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MUENSTER, Texas, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka, the innovative new vodka brand distilled exclusively from 100% Blue Weber Agave, has launched "Tex," a groundbreaking new tool that combines professional mixology expertise with the intelligence of AI – delivered right through SMS text or online chat – to help address consumers' ongoing frustration with how to craft and perfectly pair cocktails at home.

Personified by an icon of a friendly Texan tipping his cowboy hat, Tex ("Your Weber Ranch AI Mixologist") leverages cutting-edge OpenAI technology to connect users instantly with a Weber Ranch virtual bartender trained on the knowledge of industry pros. It's a useful, functional, and remarkably individualized tool (not scripted) that highlights the versatility of Weber Ranch Vodka in cocktails, utilizing recipes that were created by bartenders across the country. By blending human creativity with AI precision, Tex is ready to recommend, guide, and personalize drink recipes anywhere, anytime.

To use "Tex," simply text #AskTex to 1-940-400-1902 or click this . And of course, "Tex" is also available on the Weber Ranch Vodka website, .

"While most companies and brands use AI simply for automated customer service 'chat,' we're doing something very different and innovative, harnessing the immense power of AI technology to create a first-of-its-kind personalized tool that deepens customer engagement in a way that is helpful, informative, and fun," says Lee Applbaum, President and CEO of Texas-based Round 2 Spirits, the brand owner and creator of Weber Ranch Vodka. "AI is replacing search, it's the way that people access and consume information today, and Tex delivers on that in an entertaining way, while also staying true to our respect and appreciation for the professional bartender's craft. Also, as we think about the future of Tex, and with the rise of Agentic AI, we clearly see a not-so-distant world where he not only makes recipe recommendations, but actually orders the ingredients for delivery to a consumer's home, or makes restaurant or bar reservations to enjoy a Weber Ranch cocktail."

Tex was built for real-world, real-life behavior. For example, users can snap a photo of the items inside their refrigerator or pantry, text it to Tex, and immediately get a cocktail recipe suggestion, using ingredients on-hand. Tex can also direct people to a bar or retail store, or answer questions about batching recipes, planning a cocktail menu for a special occasion, personalizing cocktail names for a friend's birthday party, find alternative ingredients, or virtually anything else that someone might want to ask about bartending and cocktails or brand and category information. Because Tex isn't scripted, the exact way he phrases answers will be different each time.

Over 70 percent of Tex's logic is powered by ChatGPT, not just for conversation, but for core application logic. Development of the tool will never be completed, it will only continue to get better and smarter as more people engage with it, and those engagements over time help improve Tex's reasoning, and his answers.

"Most bots just talk. Ours thinks," says James Penfold, co-founder and Experience Director at New York and London-based Cyphr, the digital-first experience and venture studio that partnered with the Weber Ranch team to master the technology behind Tex. "Tex isn't just answering questions, he's learning what you like and adapting. The more you interact, the more personalized your experience becomes – just like talking to your favorite bartender who remembers your favorite drink."

This digital-first approach to marketing is baked into Weber Ranch's ethos of innovation. Not only has the brand disrupted the vodka category by creating a vodka distilled from agave (whereas most other vodkas are made from wheat, corn, or potato), from the day that Weber Ranch launched last year it has leveraged leading-edge technology for brand storytelling, social engagement, CRM, and ecommerce – and now AI. The team behind Weber Ranch Vodka previously created and led Patrón Tequila, a company that also had a proven history of harnessing the latest tech innovation for consumer engagement and marketing – from Oculus to augmented reality to Amazon Alexa, when those technologies were first introduced years ago.

"We're setting new standards for how brands engage with consumers, recognizing that innovation in our industry must extend well beyond the bottle to truly be meaningful," says Applbaum.

 
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BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- , a line of award-winning, small-batch premium Tequilas, today introduced its latest expression, Zarpado REAPER. The spicy Blanco Tequila is infused with a bold blend of Carolina Reaper and Habanero peppers. This is the first Carolina Reaper-infused Tequila to hit the market, and Zarpado's fourth expression in their lineup of handcrafted Tequilas.

Like all Zarpado Tequilas, the new spicy Blanco is made from 100 percent mature Blue Agave that is slow-cooked and double distilled, providing a balanced, textured and agave-forward profile. The addition of the peppers not only adds a fiery spice, but also brings forward fruity and tropical flavors from the Carolina Reaper and floral notes from the Habanero, complementing the Tequila profile perfectly. 

"Spicy cocktails and spirits continue to gain popularity and we're excited to launch this truly unique spicy Tequila," said Terry Lozoff, VP and Spirits Director at Latitude Beverage. "You're going to taste the heat, of course, but Carolina Reaper peppers also have flavor notes that work really well with Zarpado's profile. The spice is balanced, and doesn't get in the way of the great flavor of this Tequila. It's the perfect spirit for spice lovers and an ideal addition to your favorite spicy cocktail."

On the nose, lively aromas of stone fruit and spicy peppers meld with a sweet agave profile. In the mouth, layers of flavor emerge with tropical fruits notes like pineapple and papaya, along with a hint of smokiness and a mouth-coating fiery heat.

Tequila Zarpado Reaper has an SRP of $28.99 and will be available for purchase online in most states and on shelves in various markets across the U.S. For more information and to purchase online, visit 

 
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KOHALA, Hawai'i, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kuleana Rum Works, the award-winning additive-free rum from the Island of Hawai'i, is pleased to announce recent monumental success, with 84% growth year-over-year growth projected, significantly outpacing some of the fastest-growing U.S.-based rum brands, according to Nielsen data ending June 2025.

