LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Casa Noble Tequila is looking to 2012 as a year of new beginnings. With a series of promotions and events, the organic tequila company has set its eyes on new markets and campaigns for 2012. Casa Noble will see changes to its social media platforms including regular updates on the company’s Facebook and website, as well as the addition of a newsletter, previously reserved for the beverage industry, which will soon be available to fans who sign up at www.casanoble.com. Alongside these changes, Casa Noble will release a new ad campaign featuring the newest edition to the Casa Noble family, Carlos Santana. The Casa Noble mobile app – available on iPhone with the Android platform coming soon – will also get a face lift with the inclusion of cocktail recipes and featured dishes that pair with the tequila in new and innovative ways. Soon to be announced promotions around the United States will bring new eyes and fans to the long celebrated brand.

Casa Noble CEO Jose Hermosillo said, “Casa Noble has been growing exponentially, even in such a competitive market with the large multi-national companies that invest millions in advertising, and so many non-industry newcomers with deep pockets who have found the tequila business so appealing. I believe our commitment to quality and the attention to every detail is key to Casa Noble, which has made tequila fans and high quality spirit aficionados take notice.”

2011 proved to be a milestone year for Casa Noble when BusinessWeek, who previously named Casa Noble as one of the “World’s Best-Tasting Tequilas,” gave the brand’s Reposado top marks – 5/5 stars – in their December 2011 issue, putting it above all others in the taste test. Another highlight of 2011 was the addition of music icon Carlos Santana who joined the board and came on as one of the owners of the company. This exciting change to the organization allows Santana to be involved in the continued development of the brand which is already recognized as one of the finest handcrafted spirits in the world.

Hermosillo, commenting on the shared long-term commitment to the continued growth of the brand, said, “With Carlos becoming a part of the family last year, we see 2012 as a chance to position Casa Noble as the ultra-premium tequila of choice, we are very excited to see what is ahead.”

A renowned boutique distillery, Casa Noble represents the pride, passion, and quality commitment of more than 200 years and over 7 generations of tequila production. The Casa Noble family of Single Estate Organic tequilas — Crystal, Reposado, and Anejo — has a rich history that has earned them a position as one of the finest ultra premium spirits portfolios in the world. Casa Noble’s handcrafted tequilas are exported to over 23 countries worldwide and currently available in premium retail outlets, exclusive restaurants, distinguished bars and lounges and destination hotels Nationwide in the U.S.

Casa Noble is produced on a family owned distillery that can trace its roots back to 1776 along the hillsides of Jalisco, Mexico surrounded by citrus and mango trees, which are integral to the tequila’s unique taste profile. The tequila is harvested, distilled and bottled on the private family estate that boasts over 6,500 acres of land and more than one million blue agave plants.

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of events and promotions over the next few months.

For more information, visit www.casanoble.com.

That is complemented by our Packaging; Gem like bottles that is wrapped in elegant tissue paper and packed in an elegant purple Gift Boxes.

Amor y Amargo is the place to get geeky about bitters, the distilled herbs, peels and spices that give cocktails their oomph.

The East Village bar is a bit of a pivot for Ravi DeRossi, who runs next-door hotspots Death & Co. and Cienfuegos, among others. The bar is half cocktail den and half storefront. For the drinks, recent standouts include the A L’Ancienne, with cognac and mole bitters ($14), and the cola-tasting Redemption, made with Jägermeister and Laird’s Applejack ($12).

The store is stocked by partner Avery Glasser, the proprietor of bitters distillery Bittermens. If you like the bitters at the bar, you can take some home with bartending equipment. (The bar hosts classes, too.)

To be sure, this is a tiny niche bar for people who want to focus on bitters and amari liqueurs for a night. “I think if we had 50-plus seats we would have gone out of business by now,” says Mr. DeRossi. “This venue allows us to be extremely interactive with our clientele.”

—Melanie Grayce West

Amor y Amargo, 443 E. Sixth St. at Avenue A, opens daily at 5 p.m.; 212-614-6817.

Link via:  The Wall Street Journal | New York Food

Broker’s Gin celebrates record year

- 75% increase and more duty free listings -

 Broker’s Gin grew by well over 75 per cent in 2010, boosted both by new distributors and by winning one of the industry’s major accolades – the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, New York.

The premium brand saw sales rise to over 21,000 cases (9L equivalent) with the US, Canada, Spain, Russia and Greece taking the lion’s share. 

During the year the company also laid the ground for future expansion by increasing its global footprint to 40 markets and adding duty free listings in Turkey and Southeast Asia.

Having gained 9,000 cases in the last year, Broker’s plans to sell more than 30,000 cases in 2011 and consolidate its position as the world’s third fastest growing premium gin brand (after Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick’s), as announced in the IWSR Drinks Record Dec ‘10/Jan ‘11.

