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Feature
SB’s most-read stories in January
January saw a wide range of product launches in several categories, from Cognac and Scotch to an agave honey Tequila.
But The Spirits Business readers were also interested in business matters, with Rémy Cointreau’s financial results and Diageo’s newest division making the top 10.
Keep scrolling to discover what got our readers clicking in January.
Rémy Cointreau sales continue to fall
It wasn’t a great start to the year for Rémy Cointreau, which released its third-quarter financial results in January. The French firm’s sales fell by 23.5%, with a double-digit decline expected for the full year.
Its Cognac division, which includes Rémy Martin and Louis XIII, was particularly affected, with sales down by 33.9% on an organic basis.
Glenmorangie debuts Calvados Cask Finish
Whoever said cask finishes were going out of style clearly didn’t know about Glenmorangie’s new Calvados-finished expression, which got SB’s readers frantically clicking last month.
The UK exclusive is the fifth product in the distillery’s Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts, which explores the flavours that arise from different cask finishes.
Ron del Barrilito launches single cask rum series
A super-exclusive rum also made our top-read list in January, with Puerto Rican rum brand Ron del Barrilito releasing a series of single cask rums to honour the legacy of brand founder Pedro Fernández.
The first release, Don Pedro Fernández Selection I, was aged for 32 years in oloroso Sherry casks, with only 143 bottles available.
Buffalo Trace and Chris Stapleton launch whiskey
Celebrity spirits can get a bad rep, but one backed by a distillery as renowned as Buffalo Trace is almost certain to be good.
American singer Chris Stapleton worked with the brand to create a blended whiskey using liquid from Sazerac-owned distilleries under the supervision of Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley.
Rémy Martin marks 300 years with new Cognac
It’s a big birthday year for Cognac brand Rémy Martin, which will be celebrating 300 years in business. The brand has released a 300th Anniversary Coupe using its Réserve Perpétuelle, a collection of rare eaux-de-vie from the Grand Champagne region.
Priced at US$2,735, it’d make a very generous birthday gift for any Cognac enthusiast in your life.
Don Julio launches agave honey Tequila
Our readers aren’t tired of Tequila launches, especially not from a brand as renowned as Don Julio. The Diageo-owned label released Alma Miel, an expression made with oven-roasted agave nectar, which is said to be ‘lusciously smooth’ with ‘honeyed aromas’ and notes of ‘agave honey, spiced orchard fruit, creamy caramel and rich roasted agave’.
Diageo looks beyond NPD with new breakthrough innovation team
Another story from Diageo made the top 10 list in January, with the company revealing that it had created a ‘breakthrough innovation’ team to lead advancements beyond product development.
The new team will focus on developing platforms and new business models, and enhancing future values for Diageo, its consumers and wider society.
The Glenlivet marks bicentennial with limited edition Scotch
The second anniversary product launch on this list comes from Chivas Brothers-owned The Glenlivet, which released a limited edition 12-year-old single malt to celebrate its 200th year.
The bottle’s artwork was chosen through a crowdsourcing campaign, where emerging artists worldwide submitted their take on the distillery’s ethos of ‘forever moving forwards’.
James Jean designs Johnnie Walker bottle
With Lunar New Year just around the corner, it’s fitting that a themed release made the top 10 in January. Scotch brand Johnnie Walker debuted new artwork for its Blue Label whisky, designed by artist James Jean and inspired by 2024’s Zodiac animal, the dragon.
Ten of the best Bourbon releases from 2023
The most-read article last month was itself a top 10, running through the best Bourbon releases from last year. From an expression made by three generations of a whiskey-making family to an experimental peated liquid, there was a little something for everyone.