MAJOR LEAGUE BARTENDING
Think you have what it takes to bartend in the big league? Join BARTENDER’s newest group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/majorleaguebartending
Stay tuned for merch with Major League Bartending logos!
Think you have what it takes to bartend in the big league? Join BARTENDER’s newest group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/majorleaguebartending
Stay tuned for merch with Major League Bartending logos!
Think you have what it takes to be a brand ambassador for Chicken Cock Whiskey? Better act fast! Read their press release below and see what the position is all about:
Football season is right around the corner, and Chicken Cock Whiskey is looking for two high-spirited marketing ambassadors to lead the brand’s first Ultimate Tailgate Road Trip (#chickencockairstream). The lucky crew will take the show on the road in a new Dodge Ram Truck and a vintage 31 ft. Airstream trailer, traveling to marquee football games across the Southeast and Texas to celebrate America’s Ultimate Tailgate Whiskey. The adventure begins Aug. 29 in Columbia, S.C. and wraps up Nov. 30 in Auburn, Ala.
“We’re looking for two special individuals with tons of charisma and an adventurous spirit,” said Matti Anttila, CEO of Island Club Brands, makers of Chicken Cock Whiskey. “This is a three-month tailgating odyssey in our custom, Chicken Cock Whiskey-branded Airstream trailer. Our team will tailgate at the hottest college and pro football games, entertaining fans with great music, building relationships and creating an ongoing chronicle of their adventures.”
Responsibilities will include driving CCW’s All-American tow vehicle, setting up for tailgate parties, hosting and entertaining guests, video blogging and writing about the good times, and meeting other authentic American characters who have a passion for life, celebration and genuine good times, according to Anttila.
“Chicken Cock is an authentic American Whiskey brand with a fun, colorful and outgoing personality,” he added. “We’re seeking two brand ambassadors with similar traits, together with the style, substance and character required to lead an important branding initiative. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a recent college grad who wants real-world marketing experience building a brand. Chicken Cock Whiskey is no ordinary brand, and this is no ordinary road trip!“
Applicants can post on the Chicken Cock Whiskey Facebook page with all the reasons why they think they are the ultimate candidates for this life-changing opportunity.
Winners will be selected August 19, 2013 (so apply now).
Follow the Chicken Cock Ultimate Road Trip on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #chickencockairstream.
Originally established in 1856 in Paris, Kentucky, Chicken Cock quickly became one of the larger bourbon brands of the 19th century. Forced to move production to Canada when Prohibition started, Chicken Cock was smuggled across the border in tin cans, where it rose to fame as a popular serve at some of the era’s most famous speakeasies, including the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem. Today, 86-proof Chicken Cock Whiskey is back and more flavorful than ever. Available in three delicious flavors: Southern Spice, Cinnamon and Root Beer, all handcrafted in Charleston, South Carolina.
Check out their website (www.chickencockwhiskey.com) to learn more!
Happy 125th birthday to Four Roses Distillery! The brand has announced its second limited edition bourbon as part of the year long celebration of their years in distillery. The first was a single barrel bourbon released in the spring and the second will be the 2013 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, to be released this fall. For more details, read their press release below:
Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge personally chose three of Four Roses’ ten unique bourbon recipes to create the new barrel strength, small batch bourbon. The recipes, each with different flavor characteristics, include an 18-year-old selection of Four Roses’ recipe coded OBSV (featuring delicate fruit, spicy and creamy characteristics), a 13-year-old OBSK (rich in spiciness, full body), and a 13-year-old OESK (spicy, full body). The bourbon exhibits aromas of creamy vanilla, light oak and cherry cordial, with hints of nutmeg and cocoa. The palate offers flavors of raspberries and apricots, encompassing a long, luxurious vanilla bean and cherry finish.
This anniversary bottling offers a taste straight from the barrel when the bourbon is uncut and non-chill filtered. Approximately 8,000 bottles of the Four Roses 2013 Limited Edition 125th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon are planned for distribution in September to U.S. markets.
