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Adrienne Stoner, a rum expert with extensive bartending experience, is set to host a unique cocktail-paired dinner at The Waterlot on Wednesday. As the "rum community liaison" for Maison Ferrand in the U.S., her role involves educating newcomers about rum, conducting seminars, and working with rum clubs throughout the country. Stoner brings her passion for rum from her background in tropical cocktail bars, where she learned about a diverse array of rums.

Excited about her first visit to Bermuda, Stoner invites cocktail enthusiasts to join her for an evening featuring seven courses paired with specially crafted rum drinks. This event is organized by local distributors of Maison Ferrand’s rum brand, Planteray.

While cocktail pairings may not be as traditional as wine pairings, Stoner believes that when done correctly, they can be just as enjoyable. Many newcomers to rum might hesitate to drink it neat, making cocktails a great introduction to the spirit. She highlights the global nature of rum, showcasing a variety of styles from different regions, including Rhum agricole from France and clairin from Haiti, which are increasingly accessible in the U.S.

In her travels, Stoner has observed that rum is ingrained in the culture of places like Barbados, where rum is plentiful and cherished. However, she also sees a growing enthusiasm for rum clubs elsewhere, where members are eager to explore the vast variety of rums available.

Stoner has sampled countless rums and prefers those with bolder flavors. During the dinner at The Waterlot, guests will have the opportunity to learn about the specific rums paired with each cocktail and how they complement the dishes being served. She describes the event as a holistic experience that promises both enjoyment and education, with personal engagement as an added bonus.

Guests can join Adrienne Stoner at The Waterlot on Wednesday at 6:30 PM for the Planteray Dinner, priced at $255 per person plus gratuities. Reservations can be made by emailing brent.mcclean@fairmont.com. For more information, visit Pitt & Co.

The annual Whiskey Riff Madness tournament, presented in collaboration with Rock the Country, welcomes fans to participate in voting for the ultimate patriotic country song. With 64 contenders, this year’s excitement revolved around some of the most iconic American country tunes.

As the tournament progressed, Toby Keith emerged as the formidable champion, easily sailing past competition with his hit "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue," which claimed over 87% of the votes in the semi-finals. In a different bracket, a fiercely contested battle saw Alan Jackson’s "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" narrowly defeat Johnny Cash’s "Ragged Old Flag" with just 54% of the votes.

Now, the stage is set for the championship matchup featuring Keith’s anthem against Jackson’s emotional tribute. Voting is currently open and will close at noon Central Time on April 7. Fans can vote multiple times for their preferred song.

This year’s tournament coincides with the upcoming Rock the Country festival, featuring performances from stars such as Kid Rock, Nickelback, and Travis Tritt, starting April 4 in Livingston, Louisiana. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate America with music throughout the summer.

For more details on how to vote and the Rock the Country festival, visit the following links:

• Vote Here
• Rock the Country Festival

Bomb City Distillery in Amarillo, Texas, is celebrating the launch of its first bourbon whiskey, expanding from its original vodka offerings. The distillery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark this significant milestone, unveiling a limited release of 251 bottles of 750ml and 36 bottles of 375ml from Barrel Number 2, after more than two years of aging.

Founded on July 16, 2019, Bomb City Distillery is the first distillery in the Texas Panhandle. Its name pays homage to Amarillo’s historical link to the Pantex Plant, which is involved in nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly. This connection has shaped the distillery’s identity and ties to the local community.

Owner Kyle Michels expressed his enthusiasm regarding the new bourbon, which features a selective mash bill made from blue corn, winter wheat, and red-malted barley. This unique combination reflects the terroir of the Texas Panhandle and the region’s temperature variations that enhance the bourbon’s flavor profile as it ages in charred oak barrels.

"We’re really excited about this bourbon," Michels stated. "It’s something special. It’s a craft bourbon that showcases the grains, and the seasonal temperature changes in the Panhandle create a flavor profile that you won’t find anywhere else."

The distillery’s origins began with their vodka, which earned a silver medal at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition shortly after opening. The move to bourbon production allows the distillery to attract a new customer base. "The shift from vodka to bourbon is all about flavor," Michels added, emphasizing the distinct brewing process geared towards enhancing the taste of the grains and oak.

