-concept

Orange Wine

An Ancient, Sustainable Sip Making a Modern Comeback

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/orange-wine

The 32 Best Pinot Noirs for 2026

Pinot Noir remains the ultimate litmus test for many winemakers.

https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-pinot-noirs-2026

7 Producers You Should Know to Get Into Rioja

Tempranillo is a sneaky little grape.

https://vinepair.com/articles/rioja-producers-to-know

New RTD

Sazerac has expanded its spirits-based RTD offerings with three new brands: Lovebug Hard Cream Soda, Buckhorn Whiskey Lemonade, and Endless Afternoon Whiskey Lemonade. Lovebug, at 5% abv, comes in Vanilla ’n Cream, Cherries ’n Cream, Cola ’n Cream, and Peaches ’n Cream flavors. Buckhorn (7% abv) covers Classic Whiskey Lemonade, Peach Whiskey Lemonade, Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade, and Honey Whiskey Lemonade. Finally, Endless Afternoon, canned at 9% abv, comes in Original Lemonade, Peach Lemonade, Blackberry Lemonade, and Ginger Lemonade flavors. The three new brands are each available in select regions across the U.S. in brand-specific 8-packs of 12-ounce cans retailing at $19.

The 6 Best Summer Beers, According to Experts

Nothing goes better with scalding-hot summer days than an ice-cold beer. Crack open our favorite cold ones and share a toast that chilly weather is many, many months away.

https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a71472301/best-summer-beers-to-drink

The Hottest Gen Z Alcohol Trend Isn’t a New Cocktail — It’s Drinking Earlier

After-work drinks and earlier bed times are in vogue.

https://www.foodandwine.com/daycap-trend-drinking-earlier-12003980

Guinness and Oysters Are Having a Moment

This Unexpected Pairing Has a Long History

https://vinepair.com/articles/guinness-oysters-popular-pairing

Online searches ‘through the roof’ for Sancerre and chilled reds

A new ‘Summergeist’ report by Google reveals the top-trending food and drinks this season, with Sancerre and chilled reds storming ahead, as well as, bizarrely, spam hotdogs. db finds out more.

Online searches ‘through the roof’ for Sancerre and chilled reds

Irish whiskey GI under review

Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has launched a public consultation to review the rules that govern Irish whiskey.

Irish whiskey GI under review

Bulleit bottles its oldest straight rye

Diageo-owned Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has released a limited edition 20-year-old straight rye, the brand’s oldest of its kind to date.

Bulleit bottles its oldest straight rye

Ole Smoky releases RTDs

Tennessee-based Ole Smoky has revisited the ready-to-drink (RTD) market with a line of sparkling moonshine lemonades.

Ole Smoky releases RTDs

New RTD

Brown-Forman has announced El Jimador Tequila Spritz, a new RTD extension for the brand. The new line comes in three flavors—Lime, Orange, and Mango—all at 4.8% abv and hitting shelves across the U.S. beginning in July. The cocktails come in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans for a suggested price of $11. The new Tequila Spritzes mark the brand’s first entry into the spirits-based RTD category in the U.S., although El Jimador is present in the malt-based cocktail category with El Jimador Bebidas. Last year, El Jimador Tequila was down nearly 13% in the U.S. to 672,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.

On Greek island of Santorini, winemakers try to adapt to heat and drought

Climate change makes wine growing harder on Greek island

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/greek-island-santorini-winemakers-try-adapt-heat-drought-2026-06-29

Will Europe’s heat wave kill a harvest too?

Shades of 2003 haunts growers

https://tomm142661.substack.com/p/will-europes-heat-wave-kill-a-harvest

Buffalo Trace Revives 5 Historic Whiskey Brands in Its New Prohibition Collection

This year’s lineup includes the distillery’s highest-proof rye in modern history.
https://www.foodandwine.com/buffalo-trace-prohibition-collection-2026-12009201

Sazerac buys Garrard County Distilling for $20m

Tom Collins Distilling, which is affiliated with Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac, has purchased the former Garrard County Distilling property located in Lancaster, Kentucky.

Sazerac buys Garrard County Distilling for $20m

Finnish Long Drink explores raspberry

Ready-to-drink (RTD) brand The Finnish Long Drink has debuted a new flavor, raspberry, as well as a zero-sugar variant.

Finnish Long Drink explores raspberry

Schiava and Lagrein: The red spirit of Alto Adige

The indigenous red varieties of Alpine northern Italy are a worthy complement to the region’s fine whites.

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/schiava-lagrein-red-spirit-alto-adige

What is “American” Wine?

Truth in labeling is a valid request.

https://stevenunlimited.substack.com/p/what-is-american-wine

We need to kick back a bit on wine and health

I’m worried that people are being scared about enjoying wine for no particular reason. Maybe we need to be more honest in the sphere of wine and health?

https://jamiegoode.substack.com/p/we-need-to-kick-back-a-bit-on-wine

7 Things You Should Know About BuzzBallz,

The Trailblazing RTD Popular With Gen Z

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-buzzballz

Top 10 oldest wineries and distilleries in the US

Ahead of Independence Day on Saturday, db reveals the ten oldest wineries and distilleries in the United States that remain operational, two of which predate the Declaration of Independence altogether.

Top 10 oldest wineries and distilleries in the US

Champagne on course for earliest harvest start date ever

Following an unusually early and heavily frost-damaged start to the season, followed by recent heatwave conditions, Champagne could be on course for the earliest start date for harvesting in its long history.

Champagne on course for earliest harvest start date ever

Beer considered to be the ‘most American’ of drinks

Ahead of Independence Day celebrations, new statistics have revealed that the majority of adults believe beer is the drink that is understood to be “most American”. db looks at the findings.

Beer considered to be the ‘most American’ of drinks

New Bourbon

Jefferson’s Bourbon, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has released a new limited edition 20-year-old whiskey finished in Bordeaux casks. The Bourbon is bottled at 47% abv and is a tribute to the brand’s namesake and “the pioneering spirit of America,” according to the company. Jefferson’s Bourbon Founder’s Reserve 20-Year-Old is limited to just 250 bottles, available through the brand’s website and in select retailers across the U.S. The limited-time-off ering carries a suggested price of $500 a 750-ml. Last year, Jefferson’s was at 131,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Ten whiskeys for the US 250th anniversary

Whiskey producers across the country have unveiled a plethora of limited releases to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US.

Ten whiskeys for the US 250th anniversary

ARE LOW-CAL BEERS THE NEXT BIG THING?

So: weaker than a Michelob Ultra and less than 100 calories, but stronger than NA and fuller-flavored for craft beer drinkers.

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2026/6/30/are-low-cal-beers-the-next-big-thing

This Is the No. 1 Nonalcoholic Beer in America, According to the First NA Beer Competition

Judges tasted more than 100 alcohol-free beers and beverages to crown the inaugural Best in Show winner.

https://www.foodandwine.com/best-day-brewing-wild-american-pilsner-best-in-show-north-american-nonalcoholic-cup-2026-12009452

The Ultimate Champagne Flavor Map

Wineries of all types strive to develop an estate identity through their liquid, but nowhere is that brand recognition as important as it is in Champagne

https://vinepair.com/articles/champagne-flavor-map-infographic