Kentucky distillery Woodford Reserve has revealed plans to expand and double its production capacity to meet ‘growing demand’.

The expansion will include the installation of three new copper pot stills, as well as a new building that will house the boiler plant, additional fermentation tanks, a grain unloading area, a barrel unloading and storage area, and a conference and training centre for employees.

Starting in the spring, the expansion is expected to be completed in the summer of 2022. During this time, the distillery will remain fully operational.

“Woodford Reserve is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2021, and the expansion of the distillery allows us to look to the next 25 years,” said Master Distiller, Chris Morris.

Woodford Reserve surpassed one million cases for the first time in 2019.

“Woodford Reserve has enjoyed exceptional growth over the last decade, maintaining a double-digit net sales growth rate year to date with more than one million case sales,” said Lawson Whiting, CEO of parent company, Brown-Forman.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his ultra-premium small-batch tequila, Teremana, have launched “Guac on the Rock”, an initiative to encourage people around the country to go and support their local restaurants.

From May 1st through May 5th, Johnson’s Teremana will reimburse restaurant-goers for their guac, up to $1,000,000 of guac, when they purchase guacamole with any Teremana Tequila cocktail.

The initiative, aimed at encouraging people to dine out however they feel most comfortable – dining inside or outside at the restaurant or for take-out, will help spur consumer confidence and generate millions of dollars of additional revenue and tips for restaurants and its servers hard-hit by the pandemic.

“No better way to celebrate my 397th birthday, than with all of us helping our favourite local restaurants get back on their feet, all while drinking some Teremana and enjoying our favourite guacamole,” said Johnson. “I want to help get people safely back into our restaurants, bars and hotels.

“This is an industry close to my heart and one who normally gives all of us so much support year-round.  These people need our help and support to get back in business. Let’s go help them out, enjoy some amazing drinks and food and say thank you for all they do.  And let everyone know that The Guac’s on The Rock!”

Consumers 21 and over who purchase a Teremana cocktail with an order of guacamole will be reimbursed up to $10—whether they dine in or take out (in some states legal rules vary due to state laws).  To locate restaurants that carry Teremana ultra-premium, small-batch tequila, head to the Find Us page at teremana.com.

PIN IT

The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Presents World Class sponsored by Diageo tested the strength and talent of the nation’s top 50 bartenders over the five-day, four-challenge competition.

Fournier impressed judges with his innovative creations, keen attention to detail and creative showmanship to earn himself the honour of representing the U.S. in the global finals later this year in Madrid, Spain.

“It’s an incredible honour to be named U.S. Bartender of the Year. This success is not only my own, it’s a result of the amazing community around me, my World Class Collective,” said Adam Fournier. “After entering my first USBG Presents World Class sponsored by Diageo program five years ago, it has been part of my life ever since.

“The changes this year made it one of my favourite iterations of the competition because it allowed me to watch all of the amazing work that went into it. The level of talent from my fellow competitors was truly inspiring and helps me appreciate this win even more and want to represent them well as I continue my journey to the Global Finals.”

Two of Fournier’s award-winning cocktails are –

Concordia

Ingredients:

1 oz. Tanqueray 10

1 oz. Fino Sherry

1 oz. Almond Milk

1 oz. Concord Grape Juice

0.75 oz. Saba

0.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Whip with three ice cubes. Double strain over crushed ice in a 13.25 oz. Poco style glass. Garnish with a mint plouche and straw. Cap with more crushed ice and finish with three carbonated grapes.

Piñacillin

Ingredients

1.5 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label

0.25 oz. Honey Syrup (2:1)

0.25 oz. Ginger Syrup (1:1)

0.5 oz. Fresh Lemon

0.5 oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice until fully diluted and aerated. Double strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Using a spray bottle, mist the top of the drink with Lagavulin 16. Garnish with two trimmed pineapple fronds.

Francisco Alcaraz, the former master distiller of Patrón Tequila, passed away on Sunday 4 April in Guadalajara, Mexico, following longstanding health issues. He was 75.

Thought to have been the longest-serving master distiller in the Tequila sector, Alcaraz had a career in the Tequila industry that spanned more than 50 years. Thirty years of that was spent at Patrón, a role he only retired from on 14 July 2020.

Credited with helping to establish the brand’s flavour profile, Alcaraz has been praised for helping to shape Patrón into a global brand. Played a key role in the category’s boom in the US, Alcaraz has been described as a pioneer in the ultra-premium Tequila sector.

“His remarkable career set the Tequila standard for excellence and his dedication to crafting the world’s finest Tequila will continue to be the essence of the Patrón,” the brand said.

“He personified the passion and unshakable confidence that guides Patrón in both spirit and practice. As a mentor and ambassador, Francisco personally trained the team who have since carried on his legacy.

“Thanks to his vision, Patrón is able to make the best Tequila in the hardest way possible. His unrelenting commitment to using the finest ingredients and preserving the traditional means of Tequila-making has allowed Patrón to be additive-free from the beginning.

“He will be missed by the many lives he touched, and his legacy will live on in every sip of Patrón,” it added.

Alcaraz is survived by his wife Teresa, four children, and six grandchildren.

New York bar accessory company Poor Man’s Kitchen is preparing to release three new colourways for its Kilpatrick Fine Strainer.

Originally available in stainless steel, the new colours add matte black, copper and gold to the range.

The design has been improved to allow for faster straining. Unnecessary metal has been eliminated, which has subsequently increased the surface area that liquid flows through. Additionally, the springs have also been tightened.

Pre-orders are now live for the newest model of the Kilpatrick Fine Strainer, with shipping to commence in the fall. Bulk discounts are also built into any order of 4+ strainers.

For more information, go to poormanskitchen.com

French champagne brand Dom Pérignon has released a teaser image to announce their collaboration with pop superstar Lady Gaga.

The released image shows Gaga holding a 2006 vintage sparkling rosé in a deep purple-tinted bottle.

Starting April 6, the brand will release an artistic project comprising of an advertising campaign, limited edition bottles and a sculpture designed by Lady Gaga.

Devised to elevate the world, both individually and collectively, the brand has said that the campaign will celebrate how pushing boundaries of creation, constant reinvention and passionate dedication open up new creative horizons, that move us all forward.

In an Instagram video yesterday, Lady Gaga said: “Their tradition is centuries old, but they push their own boundaries and find ways to reinvent themselves completely,” she continued. “And I am thrilled that we will be able to celebrate this together.”

In addition, the alliance will empower meaningful support for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.