Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, is pleased to announce that KAH^® Tequila Blanco has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for Creativity in Packaging by the Beverage Tasting Institute.

This follows KAH^® Tequila recently winning “Best of the Best” by Tequila.net, and winning multiple awards at The Spirits International Prestige Competition and The Spirits of Mexico Competition.

In announcing this award, The Beverage Tasting Institute stated that, “In the highly competitive beverage market, packaging has never been more important. Buyers are continually challenged by increasingly clever and innovative concepts. Creative packaging draws attention to brands on crowded shelves and back bars, showcases a brand’s personality, and invites consumers to indulge. So at the end of every year, we at The Beverage Testing Institute put down our tasting glasses and invite a select panel of on-and-off premise beverage buyers and managers, packaging designers, and journalists to judge not what’s in the bottle, but the bottle itself. We also judge the labels, gift boxes, carriers, and cases that are all important elements of today’s dynamic and expanding beer, wine, and spirits marketplace. Our December 2011 packaging competitions brought in hundreds of entries from which we selected another batch of standout designs.”

About Drinks Americas

Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes alcoholic premium beverages. In June 2011, the Company entered into a sales, distribution and licensing agreement with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC and is now selling and distributing KAH^® Tequila, Agave 99^® Tequila, Rio Bravo Beer, Crazy Pig Ale and Chili Devil Beer. The Company also marketsWillie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Olifant Vodka, receives a royalty for Kid Rock’s American Badass Beer and Damiana Mexican Liqueur, and owns and distributes Rheingold Beer.

For further information, please visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KahTequila and on our new websites at www.drinksamericas.com and www.rheingoldbrewingcompany.com.

Hot on the heels of Pura Vida Tequila‘s launch into the California Tequila market, the “World’s Best Damn Tequila” will be distributing its Ultra-Premium Tequila throughout Mexico — and not just in the Highlands of Jalisco.

Pura Vida has chosen the highly esteemed La Europea Distribution Company as its nationwide distributor. Beginning in 1953 in Mexico City, La Europea has grown to boast over 44 locations, providing high-end spirits, wine and gourmet accessories. Identified as experts in superior customer service, prestige and price, La Europea is a perfect fit for Pura Vida’s expansion throughout Mexico.

“The market leaders and industry shapers of La Europea have the will to win, the desire to succeed and established relationships to grow Pura Vida Tequila into a global brand,” said Pura Vida Tequila Founder and Chairman Stewart Skloss. “La Europea’s desire to anticipate, meet and exceed customers’ needs makes them a perfect match for the high standards of our ultra-premium product.”

Coming at the tail end of a bang-up year for Pura Vida — including their successful early launch into the California liquor market, launch of Radio Pura Vida (the first radio station owned and operated by a liquor company) and massive events with Rock-N-Roll Hall of Famer and fellow investor Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top in Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso and San Antonio — the national launch throughout Mexico is the next logical step.

“We look forward to sharing our superior spirit, created by our partnership with the world-renowned Vivanco family (NOM1414),” added Skloss. Gibbons isn’t the only celebrity that backs Pura Vida’s extraordinary line of tequila. They’ve seen support and endorsement from a laundry list of Hollywood hard-hitters, and for good reason. It’s hard to ignore the quality of this triple-distilled 100% pure blue weber agave tequila — almost as hard as ignoring their much-deserved success in 2011.

Pura Vida’s success is due in no small part to its unparalleled professionalism, competitive pricing, astounding customer service and quality that cannot be matched. Steven Vourvoulias will head up the Mexico launch while the company conducts a world-wide search for a Director General of Mexico.

Pura Vida Tequila currently offers Texas, California and now Mexico markets a line of ultra-premium tequilas in three expressions: Silver, Reposado and Añejo. An Extra-Añejo label will be released March 2012. The lineup of light-your-world-on-fire tequilas is bound to take the world by storm.

CRUZ del Sol Tequila (CRUZ Tequila), the award-winning brand of Los Diablos International, reports stronger than expected holiday revenue in 2011, forecasts a record breaking 1st quarter in 2012, and answers the question: Can popular holidays share common trends?

