December 5, 2025: New limits to overexploitation of Potosino agave, and other news
Agave limits, Puebla's goals, Ocho Tequila, US spirits, Diageo in Ontario, UK on-trade business rates, Armagnac, spirits in Bangladesh and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry tbrought to you by Eugenia Torelli, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:
Hello everyone!
Here are the most significant news I selected this week from the spirits world.
There is a bit of everything, from Mexico to the US, then the UK, France (Armagnac, this time!) and Bangladesh (?!).
Enjoy.
Mexico
San Louis Potosí sets limits to agave harvest
A reform to the Mezcal Law, suggested by Deputy Dulcelina Sánchez de Lira, aims to guarantee that the extraction of agave does not exceed its capacity for natural regeneration, nor compromise the biodiversity of the semi-arid Potosino ecosystem. The initiative seeks to avoid the overexploitation of maguey, specifically the Agave Salmiana species, which predominates in San Luis Potosí.
Article by Raymundo Rocha in El Sol de San Luis:
Diputada presentó iniciativa para proteger el maguey potosino
Puebla sets goal to double mezcal production in six years
Puebla will close the year with a production of one million litres of mezcal, and the goal is to double that figure by the end of the six-year term. This was highlighted by Ana Laura Altamirano Pérez, Secretary of Rural Development, who added that currently only 70 of the 300 local brands already have labels and registrations required for marketing.
News here by Mayra Flores in El Sol de Puebla:
Puebla fija meta de 2 millones de litros de mezcal para finalizar el sexenio
Just a comment: there is a lot of communication about mezcal from Puebla in the news these days. It looks like local politicians are pushing it in search for consensus.
Ocho Tequila expands production
Heaven Hill Brands-owned Ocho Tequila has resumed production at its former headquarters, La Alteña (not far from the current Los Alambiques). This will provide more space to expand production while maintaining its quality standards.
News by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
US
Spirits sales in control states declined in October
According to the latest data release by The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), spirits sales across all control states declined by 0.8% in volumes and by 2.1% in value in October, compared to September.
The NABCA represents 18 states that directly control the distribution and sale of alcohol within their borders: Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, along with Montgomery County, Maryland.
Article by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
AWA eyes new markets for growth potential
According to an interview released by The American Whiskey Association’s (AWA) president, Michael Bilello to The Spirits Business, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America appear to be the next targets for American whiskey. They all have “rapidly expanding middle-class consumer bases actively seeking premium spirits with depth and authenticity, exactly where American whiskey excels,” he stated. However, Biello noted that there are still some global barriers, like “tariffs, regulatory inconsistencies, labelling mandates and a lack of product recognition in critical markets like India.”
You can read the article by Rupert Hohwieler here:
Kentucky-based Luca Mariano Distillery filed for bankruptcy
Following its parent firm LMD Holdings filing for bankruptcy in July, the Danville-based Luca Mariano Distillery is now taking the same steps. The reason appears to be excessive debts owed to suppliers, equipment companies, utilities, and state tax agencies.
Article by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
Canada
Diageo and local union reached agreement over Crown Royal in Ontario
The global firm Diageo have agreed a deal with Unifor, the local union for workers at Crown Royal, after the closure announced in August.
You can read more details in Jordan Ercit’s article in the Toronto Sun:
Crown Royal plant closure agreement ‘best possible outcome’ for workers: Union
UK rates relief for hospitality to be abolished by April 2026
According to the trade body UKHospitality, on-trade business rates in the UK may jump up by 76% by 2028, if the Government does not introduce a permanently lower tax rate. The business rates relief for hospitality that was introduced during the pandemic is due to be removed in April 2026.
Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:
France
Frost, hail and drought caused a lower production in Armagnac, but national consumption rose in 2024
The Bureau national interprofessionnel de l’armagnac (BNIA) has announced a lower harvest this year, due to adverse weather condition, specifically frost, hail, and summer drought, which reduced the grapes yield. The good news is that consumption in France grew by 8% in 2024.
Short news here in Les Annonces Landaises (no author mentioned):
Oceania
Australia-based Alchemy Distillers acquires non-alcoholic spirits producer
Alchemy Distillers has acquired the local non-alcoholic spirits maker Banks Botanicals for an undisclosed sum.
News by Cody Profaca in Drinks Trade:
Banks Botanical eyes global growth under new owner Alchemy Distillers
Something to read
The curious rise of spirits in Bangladesh
Despite its predominant religion, Bangladesh appears to be experiencing a growth in alcohol production. Carew and Co., the only legal alcol distributor in the country, has seen its revenue increasing in the last year.
You can read the article on Le Figaro here (no author mentioned):
That’s all for today, or for this week, let’s say.
I wish you a great weekend, and don’t forget to leave your comments or send me messages if you have any news or opinion you’re willing to share.
Plus, there is a chat you can use:
Cheers!