While plenty of whiskey distilleries offer tours and dole out drams of whiskey to eager visitors, Titanic Distillers in Ireland offers a unique experience. The distillery is located at the same site where the infamous Titanic was built, so both distillery workers and visitors alike walk in the footsteps of history while perusing whiskey-making equipment and sampling spirits. Not only is Titanic Distillers situated at the historic Thompson Dock — the last place the Titanic sat on dry land — but the operation also boasts the claim of being Belfast’s first working whiskey distillery in nearly 90 years.

Though prohibition in the 1930s halted Belfast’s whiskey production, Titanic Distillers has reintroduced whiskey culture by focusing on distilling premium single-malt whiskey. Bottles of its whiskey deliver notes of vanilla, peat smoke, and spice. Titanic Distillers also distills vodka with sugar beet and spring water should visitors want to stock up before leaving the premises.

Read more: The 27 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

The distillery offers a few options for visitors interested in learning more about the place. A Legacy Tour showcases the full operations, including the Gwynne Pumps, a collection of original contraptions found beneath the distillery; a Signature Tour leads guests through the distillery and Pumphouse; and a Premium Tour takes participants to the Thompson Graving Dock, where the Titanic ship was built. The graving dock, also known as a dry dock, is a ridged basin that can be filled with water so that ships can move in and out. Once drained, the setting allows workers the ability to repair and clean large ships. This particular dock can be traced back to 1911 and was the last one made in the shipyard. It was built specifically to handle the Olympic class of White Star liners, including the Titanic. After surveying the expansive space, visitors can return to the distillery to taste whiskey.

“Belfast is historically a whiskey distilling city, prohibition was the death knell for the industry, but now Irish Whiskey is the fastest growing drinks category in the world,” head distiller Damien Rafferty is quoted as saying on the Titanic Distillers website. Irish whiskey can provide a mellow, smooth palate to sample, making the booze a lighter introduction to the world of whiskey for those looking to develop their palates.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

In this article, we are going to discuss the most expensive vodka in the world. If you’re also curious about which other vodkas will cost you an arm and a leg, here are the 17 Most Expensive Vodkas in the World.

Vodka is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World. As we stated in our article – 20 Highest Quality Vodkas In The World – the global vodka market was valued at $25.98 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $40.25 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.

Vodka-based RTD beverages are witnessing a huge increase in new product development, which is expected to drive the market. However, the all-natural, flavored segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate due to the growing demand for premium flavored vodka, especially among the millennial population.

There has been a significant shift in the spirits market in recent years. Ousted by craft gins and quality whiskeys, the sales of traditional premium vodka brands have declined. The war in Ukraine has also been responsible for the dip in the popularity of the liquor. However, vodka producers are reinvigorating the category by tapping into the health-conscious demand for low-alcohol beverages, and are moving towards lighter serves and low-ABV offerings to attract consumers back from competing spirits.

Major vodka brands have ramped up their innovation efforts in the low-alcohol space to attract new and mindful consumers by offering products made with less sugar and fewer calories. Diageo was among the pioneers in the low-alcohol vodka space, launching its 30% ABV Ketel One Botanicals range in May 2018, said to be the first of its kind at the time. It contains no artificial flavors, added sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) also capitalized on the trend in 2020, with the release of its sugar-free SVEDKA Pure Infusions range, also 30% ABV.

The recent reincarnation of flavored vodkas has also seen the industry gain some much-needed traction. Gone are the days of the overly sweet artificial flavors and cheap plastic bottles, we are currently going through a flavored vodka renaissance where brands are reimagining the category with high-quality bottles and natural botanicals and extracts that expand the drink’s flavored expressions from subtle to overt. Flavored vodka also typically costs less than its premium counterparts, making it an attractive pocket-friendly option.

Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ), SVEDKA is a popular flavored vodka brand that is a great choice for mixing cocktails. Its smooth and clear taste makes it a versatile base for classic and modern cocktails alike. Plus, its affordable price point makes it a great option for home bartenders on a budget. SVEDKA was acquired by Constellation in 2007 in a deal worth $384 million.

