Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 124th issue of Craft Spirits Weekly , a service dedicated to bringing you the news most important to the craft spirits distiller. Check your inbox every Thursday to find a curated selection of articles and news pieces from the American Craft Spirits Association.
American Whiskey Producers Welcome End of Canada, Mexico Tariffs
American whiskey producers feeling the pain from the Trump administration's trade disputes have gotten a shot of relief with an agreement that will end retaliatory tariffs that Canada and Mexico slapped on whiskey and other U.S. products. (StarTribune)
Time Is Running Out: Enter the Heartland Spirits Whiskey Competition
Are you an American distiller who produces craft whiskey made from corn? if so, this is your chance to win gold at the Heartland Whiskey Competition!

Sanctioned by the American Craft Spirits Association in cooperation with several state corn marketing boards, the second biennial competition will take place in fewer than two weeks at CH Distillery in Chicago!

The Heartland Whiskey Competition is open to all 50 states and whiskey products must be made with corn.

The registration deadline is May 28 and the receiving deadline is June 1.

With generous funding provided by state corn organizations, the 2019 Heartland Whiskey Competition winners will be promoted through a paid digital media campaign that is complemented by a social media campaign. This is in addition to the public relations activities that were part of the inaugural competition. The campaign will target craft spirits purchasers in each of the competing states.
Left Turn Distilling Releases Old Santa Fe Trail Straight Bourbon
Good things come to those who wait, and patience has paid off for bourbon lovers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Left Turn Distilling recently held a release event for its Old Santa Fe Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which has been just over two years in the making. Left Turn distillers Brian Langwell and Chris Medina wanted a brand name that people would associate with southwest New Mexico and the Old West and chose Old Santa Fe Trail, which served as a cattle drive trail from Kansas through New Mexico, according to Langwell. (Albuquerque Journal)
2020 ACSA Convention Call For Presentations Now Open!
The Call for Presentations is officially open for ACSA’s 2020 Convention at the Hyatt Regency, Portland, Oregon from March 29–31, 2020. Share your expertise with the craft spirits community! ACSA’s Education Committee is seeking out technical, sales and marketing, business and legal/compliance topics. Of particular interest are presentations on:

• Advanced technical topics (especially all things yeast)
• Sensory tasting sessions
• Industry-specific safety topics
• In-depth sessions on specific ingredients
• Distribution
Your Input Is Critical! 2019 Craft Spirits Data Project
It's time once again for the Craft Spirits Data Project to query you on the economics of the industry. The Craft Spirits Data Project, which ACSA conducts in conjunction with Park Street and the IWSR, provides the industry's most detailed picture of the size, scope, growth trajectory and economic contributions of the craft distilling industry. This information will be critical as we continue our fight to keep the reduction in the Federal Excise Tax.
Alabama’s Dread River Distilling Co. to Open This Summer
Birmingham is on track to become home to one of Alabama’s largest distilleries. Dread River Distilling Company, a 24,000-square-foot spirits manufacturer, tasting room and event space, is slated to open this summer on the Southside. (AL.com)
Spirit Hound Distillers Launches Malt Whiskey Aged in Honey Barrels
Spirit Hound Distillers is creating a Colorado-born buzz with local Bee Squared Apiaries (Berthoud, Colorado) to bring consumers a Colorado exclusive, one-of-a-kind take on honey whiskey. (BevNet)
Iowa Distillery Launches Vodka Made from State-Grown Corn
The Iowa Lakes town of Okoboji now has a vodka named for it—just in time for summer cocktails. Foundry Distilling Co. is launching the first brand in its Heritage Collection of spirits: Okoboji Vodka. (Des Moines Register) 
Distillery to Open Soon in Downtown Reading, Pennsylvania
A distillery and tasting room is expected to open soon on Penn Street in downtown Reading. Chris Flowers, owner and distiller of Reading Distilling Guild, has started construction at 503 Penn St. and hopes to be up and running by July. Flowers said he has been planning the distillery and tasting room since last June. (Reading Eagle)
Copper & Kings Launches Two More Distillaré Liqueurs
Louisville-based Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. has announced its two latest pure copper pot-distilled luxury cordials: Destillaré Café, an intense coffee liqueur built with a robust cold brew natural coffee foundation; and Destillaré Chocolat, an intense chocolate liqueur using cocoa nibs steeped in brandy process. The cordials join an expanding Destillaré line-up that already includes Orange Curaçao and Pomegranate liqueurs. (BevNet)
Bently Heritage Owners Earn Preserve Nevada Legacy Award 
The Bently Foundation and leaders Christopher and Camille Bently were named the first Legacy Award recipients at the Preserve Nevada Awards held in Tonopah recently. Bently preserved and restored the historic Farmers Bank of Minden building, which now houses their offices, as well as repurposing the Flour Mill and Creamery buildings into the Bently Heritage Estate Distillery. (Northern Nevada Business) 
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