“Absolutely,” remarks Pep Katcher, President of CRUZ Tequila. “Although, Cinco de Mayo is a very busy holiday for us, early indicators suggest that February 2012 will be our biggest month, since we launched our first award-winning Tequila in 2008. From a national view, our news validates Bill Saporito’s recent article for TIME magazine. In ‘Higher Spirits’, Mr. Saporito’s reveals his investigative reporting in New York City along with trends from Nielsen* that indicate spirit sales increased 4.3% nationally and in a flat economy. Further, the reporting also puts the percentage in perspective, given the fact that in the $60 billion alcoholic-beverage industry, each market-share point is worth about $600 million at wholesale.”

What other factors will help break February records for CRUZ Tequila? “Hard work and increased focus from our distribution partners (Young’s Market Company andRepublic National Distribution Company), our growing presence in retail chains, and tremendous consumer response in our local markets power a significant 2012 forecast,” adds Todd Nelson, Vice President of Marketing for CRUZ Tequila. “From the beginning we knew our Tequila had promise and that was really exciting. Fast forward to 2012: bigger partnership opportunities; North American expansion; extended industry recognition; together with a refusal to compromise on quality. Factors, that have built another level of excitement – as we had envisioned seven years ago.”

How do business forecasts, translate to sales? “Preparation for expansion and working towards bold goals that include delivering year-over-year growth, have been keys to our group’s success,” offers Saulo Katcher, Vice President, of Operations, for CRUZ Tequila. “We also think that taking on new initiatives, while proactively covering 10’s of 1,000’s of global sales with top retail and on-premise accounts, has paved the way for our partnerships with key Distributors.”

What does a snapshot of success look like? “We are fortunate to have over 1,100 placements in Arizona today,” states Todd Ellinwood, CRUZ Tequila Arizona Market Manager. “As we prepare for Valentine’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and other major holidays, it is clear that our product’s reach will grow across the state as our partnership with Young’s Market Company expands.”

Rising Artist Shizuko Greenblatt Creates Unique Painting for the “Simply Perfect” Art Project

During the 2011 holiday season, emerging artists from across the country teamed up with ultra-premium tequila maker Patrón Spirits to create one-of-a-kind works of art in support of their local arts communities. The pieces created for the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project were placed online for public auction, with the proceeds benefitting four art organizations. Following an enthusiastic bidding process, Patrón is pleased to announce Los Angeles based artist Shizuko Greenblatt as the winner of the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project. Receiving the highest bid for her painting titled “Rejuvenation,” Greenblatt earned the opportunity to be featured in a national print advertisement for Patrón.

“Each participating artist enhanced the holiday season by creating beautiful works of art for their communities to enjoy, and we are thankful for their generosity of time and talent,” said Jennifer Long, Patrón’s brand director. “Shizuko’s painting is a reflection of her unique artistic perspective, and we look forward to sharing her talent with a national audience in our upcoming print advertisement.”

Born in Japan to an ancient samurai family, Greenblatt was raised in an environment that emphasized and honored the arts. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, she came to the United States to continue her education at UCLA where she became a certified interior designer and worked in the field for more than 20 years.

Greenblatt studied art and the spirit of art for 10 years with the late artist, Vicki Dolnick, who was a student of acclaimed artist Richard Diebenkorn at Stanford University. Her unique artistic creations focus on Japanese Character Paintings, which she uses by combining multiple characters and artistically modified shapes. Her work also incorporates Fusion Ikebana, a combination of modernistic painting, formal sculptural explorations and Japanese Ikebana in a contemporary expressionistic style.

Recognized with multiple awards, Greenblatt’s art is held in both private and public collections around the world. Her work is continuously exhibited in solo exhibitions at venues throughout California, including the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, TAG Gallery in Santa Monica, and Gallery 825 and LA Artcore in Los Angeles. She is also an instructor of Japanese flower arrangement at Sogetsu School.

“The ‘Simply Perfect’ Art Project was an amazing art experience that allowed me to create a painting for auction in support of the Los Angeles Art Association — a charity that is so special to me,” said Greenblatt. “I appreciate being given the opportunity by Patrón to give back to my local art community, which has given so much to me.”

The Los Angeles Art Association serves as a dynamic force for the Los Angeles art community, providing opportunities, resources and services for emerging Los Angeles artists of all media. As one of the four art organizations that partnered with Patrón on the project, it will receive proceeds from the purchased pieces created by the participating artists. Additional participating art organizations included:

• Chicago Artists’ Coalition
• New York Foundation for the Arts
• The Artists Guild of San Francisco

Thirty emerging artists participated in the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project located in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. The “Simply Perfect” Art Project showcased live, working art studios that had been transformed from empty storefront windows. Given approximately one week each, artists created original paintings, sculptures or other works based on their personal interpretation of Patrón tequila’s “Simply Perfect” mantra.