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) continues to be the Best Alcohol Stock to Buy Now, with 47 hedge fund holders in Q1 2024 boasting an overall stake value of over $2.74 billion. The New York-based company made headlines last summer when its Mexican beer brand, Modelo Especial, became the Top-Selling Beer in America after dethroning Bud Light. As a result, STZ reported a revenue of over $2.12 billion during its last quarter of fiscal year 2024, a significant increase of 22.7% compared to the previous year. Net income also went up by 11.7% to reach $105 million.

The U.S. beer industry faced challenges earlier this year due to unfavorable weather conditions. Nevertheless, STZ’s beer segment, which accounted for 82% of its sales in FY 2024, experienced a growth of 10.9% in the last quarter. The demand continues to rise, and company management’s statement that Q1 2025 is ‘setting us off on a really solid year’ indicates no significant signs of a slowdown. Although STZ’s Wine & Spirits segment saw a 5.6% decline in Q4, its smaller size reduces the downside risk. For fiscal year 2024, Constellation Brands generated $2.8 billion in operating cash flow, reduced its net leverage ratio by nearly half a point, and returned over $900 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. While the forward dividend yield of 1.51% may not seem high, the company has consistently paid and increased its dividends for the past eight years.

Another advantage for STZ is the growing Hispanic population in America, which is increasing almost twice as fast as the general population, leading to sustained demand for brands like Modelo and Corona.

To collect data for this article, we have referred to sources such as Forbes, Lifestyle Asia, and Wine-Searcher, among others, looking for the Most Expensive Vodkas. The following spirits are ranked by their retail price, sourced primarily from Wine-Searcher. As liquor prices can vary greatly across international markets, we cannot guarantee their accuracy.

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Price: $7.25 million

The 2015 iteration of Leon Verres’ Billionaire Vodka is the Most Expensive Vodka Ever. The spirit itself is filtered through pure diamonds and boasts a silky smooth, naturally sweet taste. The vodka comes in a massive 18-liter bottle, which similar to its 2012 counterpart, is covered in faux fur, only this time it’s black and decorated with almost 2,000 diamonds set in gold for the ultimate luxury statement.

If you want to learn more about the vodkas that will put a serious dent in your wallet, here are the 17 Most Expensive Vodkas in the World.

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New to the world of whiskey and eager to impress? Start here.

The world of whiskey can seem daunting to newcomers. With its reputation for strength and complexity, especially in the case of bourbon, whiskey is often perceived as a drink reserved for seasoned connoisseurs. This misconception can discourage potential enthusiasts from exploring one of the most beloved spirits.

For those who are new to the whiskey game, here are a few bourbon bottles to kickstart your journey and wow your friends and family.

Fort Hamilton Distillery in Brooklyn, New York has expanded its Single Barrel range with the introduction of a new bourbon made entirely from New York grain sourced from the Hudson Valley. This classic-style bourbon—crafted with a mash bill of 85% corn, 10% rye and 5% malted barley—boasts the highest corn content in the distillery’s whiskey range to date. After 4.5 years of maturation in 53-gallon Char 3 American oak barrels, this unadulterated and non-chill filtered bourbon is bottled at 47.5% ABV, offering a true taste of New York for bourbon enthusiasts.

This limited-edition release—aged at the Booker Noe campus in Boston, Kentucky—highlights the influence of “Kentucky Terroir” on the flavor profile of bourbon. The Boston campus, with its aging conditions of ample sunlight and fresh air, contributes to the fast and rich maturation of the whiskey, resulting in a bold and characterful liquid. Hardin’s Creek Boston joins the previously released Clermont and Frankfort expressions, all aged for 17 years with the same mash bill, showcasing the diverse flavors achievable through varying aging locations. This release is part of the ongoing Hardin’s Creek series, which features some of the distillery’s rarest whiskeys, showcasing the expertise and heritage of The James B. Beam Distilling Company.

