Before leaving his post, President Joe Biden enacted a law known as the No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act, a measure that has significantly intensified the ongoing political and commercial tensions between the United States and Cuba. This new legislation specifically prohibits the use of trademarks that were confiscated from thousands of Cuban citizens by Fidel Castro during the early 1960s. It also empowers companies, such as Bacardi—the current U.S. distributor of Havana Club rum—to pursue long-standing legal actions against the Cuban government regarding the Havana Club brand.

The battle over Havana Club rum showcases a historical conflict intertwined with Cold War remnants, featuring two owners who lay claim to the same brand, each with contrasting narratives. On social media, there are accounts that declare one brand as "official," utilizing folkloric imagery and promoting it as authentic Cuban rum, while another claims to be the "real" Havana Club. One version is produced in Cuba, and the other in Puerto Rico, with the former represented by the state-owned Cubaexport and the latter endorsed by Bacardi.

Central to the controversy are the issues of authenticity and rightful ownership: which rum embodies the true spirit of Cuba? In an assertive move, the Biden administration has essentially barred Havana from asserting rights over certain trademarks within the U.S. market. The newly passed Law H.R. 1505 explicitly forbids U.S. courts from recognizing trademark claims unless consent is obtained from the original owner.

The Backstory of the Rum Battle

Between 1959 and 1968, the Cuban government under Fidel Castro nationalized numerous properties, affecting thousands, including prominent families like the Arechabalas, who were behind the creation of Havana Club rum. This rum was originally crafted in 1934 at the La Vizcaya distillery by José Arechabala, a Spanish immigrant. Following the revolution, the Castro regime seized the Arechabala family’s assets, leading José to start anew as a car salesman in the United States.

Despite the upheaval, Havana Club continued production in Cuba. In 1993, Cubaexport forged a partnership with the French firm Pernod Ricard to market the brand internationally, excluding the U.S. where the trade embargo hindered sales.

Conversely, the American market embraced a rum named Havana Club, with Bacardi acquiring the brand and the original recipe in 1994. The saga of two competing rums emerged, coupled with political entanglements and narratives of exile. The Arechabala family has consistently claimed that their recipe was stolen, while Cuban authorities advocate for the rum produced on the island as the authentic version.

Legal clashes over the brand’s rights in the U.S. have spanned decades. In 1976, Cubaexport registered the Havana Club trademark, but facing restrictions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) complicated its renewal. By 2016, however, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reinstated the rights of Cubaexport. Concurrently, Bacardi had initiated legal action against Cubaexport after the PTO declined to cancel its trademark in 2004, leading to a counter-lawsuit for trademark infringement by Cubaexport.

In a significant ruling in 2023, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Bacardi, further strengthening its position in the U.S. market.

Legislative Responses and Reactions

The recently passed law, introduced by Representatives Darrell Issa and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, has garnered support from various political figures, including former Senator Bob Menendez and Senator Marco Rubio. They framed the bill as a necessary step to protect individuals whose properties were expropriated during the early years of the Cuban Revolution. Representative Wasserman Schultz articulated the sentiments of Cuban-American voters, emphasizing the law as a restoration of dignity for families stripped of their wealth.

In response to the legislation, Pernod Ricard expressed concern, deeming the political decision as a violation of its longstanding rights to the Havana Club trademark, which they believe has been legitimately held since 1976. Cuban officials reacted strongly as well, characterizing the law as an aggressive move undermining one of their prized exports. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rallied against the law, asserting it not only violated international law but also aimed to obstruct Cubaexport’s trademark rights ahead of a crucial renewal scheduled for 2026.

Josie Gibson recently shared a humorous incident from Christmas 2022, revealing how she nearly derailed the festive dinner after overindulging in vodka. While celebrating with close friend and fellow This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, Josie admitted to getting a bit too carried away with excitement and drinks before the cooking commenced.

Reflecting on the day, Josie recounted how she lost track of her dinner preparations due to her early drinking. "My biggest tip is to not get too excited and have too much of a tipple before you start cooking," she advised. She acknowledged that it was Alison who ultimately saved the dinner, stepping in to put things back on track when things went awry.

Josie humorously detailed that her brother had gifted her a special vodka, which led her to believe a few drinks would be fine. Given that she rarely drinks, especially outside of significant events like Christmas, she found that it hit her harder than expected.

The two share a strong friendship since 2013, often spending holidays together. Josie expressed her fondness for Alison, emphasizing her warm and easy-going nature that makes everyone want to be around her. This friendship has only deepened as both have become prominent figures on This Morning, taking on significant hosting roles in recent years.

In 2024, the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) honored Coors Spirits Co’s Five Trail Barrel Proof 003 Blended American Whiskey with the Worldwide Whiskey trophy, marking it as the World’s Best Whisky. This achievement is particularly notable as it is the first time an American blended whisky has received this prestigious award. I had the opportunity to speak with David Coors, the Executive Chair of Coors Spirits Co., about this milestone and the journey of crafting exceptional whiskey.

Coors Spirits Company is part of Molson Coors Beverage Company, a major player in the brewing industry. The company ventured into the spirits market in 2021 with the launch of its signature Five Trail whiskey brand, a strategic move to expand beyond beer and tap into the premium whiskey sector.

Five Trail showcases a blend of American whiskeys, combining Coors’ brewing heritage with distilling craftsmanship, using Rocky Mountain water in its production. The whiskey includes various types such as bourbons and single malts sourced from different distilleries, reflecting a spirit reminiscent of the American West.

JM: What motivated you, with such a strong background in beer, to start a whiskey company?

DC: I proposed making whiskey to my father two decades ago, but he felt we should stick to beer. However, today’s consumers are more diverse in their drinking choices, which inspired me to establish Coors Spirits Co. and expand our offerings.

