Good Morning and Happy Friday, March 27, 2026.

Spirits Sales Improve in Control States; Strong Promo Drives 152% NH Jump in Scotch

February spirits sales in the Control States improved versus January, with 9L volume declining -1.4% and sales decreasing -3.4%, resulting in a -2.0% price mix, National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association reports.

AccelPay Acquires Reserve Bar

AccelPay said it acquired ReserveBar. Terms weren't disclosed. Individually, each company has spent years addressing different parts of the same challenge: enabling scalable alcohol commerce in a highly regulated and fragmented market. 

LVMH Sells Chandon's India Operations, Keeps China's

LVMH Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, which is currently navigating its most significant downturn in recent history, has just sold Chandon's Indian operations – but not its brand assets – to Sula. Why? And why India, rather than China, where wine operators generally are having a tough time?

Blue Run Spirits, Atlanta Braves Mark 60th Anniversary of Braves Baseball in Atlanta

Blue Run Spirits is launching a new partnership with the Atlanta Braves to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the franchise in Atlanta and the start of the 2026 baseball season.

New: Barrell Craft Spirits 18-yr Whiskey in Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauternes Barrels

Barrell Craft Spirits released a limited-release blend of 18-year Kentucky whiskey finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and Canadian whiskies aged 23 to 25 years which were finished in Sauternes barrels. 

New: Biltmore Masterpiece Collection White Wine

Biltmore Estate Winery has introduced its Biltmore® Masterpiece Collection White Wine (NV American), now available through both direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels and the U.S. three-tier distribution system Crafted as a balanced, slightly sweet white wine, the blend brings together Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Riesling, Muscat Orange, and Chenin Blanc, with fruit

Jason Whiteside to Develop Business for Benchmark W&S

Benchmark Wine and Spirits, affiliate of Benchmark Wine Group, hired Jason Whiteside as head of business development in Washington D.C.

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend. – Joel