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Edward McDonnell Jr.

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  • Celebrated 200-Year-Old Boutique Distillery Ready to Shine with a Year of Promotions and Events

    Celebrated 200-Year-Old Boutique Distillery Ready to Shine with a Year of Promotions and Events

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Casa Noble Tequila is looking to 2012 as a year of new beginnings. With a series of promotions and events, the organic tequila company has set its eyes on new markets and campaigns for 2012. Casa Noble will see changes to its social media platforms including regular updates on the company’s Facebook and website, as well as the addition of a newsletter, previously reserved for the beverage industry, which will soon be available to fans who sign up at www.casanoble.com. Alongside these changes, Casa Noble will release a new ad campaign featuring the newest edition to the Casa Noble family, Carlos Santana. The Casa Noble mobile app – available on iPhone with the Android platform coming soon – will also get a face lift with the inclusion of cocktail recipes and featured dishes that pair with the tequila in new and innovative ways. Soon to be announced promotions around the United States will bring new eyes and fans to the long celebrated brand.

    Casa Noble CEO Jose Hermosillo said, “Casa Noble has been growing exponentially, even in such a competitive market with the large multi-national companies that invest millions in advertising, and so many non-industry newcomers with deep pockets who have found the tequila business so appealing. I believe our commitment to quality and the attention to every detail is key to Casa Noble, which has made tequila fans and high quality spirit aficionados take notice.”

    2011 proved to be a milestone year for Casa Noble when BusinessWeek, who previously named Casa Noble as one of the “World’s Best-Tasting Tequilas,” gave the brand’s Reposado top marks – 5/5 stars – in their December 2011 issue, putting it above all others in the taste test. Another highlight of 2011 was the addition of music icon Carlos Santana who joined the board and came on as one of the owners of the company. This exciting change to the organization allows Santana to be involved in the continued development of the brand which is already recognized as one of the finest handcrafted spirits in the world.

    Hermosillo, commenting on the shared long-term commitment to the continued growth of the brand, said, “With Carlos becoming a part of the family last year, we see 2012 as a chance to position Casa Noble as the ultra-premium tequila of choice, we are very excited to see what is ahead.”

    A renowned boutique distillery, Casa Noble represents the pride, passion, and quality commitment of more than 200 years and over 7 generations of tequila production. The Casa Noble family of Single Estate Organic tequilas — Crystal, Reposado, and Anejo — has a rich history that has earned them a position as one of the finest ultra premium spirits portfolios in the world. Casa Noble’s handcrafted tequilas are exported to over 23 countries worldwide and currently available in premium retail outlets, exclusive restaurants, distinguished bars and lounges and destination hotels Nationwide in the U.S.

    Casa Noble is produced on a family owned distillery that can trace its roots back to 1776 along the hillsides of Jalisco, Mexico surrounded by citrus and mango trees, which are integral to the tequila’s unique taste profile. The tequila is harvested, distilled and bottled on the private family estate that boasts over 6,500 acres of land and more than one million blue agave plants.

    Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of events and promotions over the next few months.

    For more information, visit www.casanoble.com.


  • Green Fairy Absinthe’s Roll Out to Asia Pacific Region in 2012

    In January 2012 – the leading name in Absinthe’s GREEN FAIRY will partner up with Asia Pacific oldest operating Premium Liquor Agency Liberty Lighthouse Group. David Higgins, CEO, launched the brand in Australia and after 5 years Green Fairy achieved the 1# status as leading selling Australian & New Zealand Absinthe.

    In May 2008 – Liberty Lighthouse Group took control of La Fee Absinthe for the Asia Pacific region. La Fee Absinthe developed thebrand presences in 14 new Asia Pacific markets within 3 years. Liberty Lighthouse Group built La Fee as “the absinthe renaissance as La Fée the world’s most recognisable absinthe.”

    La FEE accepted Oceanus AP proposal for a Singapore regional hub and operated efficiently servicing regional accounts.

    Due to issues out of the control of Liberty Lighthouse Group and Oceanus AP could no longer support La Fee business from August 2011.