Heaven’s Door Whiskey, founded by Bob Dylan, combines traditional techniques with innovative flavors. Heaven’s Door Ascension is a non-chill filtered Kentucky straight bourbon, distilled at the brand’s new distillery and aged for over five years. This 92-proof whiskey is a blend of two straight bourbons, offering a smooth and distinctive flavor profile. With notes of fresh bread, buttered popcorn and dried fruit on the nose, it delivers a rich and complex palate with balanced sweetness, caramel, vanilla and subtle spice.

This debut offering from brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson is a high-rye straight bourbon designed for versatility and enjoyment in any setting. Aged in new, charred American oak barrels, this 93.3% proof bourbon boasts a complex flavor profile with notes of spice cake, cherry, milk chocolate, vanilla and baked apple on the nose, followed by black peppercorn, spearmint, lemon peel and sweet tobacco on the palate, finishing with lingering hints of banana bread, cocoa, cherry and dried pineapple. Drink it neat, on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail.

Old Elk Bourbon is a must-try for all, but especially those new to the world of bourbon. With four times more malted barley than traditional recipes, it boasts a sweet and light profile with a smooth, lasting flavor, making it exceptionally approachable for beginners. Their trademarked slow cut proofing process was designed to ensure a mellow and harmonious experience, avoiding the harshness often associated with other bourbons. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in cocktails, Old Elk’s versatility allows beginners to explore different styles and discover their preferences. Additionally, Old Elk’s exceptional quality and affordability make it an ideal starting point.

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It’s entirely possible that you may have heard Brazilian cachaça referred to as Brazilian rum, and while that’s not entirely wrong, it’s not exactly correct, either. At a glance, the two are similar: They’re both made from sugarcane, and they’re both available as white, unaged spirits as well as caramel-colored aged liquors, but take a closer look, and their similarities end pretty quickly.

Even though it’s rum that’s arguably more popular in the U.S., cachaça is lesser known and thought to be much older. That dates back to some time in the 17th century, and it has a horrible origin story. The first people to drink it were Brazil’s population of enslaved persons, who were given daily rations of cachaça as a sort of pain medication. Over the years, cachaça became wildly populated, was banned on June 12, 1744, and later became a symbol of national pride. Rum, on the other hand, comes from a completely different area of the world — Barbados — and spread very, very quickly as part of a key component of the slave trade.

Rum and cachaça have entirely different production and distillation processes, which result in spirits that taste different and have different levels of alcohol. While cachaça is required to be 40% ABV, rum can be bottled at anywhere between 40% and 60%. While they can be substituted for each other in most cocktails that call for them, they vary enough that the swap will overhaul the flavors of the entire drink.

Read more: 26 Popular Vodka Brands, Ranked By Their Versatility

The differences between rum and cachaça start right from the beginning. In the production of rum, sugar is turned into molasses, which is then used in the distillation of the spirit, while in cachaça, it’s the sugar juice extracted from the cane that’s used — no molasses-making required. Since cachaça is made with raw sugar cane juice, there’s an interesting thing that happens. Much like the flavors of wine change based on the terroir — defined as the impact the environment has on grapes — cachaça varies based on the location and environment of the sugar cane.

Sugar cane for cachaça is sourced from across Brazil, and it’s worth noting that, unlike rum, cachaça is a legally protected product. Laws dictate that to be cachaça, it must be made in Brazil.

Rum and cachaça are also aged differently. While rum can be bottled immediately or aged — often in American oak barrels that were previously used to age sherry or whiskey — cachaça is often bottled immediately after distillation at 40% ABV or aged in barrels made from hardwoods indigenous to Brazil and other countries in South America. While those indigenous hardwoods are selected for the impact they have on the final flavor, they also tie cachaça to the land: Many of the trees are endangered, and some distilleries are using their processes to illustrate the importance of responsible sourcing and conservation.

Although the flavor profiles of both rum and cachaça vary widely, some generalizations can be made, including that cachaça is bottled at a lower proof than most rums. Cachaça can also be considered less processed and, therefore, closer to the herbaceous nature of raw sugarcane.

Typically, cachaça tends to have a more earthly, grassy flavor. Imagine the smell of mowing the lawn in the summertime, and that’s the sort of freshness that cachaça is renowned for. On the other hand, rum tends toward the spicy and sweet side of things. There’s a wide variety in the flavors of rum, but they’re more likely to be described as having tastes of vanilla, nutmeg, caramel, and even leather.