Among brands with more than $5 million in annual retail sales, Calypso Rum grew 10% with 29% national distribution, and Diplomático saw just 1% growth with 27% distribution. In comparison, Kuleana Rum Works achieved its 84% growth with just 1% national distribution—underscoring not only performance, but vast future potential.

"We're delivering results that major brands aren't touching," said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. "And most consumers haven't even seen us on a shelf yet. We're just beginning to tap the potential."

Kuleana Rum Works produces ultra-premium, additive-free rums from fresh-pressed kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane), cultivated and distilled in Kohala, Hawai'i. As consumer demand for transparency and quality in spirits continues to rise, Kuleana's commitment to purity and authenticity proves that principled rum can both compete—and lead—on the national stage.

 
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LAKE BLUFF, IL (Aug. 4, 2025) – Riazul, the acclaimed tequila brand rooted in the highlands of Jalisco, is proud to announce the launch of Riazul Cristalino Añejo. The new expression builds on the legacy of the brand’s acclaimed Añejo tequila, recognized for over a decade as one of the best sipping tequilas in the U.S.

Riazul Cristalino Añejo is crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the mineral-rich, volcanic "tierra roja" red clay soils of the Jalisco Highlands in Western Mexico. It is aged for a minimum of twelve months in American oak barrels before undergoing a proprietary high-tech filtration process that gently removes color while preserving the depth and complexity of the original Añejo. The result is a silky-smooth, crystal-clear tequila that embodies both tradition and modern luxury.

“Riazul Cristalino Añejo is the next chapter in our story,” says founder Iñaki Orozco. “It honors where we come from while embracing the future of ultra-premium tequila. Cristalino tequila is one of the fastest-growing segments in premium spirits, and as Mexico earns greater recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural sophistication, Cristalino Añejo shows how Riazul Tequila belongs in the evolving conversation of modern luxury.”

Riazul crafts exclusively small-batch tequilas that are all made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Jalisco highlands, a region defined by its high elevation and micro-climate, producing a sweeter, more distinctive base. Cristalino Añejo joins Riazul’s award-winning portfolio including: Extra Añejo, Añejo, Reposado, and Plata.

At the heart of Riazul Tequila lies a legacy of independence, first ignited by matriarch Maria H. Gomez. Maria was granted 10,000 acres of land in return for her courage and service as high counselor to the rebels during the Mexican War for Independence. She gave away most of the land to fellow revolutionaries, holding on to just 250 acres. Inspired by her vision, her great-grandson Orozco carried that same spirit forward when he became the first in his family to recognize their original land grant as ideal for growing agave. This decision marked the beginning of Riazul’s story: reclaiming history while forging a new future in tequila, one rooted in heritage, independence, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Cristalino Añejo continues Riazul’s tradition of honoring heritage through innovation and independent vision. Riazul Cristalino Añejo (SRP: $138) offers a complex, layered sip with delicate notes of ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and warm spices and an exquisite finish. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to appreciate the refined complexity.

 
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TORONTO – July 30, 2025 - From the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta Distillers Ltd. introduces Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old, a new whisky expression that captures the essence of golden hour in every sip. Crafted with 100 per cent Canadian rye grain and aged for nine years, this release continues the brand’s tradition of excellence, while showcasing the full character and complexity of a matured rye. Made using local Canadian ingredients combined with meticulous crafting, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old launches across Canada this July. 

At the core of Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old is a thoughtful aging process that draws on three distinct barrel styles - new white oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-Canadian whisky casks. This layered maturation process reveals richness, spice, and nuance, allowing the rye grain to shine while evolving into an exceptionally smooth finish. Distilled and crafted with locally grown rye, this premium whisky reveals what time, terroir, and triple-barrel aging can truly offer.

With a bold 45 per cent ABV, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old delivers a dynamic profile where aromas of caramel, subtle leather, and a whisper of coconut lead into a palate rich with raisin and molasses. The finish is where this expression truly shines; sweet, yet laced with signature rye spice, it lingers with exceptional smoothness and layered warmth. This release is a tribute to the golden hues of the prairies, the precision of Canadian whisky-making, and the pursuit of a smoother, more refined rye experience. Proudly crafted from grain to glass in Canada, made with 100 per cent Canadian-grown rye, distilled and bottled on Canadian soil, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old is a celebration of homegrown excellence in every sip.

“Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old, represents the essence of Canadian craftsmanship, elevating it with a complex, layered whisky experience,” says Deepti Gurkar, Senior Director – National Marketing Canada and Global Canadian Brands at Suntory Global Spirits. “This launch is a celebration of what makes Canadian rye whisky so exceptional - bold flavour, rich heritage, and our continued commitment to innovation. It's a whisky made for those who value authenticity and are looking to explore deeper dimensions of taste.”

Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old will be available across Canada beginning in July, at a suggested retail price of $37.95 per 750ml bottle. A testament to the mastery of Canadian whisky-making and the enduring appeal of 100 per cent rye, the new release invites both seasoned enthusiasts and new explorers to savour a whisky that balances flavour with remarkable finesse. 

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Caramel, hints of leather and top note of coconut

Taste: Raisin and molasses

Finish: Sweet yet spicy

 

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