    • Please note: in 2010 La Fee Bohemian is no longer distilled nor bottled in Czech Republic.
    • In August2011, the Singapore office was closed down due to Brand Company unable to commit to regional case demands.
    • La Fee closed down its Singapore, Holland and England hub in 2011.
    • In 2011, Liberty Lighthouse Group separated from La Fee due to the Brand company unable or not willing to live up to its regional contractual terms.
    • From 2008 to 2011 Liberty Lighthouse Group developed La Fee’s portfolio from 0 Asia Pacific market to 14 active Asia Pacific markets.
    • Annual growth for each year, under Liberty Lighthouse Group was 50+% per year: 2008-2009-2010 & 2011.
    • In 2012 Asia Pacific’s Liberty Lighthouse Group will commence a partnership with GREEN FAIRY ABSINTHE.
    • Green Fairy will take advantage of a Singapore Hub.
    • Green Fairy Absinthe’s will offer competitive prices versus all ‘equaling’ quality Absinthe’s.
    • Green Fairy will support regional distributor with tools to become 1# in there market.
    • Green Fairy Owners plan on visiting the markets annually.
    • 2012 will be the year of Green Fairy 60%,Djabel 70%, Kuruna 73% Absinthes’ and the RTD Fairy Bomb 5.9% become Asian Favorite Brands.
    • Green Fairy Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreenFairyAustralia?v=app_4949752878&ref=ts
    • Green Fairy website; http://www.greenfairy.com.au/

    Cheers,

    Ted McDonnell


  • Carlos Santana & Casa Noble 100% Organic Blue Agave Tequila Casa Noble 100% Organic TEQUILA’S and Carlos Santana partnership will elevate the brand awareness and promise to loyal drinkers of quality; 100% Organic Agave, Aged in French White Oak Barrels, Aged in barrels longer than most other 100% Tequila, 10-12 yrs. growing our Agave Plants, Volcanic Waters.
    6 months on Chimp
  • The La Fée range has garnered praise from all corners of the spirits industry Industry Recognition The La Fée range has garnered praise from all corners of the spirits industry.

    The Spirits Business Absinthe Masters 2011

    Judges prepare for a day of tasting and rating a wide range of absinthes.

    Many absinthes entered this year’s inaugural Spirits Business Absinthe Masters, but La Fée swept the board with 3 Master, 2 Gold & 1 Silver medal – awarded for taste through to design and packaging.  The expert judges included Kieth Lyon (ex Waitrose spirits buyer) and Nick Quatroville of London’s all new ‘W’ hotel.

    International Spirits Challenge

    Andrew Reed, William Reed Publishing's MD of Events & Exhibitions presents George Rowley, CEO of Green Utopia with the 'New Brand Innovation Award' for La Fée Absinthe X•S Suisse
    Andrew Reed, William Reed Publishing’s MD of Events & Exhibitions presents George Rowley, CEO of La Fée with the ‘New Brand Innovation Award’ for La Fée Absinthe X•S Suisse.

    Each year nearly a thousand spirits from across the globe are rigorously judged and tasted by the industry’s leading international spirits experts, many flown in from around the world. The trophies and category champions are announced in London at Claridges Hotel.  The judges results will be published in the October edition of Drinks International magazine.

    Silver Medal 2003 – La Fée Parisienne

    New Brand Innovation Trophy 2007 – La Fée X•S Suisse

    Beverage Testing Institute

    Founded in 1981, the Beverage Testing Institute is an independent, privately owned corporation that conducts professional, blind tasting and reviews of beverage products.
    The institute relies heavily on highly experienced, professional guest tasters who are either retailers, restaurateurs, or prominent writers that are especially knowledgeable about the beverage category being reviewed. All panelists are rigorously screened and audited and then trained in our proprietary blind tasting methodology.

    Gold Medal 2007 – La Fée Parisienne

    Gold Medal 2007 – La Fée Bohemian

    Pontarlier Absinthiades


    The Mayor of Pontarlier presents George Rowley, CEO of La Fée with the 2007 Golden Spoon for La Fée Absinthe X•S Suisse.

    The Pontarlier Absinthiades consist of an antique dealers’ bourse, an exhibition at the museum, and presentations by various authors and historians. But the highlight of the event is a competition for the best absinthe sold in France. Two juries blind taste-test the absinthes, and award points based on pre-determined criteria (colour, fragrance) with a golden, silver and bronze Absinthe spoons being awarded

    Golden Absinthe Spoon & overall absinthe winner 2009 – La Fée X•S Suisse
    Golden Absinthe Spoon & overall absinthe winner 2008 – La Fée X•S Suisse

    Silver Absinthe Spoon & overall French winner 2008 – La Fée X•S Français
    Golden Absinthe Spoon & overall absinthe winner 2007 – La Fée X•S Suisse
    Silver Absinthe Spoon & overall French winner 2007 – La Fée X•S Français

    The IWSC

    The International Wine & Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. This is achieved through a rigorous two stage judging process of professional blind tasting and detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis by the independent laboratory Corkwise. To ensure perfect conditions the IWSC premises included temperature-controlled cellars and three dedicated tasting rooms.

