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Drunk Vitalie Tanga has been handed a life sentence for murdering Alfred Mattox at his home in Wolverhampton during VE Day celebrations, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard

A ‘homophobic’ killer beat a ‘gentle soul’ to death in his own home.

Drunk Vitalie Tanga has been handed a life sentence for the ‘vodka-fuelled rampage’ which saw him end the life of Alfred Mattox by kicking him savagely in the head, leaving him with multiple facial fractures and brain damage.

The ‘senseless killing’ came as the 56-year-old victim and his friends were celebrating VE Day in his Wolverhampton home. Tanga launched the attack on Mr Mattox because he was gay, prosecutors told Wolverhampton Crown Court. The intoxicated killer kicked him multiple times in the head, leaving him fatally wounded on the kitchen floor

.

Tanga made allegations that his victim had initiated an unwelcome romantic gesture moments before the attack. This incited a violent response from Tanga. His defense team argued that this inopportune approach drove Tanga to assert his masculinity.

40-year-old Tanga pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr. Mattox, a carer, and a second charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to Mattox’s tenant. However, the jurors came to the unanimous decision that Tanga was indeed guilty of both charges on 19th April. Following the verdict, Tanga was incarcerated for life with a minimum term of 25 years on May 3rd at the Wolverhampton Crown Court.

At the time of sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC stated, “You subjected Mr. Mattox to a brutal and sustained attack in the safety of his own home. The event was incited by a vodka-fueled rage during which you repeatedly kicked him in the head causing severe fractures and brain damage, leading to his death on 24th May.”

The court disclosed the incidents of May 10, 2021 leading to an attack. Mr. Mattox, his tenant and a companion went to Merridale, Wolverhampton with a bottle of vodka to commemorate the ending of World War II. Tanga, the killer, also partook in the celebration. The group later went out to buy more vodka, according to BirminghamLive.

The victim appeared to be in good spirits during a FaceTime call with his brother at 4.34pm, stated the court. However, less than an hour later, disturbing noises prompted neighbors to alert the police. Arriving at the scene at 5.45pm, the police discovered Mr. Mattox unconscious on the floor. He had suffered severe fractures to his face and skull followed by brain damage leading to organ failure.

Mr. Mattox passed away a fortnight later on May 24. A forensic pathologist from the Home Office claimed that there must have been ‘at least three heavy blows to the head’, consistent with kicking. Upon police’s arrival to the scene, Tanga informed them that the victim was a homosexual. He later justified his actions by saying that the victim had made advances towards him.

Tanga’s second victim bore bruises and scratches from an assault at Mr Mattox’s residence. The timing of the injuries is uncertain, but the victim has now completely recovered.

West Midlands Police stated that Tanga hindered officers from entering the victim’s apartment for seven minutes after they got there. He also reportedly tried to escape.

In court, the prosecution represented by Andrew Wallace, said there was an absence of fatal intent, however, there was an aim of inflicting serious physical harm. According to him, the brutality of the murder was escalated by Tanga’s ‘hostility’ towards his victim’s sexual preference.

The defense, headed by Amjad Malik KC, argued that the victim, Mr Mattox, made a sexual move on his killer, which triggered an ‘out of proportion’ reaction from the ‘highly inebriated’ Tanga. It was reported that Tanga was asked to vacate the apartment as he was ‘no longer wanted’, but he declined and ‘reacted with explosive aggression’, as stated by Mr Malik.

The defense continued to assert that Tanga did not harbor homophobic feelings and that the victim’s sexual preference did not trigger his violence. Mr Malik stated: “The facts clearly indicate that Tanga had known Mr Mattox for a number of years. There was absolutely no issue.”

Judge Chambers stated that the ‘extreme violence’ exhibited by Tanga was largely due to his ‘hostility’ towards the victim’s ‘sexual orientation’. According to the judge, this severe attack was much more than a simple reaction to a sexual advance.