JM: How does Coors Spirits fit within the broader Molson Coors Beverage Company?

DC: Coors Spirits Co. was launched as a division for the growth of our spirits segment, featuring brands crafted from the ground up like Barmen 1873 Bourbon and Five Trail, alongside brands acquired like Blue Run Spirits.

JM: Why did you choose to focus on blended whiskey, which is a niche market?

DC: We aimed for a whiskey closely linked to our core business in Golden, Colorado. While I initially wanted to create an American Single Malt, blending became a passion. Five Trail embodies that blend and has received multiple accolades in spirits competitions, culminating in the IWSC award for Barrel Proof Batch 003.

JM: Has the commitment to local ingredients from your beer roots been applied to your whiskeys?

DC: Absolutely. Our ancestors believed in quality ingredients, and we apply that same philosophy to our whiskey. We use malt from our brewery in Golden and proof down with Colorado Rocky Mountain water, emphasizing our dedication to crafting exceptional products.

JM: What can you tell us about your bourbon, Barmen 1873?

DC: Barmen 1873 Bourbon features bold, enticing flavors, with caramel, vanilla, and a unique finish boasting hints of peach and chocolate. We’ve also teamed up with country music star Lainey Wilson for promotional events, which has helped elevate the brand.

JM: Are all the whiskeys made in Golden, or are they sourced?

DC: Initially, we acquired aged inventory to jumpstart our market presence. We then collaborated with distilleries in Kentucky and Colorado for unique mash bills, utilizing our malt in unique expressions.

JM: What new offerings can consumers look forward to from Coors Spirits?

DC: We’re continuously innovating, with Blue Run Spirits launching a limited expression with notes of orange and floral elements expected soon. Additionally, Five Trail has a new expression aged in beer barrels which is set to release.

JM: Can you share tasting notes for the Five Trail expressions?

DC:

• Five Trail Barrel Proof: Aromatic with rich caramel, vanilla, and spice; a full-bodied experience with a long finish.
• Five Trail Small Batch: Floral and fruity with a smooth texture and a sweet, lingering finish.
• Five Trail Flagship Blend: Candied sweetness with well-rounded vanilla and honey flavors.
• Five Trail Cask Finish: A complex nosing experience with robust palate notes blending dark chocolate and dried fruit.

These expressions each showcase the depth of American whiskey and Coors’ commitment to quality in the spirits industry, making them a must-try for enthusiasts. Cheers!

Stoli Group USA, which owns the Stoli vodka brand, along with Kentucky Owl, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a federal court in Dallas. This decision comes in the wake of a cyberattack that severely disrupted their operations earlier this year. The companies are seeking restructuring to manage their substantial debts, estimated at $84 million.

The bankruptcy filing highlights a challenging climate for the vodka brand. Recent trends show that younger consumers, particularly from Gen Z, are moving away from traditional liquor like vodka, opting instead for non-alcoholic options and more contemporary ready-to-drink products.

Historically, Stoli vodka has a complex background. It originated in Russia in the 1930s and was state-owned until privatization following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. The brand was then acquired by SPI Group, a Latvian company, and the Stoli Group is now based in Luxembourg. Tensions between the Russian government and the brand have escalated, with Russia attempting to reclaim rights over Stoli.

This situation worsened in 2023 when the Russian government confiscated the brand’s two remaining distilleries within the country. Additionally, the company faced a ransomware attack in August, which hindered its accounting operations and forced manual entry of data. As a result, the company struggled to provide timely financial reports to its lenders.

In terms of market performance, while vodka remains a popular spirit in America, sales have declined, with a reported drop of 7.7% in volume over the year ending January 2024.

In the context of these developments, Constellation Brands announced its decision to sell its vodka brand Svedka to Sazerac, underscoring the shifting landscape in the spirits industry as companies adapt to changing consumer preferences.

For more details, you can refer to the following links:

• Stoli vodka owners file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Constellation Brands selling Svedka vodka to Sazerac

If you see "Distilled in Indiana" on a whiskey bottle, it often refers to MGP, a prominent distillery known for producing whiskey for various brands. However, another craft distillery shining in Indiana is Hard Truth Distilling Co., located in Nashville, IN. Established in 2015, Hard Truth focuses on sweet mash whiskey, crafting each batch entirely from new ingredients, which contrasts with the sour mash method commonly used in American whiskey.

Master distiller Bryan Smith, who learned the sweet mash method from Wilderness Trail co-founder Pat Heist, highlighted that their distillate is noted for its bright and clean taste with tropical fruit nuances. After aging in barrels, the spirit results in a complex and well-balanced whiskey that stands out in tastings.

To maintain quality, Smith emphasizes the importance of using high-quality equipment, meticulous procedures, and strong relationships with grain farmers, which are crucial for executing sweet mashing consistently.

This fall, Hard Truth has launched four new reserve whiskeys, each maturing in different barrels and employing unique blending techniques. Highlights include:

• Hard Truth Barrel Finished Reserve 2024 Blend: This blend, predominantly rye whiskey aged in barrels previously used for cognac, sherry, brandy, and sauternes, offers notes of stone fruit, grape, and spice.

• Hard Truth Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye: Aged for about two and a half years, this whiskey is later matured in new charred oak casks for over three years, bringing flavors of brown sugar, raisin, and vanilla.

• Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend: Featuring a mix of chocolate malt, caramel malt, and malted sweet mash rye, this five-year-aged whiskey showcases maple, caramel, and fruit notes.

• Hard Truth Maple Brûlée Rye: Aged for over three years and finished in unique maple syrup barrels, this whiskey reveals flavors of maple, vanilla, and spice.

These unique expressions from Hard Truth Distilling Co. are now available for purchase at liquor stores and online.