Southern Glazer’s Expands Sassenach Spirits Distribution
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is expanding its distribution agreement with Sassenach Spirits, the spirits import company founded by Scottish actor and philanthropist Sam Heughan and American entrepreneur Alex Norouzi.
Inspired by the Scottish Highlands, The Sassenach Spirit Of Home Edition is a collaboration between Master Blender Michael Henry and Heughan. Carefully selected single malts create an ornately balanced blend with a sweet finish.
“Whisky is personal to me,” Heughan said. “It has been part of every moment in celebrating life, my heritage, and my culture. So, this wasn’t just a ‘business opportunity,’ it was the process of creating something very personal and unique that we could share with others. With our first release of The Sassenach, ‘The Spirit of Home’ Edition, we accomplished exactly that! The partnership with Southern Glazer’s is yet another endeavor to celebrate, and I can’t wait to work closely with them in bringing more of my home to consumers.”
The portfolio consists of The Sassenach Scotch Whisky: Spirit of Home Edition. Additionally, the company will launch a high premium Scottish Gin, scheduled to be released in 2023.
“This partnership is critical to the growth of our portfolio,” Norouzi said. “The Southern Glazer’s team brings strong proficiency in both the on- and off-premise markets and we know that the momentum we’ve created so far will be enhanced by their team.”
Sassenach Spirits is part of the Southern Glazer’s Craft Collection Luxury Spirits Division portfolio. The Craft Collection team of industry specialists delivers a differentiated customer experience, with first-hand beverage operations expertise, collaboration, and a thoughtfully curated portfolio.
“We’re pleased to be working with such a professional team,” said Ray Lombard, executive vice president, general manager, Craft Collection Luxury Spirits Division of Southern Glazer’s. “Sam personifies Scotland – his passion for Scotch and collaboration with Michael are truly bringing ‘Scotland in a bottle.’ Sam and Alex have built a formidable brand and we’re excited to be part of the next phase of growth. Our team is also looking forward to helping launch The Sassenach Scottish Gin and create a strong national footprint for the brand.”
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Southern Glazer’s Debuts the Served Up Book Club
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, has launched a new online book club at www.southernglazers.com/serveduppodcast. The Served Up podcast features interviews with the hospitality industry’s most respected and celebrated leaders.
Just in time for the busy holiday shopping season, book worms in the beverage industry can check out the Served Up Book Club for recommendations on some of the latest books to buy and read exclusive interviews with the authors who are sharing their knowledge, experiences and stories.
Authors featured include:
- Derek Brown, author of Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails
- Camper English, author of Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cocktails
- Kim Haasarud, author of the “101” Cocktail Book Series
- Adrian Miller, author of Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue
- Natalie Maclean, author ofWine Witch On Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation and Drinking Too Much
- Shannon Mustipher, author of Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails
- Jessica Pettit, author of Good Enough Now
- Julie Reiner, author of The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious for Every Occasion
Served Up, with hosts Bridget Albert and Julie Milroy, is available on Apple, Spotify and Amazon Music and is a source for beverage professionals to hear conversations on topics such as advocacy, entrepreneurship, and belonging with food and beverage industry and social justice thought leaders representing the diverse hospitality community.
Albert is the senior director, external communications for Southern Glazer’s, a published author of Market-Fresh Mixology and award-winning mixologist with more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience. Milroy is a vice president, supplier development & marketing for Southern Glazer’s with more than 17 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry including roles in Sales, Human Resources, Marketing, and Commercial Strategy.
To pitch a guest for the show, to submit your book for the Book Club, or to schedule the Served Up team for on-site beverage industry event coverage, contact servedup@sgws.com. For more information about the podcast visit www.southernglazers.com/serveduppodcast.
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Franzia Decks the Box in Holiday Ugly Sweater Style
Franzia has dressed up its classic Chardonnay box with a colorful holiday ugly sweater design, available for a limited time only. The classic knit holiday sweater graphics are accompanied by a printed-on-the-box bow and gift tag, so gift givers can easily fill in the tag and place the box right under the tree or directly into the hands of eager friends, or, as Franzia call them, “franz.” No wrapping required!
The limited-edition holiday box is available for purchase in retail stores nationwide while supplies last for a suggested retail price of $17.99. This is the second seasonal packaging design for Franzia, following the limited-edition Patriotic box design, which debuted in May 2022.
More than just a limited-edition box, the festive design on the holiday box can also be found on a matching Franzia holiday ugly sweater complete with battery-powered holiday lights. The coordinating set makes party guests the life –and light– of the party. The matching Franzia sweater is available for purchase at shop.franzia.com for $45.
In addition to the Franzia holiday ugly sweater with lights and corresponding holiday box design, Franzia has also released its largest merchandise item ever created for their collections: an inflatable lawn decoration shaped like a real box of Franzia. Available in two varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sunset Blush, the fully inflated yard decoration stands five feet tall with internal lights to illuminate the design. The Franzia inflatable lawn decoration is available for purchase at shop.franzia.com for $50.
“At Franzia, we are always looking to provide new ways for our fans to show off their enthusiasm for the brand. This holiday season, we are taking things to the next level by not only designing a limited-edition holiday Chardonnay box that’s wrapped and ready for gift giving, but also creating a matching holiday ugly sweater with blinking holiday lights. You and your box of Franzia become the star of any holiday party,” said Katie Hoefs, marketing manager. “Additionally, your neighbors will be jealous of your outdoor holiday decorations with our oversized Franzia lawn inflatable, which shows off holiday spirit in a BIG way!”
The Franzia holiday merchandise collection also includes a festive holiday onesie, more Franzia sweaters, Franzia socks and more. For additional information about the limited edition Franzia holiday box, the matching holiday sweater, inflatable lawn decoration and other holiday gift ideas, visit the Franzia website.
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