The statement made to the jury indicated that the act was inspired and motivated by a negative attitude towards Mr Mattox’s sexual orientation. And the gathered evidence supports this conclusion.

The court was informed that Tanga, who was aided by a Russian interpreter in court, had a history of violent behavior. For several years, Tanga has suffered from a form of psychotic disorder, likely paranoid schizophrenia, the judge further mentioned.

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Scotch! The Story of Whiskey showcases David Cayman’s exploration into the history of the Scottish drink and its evolution into a global industry. The narrative delves into how the widespread distribution of various Scotch types around the world threatens its distinctiveness and superiority. This series, launched on October 11, 2016, garnered extensive acclaim.

Discover how you can view and stream Scotch! The Story of Whiskey Season 1 through streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video.

You bet! Scotch! The Story of Whiskey Season 1 can be viewed via streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

In episode 1, Cayman learns the craft of distilling and blending whiskey from Kirsteen Campbell. The narration also details Scotch’s evolution into an international brand and the emergence of its competitors. Cayman visits Norfolk in England, as well as Tasmania and Japan, to uncover how the whiskey industry is covering the market and testing Scotch’s reign.

The series showcases actor David Cayman in the principal role.

Scotch! The Story of Whiskey Season 1 can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. This streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video, boasts a vast repertoire of favorite movies, TV series, and its original creations, including successful series such as ‘The Wheel of Time,’ ‘The Boys,’ amongst many others.

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Sign up for a Prime Video membership:

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Presenting the synopsis of Scotch! The Story of Whiskey:

“Through the eyes of David Hayman, we explore the current state of the Scotch whisky industry and delve into the potential risks threatening its global supremacy.”

Please note that the aforementioned streaming services are susceptible to alteration. The details given were accurate at the time of penning this article.

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On May 3, 2024, Robert Arsov, Director of Rumble Inc (NASDAQ:RUM), sold 105,012 shares of the company. The transaction was filed on the same day with the SEC.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with RUM.

Rumble Inc (NASDAQ:RUM) operates as a video platform company, providing creators with distribution, monetization, and discovery of content. The company aims to foster freedom of speech and grow communities around shared interests and topics.

The shares were sold at a price of $6.77, valuing the transaction at approximately $710,931.24. Following this transaction, the insider’s total sales over the past year amount to 255,012 shares, with no recorded purchases.

The company’s market cap stands at approximately $1.97 billion. Rumble Inc’s valuation metrics include a price-earnings ratio, price-sales ratio, price-book ratio, and price-to-free cash flow. The company’s valuation can also be assessed using the GF Value, which provides an estimate of intrinsic value based on historical multiples, adjusted for growth and yield.

Over the past year, there have been no insider buys and nine insider sells at Rumble Inc, indicating a trend of insider selling activities.

This recent sale by the insider adds to the ongoing pattern of insider transactions at Rumble Inc, which may be of interest to current and potential investors.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — In 1866, the first registered distillery in the United States began in the quaint town of Lynchburg, Tennessee! Today, Jack Daniel’s is the top selling whiskey in the world. Known for its consistency, every drop made is made in Lynchburg.

So how is it that even though the whiskey is made in a volatile climate, the product isn’t impacted by the weather?

It all starts with the water.

To make whiskey, it must be free of iron. Otherwise it would turn black and bitter. One point that led Jack Daniels himself to choose the location of Lynchburg was the natural spring water — and more importantly — the presence of limestone in the area. Limestone acts as a filter, removing iron from the water. When it rains, water is absorbed into the ground through the limestone, eventually making its way down to a spring.

Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Chris Fletcher, has a deep-rooted connection with the cave spring, owing to his grandfather, Frank Bobo, who served as master distiller from 1966 to 1988.

As per Fletcher’s knowledge, the cave system extends two miles deep into the ground.

Within this cave spring, the temperature holds steady.

“As far as I know, the ground temperature here as you get so far down is 56 degrees,” Chris Fletcher stated.

