Sangiovese and Stilettos
The right name can make all the difference. But sometimes, the right name is still the wrong name. This is the unfortunate lesson that seems to be learned, over and over…
Coming of Age
On a back shelf in my office, tucked behind some books, sits a very lonely bottle. It has been empty for quite some time, but I haven’t been able to convince myself…
Farm to Tipple
One of the perks of my job is that it provides me the opportunity for occasional travel. And with that travel comes the chance to sample local delights. Yesterday, my travels brought me to Honolulu,…
What’s Cooking?
The craft spirits movement is alive and thriving, with new products rolling out every day. This is exciting for distillers, as it allows the opportunity for experimentation with new…
Rum (pt.2)
In part one of this post, I described the lengthy litigation between the Cuban government (along with its joint venture partner, Pernod Ricard) and Bacardi regarding ownership of the trademark…
Will the Feds take a Smaller Share?
A few weeks ago, I posted about the Feds’ Share, discussing the amount that federal excise taxes add to the cost of producing distilled spirits (and therefore the amount paid…
Rum (pt. 1)
In a few days, I will have the privilege of being part of a delegation from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in a visit to Havana. Although the trip is…
Sampling for Noncompliance
A few weeks ago, the TTB released the results of its 2015 Alcohol Beverage Sampling program. Unfortunately for our friends in D.C., this program isn’t quite as enjoyable as it…