Because of differences in flavor, the two work differently in cocktails but can be substituted for each other. Thanks to the light, fresh, earthiness of cachaça, though, it really shines in cocktails that can lean into that herbaceous flavor. Think of simple cocktails with soda water, a dash of sugar, and some fruit, the combination that makes cachaça’s signature cocktail so popular. The ultimate summer cocktail, the Caipirinha is just cachaça, lime, and sugar, served over ice, and it’s a must-try that’s been popular in Brazil since at least the mid-1800s. It — and versions like the Caipirinha de uva, which adds grapes — are classic for a reason.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.

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Alicia Swanger, wife of Charleston Sweet Grass Vodka owner Jarrod Swanger, holds a bottle of the company’s liquor that is no longer being produced.

Amidst a family tragedy, Jarrod Swanger continued trying to convince investors that he had a plan to save his once-promising, now shuttered spirit brand and company — Charleston’s Sweet Grass Vodka.

Starting June 30, Swanger sent text messages to investors reassuring them. A new CEO would be coming aboard in his “absence,” the message stated.

That “absence” was likely a reference to the passing of his 13-month-old son, who died the day before the texts were sent promising new leadership for Sweet Grass Vodka.

The alleged change of leadership comes as 22 investors and one lender have accused Swanger of failing to return upwards of $7 million they collectively invested or lent for Sweet Grass operations since 2020.

The June 30 text message, shared with The Post and Courier by several investors, said that two men formerly associated with the company are “stepping in while I am out in my time of absence. They are reaching out to everyone this week,” Swanger said.

“Yes they are still going forward with items and the articles are just things we did not respond to because we have no time for it and we are trying to get things restructured and moving forward,” he continued. He was apparently referencing recent reports by The Post and Courier that broke news about the downfall of Sweet Grass Vodka and the sale of Swanger’s Mount Pleasant home.

The two men mentioned in the article asked not to be named as they have served Swanger with cease-and-desist letters in recent months, requesting him to stop using their names in connection with the company they no longer associate with. Another request was sent last week following a text message from Swanger.

Both men informed The Post and Courier that they are neither taking over Sweet Grass Vodka nor Swanger’s debts, and clarified they have not had any discussions with Swanger regarding this matter.

An attorney representing Swanger asked that the media refrain from contacting him.

The Swanger family “is making no comment as they grieve and process the truly greatest loss of their lives,” attorney Mary Grace W. Maybank said in a statement dated July 3. “This beyond tragic loss is extremely private and personal to the Swanger family. The Swangers would appreciate nothing more than continued privacy out of respect for their beloved son.”

On June 29, Swanger’s infant son died from complications after being found unresponsive in the swimming pool at the family’s former house in Mount Pleasant, the Charleston County Coroner’s Office reported.

Mount Pleasant police responded to the Snee Farm home the evening of June 11 following a call that a baby had fallen into the backyard pool.

On June 21, the Swangers sold the house for $1.7 million.

To move Sweet Grass Vodka forward, Swanger would need to make whole more than 20 investors and creditors in the United States and Canada.

The house sale chipped away at some of what is reportedly owed.

Story continues below

Mark Hodge, an investor from Florence who was one of the first people to stake money in Sweet Grass Vodka, was one of those who received the June 30 text from Swanger.

At this point, “I can’t believe anything that I hear from Jarrod,” he said.

Hodge invested $100,000 in November 2022. He also brought in three others for a combined investment of $425,000.

Brian Mahon, a Lowcountry physician who invested in 2022, said he hasn’t received any communication about an alleged new CEO.

“I’ve never once in the past two years gotten any official update on the company’s health formally via letter or email,” he said.

Other investors who have come forward in the last few weeks include another Florence resident who invested $150,000 and a Mount Pleasant resident who said he handed Swanger $75,000 cash in March.

