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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.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

On April 28th, the Whiskey Off-Road Classic drew some of the fastest marathon cross-country racers in the country to Prescott Arizona.

Santa Cruz teammates Alexis Skarda and Keegan Swenson took the wins in their respective pro categories.

The women’s finish was electric, an all-out sprint between Skarda and Hannah Otto.

A post shared by Whiskey Off-Road (@whiskeyoffroad)

In the men’s race, Keegan Swenson, a mere week after dominating the field at the Sea Otter Fuego XL, turned heads as he inched past Cole Paton.

A post shared by Keegan Swenson (@keegels99)

Review the results at this Epic Rides.

1 | Alexis Skarda | 03:44:21 | Grand Junction, CO

Hannah Otto | 03:44:23 | Millcreek, UT

Erin Osborne | 03:47:58 | Prescott, AZ

Deanna Mayles | 03:48:39 | Colorado Springs, CO

Michaela Thompson | 03:55:15 | Durango, CO

6 | Katerina Nash | 03:56:12 | Truckee, CA

7 | Samara Sheppard | 03:58:02 | Wollongong, NSW

8 | Ellen Campbell | 03:58:38 | Durango, CO

9 | Amy Chandos | 03:58:42 | Flagstaff, AZ

10 | Ellie Krafft | 04:02:10 | Prescott Valley, AZ

1 | Keegan Swenson | 03:06:45 | Midway, UT

2 | Cole Paton | 03:07:29 | Cashmere, WA

3 | Alex Wild | 03:08:46 | San Jose, CA

4 | Cameron Jones | 03:09:25 | Nelson, TAS

5 | Sean Fincham | 03:11:28 | Squamish, BC

6 | Taylor Lideen | 03:11:29 | Bella Vista, AR

7 | Finn Gullickson | 03:11:57 | Colorado Springs, CO

Brian Matter | 03:17:24 | Prescott, AZ

Caleb Swartz | 03:17:24 | Missoula, MT

Jerry Dufour | 03:17:24 | Boulder, CO

Don’t miss another headline from Bike Mag! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of bike riding.

We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting, and engaging bike-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you’re a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on Bike Mag and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality bike videos.

Foursquare Rum/2011 expression

Collectible rum deserves consideration among bourbon and whisky lovers. Rum is beginning to make waves the way small batch tequila did many moons ago—and the hottest rums in the market now are arguably the expressions from Altamar Brand’s Foursquare Distilling. Brandon Cummins, Altamar’s director of education, has witnessed the product’s skyrocketing popularity. “The first three releases we had, 2015 and 2016, took nearly three years to sell through and now we are selling an entire release before the container touches customs. It’s all pre-sold before it lands.”

The critical acclaim is there too. Foursquare’s wins include the 2021 IWSC Outstanding Spirits Producer, and ISC Rum Producer of the Year six years running. Yet, admits Cummins, consumers need to be aware of what they are buying with regard to rum; “Collectible rum has had challenges taking off in the US market because there is so much obfuscation in the category.”

By obfuscation he means muddled information about additives and sugar content, among other things. “I am astonished by how many rums still have sugar, added flavor or coloring—many brands that have a perceived really high value have added sugar and color.” Foursquare makes a point of calling out that their rums have nothing added –no sugar, additives or coloring—but, notes Cummins, “It’s a challenge for us when consumer standards have been set by expressions we would recognize as liqueur. If I add 30g of sugar to a product it will be delicious,” and very different tasting to a rum with nothing added. Right now, says Cummins, “Rum liqueur is effectively being sold right next to high-end craft rum. Yet, they are two very different things.”

Foursquare’s offerings, aged and blended in Barbados, stand tangentially from whiskies and bourbons, making them a favoured alternative for fans of the latter. “We notice numerous whiskey collectors exploring our rum palette,” explains Cummons, adding his father-in-law as an example who was convinced from being a single malt aficionado into pairing cigars with Foursquare rum. Today, he has transformed into a fervent advocate for their rums.

The trademark flavor profile of Foursquare rums displays layers of toasted coconut, bountiful fruits such as dark cherries and plums, with a burnt citrus or orange peel hint. “With varying degrees of funk and notes of caramelized banana,” outlines Cummins.

The newly launched Foursquare Mark XXIV “2011” is a wonderful addition.

Single Blended Rum, aged for 12 years, this masterpiece combines first, second and third fill Ex-Bourbon barrels, bottled at 60% ABV. It is pure with no added color, sugars or additives, and is unfiltered. The entire process, right from distillation to packaging, happens on an island in Barbados. It retails at $119.

Jon Miner (Photo courtesy: Wisconsin Department of Corrections)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jon Miner conceded that he was “considerably intoxicated” and took a concluding gulp of vodka in the presence of a police officer before he was apprehended for his 12th offence of drunk driving.

Based on a roadside sobriety test, his blood alcohol content was found to be .267, as per the details in a criminal complaint lodged on Monday.

