Bar, nightclub and restaurant operators, managers, bartenders and other staff members have a lot to keep tabs on. From every day operations tasks to new product releases to spirit, beer, wine, cocktail and food trends, keeping on top of bar and nightlife news each week can be a project in and of itself.
That’s where we come in. To make things that much easier for you we’ve put together a detailed rundown of what happened this week that you should know. You need to know what international products are finally being distributed throughout America, what innovations are being made in glassware and bar and kitchen products, what and when music streaming services are featuring a new album, and so much more. In life, knowledge is power. In this business, knowledge is dollars.
Accuracy, speed and money in your pocket.
What if you could cut the time you spend doing inventory in half and also save your business more than $70,000 a year? And what if you could achieve both of those accomplishments with ease? Sculpture Hospitality has rolled out Bevinco Mobile, a fast, accurate inventory solution that can count anything you need to track right from a mobile device. Bevinco Mobile can even be used in conjunction with a Bluetooth scale for precise inventory results based on weight.
Walker x ‘Runner
If you and your guests are fans of blockbuster movies, sci-fi films and whisky, Johnnie Walker has something special to announce. Johnnie Walker Black Label made an appearance in the iconic 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner, and now it’s headed back to the silver screen on October 6 in Blade Runner 2049. The expression returning to the big screen is just as visionary as Denis Villeneuve’s sequel. Villeneuve helped bring a futuristic, geometric bottle design to Black Label inspired by the original film, and Master Blender Jim Beveridge produced a limited edition expression of the liquid meant to be a fully realized imagining of what Black Label could be in the year 2049. The result is visually stunning packaging containing a smokier, richer, more intense Black Label that clocks in at 49% ABV. Johnnie Walker Black Label The Director’s Cut is going to make a bold statement on your back bar and deliver a memorable experience in your glasses. Just 39,000 bottles are available, so don’t miss out!
Winterizing isn’t just for wardrobes, homes, cars and boats.
Summer is basically over, and your guests are craving seasonal fall and winter flavors. Today’s guests are also looking for delicious beverages free of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Monin Gourmet Flavorings has a new flavor that ticks all of those boxes. Monin Winter Citrus Syrup is a blend of clementine, blood orange, kumquat and other citrus flavors combined with honey, rosemary and tarragon. Try it in the Winterized Negroni, Winter Citrus Paloma, or a seasonal creation all your own.
Competition can be good, but partnership can be better.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company and Copper & Kings American Brandy Company have teamed up to release Collabor&tion, two unique and exciting expressions of 10-year-old straight bourbon. One expression is finished in Copper & Kings brandy barrels, creating a rich, smooth and complex whiskey bottled at 113 proof that features accentuated apple, pear, raisin, fig and date notes. The other expression of Collabor&tion (94 proof) was finished in Muscat Mistelle barrels, bourbon barrels that once contained unfermented grape juice that was fortified with unaged brandy. The barrels are caramelized with grape sugars and produce soft and supple yet rich whiskeys with seemingly endless finish on the palate.
Orange is the new Rock and Rye.
Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock and Rye is now available in a higher-proof, limited edition 6-year-old expression wearing an outstanding orange label. This new Rock and Rye is made with 6-year-old straight rye whiskey, air-dried navel oranges from Florida, raw Pennsylvania honey, Angostura-style bitters, and just a pinch of rock candy. The 6 Year’s drier profile and 50% ABV set it apart from 84 Proof, as does its back bar beautifying appearance. Your guests will thank you for adding this limited release to your menu!
As unique as the one on your neck.
You’ve probably noticed that several of this week’s newsworthy bottles are packaged in bottles designed to make your back bar even more visually appealing. Crystal Head Vodka’s latest release proudly moves this week’s theme forward. Crystal Head AURORA calls handcrafted, iridescent, human skull-shaped bottles home, and the effect is not only striking but truly unique – no two bottles are alike. AURORA is an additive-free vodka made with high-quality English wheat and pristine St. John’s water. It’s distilled five times and filtered seven times, with three of those filtrations involving more than 10,000 Herkimer diamonds. The result is a spicier, bolder and drier vodka than the original Crystal Head expression. AURORA is characterized by floral notes and anise on the nose, peppercorn and a bit of sweetness on the palate, and a clean, warming finish.
When being #extra is a good thing.
When Patrón first came onto the scene in 1989 it was one of the tiny handful of brands that introduced the world to the ultra-premium tequila category. Now Patrón has reached a new milestone, introducing the world to the first new addition to their tequila lineup in 25 years: Patrón Extra Añejo. This new expression is aged for over three years in new and used American, French and Hungarian oak barrels. Extra añejo tequila, a classification created 11 years ago, is the fastest-growing segment of the aged tequila category. Patrón Extra Añejo delivers dry fruit, banana, honey, and vanilla notes on the tongue, along with agave and oak. Your guests can enjoy Patrón’s latest offering neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.