    Silver & Best in Class 2007 – La Fée X•S Suisse

    SF World Spirits Competition

    San Francisco World Spirits Competition

    The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. Founded in 2000, the most influential spirits industry professionals in the United States gather in San Francisco to rank the world’s best spirits San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the only competition of its kind in the United States. The competition receives entries from the best spirits companies worldwide every year, and match that caliber with top-quality judges including Masters of Wine, mixologists, journalists and other industry experts showing consistent and objective evaluation.

    Gold Medal 2008 – La Fée Parisienne 68% abv



    On June 19, the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition announced the winners of the 2009 competition. Multiple reds and a whisky triumphed at the prestigious competition, proving that judges’ palates can be very diverse. The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, in its 70th year, is one of the Top 5 wine competitions in the country.

    An international panel of judges huddled for three days in May to crown the wine winners from

    more than 3,400 diverse entries. An equally qualified team of judges critiqued 199 spirits in early June.

    La Fée Absinthe Parisienne took 3 gold medals and 1 silver – awarded for Graphics, Overall Package, Best of Graphics and was the highest rated absinthe in show.

       


  • Press hone in on La Fee’s Absinthe revival
    The press are again getting excited about absinthe; with the pending repeal of the French 1915 Absinthe Ban – which we all hope will hit the statute book in mid May.

    There has been no shortage of interest in La Fée – with coverage on BBC Radio 4′s Today Programme to the Financial Times to CNN.com.  See below for some highlights and link to our Press Coverage Area.

    Recent Press

    23.04.2011: Financial Times Weekend

    CNN.com (click image for text):

     

    USA Today:


    Forbes:

     

     

    Covered here by Live Trading News…

     

     

    23.04.2011:  Radio France International (click image for full article):


     

    21.04.2011: Imbibe.com – Absinthe ban lifted

     


  • Press Release – A Record Year for Broker’s Gin
    Brokers Gin has been battling the big names in the Premium Gin Category for the past 12 years. Brokers Gin unique approach to natural herbs and spice creating the cleanest tasting Gin and so it is awarded. See Below…

    Broker’s Gin celebrates record year

    - 75% increase and more duty free listings -

     Broker’s Gin grew by well over 75 per cent in 2010, boosted both by new distributors and by winning one of the industry’s major accolades – the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, New York.

    The premium brand saw sales rise to over 21,000 cases (9L equivalent) with the US, Canada, Spain, Russia and Greece taking the lion’s share. 

    During the year the company also laid the ground for future expansion by increasing its global footprint to 40 markets and adding duty free listings in Turkey and Southeast Asia.

    Having gained 9,000 cases in the last year, Broker’s plans to sell more than 30,000 cases in 2011 and consolidate its position as the world’s third fastest growing premium gin brand (after Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick’s), as announced in the IWSR Drinks Record Dec ‘10/Jan ‘11.

    Launched in 1998, Broker’s Gin has succeeded through a combination of word-of-mouth and personal promotion by the owners Andy and Martin Dawson wearing their trademark bowler hats – symbol of its London Dry style and featured on every bottle cap.

    The gin itself is made in small batches, five times distilled in a traditional mini-still.  Its flavour and character are based on a classic 200 year old recipe using ten botanicals.


  • Broker’s Gin takes Chairman’s Trophy in New York’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2010

    Broker’s Gin takes Chairman’s Trophy in New York’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2010

    UK Family Business Wins Top Award for 4th Consecutive Year

    Shepperton, Surrey, England – March 2010

    For the fourth year in a row, a small Shepperton-based company, Broker’s Gin Ltd, has snatched the ultimate accolade from under the noses of the gin-making giants.  This latest award is the spirits equivalent of winning an Oscar in Hollywood.

    Broker’s London Dry Gin was created in 1998 by brothers Martin and Andy Dawson.  Despite being a small family business, Broker’s Gin continues to knock spots off other well-known brands the world over.  With a score of 97 points out of a possible 100, Broker’s is the first gin awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge based in New York.  To win the trophy, Broker’s trumped Tanqueray and Tanqueray Ten, Beefeater and Beefeater 24, Plymouth, Hendrick’s, Citadelle and Citadelle Reserve, and many others.

    “Sue and I were delighted that Broker’s wowed the judging panels.” – Founder, Sue Woodley and Judging Chairman, F Paul Pacult – Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

    “… a world-class product, and at a price that is not insane.  Broker’s makes a simply superlative gin.” Keith Brant Berube, The Well-Dressed Gentleman.