Regardless of the outside temperature, be it zero degrees or 100 degrees, this natural spring manages to maintain a steady 56 degrees! One might wonder how this is possible?

The secret resides in the design of the cavern – it prevents the displacement of cold air by warm air.

Periodic checks are performed to guarantee the health of the water.

“We have mapped it out and conducted studies, and approximately every couple of years we arrange for individuals to go back inside to assess its health and confirm that it’s structurally sound,” explains Fletcher.

Water’s quality, followed by the type of grain used, plays a crucial role in distinguishing this whiskey. If a region’s grain crop succumbs to drought, Jack Daniel’s would extend its search for grain as far as Canada or Northern Europe.

Our corn, too, adheres to very precise specifications. We only use cleaned, grade one corn. We avoid grade two corn to prevent the need to separate any debris like twigs, husks, or stones. We follow stringent moisture standards and require a specific starch content for it to be converted into whiskey,” shared Fletcher.

For a whiskey to be a true Tennessee variant, it requires an extra step of charcoal mellowing. It does not involve just any charcoal, but one produced on-site at Jack Daniel’s from Hard Sugar Maple Wood.

“To qualify as a Tennessee Whiskey, it must pass through Hard Sugar Maple Charcoal,” explained Byron Copeland, Jack Daniel’s Manager for Maturation and Innovations.

Also known as the “Lincoln County Process,” the distilled whiskey undergoes filtration through self-made charcoal tanks that stand ten feet tall. This method eliminates impurities and endows the whiskey with a smoother consistency.

The must then age the distilled whiskey. However, the barrel applied to this process isn’t arbitrary.

“The barrels used are constructed from oak. For a beverage to earn the title of bourbon or Tennessee whiskey, it must be stored in new, charred oak barrels. However, we opt to use white oak,” commented Copeland.

According to Copeland, the source of the white oak utilized is primarily Appalachia. They mainly procure their oak from states such as Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. When required, they also source the white oak from Missouri, where the species aligns with their select specifications.

There’s somewhat of a safety net due to the vast region that cultivates white oak essential for this whiskey, as one area may be buffered against extreme weather incidences.

Once the wood is harvested, it’s crucial for Jack to preserve its moisture to prevent the drying and splintering process as it is transported to the distillery.

“To ensure they don’t decompose, you need to retain some water so the wood remains damp,” Copeland stated.

The lengthy aging process then commences, and alterations in temperature become a significant factor—ranging from scorching Tennessee summers to freezing winter months.

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Copeland points out that in the wintertime, the whiskey contracts inside the barrels coming out of the wood into the barrel. In the summertime, the whiskey expands absorbing into the barrel stave. Over time, this is the process that gives the whiskey 100% of its color and between 60% to 70% of its flavor.

From the water, to the grain, to the oak used to make whiskey barrels — they all serve a special purpose to make Tennessee’s second largest export.

And despite extreme cold in the winter — or extreme heat in the summer — remember that a small town in Middle Tennessee harnessed both for decades to make the most recognized whiskey brands in the world!

Growing your family, no matter the journey to get there, is an emotional one. My heart aches for these families who trusted a Nashville fertility clinic with their dreams and finances. Hannah McDonald’s relentlessness to find answers is journalism at its best and hopefully a new avenue of hope for the patients caught up in this mess.

“`

-Carrie Sharp

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

The Rolling Stones are celebrating their latest album by hitting the road for their Hackney Diamonds tour. But along with rocking out with the band in-person, fans now have the opportunity to pick up a limited-edition bottle of the group’s Crossfire Hurricane Rum, released in conjunction with the jaunt.

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The new “Hackney Diamonds” edition of Crossfire Rum is a bottle worthy of being displayed, as it features an all-black base with gold-yellow accents and an updated version of of the band’s logo. In addition to receiving the new rum, fans will take home a keepsake box that also comes with the rock group’s flagship Crossfire Hurricane Rum. The complete boxed set will be released gradually across the country to align with The Rolling Stones’ tour schedule — including on the official Crossfire Hurricane website — at a retail price of $125. Concertgoers will also have the opportunity to buy the rum at the venue.

