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.

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.”

Pura Vida Rides a Giant Wave of U.S. Expansion With a California Launch

Pura Vida, “The World’s Best Damn Tequila” just made another stellar strategic move to further anchor their ever-expanding presence in the United States. Pura Vida Tequila Company’s founder and Chairman, Stewart Skloss, announced that Young’s Market Company has been commissioned to be Pura Vida’s distributor in the premier tequila market of California. The company’s highly anticipated California launch will take-off October 16^th, 2011.

“Pura Vida Tequila is privileged to partner in California with Young’s Market — best in class and highly recognized in the industry, a perfect addition to the team,” said Skloss.

Founded in 1888, Young’s Market Company is one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the U.S. In the 78 years since Young’s Market Company began to engage exclusively in the sale and distribution of wine and spirits, it has grown from a relatively small local distributor servicing Southern California to the fourth largest wine and spirits distributor in the nation. Today Young’s operations extend across the United States with industry presence in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming.

Industry research indicates that tequila is becoming hotter than ever and as its popularity expands, expectations are rising for the highest value at the best price — a feat that Pura Vida has pulled off time and again through the introduction of the only ultra-premium tequila available under $30. Additionally, research indicates what the makers of Pura Vida have always known — aficionados are becoming increasingly attuned to the body, taste, and smoothness of high-end tequila. Like connoisseurs of fine wine, today’s tequila drinkers will immediately identify — and reject — an inferior product.

Additionally, Skloss announced the appointment of liquor industry veteran Michael Hernandez to the position of Managing Director of California for Pura Vida. “Pura Vida has done an excellent job of attracting celebrity investors. To date I have met with Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP), Mike Hampton(former MLB All-Star pitcher) and Tom Wood (Former INDY driver),” said Hernandez. “The endorsement and financial commitment of these celebrities who have chosen to partner with Pura Vida Tequila Company speaks volumes about the quality of the product and the ability of Pura Vida to continually thrive.” Indeed, Pura Vida Tequila hit Texas with a “helluva” splash in January 2011 and has been very well-received by the Lone Star state. Hernandez, whose name is well-known among Fortune 500 liquor companies, is an expert for product rollouts and growth strategies. Hernandez brings solid experience to the table including the coordination of the successful launches of such well-known tequila brands as Corralejo, Casa Noble, and Partida to the Western States.

“Pairing the expert liquor industry knowledge of Mr. Hernandez with the industry-recognized distribution skills of Young’s Market will ensure an extension of Pura Vida’s success in Texas to the California market,” said Skloss. Pura Vida offers a line of ultra-premium tequilas in three expressions: Silver, Gold and Añejo. An Extra-Añejo label will be released 4th Quarter 2011.

Creating a new sensation of enjoyment, Fuego Fino Inc. is introducing Sicario “S” Tequila to the world. Sicario “S” Tequila is the only 100 proof, 100 % Agave, organic tequila that is kosher certified. The one of a kind liquor goes above and beyond its competition by enduring a triple distillation process. Distillation is imperative when making tequila because it draws out impurities, leaving the liquor concentrated and pure. While S. Tequila’s competition only does this process twice, one can taste the difference in the product.

If you’ve yet to hear of S. Tequila, it has been taking the media by storm on social sites such as Twitter @SicarioTequila. Promoting the brand with some of the hottest models, one can say the “S” stands for sexy, smooth and seductive. However, the “S” actually stands for Sicario, which is a Spanish word for “hit man”. The fact that the company is 100% Mexican American owned and operated, may have something to do with the cool name.

Sicario “S” Tequila has a national tour planned to promote the liquor, so it will be reaching a city near you sooner than you think. In the meantime check out the website http://www.stequila.com to meet the sexy spokes models, watch behind the scenes footage of the photo shoots, and take a look at mixed drink recipes listed on their blog section. In addition, learn how to play some fun drinking games by accessing the mobile version of their site from your mobile phone.

Source: 24-7 pressrelease

Drinks Americas Announces the Appointment of Glazer’s Distributing for KAH Tequila

Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, announced today that it has appointed Glazer’s Distributing for KAH Tequila in the markets of Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Iowa, and Indiana. The Company is currently rolling out KAH Tequila nationally.

KAH Tequila was designed to pay reverence and honor to Mexico and its people. Its bottle and spirit are reflective of Day of the Dead, the 3,000 year-old Meso-American ritual honoring deceased loved ones. KAH’s unique packaging, in turn, is inspired by traditional Calaveras used in Dia de los Muertos rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. The word KAH translates to “life” in the ancient Mayan language. Every bottle is an individual, hand-crafted work of art, not two bottles are the same. While the bottle captures that enduring spirit, so does the Tequila inside, as KAH’s distillers transform hand-selected 100% Blue agave into livelyBlanco, Reposado and Anejo varieties that are both certified organic and Kosher.

Drinks CEO Patrick Kenny stated, “We are very excited to be distributing our products through Glazer’s Distributing. KAH Tequila is an innovative product with exciting high quality tequila that retailers want. Its point of difference and packaging combined with great tequila create incremental retail sales and as importantly incremental profits. Glazer’s professional sales and distribution team will have a significant impact on our sales as we expand in these markets. Product will begin to ship to Glazer’s in the coming week.”

