David Coors - BourbonSphere

Whisky and Music Come Together in Rhythm & Booze Records

Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re… Read More

Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re combining an independent record label with an independent bottler and making whiskies to match their music, which can be streamed using a QR code on each bottle. We’ll talk with Felipe Schrieberg on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth and share tasting notes for their debut release, Rhythm & Booze Records Release #1. In the news, Molson Coors has acquired Blue Run Spirits to expand its presence in the whisky business, and we’ll talk with David Coors and Blue Run’s Mike Montgomery about the deal. David Beckham is splitting with Diageo’s Haig Club Scotch Whisky brand, and there’s a new Elijah Craig Bourbon out to celebrate next month’s Ryder Cup.

Episode 1017: August 13, 2023

Photo courtesy The Rhythm & Booze Project.

Molson Coors Acquires Blue Run Spirits

Molson Coors, the nation’s number two brewer, is expanding its presence in the distilled spirits business with the acquisition of Blue Run Spirits. Blue Run’s… Read More

Molson Coors, the nation’s number two brewer, is expanding its presence in the distilled spirits business with the acquisition of Blue Run Spirits. Blue Run’s entire team will become part of the Coors Whiskey Co. unit within Molson Coors, which also plans to continue work on Blue Run’s planned $53 million distillery to be built in Georgetown, Kentucky.

“We weren’t looking to sell now, but it’s almost like being younger and not necessarily looking to get married, then you meet the right person and it just comes together, and that’s what it’s like with Molson Coors,” Blue Run CEO Mike Montgomery said in an interview with WhiskyCast. Montgomery is becoming Vice President of the Coors Whiskey Company following the closing of the deal, for which terms were not disclosed.

“I think it’s kind of a 1+1=3,” Coors Whiskey Co. executive chair David Coors said. “What I fell in love with as I got to know the Blue Run team and their business model, and certainly their product and brand, it was one of those things where I felt we could learn a ton from them and obviously we could provide some resources to them.”

Blue Run’s distilling consultant, Jim Rutledge, and whiskey curator Shaylynn Gammon will stay on as part of the Blue Run/Coors Whiskey Co. team, which has three new releases planned for this fall. In addition, the unit will include Coors Whiskey’s existing portfolio of Five Trail American Whiskey and Barmen 1873 Bourbon. Five Trail was Coors’ introduction to the whiskey business in 2021, while Barmen 1873 was introduced last year. Barmen 1873 was created in consultation with Bardstown Bourbon Company, and that relationship is expected to continue for now.

Montgomery said the move will help Blue Run achieve its goal of 50-state and international distribution. The brand’s whiskies are currently available in 31 U.S. states and online.

Listen to the next episode of WhiskyCast for our interview with Mike Montgomery and David Coors.

This story was published August 9, 2023. Image courtesy Blue Run Spirits.

Links: Blue Run Spirits | Coors Whiskey Co.

Having Perfected Shitty Beer, Molson Coors to Create Shitty Bourbon

In what seems like an April Fool’s joke, but sadly isn’t… Giant beer maker Molson Coors ($10.701 billion in revenue in 2022) has announced a new bourbon brand called Barmen 1873 that they will market to beer drinkers. David Coors, vice…

In what seems like an April Fool's joke, but sadly isn't... Giant beer maker Molson Coors ($10.701 billion in revenue in 2022) has announced a new bourbon brand called Barmen 1873 that they will market to beer drinkers.

David Coors, vice president of Next Generation Beverages, says:

We’re meticulous about quality, and Barmen 1873 reflects the care we put into each one of our blends. Barmen plays in the space of sweet on the front and a long, lingering spice finish on the end, and it’s available at an approachable price point for bourbon fans.

Not much is known about this new brand other than it comes in at 92 proof (46% alcohol) and was proofed with Kentucky water (which is so vague of a statement, it doesn't actually mean anything) and bottled in Bardstown. The suggested retail price is between $39.99 to $42.99. It is currently available in 13 states (not Ohio), with more on the way in the future.

My Take

First of all, I don't think we need more multi-billion dollar conglomerates in the bourbon business, but here we are. At the most basic, this is simply a sourced bourbon. Molson Coors doesn't do any of the distilling or warehousing. They simply throw a brand together and do the marketing. It's disappointing on so many levels. It feels like they are going for a quick money-grab with a sub-par product. For that, this is one brand I'll be staying miles away from.

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

Source: Molson Coors Blog