Keep reading to see where to buy the bottle online when it comes to a city near you.

Buy Now on crossfire hurricane $125

The new edition of Crossfire Hurricane Rum aims to provide the same blended rum taste in an updated bottle while paying “homage to the band’s iconic journey,” according to a press release. For the band, releasing the beverage is yet another way to connect with fans outside of their music.

“This commemorative box set of Crossfire Hurricane Rum is not just a celebration of our US tour, but a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared with our fans,” The Rolling Stones said in a press statement.

And to complete your collection, the original Crossfire Hurricane Rum is available for purchase on Reserve Bar and Total Wine for under $40. Shop the bottle below.

Buy Now on reserve bar $37

Buy Now on total wine $38.99

The flagship Crossfire Hurricane Rum aims to infuse the flavors of rum from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Barbados that’s been aged within oak barrels. You can expect notes of caramelized bananas mixed with tropical fruit with each sip.

More celebrities have been coming out with their own form of wine and spirits, with the “Satisfaction” band growing the list of musician-owned alcohol brands in addition to artist-owned wines. And it’s not just the music industry that has picked up on the alcohol trend, Kylie Jenner just released Sprinter, a vodka soda brand, joining her sister Kendall who owns 818 Tequila.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best cocktail books, music coolers and musician cookbooks.

“I just picked her up from the airport and we had dinner — nothing really crazy,” he remembers. “And then as soon as we started shooting the video, that was it”

Ryan Montgomery fell in love with Camille Griffith last December on the set of his music video for his single “Whiskey & Smoke” — and things have only gotten hotter between the two smoke shows.

“I’m in Nashville right now and she’s here with me,” says Montgomery, 25, during an interview with PEOPLE about his girlfriend, a content creator. “It’s just been crazy. We never saw it coming.”

Understandably so, as Montgomery remembers first connecting with Griffith via mutual friends during CMA Fest last year, but it wasn’t until the filming of the fiery “Whiskey & Smoke” video that things heated up between the two.

“She came in the day before we shot the video, and I just picked her up from the airport and we had dinner and stuff — nothing really crazy,” he remembers. “And then as soon as we started shooting the video, that was it. She was supposed to fly out the next day back to Arizona, and she ended up moving her flight and staying a couple more days. It was just crazy the way everything worked out.”

It’s one of the many things that has just “worked out” for the former ice hockey player who homed in on his musical craft as a teen from the back tailgate of his pickup truck in his home state of Florida. 

“I was 18 years old, and I would just drop my tailgate down and set my speakers up and just play country music in parking lots for hours,” he recalls. “My goal at that point was to have a tour where I could maybe go and do some small shows at different places. Right now, of course, my goals are way bigger, but I really can’t believe that we are where we are at. It’s really crazy.”

Bailey Accorto

Where Montgomery is at right now is on his Whiskey & Smoke Tour, crisscrossing the country as a headliner through the end of the year. Montgomery also recently released his next single “Missin’ a Girl,” featuring a stellar lineup of writers including Ashley Gorley, Jaren Johnston and Chris DeStefano.

“I’m such a huge fan of these guys,” Montgomery explains. “To get to collaborate with some of my songwriting idols is just insane. They’ve all written songs for Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, and now me!” He laughs. “This is just really something I don’t know that I ever dreamed could even be possible.”

Nevertheless, it’s a dream that Montgomery wakes up to every day, especially as “Missin’ a Girl” continues to snag some well-deserved attention over social media and such.

“‘Missin’ a Girl is such a special song,” he says. “I think we’ve all had that where we have a song with somebody or we have a drink with somebody somewhere when you’re dating them, and then you break up or drift apart, and you go that same place or listen to that same song, and you start missing them.”