Bomb City Distillery was co-founded by Michels and his late partner Ryan Barnard. Michels, a roofer turned real estate investor, was inspired to create the distillery after watching “Moonshiners” on television. Together, they restored a historic 1947 building in the heart of Amarillo to serve as the distillery, utilizing original materials to maintain the structure’s character.

Reflecting on their partnership, Michels expressed pride in their shared dream for bourbon and noted that Barnard would be proud of their achievements. "It was always our dream to eventually have a bourbon," he said.

Looking ahead, Michels has ambitious plans for Bomb City Distillery. While initially focusing on distribution within Texas, he envisions expanding the brand’s reach nationwide in the future.

"We’re starting with Texas, but we’re hoping to go nationwide in the future," Michels remarked, noting the significant potential within the state alone.

For more information, visit the original article on the Amarillo Globe-News.

Celebrity imprints have increasingly become a conversation topic in the publishing industry, drawing comparisons to trends like "vanity vodka." Despite skepticism about their success and longevity, many stars from John Legend to Jenna Bush Hager are diving into book publishing.

Jenna Bush Hager made headlines for her recent partnership with Random House, leveraging her successful Today show book club, "Read With Jenna". This initiative has propelled numerous titles onto best-seller lists over the past six years, showcasing her potential influence. However, even celebrities without prior connections to literature are now embracing similar imprint deals.

A noteworthy endeavor is Zando, an ambitious startup that plans to capitalize on the star power of actors and influencers to drive book sales. Founded by ex-Crown editor Molly Stern, Zando has teamed up with various high-profile personalities, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Lena Waithe, to launch their publishing imprints.

The reception of these celebrity-led imprints raises questions about their viability. Critics argue that many manuscripts produced in this landscape often fall flat, perceiving these endeavors as fleeting celebrity projects. Publishing veteran Robert Gottlieb notes that such initiatives may not yield significant returns for either publishers or the celebrities involved. Historical examples abound—Johnny Depp’s imprint Infinitum Nihil, which published only two titles, and Lena Dunham’s Lenny Books, are indicative of the cyclical nature of these celebrity ventures in the literary world.

Despite these critiques, advocates, like Molly Stern, suggest that these imprints can provide visibility that traditional marketing often overlooks. Even with the charm of celebrity backing, the challenge remains: retaining the interest of readers and successfully positioning titles on the shelves—particularly regarding the diverse narratives each celebrity imprint plans to endorse.

Success stories are scarce, with losses of engagement and enthusiasm often leading to the decline of many celebrity imprints. As the trend continues, the sustainability of celebrity-driven publishing remains to be seen. The industry holds its breath, watching whether these ventures can overcome skepticism and bring forth meaningful literary contributions.

Related Links:

• Books
• Sarah Jessica Parker

Vodka is often hailed as a versatile liquor that pairs well with a variety of mixers, and among its most popular drinks is the classic vodka soda. However, there are many interesting facts about vodka that may surprise even the most dedicated enthusiasts. Here are some essential tidbits to keep in mind the next time you’re at the bar.

1. Vodka’s Original Name

In the 1400s, vodka was known as gorzalka, which comes from the Polish word gorzec, meaning "to burn." This is a more fitting name than its current title, as vodka is derived from the Slavic word for "water," voda.

2. Ingredients of Vodka

Many believe vodka is exclusively made from potatoes. In reality, most vodka is produced from grains, though some brands, like Vermont Spirits, use maple sap, while Cîroc is made from grapes.

3. Caloric Content

A standard shot of vodka contains about 97 calories and has no added sugars or carbohydrates, making it one of the lighter liquor options available.

4. Hangover Potential

Due to its multiple distillations that filter impurities, vodka is less likely to cause hangovers compared to other spirits. Distillation removes congener compounds, which can make hangovers more severe.

5. The Vodka Belt

In Europe, there is a geographical area referred to as the Vodka Belt, encompassing many Nordic and Slavic countries, which together produce over 70% of the vodka in the European Union.

