The Origin Story of LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, the Coveted Cult Whiskey You’ve Never Heard Of
LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, a cult‑status American rye whiskey, was crafted from four cask‑strength barrels distilled in 1984 at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim facility and aged 23‑24 years at Willett Distillery. Between 2006 and 2009, only about 850 bottles were released, making the spirit one of the rarest rye offerings on the market. The whiskey commands an average secondary‑market price of $40,000 per 750‑ml bottle, with some sales topping $100,000. Its reputation as the “unicorn rye” has cemented its legendary status among collectors and connoisseurs.
The VinePair Podcast: Is Brown-Forman for Sale? To Whom?
Recent reports suggest French spirits giant Pernod Ricard is weighing a takeover of Brown‑Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s, while rival Sazerac has also entered negotiations. The discussions have sparked speculation about whether the deal will be a full merger or a...
White Claw Maker Mark Anthony Group to Acquire The Finnish Long Drink
Mark Anthony Group, the owner of White Claw Hard Seltzer, announced it will acquire Finland’s The Finnish Long Drink, a gin‑based canned cocktail. The deal, terms undisclosed, closes in the coming weeks. Long Drink logged nearly 20% volume growth last...
7 Things You Should Know About Appleton Estate Rum, Jamaica’s Oldest Continuously Operating Distillery
Appleton Estate, founded in 1749, is Jamaica’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery and the only one that ferments, distills, ages and bottles its spirit on a single estate. Its limestone‑filtered water, locally sourced molasses, and tropical climate accelerate aging, delivering...
Reports Suggest Sazerac in Talks With Brown-Forman Following Rumors of Pernod Merger
Sazerac has entered talks with Brown‑Forman after rumors of a merger between Brown‑Forman and Pernod Ricard surfaced. The news sent Brown‑Forman’s stock up more than 11 percent, mirroring the reaction to earlier reports of discussions with Pernod. Brown‑Forman, valued at roughly...
At the Seattle Mariners’ Stadium, a Secret Door Is Dispensing Gonzo Cocktails
On Opening Day at Seattle’s T‑Mobile Park, a hidden pentagonal door appeared, dispensing exclusive cocktails such as the blue‑cotton‑candy topped Atmospheric River. The door’s location is undisclosed, and fans who discover it are asked to keep it secret. Mariners vice...
Ask a Distiller: What Does It Mean When a Spirit Is ‘Overproof’?
Overproof spirits are defined as any liquor exceeding 50% alcohol by volume (100 proof), a threshold most commonly applied to rum. Historically, British sailors tested proof by igniting gunpowder soaked in the spirit, cementing the term’s naval roots. Jamaican rums...
Mapped: How Much a Pint of Beer Costs Across All 50 U.S. States in 2026
The median price of a pint of beer at U.S. bars and restaurants rose to $6.52 in 2026, a 1.9% year‑over‑year increase, according to Toast’s POS data. Hawaii leads the nation with an $8.00 median, while Mississippi is the cheapest...
Famously Non-Smoky, Here’s the One Time The Macallan Resorted to Peated Malt
The Macallan, famed for its non‑smoky, fruit‑forward profile, briefly turned to peated malt between 1940 and 1958 when World War II coal rationing left the distillery without its traditional fuel. During that period, peat became the only reliable energy source, resulting...
Coca-Cola to Replace Pepsi Across Marriott Hotels Worldwide, Ending 34-Year Partnership
Coca‑Cola has secured a global agreement to replace Pepsi as the exclusive beverage supplier for Marriott International, ending a 34‑year partnership. The contract spans Marriott’s more than 9,700 properties across 143 countries and covers lobby bars, mini‑markets, mini‑fridges, soda fountains,...
How Dogfish Head Finally Found Growth Again — With the Grateful Dead
Dogfish Head partnered with the Grateful Dead to launch the Juicy Pale Ale and later the Citrus Daydream Lager, sparking its fastest‑growing beer ever and reversing a multi‑year sales decline. The collaboration taps the Dead’s cult following, using vibrant branding...
Ask a Wine Pro: Do Grape Clones Really Matter?
Winemaker Brett Stone explains that most Pinot Noir wines are blends of several grape clones, so the average consumer rarely notices a difference. However, specific clones can alter yield, ripeness, sugar development, disease resistance, and ultimately flavor, aromatics, and tannin...
The VinePair Podcast: We’re Looking for Wine Marketers in the Wrong Places
The VinePair Podcast examines why wine marketing remains stagnant, highlighting research from The Quench Report that senior wine marketers spend an average of 73 percent of their careers in the wine category. This concentration is markedly higher than in spirits...
New Report: NYC Is the First Major City to Cross $9 Threshold for a Pint of Beer
According to Toast’s latest POS data, Manhattan’s median pint price reached $9.16, making New York City the first major U.S. city to break the $9 barrier. The national median rose 1.9% year‑over‑year to $6.52, with Boston close behind at $8.69....
Buffalo Trace Releases Two New Whiskeys — Single Oak Rye Bourbon and Low Entry Proof Wheated Bourbon
Buffalo Trace announced two limited‑edition releases: Single Oak Rye Bourbon, now a permanent addition to its Single Oak Project, and Low Entry Proof Wheated Bourbon, the latest entry in its Experimental Collection. The rye bourbon is bottled at 90 proof...
