Booze News Weekly Roundup: California Launches Investigation into Southern Glazer’s, Maker’s Mark Launches New Collection, and More
This is VinePair’s Booze News Weekly Roundup, where we gather the hottest headlines and product releases every Friday for a snapshot of what’s happening in the beverage alcohol industry. It was a quiet week on the news front, but as we gear up for gifting season, there are a ton of new product drops. We have updates on Southern Glazer’s bribery snafu, OpenTable’s 2026 restaurant report, and the latest releases.
News to know:
California state officials step in on Southern’s bribery scandal: After Southern Glazer’s entered a non-prosecution agreement and paid $12.5 million to settle its yearslong bribery case with the Department of Justice and the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau, California state regulators are now pursuing their own investigation on the nation’s largest alcohol distributor. A state official told the San Francisco Chronicle that it intends to determine whether the distributor’s wrongdoings caused harm to small retailers and consumers.
Average spend at restaurants rises: According to this year’s OpenTable Restaurant Impact Report, the average per-person restaurant spend was $60 in the last 12 months, up 3 percent year-over-year. The report also found that the food service industry is slated to reach $1.55 billion in total sales for 2026, which would mark a nearly 5 percent jump from last year.
Carlsberg intends to close an English brewery: The U.K. subsidiary of Carlsberg announced its plans to close Marton’s Brewery in Burton on Trent next summer. The termination is expected to affect over 300 workers. Production for some of the brands such as Hobgoblin and McEwan’s will shift elsewhere and remain in the Carlsberg portfolio, whereas the company plans on shopping around other brands currently under its purview.
Product releases to watch:
Maker’s Mark rings in new collection with Mizurana-finished whiskey: The brand debuted a World Wood Collection, a new lineup exclusive to Global Travel Retail locations, with the release of Expedition 01, a Japanese Mizurana oak-finished bourbon. The rest of the limited-edition series will feature different cask finishes with wood from around the world. The first edition is now available at select airports in New York City, London, Istanbul, Perth, and Bengaluru for a suggested retail price of $84.99.
Meiomi Wines rolls out a new white blend: The California winery, best known for its Pinot Noir, introduced Meiomi Blanc, a blend of unoaked Chardonnay, Viognier, and Malvasia primarily sourced from plots in the Central Coast. The blend is now available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $20.99.
Russel’s Reserve expands Single Rickhouse series: The fifth iteration of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse collection is a bourbon from Camp Nelson D, the highest elevation aging site at the Wild Turkey Distillery, where the brand’s liquid is produced. The cask-strength bourbon comes in at 120.8 proof and is now available for a suggested retail price of $300.
Copper & Cask’s first permanent release is a 10-year-old bourbon: The label debuted Copper & Cask X, a blended, barrel-proof bourbon aged for 10 years, as its first permanent whiskey. The bourbon will be available at select retailers beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $69.99.
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