    “This is the best gin I’ve ever had in my life and I’m 61 years old.  I just bought a bottle the other day and I’m ‘converted’.” – Dr David Posner, Rabbi of the world’s largest synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, New York.

    Broker’s Gin is handcrafted in the heart of England. Ten classic gin botanicals, sourced from around the world, are distilled with pure wheat spirit in a traditional copper pot-still, named “Constance”. Broker’s Gin is distilled a total of six times using a recipe over 200 years old.

    Winner of:   2010 – Ultimate Spirits Challenge, USA

                         2009 – International Spirits Competition, Germany

                         2008 – The Gin Masters, UK

                2007 – World Beverage Competition, Switzerland


  • The new Great King Street – Artist’s Blend

    In a world where malt whisky gets all the attention, people often overlook the pleasures of good Blended Scotch. Great King Street will change this. More than just a brand. Gret King Street is a mission, led by Compass Box, to get the whisky world to reconsider the joys of well-made Blended Scotch.


  • La Fee Absinthe To Asia/Pacific Regional Distributor

    PR ANNOUNCEMENT;

    La Fee Absinthe To Asia/Pacific Regional Distributor;

    The LEADING and Best known Global Absinthe to be sold in more Asia/Pacific markets than any other Absinthe. The number one selling Portfolio of Absinthe’s in numerous regional markets.

    *** ( We are looking for Domestic and Duty free Partnerships/Distributors in; FIJI, SAMOA, MALDIVES, INDIA, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, VIETNAM, KOREA & JAPAN.)***

    INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES; La Fee Absinthe is the ONLY ABSINTHE sold On any international in flight Duty Free!

    Virgin Airlines is the only international carrier to sell an Absinthe in-flight.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Their choice is to sell LA FEE PARISIENNE has been successfully selling on-board (duty free) for 8 months.

    Shopping China:               Paraguay / boarder with Brazil

    London Supply:                 Argentina

    Various:                               Caribbean island nations

    Alpha:                                  Florida

    World Duty Free:             14 locations across UK primary main airports [ growth last year 10%+ above other main growth spirits ]

    Dubai Duty Free:              Growing very well

    King Power:                        Thailand (Double digit growth in 2010)

    Two minor Duty Free     Australia

    [ We are in advance discussions for Nuance Australia ]

    LA FEE ABSINTHE WORKS WITH ITS LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR TO GAIN REGIONAL DUTY FREE OPPORTUNITIES; We encourage your offices to approach the local duty free Operator. If you have the opportunity to develop the duty free channel please contact me. We, together, can discuss several related issues to making the SALE; Margins required by DUTY FREE Operator, Type of bottle pack required, Distributors Commission for sales and oversight of local duty free operator.

     


  • Alcoholic Beverage Sales & Marketing Agency

    The Liberty Lighthouse Group (LLG) is an alcoholic beverage sales and marketing Agency. LLG’s key objective is to support its Brand Companies to either establish new brands or to further support established brands throughout Asia/Pacific distribution channels.

    LLG focuses 100% of its energy in developing spirit brands from the Americas and European Union, with the best Asia/Pacific distributors.

    The Spirits brands that LLG represent will offer its regional distributors, retailers and consumers a new perspective (an edge) when selling, promoting, and most importantly drinking their new favorite alcoholic beverage.

    In return, LLG fully expect its regional distributors to be brand builders, to be positive, to be constructive, when developing plans for promotions, addressing sales and resolving any issues in utter professionalism.

    LLG focuses its Sales & Marketing efforts on a market by market basis. In other words: “the Right Brands with the Right Distributors in the Right Market.” EFM.

    Cutting Edge Brands

    • Shake up the Category
    • Offer a unique drinking proposition to its consumers.
    • Offer unique and stylish packaging.
    • Premium quality, new variance, new style, new brands in the Spirits category.
    • Specifically targets ‘A-B’ segment of the Asia/Pacific Populations.
    • Once tasted always remembered.
    • Offers Asian consumers ‘Face‘ amongst their peers.

    Face‘ : An Asian term: addressing a behavior, a form of respect towards others or identifies one’s style, fashion, knowledge, and what is outwardly projected or the products they associate or share.

    Visit http://libertylighthousegroup.com/ for more info


  • Casa Noble Receives a Very Special Recognition from Mexico’s President Vicente Fox Vicente Fox, President of Mexico, gave Casa Noble a very special recognition for its ground breaking performance in the Asian markets, pioneering the way for many more Mexican products into China and other Asian countries. By winning the coveted Special Gold Medal at the most recent Asian World Spirits Competition, Casa Noble Anejo earns a [...]
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