Ted Simmons

New York

U.S. Correspondent at The Spirits Business

Somewhere between Larry David and Craig David.

Articles

Non-alc platform DioniLife partners with Breakthru Beverage

1 week ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Non-alcoholic beverage platform DioniLife will have a heightened presence in Colorado thanks to a deal with Breakthru Beverage. Damian McKinney and Steve Wilson launched non-alcoholic platform DioniLife in September 2024. Its first acquisition, Mash Gang Beer, initially launched in the UK, Colorado, and Wisconsin. The platform has announced a partnership with Breakthru Beverage in Colorado to increase its presence in the state in advance of additional brand launches.
Buffalo Trace begins flood recovery

1 week ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

The Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, was impacted by flooding last week, with the site closed to visitors until further notice. The Buffalo Trace Distillery team has begun inspecting barrels and assessing the damage caused by floods last week. On 11 April, the distillery said flood waters had completely receded, allowing leadership and a team of engineers to begin clean-up and recovery efforts. The extent of any damage suffered is still being determined.
English Whisky Week debuts

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

English Whisky Week, which will take place on 19-27 April, will be a celebration of quality, innovation, and community. The English Whisky Guild will hold the inaugural event on 19-27 April across the country. The week will bring enthusiasts, distillers, and the wider whisky community together to celebrate the rich heritage and future of the category. “English Whisky Week is a unique opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and passion within our industry,” said CEO Morag Garden.
Tequila El Mexicano takes new look nationwide

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) has redesigned its El Mexicano line of Tequila, which will now be available across the US. The Bañuelos family produce El Mexicano Tequila at NOM 1588. The new packaging shows three concentric arches, representing the three generations of the Bañuelos family and the Hacienda El Mexicano’s archways. An embedded symbol depicts an agave field with a piña and a setting sun, a nod to the Jalisco highlands.
Trump pauses higher tariffs bar China

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

A week after announcing global tariffs, the US president has placed a 90-day pause for all countries except China. Yesterday (9 April), Trump announced on social media that he would be placing a 90-day pause on his plans to enact universal reciprocal tariffs. All countries will now receive the baseline rate of 10%. Prior to the pause, the EU was subject to a 20% tariff while Japan was at 24%. The president also declared a 125% tariff on China in response to its 84% tariff on US goods.
Spirits sector reacts to sweeping US tariffs

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Spirits bodies and stakeholders expressed concern after US president Donald Trump issued universal tariffs last week. Tariffs continue to plague the spirits industry, as last week, Trump announced a trade policy that includes a global 10% tariff while China, Japan, and the EU were levied higher fees. Fallout from this policy announcement continues, with spirits bodies pleading with the president to reconsider.
Buffalo Trace shuts distillery due to flooding

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Heavy rain throughout the state of Kentucky has caused Frankfort-based Buffalo Trace Distillery to flood. The state of Kentucky has experienced historic levels of rain this past week, resulting in severe floods and weather-related emergencies. Over the weekend, images emerged on social media showing the Buffalo Trace Distillery gift shop submerged in water and on Sunday (6 April) the distillery released a statement announcing that it would be temporarily closing until at least Thursday (10 April).
Light as a feather – but are there packaging risks? - The Spirits Business

2 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Spirits brands focused on sustainability are producing lighter bottles and packaging. But what are the cost implications and how do you mitigate the risk of damages? *This feature was originally published in the December 2024 issue of The Spirits Business magazine. When it comes to packaging, there is a perception that heavier glass connotes quality. The way a bottle looks and feels can have significant consumer impact.
Hawaii rejects DTC shipping bill

3 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

The Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee has ruled against a bill that would allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping for spirits. Direct-to-consumer shipping continues to be a battleground issue within the spirits industry as states fall on either side of the debate on whether to allow consumers to order spirits directly to their homes, a practice more common in wine. Citing risks of underage access and drunk driving, the Hawaii State Senate has rejected HB 108, a bill proposing DTC spirits shipping.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail sees 2.7m visitors

3 weeks ago | thespiritsbusiness.com | Ted Simmons

Whiskey lovers flocked to Kentucky in droves in 2024, setting record numbers for the state’s famed Bourbon Trail. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail received 2.7 million visitors in 2024, up from 2.5 million in 2023. This marks the third consecutive year the Bourbon Trail has received more than 2 million visitors, with people flocking from all 50 states, and more than 20 countries across six continents.