ST. LOUIS, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Penelope Bourbon announced its latest innovation in cask-finished bourbon with the release of Havana. Always at the forefront of innovation, the Penelope team capitalized on the popularity of maple with Havana, and redefined the double cask finish by taking a Caribbean rum finish for a base of molasses and tropical sweetness and enhancing it with a unique maple syrup cask finish to transform the entire flavor journey. The casks for the second finish have a distinctive life cycle – they were used to age Penelope bourbon, then were repurposed to age maple syrup before being used for Havana's second finish. This special finish adds depth and warmth for an innovative and distinctive yet approachable experience for bourbon connoisseurs and adventurous newcomers alike.

"This is much more than a rum-finished bourbon – it's a standout in our collection of cask-finished bourbons," said Danny Polise, Penelope Bourbon Founder and Master Blender. "The maple finish is the perfect complement to the initial rum-finished bourbon by further elevating the blend and creating balance between savory, sweet and oak spice."

As the latest premium release in the Penelope Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons, Havana begins with Penelope's signature Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged four years with a mash bill of 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat and 3% malted barley. The final expression is the result of aging 12 months in Caribbean rum casks and one month in the unique maple syrup barrels. Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), a limited allocation of 4,500 cases (6-in) ship this month at a suggested minimum retail price of $79.99.

Havana imparts an aroma of molasses, banana bread and rich maple with tastes of robust caramel corn, charred oak and candied pecans. The finish features lingering vanilla, brown sugar and syrup with hints of mellow tobacco and spice.

"We've been working on Havana for a long time to deliver the perfect product, and we couldn't be happier with the way it turned out," said Michael Paladini, Penelope Bourbon Founder and Vice President of Strategy for MGP Ingredients. "We really try to push the boundaries of innovation with every release in our Cooper Series. Havana's double cask finish delivers rich flavor and complexity we think our fans will love."

Penelope Havana is one of five special annual cask finish releases in Penelope Bourbon's award-winning Cooper Series. The other offerings include Rio, double finished in American honey and Brazilian oak casks; Rosé, finished in French Grenache rosé wine casks; Tokaji, finished in Hungarian wine casks; and Valencia, finished in Vino de Naranja casks from Sevilla, Spain. A product locator for the Penelope family of bourbons can be found here.

MONTREAL, Dec. 10, 2024 /CNW/ - For the second quarter of its 2024-2025 fiscal year, which ended on September 14, 2024, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) reported net income of $337.8 million, a $1.5 million or 0.4% increase from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.

Results in brief

• The decline in sales in the store and specialized centre network continued. Specifically, sales fell $3.7 million or 0.4% compared with the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year and reflecting a 1.3 million litre or 2.8% drop in volume sales. Volumes in this network maintained their downward trend, as has been the case for the last seven quarters, a development largely attributable to changes in customers' shopping habits.
• Overall dollar sales rose 0.1% to $946.7. This slight growth stems from the $4.7 million increase in sales to the wholesale grocer network.
• Government revenues totalled $632 million, up $0.3 million from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year. Of this amount, $511.6 million will be remitted to the Quebec treasury and $120.4 million to the federal government.
• The SAQ will intensify its efforts to contend with the constantly changing market and the trend toward lower volumes.

Detailed results:

Store and specialized centre (permit holders, agency stores and other customers) network 

• Dollar sales in this network totalled $874.4 million, a $3.7 million or 0.4% decrease.
• Volume sales fell 1.3 million litres or 2.8% to 45.3 million litres.
• Online sales were up 7.6% from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year, reaching $19.9 million and accounting for 2.8% of consumer sales.
• The value of customers' average shopping cart dropped 0.5%, going from $62.42 to $62.09.
• For consumer sales overall, the average sales price per litre rose to $20.67, compared with $20.41 for the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.

Wholesale grocer network

• Dollar sales in this network grew $4.7 million or 7% to reach $72.3 million.
• Volume sales increased 0.3 million litres or 4.2% to end the quarter at 7.5 million litres.
• It should be noted that the SAQ acts as a wholesaler to the Quebec grocery and convenience store network. Consequently, the sales made in this network do not necessarily correspond to the sales these establishments made to consumers.

Net expenses

• Net expenses rose to $136.4 million versus $134.5 million in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2023-2024, a $1.9 million or 1.4% increase.
• Expressed as a percentage of sales, net expenses in the second quarter were 14.4%, compared with 14.2% for the same quarter of the preceding fiscal year.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside single malt Scotch, enlists actor Thomas Doherty to introduce The Glenlivet tartan in the ultimate expression of Scottish sophistication, bringing quality and refinement from Speyside to stateside this holiday season. With the new The Glenlivet tartan, the single malt Scotch and Doherty are reimagining tartan for a contemporary Scotland, as the pattern originally established in the Scottish Highlands centuries ago to represent kinship and family takes over today's runways and red carpets. Pathing the way for a modern Scottish Renaissance, The Glenlivet and Doherty are introducing new fashion-forward expressions of The Glenlivet tartan and The Glenlivet Tartan Tini cocktail, inspiring originality in both style and flavor in time for holiday celebrations.

The Glenlivet and Thomas Doherty both share a respect for the codes of quality that make Scotch superior met with propensity for elevating and evolving traditions in the name of propelling forward. As such, the two icons of Scottish excellence set forth to reweave heritage this holiday and encourage fans to embrace spins on beloved classics from holiday dressing to whisky cocktails. An embodiment of the influence of Scotland in modern culture, Doherty originally hails from Edinburgh, just miles away from the birthplace of the iconic single malt and currently resides in NYC where he has stood out with an undeniable sense of style, often sporting elevated takes on traditional silhouettes.

