Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that his government would cancel retaliatory tariffs against the United States, following telephone negotiations on Tuesday with US President Donald Trump. “Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States. And while it’s different from what we had before, it’s still better than that of any …
Middle West Spirits, one of North America’s largest independently owned distilleries, officially announces the appointment of Luis Gonzalez as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). This follows Middle West Spirits’ acquisition of Old Elk Distillery in May 2025, where Gonzalez served as CEO. The acquisition marked a major milestone for Middle West Spirits, enhancing its scale, capabilities, …
Scotch whisky negotiant firm and sector innovator Compass Box has appointed Angela D’Orazio as Creative Director of Whiskymaking. A globally recognized whisky expert, D’Orazio brings nearly three decades of award-winning innovation, sensory leadership, and blending mastery to Compass Box as the company invests in the continued evolution of its whisky-making team. D’Orazio will lead a …
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has advanced Jackson Purchase Distillery, located in Western Kentucky, to Heritage Member status, marking the 17th distilling company to reach the highest membership tier within the organization. Founded in 2021, Jackson Purchase is one of the fastest-growing distilleries in Kentucky, offering contract distilling services and selling new-fill barrels of Bourbon to …
Noted mixologist Molly Wellmann has been hired on as Master Taster at the Hidden Barn Whiskey. In her new role, Wellmann will be helping with the batching and single barrel selections of Hidden Barn Whiskey, as she builds on the tasting profile and batching style developed by Master Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan. “Jackie got us …
By Richard Thomas A shift of tectonic proportions has taken place in American Whiskey these last couple of years, but to judge from the trade headlines one would assume that nothing had actually happened. Since long before I started writing about whiskey, there have been three stable-as-granite facts about the whiskey business: 1) Johnnie Walker …