Launched in 1998, Broker’s Gin has succeeded through a combination of word-of-mouth and personal promotion by the owners Andy and Martin Dawson wearing their trademark bowler hats – symbol of its London Dry style and featured on every bottle cap.

The gin itself is made in small batches, five times distilled in a traditional mini-still.  Its flavour and character are based on a classic 200 year old recipe using ten botanicals.

UK Family Business Wins Top Award for 4th Consecutive Year

Shepperton, Surrey, England – March 2010

For the fourth year in a row, a small Shepperton-based company, Broker’s Gin Ltd, has snatched the ultimate accolade from under the noses of the gin-making giants.  This latest award is the spirits equivalent of winning an Oscar in Hollywood.

Broker’s London Dry Gin was created in 1998 by brothers Martin and Andy Dawson.  Despite being a small family business, Broker’s Gin continues to knock spots off other well-known brands the world over.  With a score of 97 points out of a possible 100, Broker’s is the first gin awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge based in New York.  To win the trophy, Broker’s trumped Tanqueray and Tanqueray Ten, Beefeater and Beefeater 24, Plymouth, Hendrick’s, Citadelle and Citadelle Reserve, and many others.

“Sue and I were delighted that Broker’s wowed the judging panels.” – Founder, Sue Woodley and Judging Chairman, F Paul Pacult – Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

“… a world-class product, and at a price that is not insane.  Broker’s makes a simply superlative gin.” – Keith Brant Berube, The Well-Dressed Gentleman.

“This is the best gin I’ve ever had in my life and I’m 61 years old.  I just bought a bottle the other day and I’m ‘converted’.” – Dr David Posner, Rabbi of the world’s largest synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, New York.

Broker’s Gin is handcrafted in the heart of England. Ten classic gin botanicals, sourced from around the world, are distilled with pure wheat spirit in a traditional copper pot-still, named “Constance”. Broker’s Gin is distilled a total of six times using a recipe over 200 years old.

Winner of:   2010 – Ultimate Spirits Challenge, USA

                     2009 – International Spirits Competition, Germany

                     2008 – The Gin Masters, UK

            2007 – World Beverage Competition, Switzerland

In the event organized by Bancomext (Mexican National Commerce Bank) more than 250 Asian and Mexican businessman attended, including such notables as President Fox, the Ambassador to China in Mexico, Mr. Ren Jingyu, Secretary of Economy Mr. Fernando Canales and Bancomext President Hector Reyes Retana.

A total of sixteen companies were given a special award that recognizes Mexican entrepreneurs whose groundbreaking work is opening doors to new borders and markets. Mr. Carlos Hernandez, President of Casa Noble Tequila received from the hands of Mexican President this singular honor, as Casa Noble became the only boutique distillery to receive such award ever.

With trade to China from Mexico estimated to reach 200 billion dollars this Year, the potential for tequila in Asia looks extremely attractive, and with the outstanding leadership in branding and marketing strategies, Casa Noble stands out as a definitive leader once again.

Classic Absinthe Cocktails

Morning Glory Fizz

45ml Blended Scotch whiskey

15ml  LA FEE Absinthe

15ml Lime juice

10ml Lemon juice

2tsp Castor sugar

1 Egg white

Syphon selters or vichy water to top

Add all ingredients except syphon selters to your mixing glass. Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify egg white. Add cracked ice and shake briskly. Strain into a highball glass and top with sparkling water. Consume immediately.

Adapted from Harry Johnson’s New and Improved Bartender’s Manual, 1934 Revised Edition

Death in the Afternoon

15ml La Fée Absinthe Parisenne

Moet et Chandon Brut NV Champagne

Pour absinthe into a Champagne saucer. Top with Champagne.

Monkey Gland

45ml Dry Gin

45ml Orange juice

5ml Grenadine

5ml LA FEE ABSINTHEt

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Adapted from Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, 2004 Edition

Tinkerbell’s Demise

30ml LA FEE BOHEMIAN Absinth

10ml Parfait Amour

15ml Rosemary gomme

30ml Lemon juice

Egg White

1cm Rosemary sprig

Press Rosemary leaves and Rosemary gomme in the base of a mixing glass. Add other ingredients and dry shake to emulsify egg white. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into a Champagne flute and garnish with a seamless maraschino cherry.

Geoff Fewell, Pelagic Bar & Dining, Canberra

Van Gogh Treacle

40ml Junipero gin

30ml LA FEE PARISENNE 75% abv

2 Dashes Peychaud’s

2 Barspoons demerara sugar syrup

15ml Cloudy apple juice

Stir over hand cracked ice. Garnish with an apple ear.

Reece Griffiths, Victoria Room, Sydney

Mouse Rinth

30ml Rittenhouse 100 proof straight rye whiskey

30ml LA FEE absinthe

3 Dashes Fee Brothers orange bitters

20ml passionfruit pulp

1 egg white

Shake two ways and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with half a dried apricot soaked in house spiced rum. Smear around rim of cocktail glass and fold over rim as garnish.