Certainly, Montgomery has known that feeling, but it’s one that he says he hopes he doesn’t want to feel anytime soon as his relationship with Griffith seems to show no signs of slowing down. And it’s this love story that the couple say they want to continue to share with fans.

“I try to be as authentic as possible in my life,” Montgomery says. “There’s definitely some downsides of doing that, but we both feel like it’s real and it is what it is, so why not share it with everybody?”

Because in a cruel world, Montgomery says love feels good.

“My family was able to come to my first ever headlining amphitheater show in my hometown,” remembers Montgomery. “They came on the bus and stayed on the side stage and watched the show at this big amphitheater. It was really cool.”

And it’s all these people that will keep the rising country star grounded in the days ahead. “My grandpa served in Vietnam,” Montgomery explains, “And he’s just somebody that no matter what’s going on, he is always in my ear about staying grounded, appreciating everything and valuing what’s really important in life.”

You’d imagine that popular spirits such as Tennessee whiskey and Fernet wouldn’t need much advertising. Tennessee whiskey is one of the state’s most iconic exports, and Fernet is so esteemed by bartenders and drink enthusiasts that it’s often given as a salute or parting present across the bar, referred to as a “secret handshake.”

However, these two beverages didn’t achieve their immense popularity without keeping their recall value high, so brace yourself, Nashville, because things are about to get spirited!

First on the agenda is the 2024 installment of Tennessee Whiskey Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. This consortium of whiskey makers in the state is actually extending the festival this year beyond a single week, with celebrations planned in East Tennessee from May 3 to May 11, Middle Tennessee from May 12 to 23, and West Tennessee from May 20 through May 25.

They’ve scheduled exclusive distillery viewings, live entertainment, and deals on local cocktails and food at partaking eateries, as well as ticketed Master Distiller-Chef dinners where chefs from select restaurants will design specialized menus to honor the yearly celebration, inspired by a native Tennessee spirit brand. However, unless you’re planning to travel to the far-flung corners, it’s perhaps best to focus on our local scene.

Nashville is set to host this year’s key event, Top of the Rocks, a cocktail competition akin to Chopped. The competition encourages mixologists to use bold flavors and native spirits to concoct unique cocktails. The venue for the event is Acme Feed & Seed, and it is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. The event will also feature cocktail tastings, a people’s choice competition, light bites, and live music from Timbo and Boo Ray. Tickets can be obtained from the event’s website, with a few competitor slots still available for professional bartenders who wish to participate.

Here’s a catalog of Middle Tennessee restaurants and bars that will be offering Whiskey Week specials on cocktail creations featuring Tennessee spirits, whiskey pours, and specialty drinks between May 12 and May 23:

Dinner collaborations between Master Distillers and Chefs will take place at numerous restaurants across the city, so choose from these amazing options:

For details on specific events and ticketing information, visit the Whiskey Week website.

Fernet Branca has embarked on their Secret Handshake Tour at noted cocktail markets like Miami, Chicago, Brooklyn, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and they actually started the tour here in Nashville beginning on April 25. What, you didn’t know about it? It’s a secret!

They have been setting up special events at local bars, distributing cards that patrons can get stamped and send in for prizes when the tour leaves town on May 23. But where will they be popping up exactly? That’s a secret. However, if you register at the Fernet Secret Handshake Tour website, they’ll send you all the necessary details.

They have announced one event, a special concert at Third and Lindsley, starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The exact performers remain a mystery. But, Third and Lindsley’s performance calendar reveals that Kody West with Jason Scott and the High Heat will be taking the stage that evening, so you won’t be completely in the dark.

Cheers!

