September 22, 2025: Whisky Live Paris and other news…
Whisky Live to start on Saturday, Distillerie du Sonneur set to close, Alberta and its local whisky, new law for mezcaleros in Durango, The Craigellachie's new restaurant, Minas Gerais and more...
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Hello everyone!
Here are the most significant news stories I've found for you today. There's a bit of everything, so let's start with France.
Whisky Live Paris is coming
One of Europe’s largest spirits fairs is set to open its doors later this week, running from Saturday, September 27th, to Monday, September 29th. Whisky Magazine France has published an article about what to expect from this event.
You can read it here (no author mentioned):
Distillerie du Sonneur set to close next Tuesday
The French Distillerie du Sonneur, based in Le Mans, is set to cease operations after six years. The distillery announced its closure on its Instagram profile.
News by Margot Garnier on Ouest France:
Eau-de-vie de rillettes, whisky sarthois… La Distillerie du sonneur va fermer ses portes au Mans
And official announcement on Instagram here:
Alberta Gov looking to promote local whisky globally
Dale Nally, MLA for Morinville-St. Albert and Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, is planning to bring Alberta’s whisky to a global stage. The local distilling industry could play a role in attracting tourism and strengthening the national economy.
You can read the article by Jessica Campbell on the local publication Airdrie City News here:
Mexico
Durango Congress approves reform benefiting mezcal producers
The State Congress of Durango has approved an initiative to provide tax support to mezcal producers in Durango. The proposal, presented by local representative for the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party, Sandra Amaya Rosales, reforms the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) Law. With this reform, the tax will no longer be calculated based on the price of the product; instead, it will move towards a model that directly taxes the actual ethanol content of each beverage.
Article by Mario Contreras in El Sol de Durango:
The Craigellachie Hotel to open new fine-dining restaurant
The Speyside hotel, The Craigellachie, has announced the opening of a high-class restaurant. It will be led by chef Pawel Sowa, who joined the company earlier this year after previously working at The Macallan. The restaurant will be named GEAMAIR, which is Gaelic for "gamekeeper" (pronounced Ge-med).
Meanwhile, Scottish distilleries appear to be gradually changing their approach to spirits tourism by opening their own hotels and hospitality venues.
Rosalind Erskine is writing about The Craigellachie Hotel in The Scotsman Food & Drink:
'Oldest and greatest' Highlands whisky hotel to open new restaurant
Something to watch
Dive into Minas Gerais
Mateus Boa Sorte guides us into a journey to Minas Gerais, “cachaça capital”. I thought you might enjoy a video this time. The original language was probably Portuguese, but they used an automatic English translation. Sounds a little robotic, but it works ;)
What is life like in the Brazilian cachaça capital?
That’s all for today.
See you on Wednesday ;)
Cheers!