Celebrated 200-Year-Old Boutique Distillery Ready to Shine with a Year of Promotions and Events

Casa Noble Tequila is looking to 2012 as a year of new beginnings. With a series of promotions and events, the organic tequila company has set its eyes on new markets and campaigns for 2012. Casa Noble will see changes to its social media platforms including regular updates on the company’s Facebook and website, as well as the addition of a newsletter, previously reserved for the beverage industry, which will soon be available to fans who sign up at www.casanoble.com. Alongside these changes, Casa Noble will release a new ad campaign featuring the newest edition to the Casa Noble family, Carlos Santana. The Casa Noble mobile app – available on iPhone with the Android platform coming soon – will also get a face lift with the inclusion of cocktail recipes and featured dishes that pair with the tequila in new and innovative ways. Soon to be announced promotions around the United States will bring new eyes and fans to the long celebrated brand.

Casa Noble CEO Jose Hermosillo said, “Casa Noble has been growing exponentially, even in such a competitive market with the large multi-national companies that invest millions in advertising, and so many non-industry newcomers with deep pockets who have found the tequila business so appealing. I believe our commitment to quality and the attention to every detail is key to Casa Noble, which has made tequila fans and high quality spirit aficionados take notice.”

2011 proved to be a milestone year for Casa Noble when BusinessWeek, who previously named Casa Noble as one of the “World’s Best-Tasting Tequilas,” gave the brand’s Reposado top marks – 5/5 stars – in their December 2011 issue, putting it above all others in the taste test. Another highlight of 2011 was the addition of music icon Carlos Santana who joined the board and came on as one of the owners of the company. This exciting change to the organization allows Santana to be involved in the continued development of the brand which is already recognized as one of the finest handcrafted spirits in the world.

Hermosillo, commenting on the shared long-term commitment to the continued growth of the brand, said, “With Carlos becoming a part of the family last year, we see 2012 as a chance to position Casa Noble as the ultra-premium tequila of choice, we are very excited to see what is ahead.”

A renowned boutique distillery, Casa Noble represents the pride, passion, and quality commitment of more than 200 years and over 7 generations of tequila production. The Casa Noble family of Single Estate Organic tequilas — Crystal, Reposado, and Anejo — has a rich history that has earned them a position as one of the finest ultra premium spirits portfolios in the world. Casa Noble’s handcrafted tequilas are exported to over 23 countries worldwide and currently available in premium retail outlets, exclusive restaurants, distinguished bars and lounges and destination hotels Nationwide in the U.S.

Casa Noble is produced on a family owned distillery that can trace its roots back to 1776 along the hillsides of Jalisco, Mexicosurrounded by citrus and mango trees, which are integral to the tequila’s unique taste profile. The tequila is harvested, distilled and bottled on the private family estate that boasts over 6,500 acres of land and more than one million blue agave plants.

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of events and promotions over the next few months.

For more information, visit www.casanoble.com.

Source: Casa Noble

Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, announced today that KAH® Tequila was recently honored with Tequila.net’s prestigious “Best of the Best” award.  Taking “Best of the Best” honors in the High-Proof Tequila category was KAH^® Tequila 110 Proof Reposado.

The Tequila.net Awards are a unique competition. At an exclusive, private tasting, aficionados and industry professionals donate their personal time to blind taste products in several categories. No entry fees are solicited or collected. The judges spend a full week, taking the time necessary to evaluate each product correctly. Contenders are pushed through multiple rounds until the top products are revealed. Only the “Best of the Best” are awarded in each category, producing results consumers can trust that are unbiased and carefully considered.

The 2011 Tequila.net Awards were announced in November. Over 100 brands submitted 277 products to this competition making it the largest Agave spirits tasting ever in the United States.

KAH^® Tequila previously received multiple awards for taste in all styles at the Spirits International Prestige Competition, with KAH^® Extra Anejo receiving the Platinum Award for Best in Class. The KAH^® Tequila Series received the Platinum Award for Best in Class for Package Design.  In addition to those awards, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition judged KAH^® Tequila as Best in Category and awarded the Gold Medal to KAH^® Anejo, the Gold Medal to KAH^® Blanco and the Bronze Medal to KAH^® Reposado 110 Proof.

