Published Date
Print

 

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- Lucas Bols today announced Jacob Pepin as the Canadian winner of the 2026 BOLS Cocktail Battle for his original cocktail, Elder Lady. Pepin will represent Canada at Cocktail Fever, a global bartender experience hosted by BOLS in Amsterdam.

Inspired by this year's "Neon Nights" theme, the competition invited bartenders to create original, visually striking cocktails featuring BOLS Liqueurs and inspired by an iconic party decade. Entries were evaluated by an expert panel based on flavor, originality, technical execution, visual presentation and storytelling.

Pepin's Elder Lady earned the competition's highest Canadian honor by combining BOLS Melon and BOLS Elderflower liqueurs with golden honey, acid-adjusted pineapple and a float of Empress 1908 Gin.

"Jacob's Elder Lady demonstrates how a talented bartender can transform the flavor, quality and versatility of BOLS Liqueurs into a cocktail that feels original, contemporary and memorable," said Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Marketing, USA and Canada, Lucas Bols. "We are proud to celebrate his achievement and have him represent Canada's dynamic bartender community at Cocktail Fever in Amsterdam."

A Young Bartender With A Passion For Technique

At just 23 years old, Pepin has already developed a thoughtful and technically driven approach to bartending. After spending much of his early hospitality career in kitchens, he moved behind the bar approximately three years ago.

Elder Lady was the first original cocktail recipe Pepin committed to paper. He spent approximately 18 months refining the drink, balancing its ingredients and experimenting with acid-adjusted pineapple juice to create brightness without relying on additional citrus.

Pepin was particularly drawn to BOLS Elderflower for the balance between its sweet and floral notes and to BOLS Melon for delivering fresh fruit character without becoming overwhelming. He had already begun incorporating more BOLS products into his bar program before entering the competition.

The 2026 Canadian Winner and Finalists

Winner: Jacob Pepin - Elder Lady

Runner-Up: Zoe Bates

Third Place: Nick Incretolli

Jacob Pepin's Winning Cocktail

Elder Lady

Created by Jacob Pepin, Canadian Winner

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 oz BOLS Melon Liqueur
  • 3/4 oz BOLS Elderflower Liqueur
  • 3/4 oz golden honey syrup (1:1)
  • 1 oz pineapple juice adjusted to lime acidity with citric and malic acid
  • 1/2 oz Empress 1908 Gin, floated

Preparation: Shake the first four ingredients with ice and pour into a glass. Fill with fresh ice and float the Empress 1908 Gin on top.

Cocktail Fever in Amsterdam

Cocktail Fever is an immersive two-day experience bringing together 2026 BOLS Cocktail Battle winners from participating countries around the world. The program will include training at the BOLS Cocktail Academy inside the House of BOLS, a visit to the Lucas Bols distillery, exclusive seminars and masterclasses, cultural experiences in Amsterdam and opportunities to connect with bartenders from across the global cocktail community, including BOLS Global Brand Ambassador Ivar de Lange and Master Distiller Monique ten Kortenaar.

The BOLS Cocktail Battle was supported in North America by CHILLED Magazine and Difford's Guide, providing participating bartenders with industry exposure across editorial, digital and social channels.

Following the success of the 2026 competition, the BOLS Cocktail Battle will return to Canada in 2027. The new theme, entry dates and competition details will be announced at a later date.

To learn more about the 2026 winners and receive updates about the 2027 BOLS Cocktail Battle, visit Neon Night Party Cocktail Battle

 
Published Date
Print

 

10th September 2026Bumbu has retained its position as Canada’s No.1 Super-Premium Rum*. The Barbadian and Panamaian-crafted rum brand continues to outperform the wider category, with volumes growing by 43% year-on-year. The latest IWSR data ranks Bumbu as the country’s leading Super-Premium Rum by both volume and value, reinforcing its position as one of Canada’s fastest-growing premium spirits brands.

The Canadian performance reflects Bumbu’s continued momentum globally, with the brand also retaining its position as the world’s No.1 Super-Premium Rum* by both volume and value for the second consecutive year, according to IWSR.

The performance comes as Canadian consumers continue to seek distinctive premium spirits. While overall rum volumes declined, the super-premium imported gold rum segment remained resilient, reflecting growing demand for brands that offer authenticity, quality and character.
Brett Berish, Founder and CEO of Sovereign Brands, said, "We created Bumbu because we believed there was an opportunity to do something completely different with rum – to make it more premium, more distinctive and relevant to a much broader audience. Canada has really embraced Bumbu, and to be the No.1 Super-Premium Rum in the country for the second-year running, particularly in a challenging market, is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

Building on this momentum, Bumbu is set to further expand its presence in Ontario with a new 50mL Bumbu Original General Listing, due to hit shelves in time for the holiday season.

The new format will give consumers another way to discover Bumbu Original and further strengthen the brand's retail presence in the province.

