June 23rd, 2025: Something about Gen Z and other news
Understanding Gen Z, UK alcohol-free consumers, Durango mezcaleros, La Réunion and Cyclone Garance, Ardgowan distillery opens, Smirnoff Ice new campaign, Spanish whisky and more...
Hello everyone!
Here's some news to start the week.
Talking about Gen Z
Simon Harvey is interviewed Alex Rosenthal, director at consumer investment fund Verlinvest, about young consumers on Just Drinks. Here is what he said:
Gen Z opportunity explained – industry experts on brand loyalty to authenticity and health
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48% of UK adults now regularly enjoy alcohol-free products
Club Soda has published its Drinks for Everyone 2025 report based on a survey by Opinium of 2,000 UK adults. Article by Georgie Collins on The Drinks Business:
Club Soda is a non alcoholic drinks retailer, they even sell you courses about how to rethink your drinking habits (that’s very smart if you think of how cheap it is, compared to a good psychologist).
Ok, now read the whole article, not just the first lines and think carefully about it. Send me your thoughts, if you like. My first thought was: the report says that 48% of UK adults regularly enjoy non-alcoholic drinks. Well, who does not? (am I too biased in this case?)
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Durango mezcal producers are still on the news
Do you remember that news about the initiative to exempt Durango’s artisanal and ancestral producers from taxes? (June 11th press review here, just to remind you) It looks like Durango mezcaleros are still making some noise on the media. I’m trying to keep an eye on that. Here is what I found these days:
Requieren de esquema funcional para la producción de mezcal en Durango
(by Gilberto Lastra Guerrero on Milenio)
Productores de mezcal artesanal el eslabón más débil de la cadena
(by Erika Uribe on El Sol de Durango)
Mezcaleros de la zona indígena de Mezquital se purifican para producir
(by Saúl Maldonado on El Siglo de Durango)
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La Réunion will produce less rhum due to Cyclone Garance
Producers on the island are counting the damages caused by the storm that hit in the end of February. Article on Marine & Océans:
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Company news
Ardgowan distillery opens in Inverkip
A new distillery has been officially opened in Scotland’s Lowlands, after eight years and a £25m investment. Brian Donnelly is giving the news on The Herald:
Distillery website here, in case you are curious ;)
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Ahascragh adopts digital management system for transparency and traceability
I wonder if this article is sponsored by the system provider, Proof 8, but I thought the news may be interesting for those of you owning or working at a distillery. Article by Miona Madsen on The Spirits Business:
I think this kind of systems are not new for the spirits industry. I’d like to have your feedback about this. How is the industry currently using this kind of systems? I’d like to get some updates from you, thanks!
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Eyes on RTD
Smirnoff Ice launches new campaign with McCann New York
I’m suggesting this reading because of the characteristics of this campaign and because advertising always tell us something about society, especially when it has a large target (and if it is developed by a big multinational adv agency). Smirnoff Ice is focusing on imperfection and irreverence. I find it very interesting to read about it, thinking of their target consumer (probably, but not necessarily young). Article by Georgie Collins on The Spirits Business:
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Something to read.
Have you ever heard of Spanish Whisky?
There is an article about it by Felipe Schrieberg on Forbes:
Have you ever tasted some Spanish whisky? I haven’t, I’ve just read of it so far. It was nice to discover some new names in the article.
By the way, some advice: go directly to the “What are Spanish Whisky Distilleries Producing Today?” paragraph and avoid the author’s self-promotion, you don’t really need that ;)
That’s all for today!
See you on Wednesday! :)