About Drinks Americas

Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes alcoholic premium beverages. In June 2011, the Company entered into a sales, distribution and licensing agreement with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC and is now selling and distributing KAH^® Tequila, Agave 99^® Tequila, Rio Bravo Beer, Crazy Pig Ale and Chili Devil Beer. The Company also marketsWillie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Olifant Vodka, receives a royalty for Kid Rock’s American Badass Beer and Damiana Mexican Liqueur, and owns and distributes Rheingold Beer.

For further information, please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KahTequila and on our new websites at www.drinksamericas.com and www.rheingoldbrewingcompany.com.

Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., (“Drinks”) (OTCBB: DKAMD), a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, announced that since September when its transaction with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC resulted in the Company acquiring license and distribution rights for the KAH Tequila brand, the Company has shipped over 20,000 cases of KAH, generating over $2.4 million dollars in revenue.

Drinks Americas reports the brand is currently growing at a rate of 900 % over the prior year. Drinks Americas is now selling Kah Tequila in 35 US markets through top national distributors.  All distributors have placed second and follow up orders since September. The Company expects to expand KAH Tequila throughout the entire United States in 2012.

Drinks Americas sells the award winning, hand crafted KAH tequila in 50ml and 750ml sizes. Satisfying all tastes, Drinks Americas offers Kah Tequila in 80 proof Blanco, 110 proof Reposado, and exquisitely aged Anejo. The Company also offers an exclusive Extra-Aged KAH Tequila in a distinctive jewel accented bottle. Demand for the KAH 50ml “mini” bottles has been particularly strong in bars and restaurants.

Federico Cabo, Chairman of the Board of Drinks Americas stated, “Drinks Americas sales and marketing of our award winning KAH Tequila has passed our expectations.  In order to meet the demands for the 50ml KAH mini bottles, which represent almost 50% of the volume to date, we have recently invested in capital improvements for machinery to increase KAH mini production capacity. In addition to cases shipped to date, Drinks Americas has provided us in excess of $600,000 in end of year orders for the mini size to be shipped in January and February of 2012″.

Drinks Americas CEO Patrick Kenny stated, “In our last quarter we saw KAH sales accelerate, with gross margins averaging 23%. With increased production efficiency and turnover we expect margins to exceed 30% in the coming quarter and sales and consumer repeat business to continue to grow.”

FindTheBest’s Smart Rating is a Compilation of The Most Trusted Experts in One Spot

FindTheBest, an unbiased data-driven comparison engine, just released the Smart Badges for the highest rated alcoholic beverages—beers, brandy, champagne, wine, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey— just in time for all your holiday hosting!

The Smart Rating is a single score based on a combination of trusted industry ratings and expert reviews for a particular product or service. The Smart Rating for alcoholic beverages is based on features such as origin, calories, alcohol content, brand name and more.

While a top Smart Rating signifies consistent, positive ratings across the board, FindTheBest’s Smart Badge program highlights the leader in every industry.

Any alcoholic beverage in the top ten Smart Rated List below may claim their Smart Badge directly from their listing on FindTheBest.com.

So, what tequila should you be picking up?

1. El Tesoro de Don Felipe Anejo Tequila
2. Espolon Tequila Anejo
3. Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado
4. Orgullo Anejo Tequila
5. Tequila Blu Reposado Tequila
6. El Tequileno Platino Tequila
7. Magave Anejo Tequila
8. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Anejo Tequila
9. Rey Sol Extra-Aged Anejo Tequila
10. Tequila Cinco Blancos Anejo Tequila

About FindTheBest.com

FindTheBest is an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine. We organize and present data in a consumer-friendly format so that you can make quick and informed decisions based on what’s important to you.

Source: FindTheBest

Azuñia Tequila names world class surfer Sunny Garcia as their newest brand ambassador.

“Tequila has been part of the surf culture since the beginning,” explained surf legend Sunny Garcia, “and I am stoked to be part of the Azuñia Tequila family.” Garcia first met Azuñia owner Jim Riley at a LOORRS short course race at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA. The two hit it off immediately, so it is no surprise that Sunny Garcia is the newest brand ambassador for Azuñia Tequila. “Sunny represents the Azuñia lifestyle perfectly,” Riley noted. “He is a world class surfer, world traveler, and connoisseur of fine food and drink. We welcome him to the Azuñia family.”

