Rémy Martin has announced a limited-edition VSOP bottle inspired by the iconic design first commercialized in the 80’s and 90’s. The refreshed design with gold detailing pays tribute to the musical excellence of mixtape culture and invites a rediscovery of Cognac’s timeless elegance.

The limited-edition packaging pays homage to the legendary sounds that stemmed from two influential decades in music. Throughout music history, the heart and soul of local communities created cultural movements that paved the way for future artists to innovate, while paying homage to their roots and the musical styles that came before them.

Rémy Martin’s own terroir in Cognac, France reflects the same quality of craft that can emerge from one distinct place. Rémy Martin’s excellence is built from the ground up and is the result of a harmonious collaboration of savoir-faire, terroir and time dating back almost 300 years.

“The Rémy Martin VSOP bottle has been an icon in music culture for generations, and we are thrilled to debut this refreshed limited-edition design,” said Tina Reejsinghani, Vice President at Rémy Martin Americas. “Musical artists of the past have shaped and inspired the sounds we hear in music today and that same timeless excellence is reflected in what we have celebrated with our Cognacs throughout our own history.”

Rémy Martin’s legacy of celebrating communities and excellence in the global music scene continues with the release of this limited-edition VSOP bottle design.

For more information visit remymartin.com and follow along on social media at: Instagram @RemyMartinUS | Twitter @RemyMartinUS | Facebook RemyMartinUSA

Flavoured Whiskey brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon announces award-winning actor, musician and entrepreneur Jamie Foxx as owner.

“We are extremely fortunate that Jamie was introduced to our brand at one of his legendary parties,” said Sean M. Penn, CEO of BSB Spirits. “I have no doubt that Jamie will lead BSB to new heights. We can think of no better creative force than Jamie, and we look forward to watching him introduce BSB to the world.”

Foxx will guide the creative direction and lend his entrepreneurial spirit to help further the brand’s expansion. The Washington state brand has introduced a redesigned bottle and two products, BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon and BSB 103.

“I’ve always lived by the rule that life is short, and you need to go out and do what you want to do. Owning a brand that brings sweet life to the party has always been a goal and with BSB we’re making it happen,” said Foxx.

“Before the quarantine I watched bottles of BSB disappear at all my celebrations and knew this was a brand I wanted to bring into the spotlight. Anyone who tries BSB is going to love it just like I do.”

For more information, go to brownsugarbourbon.com

Kentucky Whiskey brand Woodford Reserve, the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, has unveiled its 2021 commemorative Derby bottle.

With a different artwork that captures the spirit of the race featured each year, the brand is showcasing a watercolour from Louisville resident Richard Sullivan, a former professional baseball player, depicting thoroughbreds as they thunder down the stretch. The work has been designed to complement last year’s bottle artwork also created by Sullivan.

“There is a depth of beauty in Richard’s watercolours, and his back-to-back Derby bottles are a winning exacta,” says Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris.

“The Kentucky Derby is resplendent with colour, pageantry, and pure athleticism, and I wanted to capture that in my artwork,” Sullivan adds

For more information, go to woodfordreserve.com

Vodka brand Smirnoff is partnering with Washington, D.C.-based fitness studio, SideBarre to give adults (21+) across the US the opportunity to attend a series of complimentary inspirational virtual bar(re) classes from home in support of Black women entrepreneurs across the country.

Scheduled to kick-off at the start of Women’s History Month with the first session on March 3, the series of classes will be led by SideBarre founder, Jillian Carter, and her two founding instructors Maya Dennis and Alexis Miller. 

“At SideBarre, we couldn’t be more ecstatic to partner with Smirnoff; a brand that understands the importance of diversity and inclusivity,” said Jillian Carter, Founder of SideBarre. “We’re on a mission to increase fitness and wellness within our community and support other Black women entrepreneurs this Women’s History Month!”

Attendees will be excited to join alongside some of their favourite stars including actor and producer, Laverne Cox; actor, activist and author, Diane Guerrero; and professional soccer player, Megan Rapinoe, for a guided inspirational barre classic, cardio, stretch combination session.

“As a brand that is built on inclusivity and diversity, Smirnoff is proud to rise to the occasion to support Black women entrepreneurs by partnering with and donating to SideBarre and Black Girl Ventures,” said Jennifer Holiday Hudson, North America Brand Leader, Smirnoff.

After the class, participants will hydrate (responsibly with water!) before joining Smirnoff, SideBarre and their celebrity friends at the Smirnoff Bar for an intimate Q&A session followed by a virtual happy hour.