Drinks Americas recently announced that prior to the appointment of Glazer’s, sales had reached $500,000 in the first month of the current quarter. In June, Worldwide Beverage Imports licensed the sales and distribution rights to Drinks Americas for KAH Tequila, Ed Hardy Tequila and Agave 99 Tequila.

About Drinks Americas

Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes alcoholic premium beverages. In June, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC and is now selling and distributing KAH Tequila, Ed Hardy Tequila, Agave 99 Tequila, Mexicali Beer, Red Pig Ale, Rio Bravo Beer and Chili Beer. The Company also markets Willie 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 our new websites at www.drinksamericas.com and www.rheingoldbrewingcompany.com.

About Glazer’s:

Glazer’s, one of the country’s largest privately held companies, currently operates in 11 states, and is one of the nation’s largest wholesale distributors of wine, spirits, and malt beverage products. The third-generation family business was founded in Dallasin 1933. For more information, please visit our website at www.glazers.com.

Source: Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd.

Pernod Ricard USA celebrates the announcement released today by Pernod Ricard regarding the agreement granting the company exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the ultra-premium Tequila Avion™, as well as a minority interest in the growing brand.

Paul Duffy, Chairman and CEO, Pernod Ricard USA, said the agreement “is strategically important, and an excellent complement to Pernod Ricard USA’s leading portfolio of premium brands.  We see great opportunity in the ultra-premium segment of the tequila category, and great potential for Avion™ to lead the way.” He added: “Roughly one year after its introduction, the brand already has created unprecedented and impressive levels of awareness and velocity in the USA, the world’s leading tequila market.  That’s because Avion™ has established itself as a true lifestyle brand, with rising popularity among tastemakers and connoisseurs.  We are anxious to leverage the entrepreneurial spirit, passionate devotion to excellence and creativity behind Avion™, and look forward to working with Tequila Avion™ Founder and Chairman Ken Austin, Jenna Fagnan, President, and their team to build Avion into the next iconic spirits brand.”

Ken Austin commented, “Pernod Ricard was the ideal choice for three reasons: its global reach, its global premium portfolio and its exemplary management team and professional organization. Pernod Ricard USA brings a powerful route to market, and a strong track record of building premium spirit brands.  Together, we will capture a meaningful share of the ultra-premium tequila category.  This partnership is a validation and a testament to our highly entrepreneurial and disruptive marketing strategy, along with the brand being embraced and praised on multiple levels by bartenders, the mixology community, retailers and consumers.”

Currently sold in 23 US states and Ontario, Canada, Tequila Avion™ has enjoyed exponential growth over its first year, and sales continue to accelerate.  In the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Tequila Avion Silver was awarded Double Gold, Avion Anejo a Gold medal and Avion Reposado a Bronze medal.

About Tequila Avion™

Tequila Avion™ is a company created in 2009 by Ken Austin and Kenny Dichter.   Tequila Avion™ is the ultra-premium tequila that defines a new standard of quality and taste – “Taste Elevated.” Produced with fifth generation agave growers from the finest Blue Weber agave found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico, Tequila Avion’s distinct flavors are achieved through a combination of slow-roasting at lower temperatures to protect the natural flavors of the agave and an ultra-slow filtration process which creates an unusually smooth taste profile. Tequila Avion™ is available in Silver, Reposado and Anejo varietals.  Recently, Tequila Avion™ was awarded three medals including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  To learn more please visit www.TequilaAvion.com, our Facebook page: Tequila Avion and our Twitter account @TequilaAvion.

About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA.  In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.

In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu®, Kahlua® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier Jouet® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of euro 7,081 million in 2009/10. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlua and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of nearly 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 70 “Distribution Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurship spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index. For further information, please visit our website: www.pernod-ricard.com

Source: Pernod Ricard USA

Artá (www.artatequila.com) announces today that it has expanded availability of its organic, small batch ultra premium tequila into Colorado. All three award-winning varietals — Silver, Reposado and Anejo — will now be available in bars and retail stores in key markets throughout the state.

“We’re proud to introduce our unique line of ultra premium tequila to a broader audience and build on the success Artá has seen in California,” said David Fox, founder and CEO. “Artá shares its best character traits with those who enjoy it most — active, authentic and aware of the world around us. This philosophy, coupled with its outstanding quality, will have people sipping Artá in Colorado and across the country.”

Artá Tequila hails from the birthplace of tequila, the small town of Urenal in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Grown on a single estate by an 11^th generation rancher, the 100% Blue Weber agave is crafted by a master distiller using traditional methods.

Fox founded Artá with the goal of growing, aging and bottling the finest tequilas in the world, within an eco-friendly, community-based model. From harvesting to distillation to bottling, Artá is committed to sustainable practices. The award winning packaging design is based entirely around the use of recycled materials, including the glass, cork and bottle top. Artá also donates 1% of profits toward making life better for the communities it works in and serves. This approach honors the founders’ personal ties to Mexico and its people.