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In the final installment in our series, we look at small-scale wins that could point a way forward…

Talking to librarians, advocates, activists and students about state and local book bans and…

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Kylie Jenner wants you to crack open some refreshing (spiked) soda this summer with the debut of her canned sparkling vodka drink, Sprinter. The beverage marks The Kardashians star and entrepreneur’s move into the alcohol space, sparking debate on whether her drinks will create competition between her and her sister Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand, 818 (though Kylie told Rolling Stone her brand is more like the “bubbly, juicy, and playful little sister”).

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Expect perfect, pre-mixed flavors from the first sip of Sprinter — no cocktail books required. The beverage comes in a pack of eight with four different flavors to choose from, including grapefruit, lime, peach and black cherry. After launching in April, you can now buy Sprinter online from Total Wine, GoPuff, Kroger and Instacart — just in time for summer.

Keep reading to pick up your own pack of Sprinter to drink (responsibly) at home.

$19.99

Buy Now on total wine

$19.99

Buy Now on gopuff

$19.49 $23.99 19% off

Buy Now on kroger

Each can of Sprinter is made from real fruit juice infused with vodka landing it at 4.5% ABV. You’ll receive eight, 12-ounce cans in a variety of flavors. All of the above sites let you order Kylie Jenner’s Sprinter vodka soda online, with shipping and delivery to your door.

The TV personality joins the growing list of Hollywood and musician-owned alcohol brands including Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Blanco Tequila, Luke Bryan’s Two Lane Lagers and Cardi B’s Whipshots.

Just like her skincare brand , Jenner says she worked closely through the development and creation of the product to ensure it would be something she drinks in her daily life.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best tequila brands, musician-owned wines and porthole drink infuser.

The limited edition gift box from The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane Rum includes both a Hackney Diamonds tour bottle and a regular bottle of their rum.

The Rolling Stones once sang, “You can’t always get what you want,” but if you are a fan of theirs, you can lay your hands on a unique slice of Stone’s memorabilia. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announced they are releasing a limited edition bottle of their Crossfire Hurricane Rum to commemorate its Hackney Diamonds tour that kicked off April 28 in Houston.

Priced at a MSRP of $125, the limited-edition collection features a deluxe box set including the Hackney Diamonds bottle—a sleek black gloss glass container with a unique gold top—adorned with the iconic Rolling Stones tongue logo, and a flagship bottle of Crossfire Hurricane Rum; all encased in a keepsake box. The brand is also hosting concert post-show parties in select cities and offering a sweepstakes for fans the chance to win two VIP tickets to The Rolling Stones show in Santa Clara, California on July 17, 2024.

Launched in November 2023, the rum is the first product owned by The Rolling Stones in their seven decades. Born from a partnership with Universal Music Group and Socio Ventures, Crossfire Hurricane Rum takes its name from the first line of their hit Jumping Jack Flash. According to the brand, it is a testament to the band’s lifelong love of rum, which began in the 1970s and continues today.

It’s also a smart move into a rum market that is booming these days. According to a recent report from Market Data Forecast the global rum market recently hit $16.5 billion with forecasts showing it hitting $22.54 billion. As the second most popular spirit on the market drinkers are continually looking for interesting new products.

“I’ve visited loads of rum distilleries in the Caribbean – I’ve been to the most rundown and the most ancient ones in Barbados and Jamaica that are remarkably still running on Victorian equipment,” says Mick Jagger, the frontman of The Rolling Stones. “Very interesting to discover how rum is made and how it’s blended.”

The birth of Crossfire Hurricane Rum coincided with another big announcement from The Stones. That they were releasing their first album of new material in almost two decades, Hackney Diamonds. The album took the charts by storm, building a buzz for all things Rolling Stones. That energy flowed towards their rum, leading to record-setting sales in online sales and the brand signing a deal to roll it out in retail across the United States with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

The limited-edition Hackney Diamonds edition from Crossfire Hurricane Rum from The Rolling Stones.

By releasing a limited-edition bottle, Crossfire Hurricane Rum hopes to build on the momentum of the Stones’ sixteen-city summer North American tour. In a crowded marketplace, the brand hopes that having The Rolling Stones’ distinctive tongue and lips logo emblazoned on the label will make the product stand out on the shelf.

