Bacardi - BourbonSphere

Never Say Die Bourbon: A Whiskey with a Back Story

The stories behind the whiskies we drink are almost as enjoyable as the whiskies, and the story behind Never Say Die Bourbon is an intriguing… Read More

The stories behind the whiskies we drink are almost as enjoyable as the whiskies, and the story behind Never Say Die Bourbon is an intriguing one. There’s a near-death experience, followed by success on horse racing’s grandest stage, and a side story linking it to the founding of The Beatles. Never Say Die co-founder Brian Luftman joins us to share that story on this week’s WhiskyCast. In the news, Chivas Brothers workers approve a new contract, Kentucky Bourbon distillers set more records, and the deadline to avoid European import tariffs on American whiskey is getting closer.

Photo courtesy Ninth House/Never Say Die Bourbon.

Bacardi Takes Control Of Teeling

A mere six years after investing in the Dublin-based Irish whiskey-making Teeling Distillery, Bermuda-based Bacardi has taken majority control of the distiller. The percentage of Bacardi’s ownership stake was undisclosed but founders Jack and Stephen Teeling will continue to own a percentage of the business and run day-to-day operations. Bacardi initially invested in The Teeling […]

The post Bacardi Takes Control Of Teeling first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

A mere six years after investing in the Dublin-based Irish whiskey-making Teeling Distillery, Bermuda-based Bacardi has taken majority control of the distiller.

The percentage of Bacardi’s ownership stake was undisclosed but founders Jack and Stephen Teeling will continue to own a percentage of the business and run day-to-day operations.

Bacardi initially invested in The Teeling Whiskey Company in June 2017 and – beginning in January 2024 – Teeling will be distributed by Bacardi in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK with Sweden to be added in February and Belgium currently scheduled to be added in March.

Teeling remains the only Irish whiskey in Bacardi’s portfolio which includes its signature rum products as well as popular spirits in other categories such as vodka [Grey Goose], gin [Bombay Sapphire], tequila [Patrón] and blended Scotch whisky [Dewar’s] Scotch whisky.

The post Bacardi Takes Control Of Teeling first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Angel’s Envy Announces $8.2 Million Dollar Distillery Expansion Completion and A Virtual Distillery for Some Reason

Bacardi owned Angel’s Envy has completed their $8.2 million dollar distillery expansion. I originally wrote about this last July when it was announced. This new expansion adds 13,000 sq feet to the facility and will allow them to accommodate an additio…

Bacardi owned Angel's Envy has completed their $8.2 million dollar distillery expansion. I originally wrote about this last July when it was announced. This new expansion adds 13,000 sq feet to the facility and will allow them to accommodate an additional 64,000 visitors per year. Additionally, Angel's Envy has created a Meta Distillery virtual pop-up.

Angel's Envy General Manager, Gigi DaDan says of the expansion:

Angel's Envy has seen significant growth over the past several years, and that will only be amplified with our Brand Home expansion as we can now better meet the incredible demand from visitors who want to tour our facilities and experience our distillery. We're proud to be part of such a strong community in Louisville and will continue to invest in our hometown

This expansion is expected to create 20 additional jobs and includes a larger retail area, five additional tasting rooms, additional bar space, and a 'bottle your own' experience. You can book your tour at this site.

Also, as part of the grand opening, Angel's Envy has created a home in the metaverse in something called Decentraland. This experience is 21+ and features gamified experiences such as a mash bill challenge, cask personalization, an ingredient quest to create cocktails, and an opportunity to plant virtual white oak trees around the distillery. Users will also be able to earn virtual badges, a POAP token and free customized NFT wearables. More information on the experience may be found at this site.

My Take

It's good to see this project come to fruition and looks like an amazing space. If you're planning on a trip to Louisville, this expansion definitely moves Angel's Envy up the list of places to visit.

As for the virtual stuff in the metaverse... maybe I'm too old to understand that part. I think it would be cool to do a virtual tour through the distillery. While that wouldn't the be the same as physically experience, I can see the value in that. The gamification, NFT's, virtual badges, and whatever a POAP token is are the parts I don't get.

That's probably me being an old man who yells at cloud. Anything that gets people involved and makes bourbon more approachable is a good thing.

What do you think? Drop a note in the box below.

Source: Angel's Envy

Brown-Forman Wins UK Legal Battle Against Bacardi

In a UK-based legal dispute between spirits distributor giants, Brown-Forman has been awarded a $67.6 million ruling by a UK tribunal as a result of a cost-sharing disagreement. Brown-Forman and Bacardi first collaborated on their UK-based distribution process in 2002 but officially ceased that collaboration in April 2020 and Brown-Forman immediately formed their own UK […]

In a UK-based legal dispute between spirits distributor giants, Brown-Forman has been awarded a $67.6 million ruling by a UK tribunal as a result of a cost-sharing disagreement.

Brown-Forman and Bacardi first collaborated on their UK-based distribution process in 2002 but officially ceased that collaboration in April 2020 and Brown-Forman immediately formed their own UK distribution company.

Brown-Forman then asked Bacardi to pay them what they claimed Bacardi owed them after the agreement was terminated but Bacardi refused and Brown-Forman then brought a lawsuit against Bacardi in August 2020. Bacardi responded by seeking arbitration in a commercial court and, in May 2021, the commercial court ruled that Bacardi did not have to pay the full amount, pending the outcome of the arbitration.

However, the tribunal reversed that decision and Bacardi has been ordered to pay Brown-Forman the entire amount plus interest.

Brown-Forman is the owner of popular brands such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, Woodford Reserve bourbon as well as BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh single malt Scotch whiskies.