About Artá
Artá Holdings was founded in 2008 by David Fox with the aim of growing, aging and bottling the finest range of tequilas in the world, and the core belief that an organization can “do good while doing well.” The single estate tequila is grown in Urenal, the birthplace of tequila, and the company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Artá embodies the Art of Tequila and the Art of Life, by striving to bring people great tasting tequila that is harvested, distilled and bottled in an eco-friendly manner. Artá believes we can all enjoy top quality tequila while maintaining a better planet. The company’s corporate philanthropy program, 1% Promise, will donate materials and resources to deserving charities in the places where its employees, customers and business partners live.

Artá’s line of award-winning ultra premium tequila is available in three varietals: Silver, Reposado and Anejo.

Soure: Marketwire

In a tweet from the Tequila Avión Twitter account earlier today it has become apparent that not only has Avión reached notoriety in the US through the TV series ‘Entourage’ but, as it turns out, they have also made a bit of an impact on the other side of the pond.

Just shortly after this message another appeared on their official Facebook page confirming not only that they would be pouring Avión at the Royal Wedding this Friday, but also Avión could be available in UK stores next year.

Tequila Avión and our “Flying Agave” landed at Heathrow Airport this morning. We had a special request for some wedding going on there. Our Double Gold Award Winning Avion is honored to be in the UK albeit just for this event and not available in stores until 2012/2013.

If/when we get further confirmation or any other news on this subject then we’ll let you know.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tequila Avión on this amazing achievement, and can’t wait until their brand is available inside European borders. For now you’ll just have to make do with our review and dream of drinking it next year.

¡Salud Will and Kate!

Famed Chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg have incorporated Toro de Lidia Tequila as their tequila of choice into the menu of the acclaimed Blue Ribbon Restaurant chain. Their westward expansion from New York continues as they open the latest Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill in Las Vegas’ newest $3.9 Billion luxury Hotel and Casino, The Cosmopolitan.

Toro de Lidia Tequila, a new 100% Agave Tequila from the Jalisco region of Mexico, is also available in the Las Vegas market through Southern Wine and Spirits and will be expanding with Blue Ribbon Restaurants as the Bromberg Brothers open 24 more restaurants across the United States.

According to Larry Richardson, a fine spirits consultant from Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods, “What separates Toro de Lidia from the rest of the pack is the way it is made. Most aged tequilas are stored in old whiskey barrels, which yields a much heavier bodied darker tequila with a bent towards the cinnamon, clove and cardamom profiles. Toro de Lidia uses uncharred American White Oak barrels and that yields a beautiful, soft finish with lighter bodied floral and fruit notes. Instead of covering up the agave, it supports it and yields a better balance. This gives Toro de Lidia a Brandy or Cognac mouth feel.”

Toro de Lidia is a fine Tequila that is produced with 100% of the finest selection of Blue Agave, using spring water to ferment and is aged in white oak barrels. Toro de Lidia is oxygenated, chilled to 4 degree centigrade then filtered through activated carbon filters before bottling, which makes it the smoothest tequila in the world.

The Bromberg Brothers have created their own food culture with the premier late night dining spots in New York, the publication of their cookbook “Blue Ribbon” and consistent placement in top ten lists as a top spot to eat and hang out.

Source: PR Newswire

Geography and discerning taste has made Arizona a destination for fine tequila and those who appreciate the same. However, in recent years the huge influx of humdrum, mass-produced artisan-style tequilas has muddied the tequila, so to speak. Even in the tequila mecca of Arizona, folks continue to seek a tequila that truly exhibits ultra-premium quality. Fortunately, Mejor Tequila has now arrived in Arizona to redefine the true ultra-premium standard.

Mejor Tequila Company, LLC, has partnered with Frank-Lin Beverage Group of Arizona, Inc. for the distribution of what has been described as the best in aroma, taste, finish and most importantly, uncompromising quality. Mejor’s rapidly growing popularity is attributed in part to its anti-mass production philosophy, which allows ample time for proprietary finishing processes to remove impurities others leave behind. Simply stated, Mejor believes in excess of quality versus economy of scale.

Not only is Mejor Tequila strictly micro-batched, but it is also distinguished through use of only hand-selected single-estate-grown agave, masterful distillation, advanced proprietary conditioning processes and its presentation in sophisticated packaging worthy of its character. Mejor Tequila is a true quality-focused, detail-oriented product of impeccable character, and those who know and appreciate tequila are taking notice.

Mejor tequilas have received many highly respected awards and honors over the past two years, including its latest run of gold medals from the 2010 Beverage Tasting Institute review for each of Mejor’s blanco, reposado, and añejo offerings. Also, the unique Mejor Pink Tequila — a sexed-up version of Mejor’s incredibly smooth agave-sweet blanco — is quickly becoming the go-to tequila for women and non-traditional tequila consumers looking for a spirit that makes a true fashion-forward statement.

Mejor officially launches in Arizona at the Phoenix Tequila Fest starting December 11, 2010. Mejor Tequila Company and Frank-Lin will be working closely together to ensure that every consumer in Arizona, who expects only the finest in tequila, at a remarkably good price, will have an opportunity to enjoy the Mejor experience at their retailer of choice.