“This commemorative box set of Crossfire Hurricane Rum is not just a celebration of our US tour, but a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared with our fans,” said The Rolling Stones.

The celebratory box set will be available at select retailers across the country and will be introduced in markets to coincide with the bands stops during their tour. Additionally, concertgoers in the United States can purchase the gift set via in-stadium digital billboards and have it delivered directly to their homes vis ReserveBar.

Made from a blend of rums from Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic, it exhibits flavors of pineapple, caramelized bananas, and mellow oak with a slight hint of the funkiness anyone would expect from The Stones. It has been aged for up to five years in charred oak barrels before being blended abroad and bottled in the United States at The Point Distillery. The rum regularly retails for $37 and is available for purchase at CrossfireHurricane.com.

Established in 2018 by Joel Pawlak and Scott Bolin, the US-based company, Next Century Spirits, was initially involved in creating tailored formulations for businesses interested in joining the beverage market. The range covered diverse spirits including vodka, gin, whiskies, Tequila, rum, and Ready-To-Drink cocktails.

A number of its initial brands were developed in collaboration with celebrities, such as Bear Fight whisky with Seth MacFarlane, and vodka-based Ready-To-Drink Caddy Clubhouse Cocktails with golfer Greg Norman.

Over the past few years, the company has grown through strategic acquisitions, with the most recent acquisition being multiple brands from Texas-based Southwest Spirits & Wine. Next Century Spirits, headquartered in North Carolina, secured the majority of Southwest Spirits & Wine’s brands, inclusive of Nue vodka, The Other 49 Bourbon, George Ocean rum, and Calamity gin.

In an engaging discussion with Next Century Spirits CEO, Anthony Moniello, and Chairperson, Matthew Bronfman, Just Drinks explored the company’s approach to expanding their spirits portfolio, and their strategic approach to achieving rapid growth.

Next Century Spirits CEO Anthony Moniello: Nue vodka has set a new standard in the industry. We aimed at penetrating the vodka market to augment our overall business and currently, there seems to be two types of brands in this sphere. There are large, well-established companies that are grappling to retain their market share and maintain shelf space, and on the other end, there are unique disruptors who are growing at an impressive rate of 20% to 30%, albeit without a massive footprint when compared to the competitive set.

Nue Vodka is an emerging brand with an exciting potential in the given price range and category which aligns with our ambitions in this sector. Thus, it was a fantastic opportunity for us and one that we have been on the lookout for.

Also emerging is Henderson Whiskey, another notable brand with a solid growth trajectory. Current sales of Nue Vodka stand at about 220,000 cases. Henderson is just below 20,000, but it is gaining momentum in the value space. Considering a trend towards de-premiumisation in spirits that’s been prevalent for more than six months, we don’t foresee a downward shift anytime soon. As we evaluated the entire portfolio, it continuously became more enticing.

This acquisition not only catapults our growth but also presents us with some scale. While our innovative strategies and launched brands have been effective, we realized that we needed more scale. We needed to penetrate larger chains and expand into larger markets. This acquisition enables us to build upon the commercial value chain that comes with scale.

Moniello: Our primary interest lies in focusing on our base vodka and its range. The idea is to hold onto and understand our flavour strategy dynamics. The base continues to hold a large potential, but innovation is an essential component of this industry. Although our focus remains on the base vodka, the doors for innovation are never shut.

Chairperson of Next Century Spirits, Matthew Bronfman: Our future strategy involves the introduction of two new celebrity brands by 2025. This signifies our continued emphasis on celebrity partnership and not a diversion from it. We haven observed significant synergy in following this approach and we will continue to innovate and seek celebrity partnerships that can truly make an impact.

Moniello: Our production facility, located in North Carolina, spans almost 30,000-square-feet and is primarily used for production and bottling activities, along with a bit of barrel storage. In addition, we maintain two storage facilities; one for storing barrels and dry goods, and the other for housing finished goods.

