Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 142nd 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 Craft Spirits Magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association.
Beverage Alcohol Industry Urges End to Trade Tariffs
U.S. alcohol trade groups, including the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), urged an end to tariffs on EU distilled spirits and wine following the United States decision announced yesterday to impose tariffs of 25 percent on imports of Scotch Whisky, liqueurs and cordials, and wine from certain European Union countries in connection with the WTO civil aviation subsidies dispute. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) 
North Carolina's Lonerider Spirits Creates The Community Cask
Lonerider Spirits of Holly Springs, North Carolina, has created “The Community Cask” – which offers 1/12 of a cask of bourbon (18 personalized bottles) for a competitive price. “The Community Cask” is a program that allows fans of bourbon to buy 1/12 of a cask (18 bottles) of high rye or wheated bourbon and at the end of two years of aging they can have their bottles personalized with a custom label and lot number. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Virginia Distillers Come Together for Second Annual Bourbon Invitational
On Saturday, November 2, 2019, Virginia’s best distillers return to compete in the second annual Virginia Bourbon Invitational, honoring Virginia’s legacy as the birthplace of bourbon. The celebration of the time-honored American spirit will take place on the great lawn of the Prohibition-era Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Register Now for ACSA's 7th Annual Convention & Vendor Trade Show
in Portland and Save the Date for 2021 in Louisville!
Take advantage of special early-bird registration rates for "Journey to Craftlandia," ACSA's 7th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Portland Oregon, March 29-31. Join fellow producers and other industry experts for the largest gathering of licensed craft spirits producers in the U.S. Register by October 31 to get the early-bird rates of $595 for members and $395 for additional members. After October 31 the rates rise to $625 for members and $425 for additional members. So, register today to save some money!

Also, save the date for the 8th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The convention is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2, 2021, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, and the host hotel is The Galt House Hotel. More information to come.
Regular Deadline TOMORROW: ACSA's Craft Spirits Judging
Registration is now open for ACSA's annual Craft Spirits Judging competition. ACSA takes great pride in conducting a rigorously professional judging program that recognizes the best craft spirits in the categories of Vodka/Grain, Gin, Brandy, Rum, Whiskey and Specialty Spirits. Just added: RTD cocktails are now being accepted . And we're now also accepting international spirits. Judging will take place October 29-30 at Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana and category medalists will be announced on March 30, 2020 at the Awards Banquet during ACSA Distillers’ Convention & Vendor Trade Show at the Oregon Convention Center (convention dates are March 29, 30 & 31, 2020). The regular submission period ends, TOMORROW, October 4, and the late deadline is October 18.
Upcoming Webinar: Cocktail Menu Design
Vineyards have their tasting rooms. Breweries have their tap rooms. These craft beverage entities have one massive advantage by serving in their own spaces – their clients get to enjoy their products how they would enjoy them at home. Craft distilleries… not so much.

Outside of a handful of passionate acolytes for spirits, most of the drinking public prefer their spirits mixed. Between murky local drinking laws, inexperienced bartenders, and a plethora of other landmines, it can be massively intimidating to try and start a cocktail program within your distillery’s tasting room. But, by not taking advantage of the depth of knowledge you have in-house, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity for brand and business growth.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to take these suggestions and ideas and begin growing a vibrant and beneficial cocktail program within your very own tasting room, suited to your individual distilling programs and philosophies.

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3-4 p.m.

Where : Online Webinar

Who : Mark A. Vierthaler (Head Distiller, Tenth Ward Distilling Company) 

Cost:  $39 for members, $59 for non-members
Virginia's Catoctin Creek Begins Distribution to Mexico
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., of Purcellville, Virginia, announces its new partnership with Viparmex, a national wine and spirits distribution company based in Guadalajara, Mexico. Two of the craft distillery’s most popular expressions, Roundstone Rye 80 Proof and Roundstone Rye 92 Proof Distiller’s Edition, are now available throughout Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cabo San Lucas. Both products are single barrel pot-stilled whiskies made from 100% rye. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Dallas-Based Oak & Eden Re-releases Bourbon & Vine
Dallas-based indie whiskey producer, Oak & Eden has announced the re-release of its two-time gold medalist, Bourbon & Vine—Cabernet steeped Bourbon. This small batch release begins with a Bourbon whiskey finished in the bottle with a Spire of French Oak that had rested in aged Cabernet Sauvignon before being infused into the whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Kentucky's Bardstown Bourbon Co. Unveils Collaborations
The Bardstown Bourbon Co. of Bardstown, Kentucky, will release three new products as part of its Collaborative Series, including two bourbons aged in brandy barrels from Copper & Kings American Brandy Co., as well as a bourbon finished in beer barrels from Goodwood Brewing Co. All products will be available Oct. 1 in select markets. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Kentucky's Wilderness Trail Distillery to Host Charity Chili Cook-Off
Kicking off the fall season with food created for a great reason is the purpose of the third annual Charity Chili Cook-Off Oct. 19 at Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville, Kentucky. The event’s entry and patron fees will benefit the Danville Kiwanis’s Local Youth and Senior Citizen programs. There will be a variety of chili to taste, local food venders, a DJ, children’s activities and refreshing drinks for this family-friendly event. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Drop Into Southern Distilling & Taste Traditional Cocktails To Tantalize
The state-of-the-art destination distillery at Southern Distilling Company has been a jewel in the crown of the Statesville region’s thriving craft beverage community since 2017, growing in popularity and gaining attention among locals and tourists alike. (The Destination Magazine)
New Hampshire's Tamworth Distilling Releases Graverobber Rye
This month, Tamworth Distlling & Mercantile (Tamworth, New Hampshire), introduces a chilling new release: Graverobber, a 90-proof three-year-old rye whiskey with a flavor profile sourced from the colonial era maple whose roots twist and grow throughout the unmarked gravesite of New Hampshire’s Great Hill Farm. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Send News to Craft Spirits Magazine
Do you have exciting stories to share about your distillery? Keep us posted on new products, events, trends, tips and more by sending us a note at  news@americancraftspirits.org .