“I’m always coming across some really amazing bourbons during the selection process,” said Rutledge. “And for this special release, I was presented with quite the challenge to make a selection worthy of toasting our 125th year. I’m thrilled to say this bourbon does just that.”
Last year’s Limited Edition Small Batch release was named by Whisky Advocate magazine as American Whiskey of the Year.
Four Roses’ 125th Anniversary is highlighted at www.yearofthetoast.com, a website celebrating the milestone anniversary and allowing visitors to view a number of toasts for any occasion, read toasting tips and submit an original toast. One toast will be selected to be featured on next year’s Limited Edition Single Barrel offering, along with the name and hometown of the person who submitted it.
Visit the Four Roses Bourbon site here.
Southern Comfort has kicked off their extended partnership as an official sponsor of Fantasy Football on ESPN for the 2013 season with special football wrapped bottles. Be on the look out for the bottles in early August nationwide while supplies last. But that’s not all! They’re adding a fantasy sweepstakes as well! Read from their press release below to find out more:
“We’re extremely excited to release these unique football wrapped Southern Comfort bottles to kickoff the upcoming season,” said Jason Kempf, Southern Comfort Brand Director. “We encourage fans to pick up a bottle to enjoy with friends during their fantasy football drafts and throughout the 2013 football season.”
Along with the release of the wrapped bottled, Southern Comfort is also launching the Fantasy Getaway Sweepstakes. One winner and a guest will receive a four day/three night stay trip to New York from Friday, January 31, 2014 to Monday, February 4, 2014. Fans may enter by texting the word “SOCOFANTASY” to 68405 or online at www.socofantasygetaway.com.
Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.
BARTENDER® Magazine is looking for all bartenders 60 years of age or older that have been bartending for at least 25 years. If you qualify please contact barmag@aol.com or phone at 1-800-46-DRINK
RumChata announced in a recent press release that sales have been growing tremendously in the first half of the year. For more details, read the press release below.
RumChata Brand Rum Cream continued its skyrocketing performance in the first six months of 2013 with a seventy percent increase in sales over the same period in 2012. RumChata has quickly become a call-brand by bar patrons across the country, some of who are now asking for the brand simply by calling for “Chata!” On-premise call is driving the award-winning brand’s tremendous growth.
“Our liter business is up well over sixty percent because of our outstanding on–premise turnover. It’s very exciting when I visit an account and see bartenders constantly reaching for that iconic big white bottle of RumChata,” said Tom Maas, RumChata Founder and Master Blender. “Whether asking for RumChata by name or just Chata, bartenders know that their customers are only satisfied with the original flavor for which RumChata has become so famous.”
At the current pace, RumChata is projected to top 600,000 cases. Key to helping achieve this milestone is answering the demand by bartenders and consumers to expand the RumChata bottle size selection. In July of 2012, RumChata began shipping 1.75ml, 375ml and 50ml bottles in addition to its Liter and 750 ml sizes. “It definitely pays to listen to your customers,” said Maas. “The reaction to our expansion of sizes has gone well beyond our expectations and projections and gives customers a better choice in how they want to take home the brand.”
Though categorized by the spirits industry as a rum cream, RumChata’s success crosses over and impacts other categories including traditional creams and flavored rums. RumChata currently outsells Bailey’s in eight markets and that number is projected to grow to as many as twelve by the end of the year. In addition, RumChata has outsold all the new spiced-rums combined that have been introduced over the past two years.
RumChata’s average retail price for a 750ml bottle is $19.95. More about RumChata including food and drink recipes and where it is available can be found at www.rumchata.com and on the RumChata Facebook page.
RumChata Adult Milkshake Recipes
RumChata By Elvis
4 parts RumChata
1-1/2 parts spiced rum
½ part banana liqueur
1 Tsp peanut butter
½ banana
1 scoop vanilla ice cream OR 1/3 cup of ice
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until consistency is smooth. Pout into tall glass.
