SB’s most-read stories in October
Read all about it: here are our 10 most-read online news stories from October, from new product innovations to clever marketing campaigns and impressive sales leaps.
There’s a nice, even spread of stories in this month’s most-read round-up, with everything from fresh ad campaigns to new distilleries landing in our top 10. And, of course, it wouldn’t be one of our monthly roundups if it didn’t include just a little bit of drama.
Keep reading to find out what had our readers clicking in October.
Jack Daniel’s debuts new Country Cocktails flavours
Our 10th most-read story from October was the news that Strawberry Punch and Watermelon Punch will join the Bolder line of Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails this autumn, available in both 695ml and 455ml cans.
The Bolder collection has a higher ABV than the classic Country Cocktails cocktails, at 8% instead of 4.8%. The two new flavours join ‘fan favourites’ in the series, Downhome Punch and Southern Peach.
Jefferson’s and Taylor Kitsch ‘break tradition’ in Bourbon
A new campaign from Jefferson’s Bourbon caught the attention of our readers last month, which called on actor Taylor Kitsch to help the Pernod Ricard-owned brand ‘break tradition’ in the category.
The campaign, called Tradition in the Breaking, is said to reframe Jefferson’s pioneering spirit for a modern audience, adding humour to a category ‘often shaped by heritage and seriousness’. It also shifts Jefferson’s away from product-focused storytelling, which it had done previously through its Ocean expression.
Sam Heughan opens Galloway Distillery in Scotland
Readers and Outlander fans alike made the news that actor and co-founder of The Sassenach Spirits, Sam Heughan, opened Galloway Distillery in Scotland last month, one of our most-read stories of October.
Located at the site formerly known as Crafty Distillery, the now-named Galloway Distillery will be the spiritual home of the Sassenach brand. It will also produce the Galloway Distillery brands, which will include the first release of The Sassenach Finest Scottish Vodka, slated for this month, and The Galloway Scotch Whisky.
Heughan said opening the distillery has been a personal dream: “I created the Galloway Distillery to return to my roots and give back to the land where I was born. My purpose is to shine a light on this unsung corner of Scotland that has so much to offer. This represents a true homecoming and new chapter, in the pursuit of fine Scottish spirits from this undiscovered and exceptional land, in the south of Scotland.”
Dragons’ Den success sees Mother Root sales soar 2,000%
We love a Dragons’ Den success story, and love even more when those 15 minutes of TV fame turn into real business success, as was the case with female-founded non-alcoholic apéritif Mother Root last month.
During the episode, which aired on 2 October, founder Bethan Higson and chief operating officer Alice Galsworthy pitched Mother Root to the panel of investors, known as The Dragons. They walked away with an offer of £90,000 (US$120,842) for 5% of the business from entrepreneur Steven Bartlett. On the day after the episode aired, the brand witnessed an uplift of more than 2,000% in sales of its signature Ginger apéritif.
Chivas Regal unveils clear spirit Crystalgold
Chivas Regal’s innovative move into its first clear spirit drink certainly made an impression on our readership in October, with the news taking the sixth spot on our most-read list this month.
The brand described Crystalgold as an ‘innovation and technical breakthrough’ – a clear spirit that maintains the classic Chivas Regal flavours but is categorically not a Scotch whisky.
Ageing Bourbon barrel numbers hit all-time high
According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), the number of ageing barrels of Bourbon in Kentucky has hit a record high of 16.1 million.
The new figures are based on inventories that were submitted by distilleries and warehousing companies to the state’s Department of Revenue on 1 January 2025. These also revealed that taxes on the casks have soared by 163% over the past five years, with Kentucky distilleries paying a US$75 million tab in ageing barrels taxes this year – a rise of 27% on 2024.
Pernod pours CA$115m into Canadian distillery
While its competitor Diageo plans the closure of its Crown Royal facility in Ontario, French firm Pernod Ricard has shown solidarity with its own Canadian distillery in Windsor by sinking extra investment into the site.
Recent investments by the Absolut owner into its Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario, are said to be in the region of CA$100 million (US$71.75m). Local news outlet Windsor Star reported that a further cash injection of CA$15m (US$10.75m) is expected to be put into the site this year, a move that is said to be a reaffirmation of the company’s long-term local plans, according to Josh Reit, Pernod Ricard’s senior director of operations at Hiram Walker.
Glenfiddich XS launches with 15, 18 and 21YO whiskies
William Grant & Sons introduced a trio of single malt Scotch whiskies aged for 15, 18 and 21 years last month, collectively known as Glenfiddich XS.
Malt master Brian Kinsman explained: “Glenfiddich XS is a whisky of gradual and powerful revelation, an exciting whisky that invites exploration and is designed to mark richer experiences,” adding that it has also been crafted “with a new generation of whisky drinkers in mind, where whisky rituals and drinking moments are being reinvented to mark special moments and meaningful connection.”
Ten standout award-winning Scotch whiskies to discover
There is so much choice when it comes to Scotch whisky, from sweeter, caramel, cereal-forward grain styles and fruity, spicy Sherry cask-matured liquid, to bold, rich and round editions, and smoky, meaty profiles. To make choosing your next pour a little easier, we pulled together a list of 10 high-scoring Master and Gold medallists from The Scotch Whisky Masters 2025, all of which made a lasting impression on the judges.
With several available to be snapped up for under £50 (US$68), it’s no wonder this roundup brought in the clicks last month, especially with the festive season on the horizon.
Diageo ‘rejects CA$28.5m deal’ to buy Crown Royal plant
The drama concerning the closure of Diageo’s Crown Royal site in Amherstburg, Ontario, hasn’t been far from our headlines for the past few months. October was no exception, as it was claimed that the drinks giant had rejected an offer of CA$28.5 million (US$20.3m) from an interested party to purchase the site.
The town’s mayor, Michael Prue, confirmed to The Spirits Business that there were two interested parties in the facility, one of which was a “large organisation” that produces spirits and also intends to make alcohol-free beverages. According to Prue, Diageo had an asking price of CA$25 million (US$17.8m) in place for the site and its equipment, which was subsequently offered by the unnamed company. He claims that Diageo then requested a higher sale price of CA$28.5m, which the anonymous spirits firm accepted, before Diageo then allegedly turned it down.
All of this made for our most-read story of the month.
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