Ronit Frigillana, Brand Manager Pernod Ricard Canada, added, “Bumbu’s continued growth in Canada reflects the momentum we’re seeing with Canadian consumers and the growing interest in distinctive, premium rum. There is still significant opportunity ahead for Bumbu in this market, and we’re excited to continue building on that momentum. The upcoming launch of Bumbu Original 50mL is another important step in expanding the brand’s presence and introducing more consumers to Bumbu.”

 
Published Date
Print

 

Maison Bernard Remy once again sees its pursuit of perfection honoured by the Decanter World Wine Awards. Our Rosé Cuvée receives a Silver medal, while our emblematic Carte Blanche and Blanc de Blancs are awarded Bronze. A triple tribute celebrating the dedication and passion behind every step of our creation.

 
Published Date
Print

 

CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fever-Tree is raising a glass to 10 wins across the 2026 SIP Awards and The Fifty Best Cocktail Mixer Awards. The honors span the brand's tonic water, ginger beer, and premium cocktail mixers, recognizing products across the Fever-Tree portfolio.

From its signature Premium Tonic Water to Sparkling Lime & Yuzu and the new Pineapple Ginger Beer, these wins reflect Fever-Tree's range of classic favorites and modern innovations, all grounded in the brand's commitment to quality, naturally sourced ingredients, and expertly balanced drinks.

A Win with Consumers and Experts Alike

Fever-Tree's wins bring recognition from both sides of the bar: the people who enjoy its mixers and the experts who evaluate them. The SIP Awards are decided through consumer tastings, while The Fifty Best Cocktail Mixer Awards are judged blind by a panel of beverage experts. Together, the honors offer a powerful endorsement of Fever-Tree's quality and taste from consumers and industry experts alike.

"Ten awards are certainly something worth raising a glass to, but what makes these wins especially meaningful is who they come from," said Tracey Bien Schenck, Senior Director of Marketing, Non-Alc Brands, Molson Coors Beverage Company. "Fever-Tree believes the mixer is just as important as the rest of the drink. That's why recognition from both consumers and beverage experts reinforces what we work toward every day. Whether it's a classic gin and tonic, a margarita or an alcohol-free spritz, our goal is simple: make every drink better with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and balanced, distinctive flavor."

Fever-Tree's 2026 Award-Winning Mixers

  • 2026 SIP Awards: Five Fever-Tree Wins
    • Premium Tonic Water – Platinum, Tonic category
    • Sparkling Lime & Yuzu – Platinum, Carbonated Drinks category
    • Classic Margarita Mixer – Double Gold, Margarita Mixer category
    • Premium Club Soda – Gold, Seltzer category
    • Classic Bloody Mary Mixer – Gold, Bloody Mary Mixer category
  • The Fifty Best Cocktail Mixer Awards: Five Fever-Tree Wins
    • Classic Margarita Mixer – Double Gold
    • Pineapple Ginger Beer – Double Gold
    • Classic Bloody Mary Mixer – Gold
    • Classic Mojito Mixer – Gold
    • Espresso Martini Mixer – Silver

For more information about Fever-Tree and its premium cocktail mixer portfolio, visit Fever-Tree.com.

 
Published Date
Print

 

CLERMONT, Ky., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Basil Hayden, the Bourbon Born to Surprise, announced the introduction of a new limited-edition release: Basil Hayden® Cognac Cask Reserve.

What is Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve?

  • Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is a new, limited-edition bourbon that retains the brand's signature high-rye mashbill and 80-proof bottling, while combining Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship with French cognac character, creating a beautifully balanced bourbon.
  • Embodying the concept of "something familiar made new," the spirit is finished in specially selected French oak casks that previously held Cognac exclusively for 20–25 years, bringing decades of Cognac character to Basil Hayden's signature light, bright and approachable flavor profile while imparting layers of elegant complexity.
  • The first expression in the Basil Hayden portfolio to reimagine the brand's approachable high-rye profile as a passport to flavors from around the world.

What does Cognac Cask Reserve taste like, and how should it be enjoyed?

  • The Cognac Cask finish reveals tasting notes of warm caramel sweetness and dried fruit, enriched by Basil Hayden's signature subtle spice, vanilla and oak, adding depth and complexity to this limited release.
  • Best enjoyed neat, over ice or in sparkling bourbon cocktails like the signature Basil Hayden 75 or the Sparkling Bourbon Sidecar.

"Basil Hayden Cognac Cask reflects our commitment to honoring the brand's original bourbon while continuing to explore what's possible within the category," says Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. "This expression was thoughtfully crafted to deliver a distinctive yet approachable experience. French Cognac casks let us take our Basil Hayden signature profile that people know and love and put a twist on it, and we're incredibly proud to share it with bourbon and cognac drinkers alike."

Where can I purchase it?

Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is now available for purchase at exclusive retailers with an SRP of $49.99. To discover more about the release and news from Basil Hayden, visit basilhaydenbourbon.com

 

Page 2 of 45

<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>