Strawberry Chataä Shake
1 part RumChata
1 part ice cream
1 part frozen strawberries
½ part rum
1 part ice
Blend until smooth. Pour into milkshake glass.
RumChata Shamrock
2 parts RumChata
3-4 scoops ice cream
1/2 cup ice
1 part Creme de Menthe
1 part Jameson Whiskey
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until consistency is smooth. Pout into tall glass.
Manalapan, NJ (Monday, July 15, 2013) – Exclusiv Vodka, one of the fastest-growing vodka brands on the market[1], has just launched its new Cherry Vodka in the true ethnic tradition of Russia. It carries a suggested retail price of $10 per 750 ml.
According to Serge Chistov, president of Serge Imports LLC, U.S. importers of Exclusiv Vodkas, “Cherry is one of the most popular flavors in southern Russia. Almost every Russian has a home remedy made with cherry juice, and cherries are used extensively in the kitchen and homemade wines, so it seemed natural to launch a cherry-flavored line extension.”
Exclusiv Cherry Vodka has a smooth texture and the smell of ripe cherries with overtones of almond that transcend into the finish. It is 70 proof, 35 percent alcohol by volume.
Exclusiv Cherry Vodka can be enjoyed straight up, on the rocks or blended to create a refreshing vodka cocktail. The flavor lends itself wel
l to countless possibilities.
Exclusiv Cherry Vodka is the ninth product in the company’s expanding portfolio. Currently, Exclusiv offers regular, peach, berry, coconut, orange, lemon and rose vodkas. It also offers a Moscato wine. The brand has received numerous accolades as a result of its exceptional, smooth taste minus the expensive price tag.
Imported from Moldova, a country in Eastern Europe located between Romania and Ukraine, Exclusiv Vodka is produced using only the best “winter wheat,” the first wheat of the year that can be taken from the ground. The result is a natural sweetness that has developed under the cover of snow, untouched by the elements. Additionally, Exclusiv uses the purest, most naturally filtrated water that passes through the limestone mountains of Central Europe.
Surprisingly, a liter of Exclusiv vodka retails for approximately $10. It’s distinct upscale flavor and rich heritage, combined with an attractive price point has made Exclusiv Vodka one of the most in-demand vodka brands for restaurants, retailers and consumers.
[1] Technomic Inc., which provides proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry, listed Exclusiv Vodka as one of the top ten fastest-growing spirit brands in its just-released 2013 SpiritsTAB Report. (Ranked by percentage increase in volume in 2011 vs. 2012).
New York, NY (July 19, 2013) — Ballantine’s, the No. 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world, has unveiled a bold new-look bottle for its Finest expression, highlighting its suitability to the modern generation of whisky drinkers and ensuring it remains top of mind for customers.
The new bottle will begin appearing in markets this July and embraces traditional Ballantine’s attributes such as timelessness, elegance and authenticity, while becoming more contemporary in style. This design evolution stays true to founder George Ballantine’s pioneering values and relentless pursuit of quality, never settling for less than the finest and travelling to the four corners of Scotland until finding the perfect blend of malts and grains for his whisky.
With design elements including a chevron-shaped label that echoes the iconic wings of the historic Finest label, the new look gives the bottle a more dynamic, eye-catching look on shelf. Premium quality cues have been enhanced through a more prominent positioning of the brand’s crest – the exclusive Ballantine’s Grant of Arms – and a simplification of the Ballantine’s seal, which amplifies the Ballantine’s ‘B’ and provides an opportunity to build on one of Ballantine’s greatest visual assets. ‘Finest’ also now features in a more premium gold coloring.
The Ballantine’s Finest carton will also reflect and emphasize the key features of the bottle; the chevron label, enhanced ‘B’ and the Ballantine’s crest, while the bottle itself will retain the iconic rectangular bottle shape that it is famed for, with its shoulders made more angular, resulting in a sharper, prouder look.
The overall result is an iconic, contemporary design that is true to the Ballantine’s Finest brand essence and its original packaging, building on and enhancing its most familiar elements, which have led to its position as one of the most consistent and recognizable brands in the world.
Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, comments: “The Ballantine’s Finest bottle has changed very little over the years, but we recognized a need for the look to be updated, given Ballantine’s credentials as a famous brand that leaves an impression. We wanted to ensure that our new design stayed true to our proud heritage and identified with our loyal customers, whilst also being seen as a contemporary, vibrant brand, and we’re delighted with the final result.
“The new bottle performed very well in consumer research tests within our key markets and outperformed our highest expectations. It was acknowledged by those tested as being confident and modern without losing its heritage and quality cues, so we hope that this and our exciting marketing activities will translate into further success for Ballantine’s and will continue to engage people across the world.”
The new Finest range will be available in a wide range of sizes and formats and will be accompanied by a teaser ATL campaign. The ATL campaign contains two routes, with one focusing on the brand’s quality, consistency and originality under the headline, ‘Always Original Since 1827’. The second route is more product focused with the headline, ‘New Bottle, Same Great Taste’.
An extensive range of point-of-sale materials has also been produced for Ballantine’s customers, including shelf talkers, neck tags, tent cards and cocktail cards, which will be available in bars and restaurants, encouraging customers to make Ballantine’s Finest cocktails at home.
The new bottle also introduces Ballantine’s new global marketing campaign, “Stay True, Leave an Impression”, which acts as a reminder to the customer that acting with self-belief is what will leave a genuine, authentic and positive impression. The line will feature on all brand communications across all product variants, but with different features and nuances to reflect the range of products and varying customer groups.
[PLEASE DRINK BALLANTINE’S RESPONSIBLY.]
BALLANTINE’S® 12 Year Old Blended Scotch, 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof).
©2013 Imported by Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY
SLIM LIZZY KEG COCKTAILS: THE “CRAFT BEER” ALTERNATIVE FOR WOMAN
Social Blends put out a press release at the beginning of the month announcing 20L Slim Lizzy Keg Cocktails in order to please female customers. Read the press release below to find out more.
“The craft beer explosion has been great for on premise tap sales, but the problem is most of the offerings are geared toward male customers. According to Rich Simon, COO/CMO of Social Blends, “ There is a whole consumer base of females looking for a low alcohol and low calorie adult beverage priced in line with tap beer. Slim Lizzy Pub Cocktails provides the simple solution for bar owners.”
The 20L Slim Lizzy Lo-Cal Keg Cocktails come in 100% recyclable Pub Kegs, so no exchange program is needed. The Pub Kegs operate on traditional keg lines and are serviced the same as beer lines, so no new equipment is needed. “The bars we have tested in have exceeded expectations with minimal POS about the program. $5 a pint for a Slim Lizzy Cocktail is a real attractive price point for females looking for something a little more sophisticated than a light beer.” said Sean McGirr, CEO.
Slim Lizzy’s Cocktails contain half the calories of the leading national “skinny” brand. They are only 45 calories per 4.5 oz serving — the lowest calorie RTD on the market. The branding and formulation is geared toward female patrons and much better tasting than what is currently available on the market.
Slim Lizzy Cocktails fills a huge void in the bar and restaurant industry. In addition, being a wine based product, limited licensed venues can offer cocktail type beverages with Slim Lizzy. According to Rich Simon, “We focused on low alcohol, low calorie so our customers can enjoy an evening with friends without worrying about over indulging. The Pub Kegs are great items for fast casual restaurants with beer and wine licenses.”
Slim Lizzy’s Keg Cocktails are available in Margarita and Cosmopolitan. The company has a full on premise POS program to drive awareness to the brand. Social Blends distribution network is predominately beer distributors experienced in on-premise keg programs. To further drive consumer awareness Slim Lizzy is offered at retail in resealable/freezable single serve pouch and 750 mL glass bottles.
Based on the quick success of Slim Lizzy’s Cocktails, Social Blends is looking to expand their horizons with several other groundbreaking beverages that fit the female consumer needs both on and off premise.”
For more information visit slimlizzyscocktails.com
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