Miner, a 58-year-old resident of Tomah, attended his preliminary court hearing on Monday afternoon. The charges against him include 10 or more counts of OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), operating despite license revocation, and failure to install an ignition interlock device. His bond has been set at a cash payment of $13,000. The date for the preliminary hearing has not been fixed as of now.

As per the filed complaint, an enforcement officer stopped Miner for speeding at 85 mph in a 70 mph zone on the Interstate 41 on a Saturday night. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer noticed an opened vodka bottle and detected a strong smell of alcohol from within the car, despite both driver and passenger windows being rolled down.

Miner mentioned that he was returning from Tomah. Upon querying further, his response was, “It doesn’t matter, I am drunk”. When the officer probed about the level of his intoxication, Miner responded, “Pretty drunk”. On pointing out the vodka bottle, Miner confessed to drinking while driving and admitted that he was consuming vodka as he drove past the officer on Interstate 41. The officer instructed Miner to get out of his car, to which he complied. But before leaving the car, Miner quickly grabbed the vodka bottle and took another gulp, as mentioned in the complaint.

A preliminary breath test revealed a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .267, over three times the standard legal limit. However, given his previous convictions, Miner’s permissible BAC level was .02.

Three traffic citations were also issued against Miner: inhaling nitrous oxide, operating a vehicle without insurance, and speeding (11-15mph above the limit). June 5 court dates are set for those.

State records show his last OWI conviction was for a November 2019 traffic stop in Jackson County. He was released in January after serving a five-year prison sentence. According to court records, Miner’s driver’s license was revoked for two years, as well.

He has 11 prior convictions for operating while intoxicated offenses, for incidents on March 1, 1997; Feb. 7, 1998; Aug. 27, 1999; Sept. 25, 1999; Oct. 1, 1999; Feb. 5, 2001; Aug. 1, 2002; Nov. 27, 2004; Aug. 5, 2011; May 5, 2013; and Nov. 5, 2019.

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At Rumson’s Rum headquarters in Salem, Massachusetts, another round of spirits is being prepared for everyone’s delight.

Notable actor and musician Jamie Foxx is capturing attention in the spirits market with his new venture, BSB Whiskey. This exceptionally smooth mix, enriched with the enticing aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar, promises a distinctively unmatched taste experience.

The official debut of BSB Whiskey took place this month at the General Admission sports bar. The event coincided with the thrilling first round of the NBA playoffs. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of specialty cocktails, food, games, and one-of-a-kind merchandise, making it a memorable experience for whiskey aficionados and party-goers alike.

The distinctive flavors of BSB Whiskey set it apart. The aromatic spice of cinnamon merges beautifully with the comforting sweetness of brown sugar, forming a unique blend that teases the taste buds with each sip. However, with a potent 70-proof content, this whiskey commands respect.

During the launch event, guests had the chance to taste BSB Whiskey in a variety of cocktail recipes impeccably prepared by mixologists. From traditional whiskey cocktails like the BSB Espresso Martini with a twist to unique mixtures like the BSB cinnamon roll, which incorporated Bailey’s Irish cream displaying the versatility of BSB, there was something to delight every taste preference.

In addition to the delectable drinks, guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere with engaging games and entertainment. The General Admission sports bar provided the perfect backdrop for celebrating the union of sports, music, and fine spirits, mirroring Jamie Foxx’s multifaceted career.

Moreover, the event was not just about indulging in exceptional whiskey but also a chance for attendees to immerse themselves in the BSB brand experience. Exclusive merchandise, including branded apparel and accessories, allowed fans to take home a piece of the BSB lifestyle.

BSB is poised to become a favorite among whiskey enthusiasts and trendsetters alike. Cheers to Jamie Foxx and the irresistible allure of BSB Whiskey!

Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com

MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Jamie Foxx Acquires BSB Whiskey

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Marina’s Bistro and Rum Bar, which is situated at 4554 North Magnolia Avenue in Uptown, is appropriately launching its brunch on Mother’s Day.

Could there be a more meaningful day, considering who the restaurant is named after?

The restaurant’s namesake is the mother of Eric Roldan, who is both the chef and the owner of Marina’s.

Roldan attributes his culinary skills to his mother. “She taught me how to cook when I was young,” Roldan says. “I chose to pay tribute to her by using her name for the restaurant.”

Weekend Break: Kuipers Tulip Fest

Marina’s features authentic Puerto Rican food, an area of expertise for Roldan, who went to culinary school in Puerto Rico before coming back to Chicagoland and starting his business.

Roldan first operated as a “ghost kitchen.” Marina’s has been open for about eight months now.

“It’s been going great,” Roldan said. “Right now, we’ve been getting very busy. The response from people has been really great.”

Marina’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. and, right now, Friday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

‘Startender’ Series: A signature margarita from Nobody’s Darling

As mentioned, though, the restaurant will debut its brunch on Sunday, May 12, for Mother’s Day.

To make a reservation or for more information, visit marinasbistrochicago.com or call 773-739-9161.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.