San Clemente-based Azuñia Tequila is available in Platinum, Resposado, and Anejo. All Azuñia Tequila starts with only perfectly aged Weber Blue Agave, which grows for 8 to 10 years in our sun-drenched fields surrounding the small Mexican town of Amatitan. The fertile volcanic soil of this territory was naturally deposited over 200,000 years ago by the once active Tequila Volcano.

Sunny Garcia holds six Triple Crown of Surfing titles and has more World Qualification Series wins than anyone in history. He enjoys the dirt as much as the ocean and first raced short course in a Super Lite last season. Riley is an off-road racer as well, piloting the first V8-powered Trophy Lite truck to success in SCORE International and Best In The Desert races. “Sunny already came up with his own version of the margarita called the “Island Margarita” that we will be releasing shortly,” Riley revealed. For more drink recipes visit Azuñia Tequila online at http://www.AzuniaTequila.com or facebook.com/AzuniaTequila.

About Intersect Beverage

Intersect Beverage, located in San Clemente, CA, imports premium tequilas. Executives, Jim Riley and Alex Baca, have more than twenty years experience in the spirits industry. Intersect Beverage is committed to delivering the highest quality brands and products to every client, employing the best management and sales team in the industry involving each individual in the success of the company and its partners. Dedicated to redefining the spirits industry, having fun while delivering only the finest quality products to the market.

Intersect Beverages’ products include:
Azuñia Tequila (ultra-premium tequila) produced from the finest quality hand-selected 100% Weber blue agave plants, grown and harvested by one of the oldest and most experienced growers in the Jalisco Region of Mexico. Azuñia’s Tequila portfolio includes: Platinum Blanco (perfect choice for a refreshing Azuñia margarita), Reposado (an authentic pleasure with a touch of smokiness) and Añejo (the most sophisticated with hints of vanilla and nuts). Azuñia Tequila is currently distributed in California, Texas, Florida, New York and 36 other states.

Regional Tequila (authentic premium tequila) produced from 100% Weber Blue Agave and double distilled. Regional’s portfolio includes: Regional Blanco, Reposado and Añejo.

Each brand delivering a distinct flavor for all to enjoy!

To learn more about Azuñia Ultra-Premium Tequilas and to download a list of Azuñia Tequila cocktails visithttp://www.azuniatequila.com.
http://www.facebook.com/AzuniaTequila or Twitter: @azuniajim

Please Drink Responsibly

Pura Vida Tequila Company, LLC proudly announced today that William “Ashley” Burnette will serve as its President and Chief Operations Officer. With decades of experience in the liquor industry, Mr. Burnette has emerged as a strategic visionary who is now leading the only adult beverage company in the U.S. market providing consumers with an ultra-premium tequila at under $30 — not to mention what fellow investor and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer, Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ TOP) calls “The World’s Best Damn Tequila.”

“Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Pura Vida and we are thrilled to have him on board,” says Stewart Skloss, founder and chairman of Pura Vida Tequila Company, LLC. “He is a dynamic visionary and Pura Vida will benefit greatly from his leadership, direction, grit and expertise. He has worked with and grown many of the leading brands in the industry today and brings hands-on strategic experience with an emphasis on expanding beverage businesses in both existing and emerging markets — most especially in California.” Pura Vida launched into the California market in November 2011.

Mr. Burnette’s areas of expertise include: Distribution Strategy, New Business Development, Sales and Marketing Management, and Organizational Excellence. His 22 years of experience at Young’s Market Company ultimately garnered him the title of Executive Vice President of Marketing and Internal Operations where he successfully developed and launched 100s of new products. Most recently he was President and CEO of Stir Media Group, a trade marketing/sales initiative developed with Young’s Market Company. “We have no doubt Ashley will propel Pura Vida’s already stellar rate of success to the next level,” added Skloss.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Pura Vida team,” said Burnette. “This is a great operation run by truly dynamic individuals. The endorsement that Pura Vida has collected among celebrities, music industry moguls, and professional athletes demonstrates the ability that this brand has to create a following. It is truly a quality product.”

Pura Vida Tequila currently operates in the Texas and California markets with a line of Ultra-Premium tequilas in three expressions: Silver, Gold and Añejo. Pura Vida will soon release yet another sophisticated expression, the Ultra-Premium Extra Añejo Tequila. Pura Vida will be available in Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico and Nevada within the next 60 days.