In October, the Mount Pleasant investor attended a Sweet Grass Vodka bash at Wild Dunes. He said he recalled thinking: If someone as well known as actor Jeremy Renner had become involved with the company, what could go wrong?

Two-time Oscar nominee Renner came on board last summer as a celebrity face of the company. Swanger portrayed Renner as a co-owner. Renner was promised $1 million and equity in the company, a source familiar with the deal previously told The Post and Courier. Renner months ago began distancing himself from the brand and Swanger.

With promises that the Mount Pleasant investor’s money would quadruple within one year, Swanger again approached the man a month later asking for more money. He balked.

At that point, Swanger already faced three lawsuits accusing him of defaulting on payments on loans. His company was delinquent in paying rent and about to be terminated from the lease for Sweetgrass Lounge, his bar and production facility at The Refinery, located at 1640 Meeting Street Road. He owed some employees upwards of five weeks in back pay and was paying them piecemeal via Apple Cash, according to texts between the workers and Swanger, and seen by The Post and Courier.

Swanger lost his liquor license on March 5 for not paying S.C. income taxes for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, records show.

In addition, Swanger was charged twice with driving under the influence in 2022 and his driver’s license was suspended for not paying car insurance, according to Isle of Palms police.

Signs have been posted for weeks around his former Snee Farm community, noting Swanger is still driving and to alert local police if anyone saw him behind the wheel.

With the new texts about an interim CEO apparently unfounded, Hodge said any hope for recovery is dwindling by the day.

“I am not at all optimistic that I will ever see one dime,” he said.

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ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco bargain hunters are going to have to pay an additional $5 to $10 annually as the popular warehouse chain prepares to raise its membership fees for the first time in seven years.

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Jarrod Swanger, owner of Sweet Grass Vodka, has sent out unfounded messages claiming two men will step in and take over operations as his debt surmounts into the millions. Read moreAfter a family tragedy and millions in debt, Sweet Grass Vodka owner claims new CEO to take over

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The company strengthens foundations for whiskey growth with ‘North American Distillers’

NEW YORK, July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pernod Ricard has reinforced its commitment and ambition to its American Whiskey portfolio by establishing a new Global Brand Company in the USA, North American Distillers (NADL).

The new specialized business will be helmed by Richard Black, a seasoned Pernod Ricard executive with 23 years of leadership in whiskey and cognac, including time at Chivas Brothers and most recently as Global Marketing Director for Martell in Paris. As CEO of North American Distillers, Black will oversee the company’s full American Whiskey portfolio and North American operations sites.

Pernod Ricard initially launched its American Whiskey portfolio as an independent unit incubated within Pernod Ricard USA. NADL marks the next phase of its American Whiskey commitment, and with the recent substantial investments in the thriving category, the company decided to form a global brand company to align with its growth ambitions.

NADL will prioritize operational excellence, creating a best-in-class organization emphasizing safety, quality, and sustainability. This includes overseeing the highly anticipated Jefferson’s distillery, currently under construction in Kentucky and poised to set industry standards.

Black said, in a statement: “American whiskey is a dynamic spirits category, and our portfolio shows immense potential for future growth. Our investments made in Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, Smooth Ambler, Skrewball and TX, underscore our ambitious commitment. My mission is to harness this potential and drive a singular focus on these brands and our operations, driving us towards our goals and creating a top-tier marketing and sustainable operations team on the back of our peoples’ deep-rooted expertise.”

This move aligns Pernod Ricard’s American Whiskey operations with its global operations structure, mirroring the approach of its successful Irish and Scotch whisky entities, Irish Distillers and Chivas Brothers. The new company will be responsible for global marketing strategy and production of its premium American Whiskey brands, leveraging the company’s global network to stimulate growth. This includes all Pernod Ricard American North America operations sites.

Supporting Black is a seasoned team of operations and American Whiskey specialists at North American Distillers. Leading the operational charge is Pierre Joncourt, current SVP of Operations for Pernod Ricard North America. On the whiskey and marketing front, Bourbon Hall of Famer and Rabbit Hole Whiskey founder Kaveh Zamanian will move to a new role, guiding the liquid strategy for the full North American whiskey portfolio.

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