Acclaimed actor and musician Jamie Foxx is making a splash in the spirits sector with his newest undertaking BSB Whiskey. This super-smooth mix, laced with the tempting tastes of cinnamon and brown sugar, offers a tasting experience unrivalled.

The formal launch event for BSB Whiskey happened this month at the General Admission sports bar, occurring concurrently with the thrilling first round of NBA playoffs. Patrons enjoyed an afternoon packed with special drink blends, food, games and exclusive promotional items, making it a memorable day for both whiskey aficionados and party lovers.

BSB Whiskey is notable for its unusual blend of flavors. The invigorating spice of cinnamon merges perfectly with the soothing sweetness of brown sugar, producing a balanced mix that delightfully engages the taste buds with every single sip. Yet, bearing a potent 70-proof content, this whiskey commands respect.

During the unveiling event, visitors got the chance to taste BSB Whiskey in various cocktail mixes skillfully prepared by bartenders. Ranging from conventional whiskey cocktails like the reimagined BSB Espresso martini to innovative mixes like the BSB cinnamon roll, incorporating Bailey’s Irish cream and demonstrating BSB’s adaptability, there was something to satiate every taste.

In addition to the delectable drinks, guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere with engaging games and entertainment. The General Admission sports bar provided the perfect backdrop for celebrating the union of sports, music, and fine spirits, mirroring Jamie Foxx’s multifaceted career.

Moreover, the event was not just about indulging in exceptional whiskey but also a chance for attendees to immerse themselves in the BSB brand experience. Exclusive merchandise, including branded apparel and accessories, allowed fans to take home a piece of the BSB lifestyle.

BSB is poised to become a favorite among whiskey enthusiasts and trendsetters alike. Cheers to Jamie Foxx and the irresistible allure of BSB Whiskey!

MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Jamie Foxx Acquires BSB Whiskey

Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

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Mark Allen firmly believes in the necessity of partying as he pursues his first world snooker title at the Crucible this Saturday.

This 38-year-old from Antrim has undergone a significant health overhaul which has resulted in weight loss of more than six stone in the past two years. This effort has paid off with several ranking titles to his name as well as an ascent to third in the world rankings. Dependending on this tournament’s results, he might even move to the No 1 spot.

Allen emphasized the importance of maintaining balance before his second-round game against John Higgins set for Saturday afternoon. Despite being a night owl, he is determined to keep a level playing field in an effort to reach the finals for the first time.

Spending time at parties doesn’t equate to a lack of dedication or discipline within the sport, according to Allen. He concedes that in the past the ratio might have been off and asserts that there is a critical time and place for everything. It’s important to keep in mind that life beyond snooker is also essential.

“I still enjoy a night out with my friends. I probably don’t do it as often as I did, but when I do, I make up for it. I enjoy having a few shots and going on the vodka, but I never do it too close to a tournament now, and that’s the difference.”

Allen, who reached the semi-finals last year – only his second appearance in the one-table set-up after a series of early-round disappointments – revealed he was convinced to change his mindset after a painful 13-4 second-round defeat to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2022.

That loss coincided with a period of turmoil in his private life, after divorcing his then wife in 2020, and declaring himself bankrupt the following year despite career earnings in excess of £3.5m.

Allen added: “Ronnie wasn’t playing anywhere near his best and he still brushed me aside, and I had to ask myself whether I wanted to be that player who came back here and didn’t challenge.

“It’s been deflating coming here so many times and underperforming, because I know I’ve got the game to win it. I’ve tried so many things and so far none of them have worked, but I feel like I’ve improved things in recent years and I’ve come into the tournament this year on a whole new level.”

Judd Trump is two frames away from a return to the quarter-finals after pulling away from Tom Ford to establish an 11-5 overnight lead. Leading 7-2 after Thursday’s opening session, the third seed took the first frame on Friday before Ford spurned a strong chance of this year’s first Crucible maximum, running aground on 73 after 10 reds and nine blacks.

Trump capitalised on a series of errors from Ford to ease further clear and at one stage looked capable of winning the match with a session to spare, before the 14th seed rallied and took the final frame of the day with a break of 83.

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David Gilbert dispatched Robert Milkins 13-4 to become the first player through to the quarter-finals, and revealed a rigorous fitness regime is behind his push to reach the last four for the first time since 2019.

Leading 12-4 after Friday’s morning session, Gilbert required just 17 minutes to complete his victory over the 16th seed, who was hampered by a recurring back injury and showed the extent of his frustration by hurling his cue after missing a simple red in the 12th frame.

“The lesson I learned from when I got to the semi-final was you have to be as fit as possible,” said Gilbert. “I’m using my time wisely, eating properly and the right things. I’m hitting the gym, pure weights and just trying to lift as heavy as I can. I’m going to smash the gym and keep eating the right stuff.”

Stephen Maguire battled to a 5-3 overnight lead against the 2005 winner, Shaun Murphy, while Jak Jones carved a 9-7 advantage over Si Jiahui, a surprise semi-finalist last year, after a poor quality second session of their second-round match. Jones, the lowest ranked player left in the tournament at No 44, is looking to reach the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.