The acquisition of Southwest Spirits & Wine is expected to pose a challenge when it comes to storage. The deal additionally brought about 330 barrels under our ownership, prompting us to seek short-term expansion opportunities in and around our current space.

Moniello: There is a lot that needs our attention domestically. Hence, our 2024 and 2025 strategy will be primarily focused on the US market. With this new deal, we have expanded our reach from a limited 38 states to all 50 states.

We do have plans for penetrating the international markets. In fact, some of the international markets we currently operate in reached out to us. Countries like Australia, Denmark, Canada, and a few others approached us proactively. While international markets are part of our long-term strategy, we realize we can only excel in a finite number of things. Right now, we are focusing on dominating the US, but we are determined to venture into global markets soon.

Bronfman: We envision ourselves to be amongst the top-ten whiskey suppliers globally. The real strength lies in our long-term vision. Our strategy is not to just buy a brand, get some short-term growth in a couple of years and sell out. That’s not what we aim.

Despite having a background in private equity, I do not believe in the traditional short-term, five to seven years, schemas. We have always adopted a different approach.

Moniello: Our primary focus will be to capitalize on the potential that our existing brands possess, especially Nue vodka. We aim to exploit its untapped potential at a national level very aggressively.

Additionally, we initiated the Numbskull Whiskey brand in a handful of trial markets. This is a whiskey with chocolate-mint flavors, and to our surprise, it became our largest brand just four months into this year. Its demand is so high that we can hardly keep it in stock.

Currently, we are seeing huge potential for growth with the acquisition of Nue vodka and the skyrocketing demand for Numbskull, along with significant double and triple-digit growth across the remainder of our product portfolio.

We are currently in a strong position, having concentrated our efforts on our product portfolio. We have moved past the products that were not delivering results and are now focusing on those that are. The next step is to scale these offerings and ensure effective execution.

Moniello: We’re preparing for a capital-raising round. However, I’m not sure about the specifics I’m permitted to disclose. But I can mention that any future funds will support our rapid growth. It’s not about survival; we’re already a robust company, and this acquisition only strengthens that. Any future initiatives will focus on enhancing momentum.

We intend to navigate this strategically, but it’s worth noting that the current funding environment is challenging for many brands. Despite these difficulties, we’ve managed to thrive in a strained economy and a tough market for smaller entities. Hopefully, we are growing out of the “small company” category now.

Moniello: Our observations show people continue to engage with affordable luxuries like spirits. Even though there’s a noticeable trend towards de-premiumisation, this doesn’t indicate that they’re just settling for anything cheap. There’s still a demand for superior propositions—lifestyle brands that resonate with them, their peers, and the moments they want to celebrate. We must always keep this in mind.

Everyone’s raising prices and reacting to supply chain and we’re attempting to stay disciplined and accept thinning margins. This decision might make our CFO uncomfortable, but we’re aware that consumers are keen on identifying brands they connect with and cherish memorable experiences with them, regardless of whether they’re spirit brands or not.

Consumer confidence, particularly closer to elections, is always tricky to anticipate. However, we do know that consumers still remain engaged with brands. They’re slightly more aware of costs but they’re not rushing to the cheapest options. They continue to seek a brand that resonates with them. We should stay completely alert to such insights, react swiftly, and maintain constant communication with our consumers.

Moniello: It’s paramount to keep our focus on sustaining our growth when the moment arrives. One must be extremely disciplined to recognize this brand or this possibility requires our attention and we should capitalize on it.

We chose to design a portfolio company, driven by possessing a few highly successful brands to develop around. We’ve just procured one and we are steadily defining the next two. The emphasis is always on our final ambition – becoming a widely trusted multinational spirit supplier.

““Nue vodka is a powerhouse brand with untapped potential” – Next Century Spirits CEO talks portfolio building” was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.

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