News Archive
Responsibility.org Names Former Phoenix House President and Substance Abuse Expert as New Executive Director
Statement from Responsibility.org and Distilled Spirits Council President and CEO Chris Swonger today announcing the appointment of Benjamin Nordstrom, M.D., Ph.D. as Executive Director of Responsibility.org, a national not-for-profit funded by leading distillers to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and inspire a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. Dr. Nordstrom joins Responsibility.org from Phoenix House, […]
Read MoreImpact of Retaliatory Tariffs on American Whiskeys Accelerates
The Distilled Spirits Council today released a new report showing the negative impact of the retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskeys is accelerating, particularly to the European Union (EU), according to full year 2018 export data. Last month, at its Annual Economic Briefing, the Council reported the imposition of retaliatory tariffs beginning in June 2018 caused American […]
Read MoreIrish Whiskey Market Thrives in United States
Step aside, green beer. This St. Patrick’s Day, Americans will be celebrating with a dram of super premium Irish Whiskey, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The Council reports that while the entire category is growing fast, the higher priced categories are “on fire.” Since 2002, high-end premium and super premium Irish Whiskeys grew a staggering […]
Read MoreWest Virginia Strikes Down Sunday Liquor Sales Ban
Beginning this weekend, West Virginians can purchase a bottle of spirits any day of the week, under a new law signed today by Governor Jim Justice repealing the state’s Prohibition-era ban on Sunday liquor sales. “More and more states are rolling back these outdated Sunday sales bans to modernize their alcohol laws and increase consumer […]
Read MorePGA TOUR Modernizes Policy on Spirits Sponsorships
The PGA TOUR announced last night to its players that it is expanding its policies regarding distilled spirits sponsorships, marking the latest major U.S. sports league to modernize its spirits sponsorship policies. “This is welcome news for distilled spirits, as the PGA becomes the last major professional sports league to equalize the treatment of marketing […]
Read MoreVirginia Governor Signs Statewide Alcohol Sales Bill
Requires 31 Dry or Partially Dry Counties to Opt-Out by Referendum Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today signed into law SB 1110 , which makes the entire state “wet” but allows localities to opt-out of alcohol sales by referendum, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The new law applies to 31 counties that are “dry” or “partially […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Reports Ninth Straight Year of Record Spirits Sales, Market Share Gains
American Whiskey Exports Take Hit From Tariffs The Distilled Spirits Council today reported at its annual economic briefing that 2018 marked the ninth straight year of record spirits sales and volumes, reflecting continued market share gains. Supplier sales were up over 5.1 percent, rising $1.3 billion to a total of $27.5 billion, while volumes rose […]
Read MoreTexas Senate Bill Would Repeal Unconstitutional Loophole and Promote a Free Market for Package Store Ownership
Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate would remove a decades-old anticompetitive and unconstitutional limit on package store ownership and promote a free and fair market in Texas. State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has introduced Senate Bill 645 that would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called “consanguinity loophole.” Current Texas law limits the number of […]
Read MoreUnited States and UK: Distilled Spirits Trade Commitment Reaffirmed
Provides Bourbon & Tennessee Whiskey Brexit Protections The Distilled Spirits Council enthusiastically welcomed the announcement today that the United States and United Kingdom (U.K.) reaffirmed commitments protecting the distilled spirits trade. The U.S. and the U.K. signed an agreement Jan. 31, 2019, that was announced today , to ensure that reciprocal protection for “Bourbon,” “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Scotch […]
Read MoreUSDA Awards Distilled Spirits Council $815,000 In Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Funding
Designed to Assist with Adverse Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs The Distilled Spirits Council today announced that it applied for and was awarded $815,000 through USDA’s Agricultural Trade Program (ATP), which was set up specifically to assist those agricultural groups that are being adversely impacted by retaliatory tariffs. “USDA recognized the recent imposition of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. spirits […]
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