Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

07/20/2024

Since 2003, & volumes have grown 294%, an average rate of 7.1% per year, making the category the fastest growing in the states.

Forbes rounds up America's best tequila bars to toast on July 24th.

Here are 25 of the best Tequila bars in America, their signature drinks and where to find them.

07/19/2024

Cheers to !

With three simple steps, the classic libation is easy to make and enjoy at home! Read more from Forbes!

This classic cocktail recipe is delicious and doesn't require a blender.

07/18/2024

BIG NEWS: The Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania signed which means Pennsylvania consumers will be able to purchase their favorite spirits where they already buy beer and wine.

That means an additional 10,000 outlets could start selling these popular products - increasing consumer choice and convenience across .

Read more: https://www.distilledspirits.org/news/spirits-ready-to-drink-cocktails-allowed-to-be-sold-alongside-beer-wine-in-pennsylvania-following-governors-signature-of-bill/

07/16/2024

The & category continues to be the fastest-growing spirits category across the nation.

Be prepared to toast on July 24th with a great tequila cocktail, rounded up by Punch.

Go beyond the Margarita, from the Negroni-like Rosita to the tropical Matador.

07/13/2024

Cheers to !

Though first produced in Barbados, the dark spirit is now produced all around the globe🌎, with a variety of styles. No matter where it is made, the spirit must be made from sugar cane—whether it is sugar cane juice, sugar cane syrup or sugar cane molasses.

Each country or region has its own rules and regulations for producing the liquor, and not to mention distinct production methods and traditions. In recent years, distillers have experimented with flavored rums, making the category more versatile!

07/12/2024

NEWS: The senate approved , which would allow spirits to be sold in as many as 13,000 NEW retail outlets in the state. They're only allowed in about 600 stores right now!

We urge Governor Josh Shapiro to sign ASAP to modernize the spirits market!

Last night, the Pennsylvania Senate approved Senate Bill 688 , a bill to allow low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold from certain retail outlets that already sell beer and [...]

07/09/2024

NEWS: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed SB 527 into law, lowering the tax rate for spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), allowing cocktails to-go and delivery of mixed beverages, and permitting alcohol sales on some holidays.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XSyTLN

07/04/2024

Happy from your friends at DISCUS! We hope you enjoy and as always,

07/03/2024

Toasting with beer, wine, or spirits?

Remember: there is no beverage of moderation, only the practice of moderation. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture that means no more than 2 standard drinks/day for males or 1 standard drink for females.

Learn more: https://standarddrinks.org/

07/02/2024

that serving batched cocktails at your 🎆 celebrations allows you to more time to spend with guests and saves time on prep?

Learn more about how to make batched cocktails from Wine Enthusiast.

Batching cocktails has long been used as a secret weapon by professional bartenders. It's time you take a page from their playbook.

06/29/2024

that is the backbone of the spirits industry, accounting for 30% of all volumes (including Cocktails/RTDs).

An important growth driver has been the continued popularity of flavored vodkas, which make up around 22% of all vodkas sold.

06/28/2024

Today on , we proudly celebrate Tom's Town Distilling Co. Tom’s Town is proud to call Kansas City home and honors the rebellious spirit and vibrant energy of the roaring twenties.

Tom’s Town Distillery opened its doors in 2016 and has since expanded to become an emerging national brand. The distillery produces a variety of artfully crafted and award-winning spirits including vodka, gin and aged whiskeys.

Founders David Epstein and Steve Revare share a vision to not only produce great spirits but to create a space that reflects the passionate and welcoming spirit of KC. In 2015, David exchanged vows with his husband in the Tom’s Town event space in downtown Kansas City.

The distillery along with other select bars and restaurants are celebrating by partnering with Pride Haven Kansas City, offering a refreshing Pride Punch made with Tom’s Town Double Grain Vodka. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Pride Haven.

Try Tom’s Town Botanical Gin and celebrate Pride Month with a refreshing Bee’s Knees cocktail. Head to our Instagram for the recipe

06/28/2024

Happy ! 🌈

Join us in supporting the many distilleries and spirits brands owned, founded and run by LGBTQAI+ professionals!

06/27/2024

General Assembly just passed a bill to modernize the alcohol marketplace in the state. The bill includes:

✅ Reducing tax on RTDs
✅ Reinstating
✅ Allowing alcohol sales on holidays

The measure now heads to Governor Roy Cooper for signature! to that! https://bit.ly/45I5F4c

06/25/2024

NEWS: cmte passes Senate Bill 688, to allow low ABV spirits RTDs to be sold from certain retail outlets that already sell beer & wine products with the same or lower alcohol contents.

Another great step in the right direction! https://bit.ly/3VXInEb

06/25/2024

Are you interested in our 📚 leadership programs?

Join us on July 10th to learn more about the Executive, Developing and Developing Women's leadership programs: https://bit.ly/3VWXI7Z

06/24/2024

Do you know how local production traditions and local laws are used to create different styles of spirits?

Deepen your spirits knowledge by registering for WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2. Sign-ups close today: https://bit.ly/3XUU3t1

06/19/2024

Today is , a holiday that recognizes the end of slavery in the United States, the freedom of Black Americans and the countless ways they've shaped our society and culture.

06/17/2024

Associations representing alcohol suppliers, wholesalers and retailers -DISCUS, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, FMI & NACS - agree to responsibility commitment related to crossover alcohol products.

