[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Thursday, June 18, 2026

DISCUS Urges Trade Rep to Prioritize Market Access for Spirits in India

When India lowered its tariff on bottled bourbon to 100% from 150% thanks to President Trump, exports of U.S. bottled Bourbon to India increased by nearly 22% compared to the previous year. But significant obstacles still remain, the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., said in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. India continues to impose a 150% tariff on bulk Bourbon and all other U.S. distilled spirits, restricting market access and limiting growth.

Bacardi Loses Bid to Block Cubaexport's Renewal of Havana Club Trademark

A just-published decision by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rejects an attempt by Bacardi & Co. Ltd and Bacardi USA to prevent Cubaexport from renewing the trademark for Havana Club Rum. The case traces itself back to the 1959 Cuban Revolution which resulted in the Communist government seizing private property in Cuba, including the Havana Club brand and its distilleries which were owned and operated by the Arechabala family without compensation, forcing the family into exile. In 1993

U.S. Economy Seen Expanding Through 2026: Institute for Supply Management

The U.S. economy continues to battle the headwinds posed by trade issues, continued inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertain. The result, the nation's supply and purchasing execs say, is the U.S. economy is expected to expand for the remainder of 2026. The forecast is contained in in the Spring 2026 ISM Supply Chain Planning Forecast. In the manufacturing sector, Revenue for 2026 is expected to increase, on average, 8.4%. This is 4 percentage points higher than the December 2025 forecast

A-B Turns Combine Harvester into a Mobile Bar to Show Support for Farmers

Anheuser-Busch launches a 10-ton, 400-plus-square-foot mobile bar engineered from a real combine harvester. Standing as a physical extension of A-B's milestone U.S. Farmed certification and timed to coincide with America’s 250th birthday, this unique campaign encourages consumers to support American farmers by choosing products made with U.S.-grown ingredients. Serving as a massive “thank you” to American farmers, key details of the campaign include: * Commitment to U.S. Ingredients: The

Johnson Brothers to Rep Sovereign Brands in 4 Markets

Johnson Brothers said it will represent Sovereign Brands across Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Founded in 1999, Sovereign Brands is a family-owned company that has built a reputation for developing distinctive, culture-driven wine and spirits brands with enduring consumer appeal and global recognition. Their portfolio includes Luc Belaire sparkling wine; Bumbu, the world’s #1 selling super premium rum brand*; The Deacon Scotch whisky; McQueen and the Violet Fog Brazilian g

AWA: U.S.-India Trade Talks Could Mark Historic Turning Point for U.S. Whiskey

United States and India may be on the brink of a historic trade moment, with American whiskey positioned to become one of the clearest examples of how a strong agreement could support U.S. agriculture, manufacturing, exports, hospitality, and rural communities.

What I'm Reading --

Thanks for reading. I'll see you tomorriw. – joel