Tulleeho Alcobev Newsletter #16 - Feb, 2006
Newsletter
A request: All liquor marketers are requested to forward copies of press releases relating to their company / brands. We can be reached @ news@tulleeho.com

Rumours
The upcoming budget is expected to remove the provision for duty free imports of alcohol by hotels, but is also expected to decrease counter vailing duties on liquor imports.

What's in a name? - Radico Khaitan
Almost a decade ago, Lalit Khaitan split from his family and walked away with the prize Rampur Distillery. Hence the name Radico (from Rampur Distillery).

On with the news..



Launches
Glen Drummond launches its 8 yo in Delhi and in other cities launches 1 more age statement, the 12 yo as well as GD Blue which is a young Malt.. CL WorldBrands Ltd launch Scottish Leader blended whisky in North India as well as Zafarrancho (a 100% Blue agave tequila)... Pernod is believed to be planning the launch of a wine and a vodka ...Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas (SCC) of Portugal launches Sagres Beer in Goa. SCC's parent S&N is a joint venture partner with UB in India.

Excise policy change in Chandigarh
Liquor companies heave a sigh of relief as the Chandigarh administration will now sell licenses for opening retail shops, rather than the earlier auction system, which had led to a monopoly situation and inflated prices. Reports suggest that other northern states may also shift to the license system.

Foster's in expansion talks
Foster's has reportedly begun talks with Crown Breweries in Andhra Pradesh in order to establish a bottling operation in this massive beer market.

Delhi High Court allows women to be bartenders
In a pathbreaking decision, the Delhi High Court has allowed women to be bartenders, in response to a petition filed by the Hotel Association of India. Some bars in Delhi have already taken the initiative and begun using female bartenders, but there is still ambiguity as the model excise act for Delhi which is currently being framed does not seem to reflect the High Court's verdict.



Smirnoff launches lime flavored vodka in US
Smirnoff is extending its flavored vodka range, called Smirnoff Twist with the launch of a new lime flavor.

Toffee - new vodka flavour on the block
February will see the official launch of Thunder toffee vodka into UK pubs. It's made from triple distilled grain vodka and toffee syrup. What will they think of next?

Diageo opens Asian HQ
Diageo opened its Asian headquarters in Singapore as it looks to gather its regional operations under one roof. John Pollaers will head Diageo’s operations in Asia

Khukri rum launches in US
Khukri Rum from Nepal will be available in the US in a 375-ml dagger-shaped bottle through Liquid Treasure Imports, the importer said yesterday. The rum is distilled in column stills and aged for at least eight months in oak vats.

Vodka shortage in Russia!
A new Russian law stipulating that every distillery must have computerised equipment for measuring alcohol levels has resulted in most distilleries forced to stop production.

Guinness to launch light variant
Guinness is to trial a mid-strength version of its beer in Ireland which, if successful, may soon appear in the UK. Diageo said the new variant will be @ at 2.8% proof as opposed to 4.2% for its cousin.

Pernod sells brands to Campari
Pernod Ricard has sold Glen Grant single malt and the Old Smuggler and Braemar Scotch whisky brands to Campari. Given the increasing interest Campari is showing in the Indian market (David Mouchel, Regional Director - Asia Pacific, makes another trip to India on the 24th), can one expect to see these brands here?

Brand revamp for Jim Beam
Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, the spirits division of the US's Fortune Brands, has announced a new brand name Beam Global Spirits and Wine. This follows the acquisition of several former of several former Allied Domecq brands from Pernod Ricard.

Tiger Beer relaunches in UK
Tiger Beer is to promote a "pan-Asian" image in its relaunch. The relaunch will see a new packaging.

Obituary
Sidney Frank, aged 86. He made a fortune marketing Jagermeister and Grey Goose (sold to Bacardi in a multi-billion dollar deal!).

Frank's initial success in the liquor industry came through Jagermeister, a licorice-flavored liqueur. His audacious sales techniques included sending models to bars to persuade college-age students to buy the drink often by offering free shots administered with a spray gun.

Books
We finally have not one,but two books on Indian wines. The first is by Magandeep Singh, published by Penguin India - Wine Wisdom : Buying & Drinking Wine in India - available in the Tulleeho Shop http://www.tulleeho.com/shop and the second is by Dr. Aakash Singh Rathore. published by Roli Books.

Trivia
Diageo used to purchase the Irish whiskey they required to make Bailey's from Pernod (Bushmill's). Now with the brand rejig, Bushmill's forms part of the Diageo fold and makes their life easier (one hopes!)

Workshops
Tulleeho runs 'Brewing for non Brewers', a beer appreciation workshop for the trade, sponsored by Tiger Beer - New Delhi, March 6th. Tulleeho Wine Experience - Day long basic wine appreciation workshop - http://www.tulleeho.com/wineworkshop - New Delhi, February 26th

Beverage Business Directory
The Tulleeho Business Directory, a first of its kind online business directory for the alcoholic beverage industry and related sectors. To sign up for your free profile log on to http://www.tulleeho.com/bizdir

About Tulleeho
Still don't know what we do! Tulleeho is a marketing and technology services provider for the alcoholic beverage and related sectors. To know more about what we do log on to http://www.tulleeho.com/about_us.asp
Tull-ee-ho! : A combination of the old hunting cry Tally Ho! and the colloquial Hindi word "tullee" (used both as verb and noun, and signifying a state of inebriation).
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