July 9th, 2025: Trump postponed tariff announcements and other news
It's the tariffs dance again, Highland Park's master whisky maker retires, Heaven Hills Brands new HQ, ASC's new private cask programme, Texan distillers, bar strategy, Indian single malt and more...
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Hello everyone!
No clear announcements about tariffs from the US - just the same story as ever…
Donald Trump postponed his decisions about imported goods tariffs
Some letters from the US government are expected to reach the European Union these days, with other tariff announcements for the rest of the world due on 1st August. It’s the tariffs dance again!
The situation explained in this article by David Lawder, Andrea Shalal and Timothy Aeppel on Reuters:
Trump's tariff deadline delay brings hope, confusion to trade partners, businesses
Distillery news
Highland Park's Gordon Motion retires after 27-year
Edrington has announced the retirement of Highland Park's master whisky maker, Gordon Motion, who will be succeeded by Marc Watson. Watson was former master blender for the Famous Grouse and Naked Malt (these two brands were recently acquired by William Grant & Sons’, you can find 4th July press review here).
Here is the news on Whisky Magazine:
Highland Park's Gordon Motion retires after 27-year whisky career
Heaven Hills Brands opens new headquarters
The Kentucky-based company is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year by inaugurating its new headquarters and refreshing its corporate brand.
News by Henry Mathieu on Global Drinks Intel:
Heaven Hill Brands opens new US HQ amid ‘corporate brand refresh’
ASC launches private cask programme
After launching its Vietnamese branch (see 18th June press review here), Artisanal Spirits Company has presented its Artisan Cask programme. According to Arabella Mileham’s article in The Drinks Business, all casks will be at least 20 years old, including some from distilleries like Laphroaig, Macallan, Mortlach and Bowmore, priced between £50,000 and £600,000.
Artisanal Spirits Company unveils luxury private cask programme
Texan distillers raising funds after flooding in Texas Hill Country
After a terrible flood struck central and southern parts of the country, Treaty Oak, Garrison Brothers and Milam & Greene are collecting donations and supplies for the local communities.
Article here by Ted Simmons on The Spirits Business
In case you want to see what they are doing, I’m pasting the links to their Instagram accounts here for you:
Treaty Oak | Garrison Brothers | Milam & Greene
Bars
How to make a bar work
Lauren Bowes has written an interesting article about the bar industry for The Spirits Business. She reports on a panel discussion from this year’s BCB London concerning the ingredients of a successful bar management strategy, and I find it useful reading these days.
Something to read
India’s rising single malt whisky
Joseph V Micallef wrote an article on Forbes, and I suggest you read it if you are looking for an overview of the Indian production.
That’s all for today.
I will see you on Friday. Meanwhile I will keep an eye on the tariffs dance for you ;)