During the cocktail portion of the session, Cox, Guerrero and Rapinoe will join a local mixologist behind the bar to show viewers at home how to mix-up some easy-to-make cocktails using Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions including the NEW Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Lemon & Elderflower, as well as some alcohol-free mocktail options.

“Smirnoff, barre class and giving back? Nothing could be better!” said Laverne Cox. “I love working with Smirnoff because they provide opportunities that go beyond their delicious products and focus on empowering a variety of communities.

“Even though we will be sipping on cocktails with the new Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Lemon & Elderflower, we’re also going to be talking about important issues like what are some challenges facing Black women entrepreneurs currently and how allies can help show their support. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the (virtual) bar(re)!”

To reserve your spot for one of the classes, go to sidebardc.com and choose the date that works best for your schedule. Class spots are available on a first-come-basis.

Rapper Jay-Z will auction his ‘one-of-a-kind’ signed 1969 bottle of D’Ussé Cognac at Sotheby’s next month to raise money for the Shawn Carter Foundation

Expected to sell for up to US$75,000, the bottle is number one of a limited-edition series created in celebration of Carter’s 50th birthday on 4 December 2019. All 285 bottles in the covetable collection are numbered with an inscription on the topper to showcase their place in the batch and feature a 12-cut crystal diamond decanter design encased in a luxurious leather box adorned with opulent accents.

The liquid comes from one of the oldest Cognac houses in France, Château de Cognac. It was bottled from a rare single barrel and was matured for decades in a 200-year-old cellar.

Carter said: “When our cellar master, Michel Casavecchia, discovered the aged liquid at the Château de Cognac and explained how truly one of a kind it is, it was important to me to honour it by doing something that would celebrate its singularity. Once that barrel is emptied, there’s no way the liquid can be recreated.

“It means a lot that we’re finally able to share the D’Ussé 1969 Anniversaire Limited Edition with the rest of the world, and we’re proud to auction the first bottle in the collection with Sotheby’s to benefit the Shawn Carter Foundation.”

The bottle is also the only one in the collection to feature Jay-Z’s signature and the first to be made available to the public as part of Sotheby’s first dedicated live spirits auction in New York.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s spirits specialist, said: “We have seen an increasing rise in demand for Cognac in recent years, from the oldest and most valuable vintage Cognac sold at auction to ultra-premium brands.

“We are delighted to support the Shawn Carter Foundation with the sale of this highly special bottle of D’Ussé Cognac. As we have recently expanded our sales of spirits, there is no better time to offer this special lot in New York.”

Online bidding for Bottle No. 1 begins at sothebys.com starting March 1, 2021 at 9am ET. The highest bid will be awarded and announced at the Sotheby’s Finest & Rarest Spirits sale on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 9am ET.

For more information about the auction, go to sothebys.com

Australian online alcohol subscription services, Whisky Loot and Gin Loot are partnering with three unique female-led distilleries to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The brand will offer subscribers a one-off whisky and gin tasting pack designed to celebrate the best expressions produced by Australia’s leading female distillers.

Each whisky and gin in the International Women’s Day One Off Tasting Pack has been hand-picked by the distiller to showcase not only themselves but also their distillery.

Sarah Lark from Kangaroo Island Distillery has O’Gin, a modern Australian take on a London Dry. The gin has a savory juniper-led profile, balanced through the inclusion of coastal daisy bush and SA oranges.

Brogan Carr from Brogan’s Way has Evening Light Gin, a fresh and fruity Australian new age gin. Evening Light features an array of Aussie all-stars: fresh mango, strawberry gum and river mint all make an appearance.

Rose Kentish from Sparkke has Lemon Flower Gin. Enriched with gin botanicals, this lemon-centric spirit has been distilled from Sparkke’s 100% natural, award-winning lemonade.

Suzy Brett from Spring Bay Distillery has their Tasmanian produced Sherry Cask Single Malt. With a fruity, spicy profile, the whisky has a soft, maritime quality and a luscious mouthfeel.

Naomi McIntosh from Chiefs Son has the brand’s R2 Imperial Stout. Matured in French oak barrels, this slightly peated expression has a split finish with half aged in Imperial Porter casks while the other aged in Russian Imperial Stout barrels.

Carlie Dyer from Starward has the brand’s Fortis Single Malt Batch II. A bold, flavorsome whisky that has been aged in 100% American oak barrels that previously held Australian Shiraz and Cabernets.

For more information on the International Women’s Day One Off Tasting Pack, go to either whiskyloot.com or ginloot.com