Learn more:

Three-Tier Industry Coalition Issues Responsibility Commitment for Crossover Alcohol Products Associations representing alcohol suppliers, wholesalers and retailers agree to responsibility commitment related to crossover alcohol products WASHINGTON — The Distilled [...]

06/16/2024

To all of the fathers and father figures in our lives, we raise a glass & thank you. Cheers! 🥃

06/14/2024

Cheers to !

Thanks to a 1964 Congressional resolution, can only be made in America. The vast majority is produced in Kentucky, with over 10 million barrels of the spirit currently being aged.

There are a few rules to defining bourbon:
🥃 Must be produced using a minimum 51% corn
🥃 Remaining 49% of the grain mix (mash bill) generally consists of malted barley & either spicy rye or sweeter wheat
🥃 Must be distilled no more than 80% or less than 40% ABV & bottled at minimum 40% ABV/80 proof
🥃 Must be aged for some time in new, charred oak barrels & cannot include coloring, flavoring or other spirits

Let's raise a glass to America's native spirit!

06/13/2024

The spirits industry has lost another great leader and visionary with the passing of Lee Brown, former CEO of Brown-Forman Brands.

Lee was deeply involved not only in the business but also in preserving the heritage and history of Brown-Forman.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4b41np0

06/11/2024

Alcohol affects males & females differently and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommend no more than 2 drinks/day for men or 1/day for women.

DYK what counts as 1 drink? Learn more: standarddrinks.org

Standard Drink Equivalence Understanding drink equivalence and knowing the definition of a standard drink is an important aspect of moderate and responsible alcohol consumption. What is a Standard Drink?According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, one standard drink or “drink equivalent” c...

06/10/2024

We are saddened to by the passing of Harvey Chaplin.

Along with our board and members, we stand together in celebrating the many significant contributions Harvey has made over his more than seven decades in the great spirits industry.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4c8RSq1

06/08/2024

More than a decade ago, was founded by Neil Houston to pay homage to the delicious spirit. Originally produced in the Netherlands in the Middle Ages, Franciscus Sylvius de la Boe created by distilling juniper berries for medicinal purposes. During the 17th century, the spirit traveled to England and developed into the Gin we enjoy today.

In honor of the holiday, let’s raise a glass and learn more about Astraea Spirits!

Danielle Leavell, founder and Master Distiller, pours her expertise, passion and taste into every bottle of Astraea spirits. Not only is Danielle one of a handful of female Master Distillers in the U.S., but she is also a trained herbalist and certified in advanced distilling and sensory analysis. Astraea gins are Danielle’s love letter to the Pacific Northwest, the place she calls home!

Astraea Gin’s award-winning Pacific Northwest Collection is inspired by the wild landscapes of the PNW and contains four types of London Dry Gin – Mist, Meadow, Ocean and Forest. To make their spirits, Astraea sources organic juniper berries from Italy, Oregon and Macedonia, to ensure familiar notes of pine and citrus, and uses botanicals from the PNW like chamomile, lemon verbena, sugar and balsam fir. The brand utilizes European distilling practices to ensure a cleaner, brighter spirit and batch distill their Gin in a Vendome Copper pot still.

Toast with their signature Astraea Martini:
1.5oz Astraea Ocean Gin
Dolin Dry Rinse
Garnish: Lemon Twist or Olives

Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice and cold water, and set aside. In a mixing glass, add ice and gin. Stir for 20 seconds. Empty ice and water from the glass, and rinse glass with a very small amount of Dolin Dry, and discard. Strain into glass and garnish with olives or lemon twist, and !

06/06/2024

Happy ! Celebrate with Ole Smoky Distillery, the most visited distillery in the world and Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery.

In 2010, Ole Smoky opened the Holler, their original moonshine distillery, where visitors can immerse themselves in the distilling process and see authentic moonshine stills at work. Since then, they have expanded to multiple locations across the state of . Ole Smoky brings in over 5 million visitors annually to their many distilling properties, making them the most visited distillery worldwide?

With an award-winning diverse range of products including moonshine creams, sours, minis, whiskies and canned cocktails, there is an Ole Smoky product for all spirits lovers (21+) to enjoy!

To celebrate , Ole Smoky will donate to Smokies Friends, based on a portion of Moonshine Lemonade cocktail sales sold at participating bars and restaurants around the country to assist in their mission to preserve and protect the Great Smoky Mountains.

To shake up your own Moonshine Lemonade cocktail this summer, combine 2 parts of Ole Smoky’s Blackberry Moonshine and 3 parts lemonade. Mix and shine responsibly!

06/05/2024

Today the Senate passed which would allow low ABV spirits-based cocktails to be sold alongside beer & wine.

We applaud Senator Regan for his leadership & look forward to working with stakeholders to move the bill forward. https://bit.ly/3Kw6JOQ

06/05/2024

NEWS: DISCUS is thrilled to welcome Dan Leese, of Hotaling & Co., as our new Chair and Mary Barrazotto, of Brown-Forman Brands, as our Vice Chair.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3KPLJmB

06/04/2024

Happy ! Arguably one of the most traditional spirits, Cognac not only has a rich, aromatic flavor but an interesting path through history.

First produced in the 17th century, is a spirit that is double distilled using grapes grown exclusively in the Cognac region of France.

that in 2023, 12.5 million 9-liter cases of Brandy/Cognac were sold in the U.S., generating $2.5 billion for distillers. Cheers to this unique spirit🥃!

06/01/2024

It's officially ! Not just this month, but all year long, it is critical to support the many distilleries and spirits brands owned by LGBTQAI+ professionals.