6. Leading Brand

In 2023, Smirnoff was declared the world’s top vodka brand, selling around 26 million cases, according to market data.

7. Flavored Varieties

Vodka is now available in an extensive range of flavors, with brands creating everything from salted caramel to bacon-flavored options.

8. Expensive Vodka

The Billionaire Vodka is the most expensive bottle of vodka, featuring over 3,000 diamonds encrusted in its design, with an extravagant price of $3.7 million.

9. Vodka as Currency

Historically, vodka was used as a form of currency due to its stable value. In regions of Russia, it is still used for transactions today.

10. Freezing Property

Vodka doesn’t freeze easily. It has a freezing point around -10°F, much lower than that of water, which freezes at 32°F. Therefore, it remains liquid even in a typical home freezer.

Armed with these fascinating facts, you can impress your friends the next time you order a vodka soda or any other vodka cocktail!

Anheuser-Busch has launched a new non-carbonated vodka tea brand called Skimmers, which will be available in nearly 20 states and Washington, D.C. This new beverage is made with Cutwater vodka, real tea, and natural flavors, and will be offered in four flavors: Original Tea, Half & Half, Peach Tea, and Lemonade.

The introduction of Skimmers comes in response to a significant growth in the vodka tea sector, which surged by 332% in 2024, as consumers increasingly shift away from traditional beer options towards ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Given the rise in popularity of hard tea—valued at $2 billion in 2021 and expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24.7% through 2030—Anheuser-Busch’s entry into the vodka tea market seems timely.

Historically, the hard tea segment has been led by Boston Beer’s Twisted Tea, which launched in 2001. However, in recent years, other brands such as vodka-infused Surfside tea and Boston Beer’s Sun Cruiser have gained traction as well. New entries in this space include Coca-Cola and Molson Coors’ Peace Hard Tea, and Monster Energy’s Nasty Beast.

Skimmers boasts a 4.5% alcohol by volume, with only 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per 12 fluid ounces. While it will face competition from established brands, the rapid growth of the hard tea category presents a potential opportunity for Anheuser-Busch to expand its non-beer offerings. The evolving preferences of consumers for different types of alcohol indicate a need for brands to innovate and adapt, which Skimmers appears to embody.

For more information:

• Grand View Research on Hard Tea Market
• Coca-Cola and Molson Coors Enter Hard Iced Tea Market
• Monster Energy’s Hard Tea Launch

Soda and juice giant Coca-Cola is making strides into the alcohol market with the launch of vodka-infused varieties of its Minute Maid brand. This month, the company introduced canned options like pink lemonade and fruit punch, each containing 5% alcohol by volume. These new products expand a line that already included wine-based cocktails such as Strawberry Daiquiri and Lime Margarita.

Coca-Cola has ramped up its involvement in the alcohol sector in recent years. Notable collaborations include a partnership with Jack Daniel’s and the release of Absolut Vodka with Sprite, exclusively in Europe. In 2023, the company established a subsidiary called Red Tree Beverages to streamline the entry of its products into the market and navigate regulatory challenges.

According to Rachael Waddell, senior director of Red Tree Beverages, the company aims to capitalize on the growing trend in ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages. "Alcohol ready-to-drink is our first category; it’s all we do and all we participate in," Waddell stated. The internal testing at Red Tree indicated a rising demand for juice products mixed with spirits, aligning with the common practice of mixing lemonade with liquor at home.

Minute Maid’s high brand recognition creates a unique opportunity for mixed alcoholic drinks. Waddell highlighted that Vodka Pink Lemonade is the first of its kind in the RTD category. To ensure responsible consumption, particularly given Minute Maid’s popularity with children, the packaging clearly states that the drink is for consumers over the age of 21.

The launch reflects a broader trend in non-carbonated, juice-based drinks within the RTD alcohol market. Red Tree Beverages is set to compete as various brands like Surfside and Sprinter are thriving in the vodka cocktail space. As the RTD cocktail market is projected to soar to $3.6 billion by 2033, with vodka products comprising over 19% this year, Coca-Cola’s entry could significantly influence this burgeoning segment.