"What a gift it is to be Scottish. When I think about my heritage, I feel a deep sense of pride and connection to something much older and deeper than myself. It's been so rewarding to work with The Glenlivet on this project that pays homage to the next generation of Scottish craftsmanship," said Thomas Doherty, actor and The Glenlivet ambassador. "The tartan print and The Glenlivet single malt scotch whisky are both so iconic to Scotland. It's been such a pleasure putting a modern spin on these Scottish symbols and sharing them with my friends in the U.S."

Doherty and The Glenlivet have also brought together a collective of tastemakers to offer their own expressions of originality as The Glenlivet brings together the best of Scottish and American cultures. Starring alongside Doherty in striking new creative content, each member of the collective is inspiring their community to stand apart this holiday through their unique talents and perspectives:

• NYC IT Girl Stylist Beverly Nguyen styled a variety of looks that spotlight The Glenlivet Tartan pattern across modern silhouettes – each ensemble spotlighted in the campaign content. Beverly as a definitive fashion tastemaker in NYC is also giving tips on how to style Scottish tartan in your own holiday wardrobe.
• Celebrated artist Clym Evernden has created original illustrations that reflect The Glenlivet's 200 year history as an iconic symbol of whisky, standing among the New York City skyline to reflect how the brand has risen to modernity.
• Brooklyn-based DJ Amrit Tietz is bringing good vibes to holiday parties this season with her "Tartan Tracks" playlist, which features a blend of classic and new age songs while also highlighting Scottish musicians.
• The King of Soho style Maurice Kamara is delving into the tartan pattern's significance in culture sharing snippets from an interview with Doherty in his signature, off-the-cuff-style in street style content on @thepeoplegallery_.

With an unwavering mission to push the boundaries of creativity and flavor set forth by George Smith when he first established the brand in 1824, The Glenlivet commissioned Lochcarron of Scotland, the world's leading manufacturer of authentic Scottish tartan, to design and produce The Glenlivet tartan. Featuring hand-stitched, amber-colored hues inspired by its warm liquid woven atop of The Glenlivet's iconic teal, The Glenlivet tartan sets a new standard for Scottish style as it looks forward to the next 200 years.

“As the #1 single malt Scotch whisky brand in the US¹, The Glenlivet is proud to bring together a unique group of Scottish icons and American culture curators to celebrate the quality and craftmanship that make single malt special while leading the category forward as a modern day symbol of sophistication," said Johan Radojewski, Vice President Marketing - Scotch & Irish Whisk(e)y, Pernod Ricard USA. "The surging of tartan pattern in American culture is a testament to consumers valuing heritage and high quality over fleeting trends. The cultural movement around new heritage shines a spotlight on the staying power of Scottish sophistication, and the quality and craftmanship that single malt stands for." 

The Glenlivet tartan will debut with a VIP launch party hosted with Thomas and his team of trendsetters at Soho's newest, celebrity-approved hotspot for an evening of elevated cocktails, art, music and standout style. The party will also serve as the kickoff to an array of tartan takeovers that will bring the design to life in unexpected ways for consumers to enjoy throughout New York City. Wrapped around the exterior of taxi cabs, adhered to sidewalks, popping up in tastemaker hotels through umbrellas and postcard mailboxes, and transforming iconic NYC locations through AI content, each unique tartan moment represents an invitation from The Glenlivet to stand out with a refined choice. Those outside of NYC can also stand apart with their fashion and whisky choices this season with The Glenlivet Speyside Meets Stateside Holiday Collection available on ReserveBar, which includes The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, The Tartan Tini cocktail recipe, tartan winter fashion accessories and a deck of cards to elevate holiday hosting and gifting.

The "Taking Back Tartan" initiative comes as the pinnacle of The Glenlivet's yearlong bicentennial celebrations featuring bespoke collaborations, innovative and prestigious new whiskies, commemorative events and a new masterbrand campaign inspiring consumers to stand apart from the herd by making a more refined whisky choice.

To join The Glenlivet, Thomas Doherty and friends in standing apart with sophisticated Scottish holiday soirees, visit https://www.theglenlivet.com/en-us/thomas-doherty-x-the-glenlivet/

What: Award-winning whisky brand, Crown Royal, has unveiled its first major packaging update in decades, reflecting the brand’s identity as a luxurious whisky fit for royalty. 

The redesigned, slimmer bottles across the portfolio boast a sleek and striking appearance, while the whisky remains a distinctive and smooth gift. New design features: a metallic gold finished closure, slimmed bottle and updated designs to the label and carton. Notably, the redesign features a fresh take on two of the brand’s most iconic symbols – the crown and pillow logo, along with the signature script wordmark.

The packaging redesign is rolling out across the brand’s portfolio, including Crown Royal Fine De Luxe, Regal Apple, Peach, Vanilla, Black, Northern Harvest Rye, XO, Salted Caramel, Blackberry, and Reserve Aged 12 Years.

The packaging refresh comes off the heels of Crown Royal’s recent rollout of short films which highlight the brand’s pillars along with the trademark smooth quality the whisky is known for. 

Who: Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

When:  The bolder, reimagined bottles have begun to hit shelves nationwide for select whiskies, and all new bottles will be available nationwide by Spring 2025. 

Where: Nationwide