Lee Potter Cavanagh, Victoria Room, Sydney

A new Decade has brought a new starts for Liberty Lighthouse Group.

Most of you know me from the Liberty Lighthouse Group company. Liberty Lighthouse Group was established on March 17, 2000. As we enter our second decade of doing business we are not celebrating but preparing ourselves for what we believe will be a far better decade for the ASIA PACIFIC REGION and our Brand Companies. In preparing ourselves, I decided to take on a partner Noni MANGUBAT, revamp our web site and the re-introduction of Oceanus AP web site and business.

Noni Mangubat - Partner: we’ve worked together for 12 years in the Philippines with Premier Wines and Spirits Distribution Company. My trust in Noni came in the early days with his hard work ethic, friendly approach to doing business and his ease in making people understand and want to work with him. Noni managed his career on a successful path in his many roles; financial roles for companies, CPA, General Manager of Duty Free for Premier, while always setting specific objectives that were resulted oriented.  Now, we did not have a winning year every year, in the Philippines, but I noticed that even in hard times his colleagues and clients always turned to him for guidance. I credit Noni in guiding and setting up OCEANUS AP.  Noni’s role will develop over time to where you count on him as much as I do. Noni is keen to know each of you and will do so by offering immediate help on Issues, Conduct Trainings, and Market visits to offer his Support and Advice from our brand Companies to You.

Brand Company’s : We want to thank all the Brand Companies that started with us since 2000 and that are still with us today; THANK YOU!

10 Years Working Together

Compass Box Whisky; the finest range of Scotch whisky - bar none.  Yes, it happens to be my personal Scotch range of Malt and Blended Whiskies that Global Whisky Critics all APPLAUD!

Compass Box Whisky, is hand crafted that is guarded with care. Resulting in winning every major award available and noted as the WHISKY INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR for past several years by the WHISKY MAGAZINE.

Brokers Gin; the finest premium Gin in the category….ok, I might be a bit prejudice but I am backed up by ULTIMATE SPRITIS CHALLENGER, IWSC, Chicago Beverage Institute, GIN MASTERS, and the CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY this year….

McCormick’s Distillery; America’s oldest operating distillery since 1856. McCormick’s Distillery is known as America’s ”FRIENDLY PRICED SPIRITS”, where our Motto is Premium does not have to mean Expensive.

Thanks to La Fee for trusting us with their forbidden spirit over the past 3 years.

La Fee is not the easiest brand too to explain, in the beginning, but with its excellent reputation as being the best in the category. La Fee Absinthe is now the leading selling Absinthe in the Asia Pacific region! La Fee Absinthe is truly unique brand that will become big as markets relax their drinking laws for Absinthe. LA FEE was the first real Absinthe to launch in America in 2009 to thunderous support from the trade and eager consumers!

Janneau Armagnac; the highest rated, most awarded and largest selling Armagnac in the world. No more need to be said!

Our New Partners for 2010

Casa Noble 100% Blue Agave Tequila is always rated in the top 5 brands in each category for its taste, quality and overall the best example of a Premium quality TEQUILA. CASA NOBLE was voted the TEQUILA OF THE DECADE by the Master Blenders of Tequila. And recently was the drink of choices by President Obama and Pres. Calderon (Mexico) at the White House.

Van Gogh Vodka Is known as the very best Premium Flavored Vodka in the World.

As well as the Purest of Pure Vodka’s in the Category.

With the highest rated flavored vodka company bare NONE! Van Gogh Vodka’s infused flavored vodka’s are truly hand crafted in the Dutch Style of making the best of the best!

* For both companies it’s their first serious entrance into the Asia/Pacific region and already they are being embraced by you, distributors.

WEBSITE UPDATES; Liberty Lighthouse Group and Oceanus AP web site:

We have revamped your web sites with New Images, Stories, Newspaper Links, You Tube Video’s, additional Categories, added a Great Library for Distributors/Brand Companies under Links,  a Consultancy section and overall clean out the old for the new.

PLUS; added a NEW LANGUAGE BAR to the site; just click the Google Translator Bar and select your language of choice.

Asian

Chinese Mandarin

Chinese Cantonese

Korean

Thai

Filipino

Japanese

Vietnamese

Indonesian

Maly

Middle East

Hindi

Arabic

Persian

Yiddish

Hebrew

European

English

French

German

Dutch

Italian

Lastly; Thank you, to our distributors for your trust and business over the years.

Cheers,

Edward F. McDonnell Jr.

Liberty Lighthouse Group & Oceanus AP
3561 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA, 94920
USA/Philippines/Singapore
Tel: +1-415-435-2056 Fax: +1-415-435-3028
www.libertylighthousegroup.com
www.oceanusap.com
Skype: ted.mcdonnell.1