Lynyrd Skynyrd fans have an exciting opportunity to meet the iconic band’s front men, Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke, at a special bottle signing event for their new Hell House Whiskey. This event is scheduled for April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Point Fresh Market, located at 12732 Perkins Road.

The new whiskey pays homage to the Hell House Cabin, a significant location in the band’s history where many legendary songs were crafted. It was also a cherished retreat for original members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Allen Collins, along with their bandmates.

Hell House Whiskey is the result of a collaboration between Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bespoken Spirits, a innovative craft whiskey producer out of Kentucky. The whiskey, crafted with a flavor profile developed by Van Zant and Medlocke, serves as a tribute to the band’s storied musical journey and the historic cabin that significantly influenced their sound.

Absolut Vodka & Sprite has expanded its ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail offerings by introducing a new watermelon-flavored variant. This 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) canned drink will be available in grocery and convenience stores with a recommended retail price of £2.30 for a 250ml can. The launch follows the introduction of the original Absolut Vodka & Sprite RTD in February 2024.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners selected the watermelon flavor due to its "vibrant, juicy profile," aiming to bring "something fresh and exciting" to the RTD market, which is currently valued at £631 million. The company plans to support the launch with a robust summer marketing campaign that includes social media outreach, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, and influencer collaborations.

Elaine Maher, the associate director for alcoholic ready-to-drink products at CCEP GB, emphasized that innovation is crucial for their RTD portfolio. She touted the watermelon variant as a transformative addition, aiming to enhance consumer enjoyment of this classic flavor pairing. With vodka maintaining its top-tier status in RTDs, the move to introduce a bold watermelon twist aligns with current trends of flavor innovation in the market.

For more details, visit:

• Absolut Vodka & Sprite
• Coca-Cola
• New Product Development

X MUSE is carving its niche in the competitive vodka market by intertwining art, mythology, and quality craftsmanship. Founded by Robert Wilson, an art patron and creator of Jupiter Artland, and Vadim Grigorian, a former luxury director at Pernod Ricard, the brand differentiates itself by emphasizing a narrative that is personal and transcendental, rather than just another vodka with an empty story.

Positioned as a luxury vodka, X MUSE draws inspiration from Scotland’s rich distilling heritage while aiming to reshape the perception of vodka as merely a neutral spirit. Wilson notes that X MUSE embodies a connection to art, aiming to “create moments of transcendent connection” that elevate the drinking experience beyond the ordinary.

The brand’s identity is infused with artistic philosophy. The name “X MUSE” represents a harmony and unseen qualities, reinforced by a Latin motto on its bottles, encouraging consumers to seek deeper meanings. This philosophical approach goes hand in hand with efforts to engage consumers on an emotional level, inviting them into a sense of discovery and elegance that transcends visual appeal.

X MUSE capitalizes on its ties to Jupiter Artland, with water sourced from an ancient aquifer enhancing the vodka’s purity. The brand prides itself on using heritage barley, a departure from the common practice in the vodka industry. Wilson and Grigorian’s rigorous research and experimentation established that using barley traditionally associated with whisky can yield a distinctive flavor profile, defying initial skepticism about its viability.

The production process of X MUSE blends elements usually reserved for whisky and challenges vodka norms. By combining textural qualities with innovative techniques, the brand aims to offer a more complex spirit. A unique touch is added with “Magic Drops,” water energized in a specific manner, highlighting the artful journey behind each bottle.

X MUSE places significant value on the narrative behind its ingredients, believing that authenticity is essential. As tastes evolve, so too does the pursuit of a refined narrative surrounding vodka. As they prepare to enter the U.S. market, Wilson and Grigorian are focused on maintaining the brand’s exclusivity while emphasizing its artistic foundations. They plan to expand through collaborations with art institutions and high-end hospitality venues.

As the vodka market shifts toward intentionality and storytelling, X MUSE positions itself as a brand that resonates with contemporary consumers. Through carefully curated experiences and a commitment to quality, it aims to remain an aspirational choice in a landscape filled with mass-produced spirits. This alignment of art, craftsmanship, and authentic experiences may well define the future of premium vodka brands in 2025.