Recent Comments:
Fortune Brands Breakup Would Put Premium Spirits Brands In Play {Luxist}
Dec 8th 2010 9:58PM Now it's more official. It is apparent that Fortune is going to sell of their brands and probably will have to be broken up between 2 or 3 companies. The value of most will depend on what aquiring companies envision for each brand in their portfolio and how much they are willing to invest.
Rémy Martin Releases First Clear Spirit, V {Luxist}
Aug 28th 2010 10:04AM Intriguing new spirit. Just hope the price point doesn't preclude people trying it.
Medea Vodka's Programmable Bottle {Luxist}
Apr 12th 2010 6:52AM I look forward to trying this vodka.
A little known secret is that a good vodka should only have to be distilled once. If it is distilled more than once means that the raw materials are not of great quality.
Crown Royal Launches Premium "Black" {Luxist}
Apr 11th 2010 10:25AM “is not very dominate here in Texas in bar sales”
That is surprising, because it used to be for its price point.
“the very repugnant image that people have of crown drinkers”
What people? Considering that factually Crown drinkers far outnumber Beam and Jack drinkers I don’t think that matters. If you are talking about the high end vodka and scotch drinkers in Texas, I would agree but they are not in the majority.
“At my hotel bar”
I am not surprised that business travelers will drink whatever they typically drink based on where they come from and certainly does not reflect the state of Texas.
“Diageo just doesnt understand the current bar market or if they are content with having huge brand recognition yet a very specific and often looked down on customer base.”
As you know Crown Royal was created by the old Seagram Company. Diageo acquired the brand when Seagram went out of the beverage business. Diageo is a mammoth British company who now own the largest collection of big name spirits brands. Your statement is dead on in many respects. The consumer market in the U.S. is far different than any other country, but is not seen that way by companies like Diageo. Crown used to have a heavy focus with on-premise but that has changed.
Crown Royal Launches Premium "Black" {Luxist}
Apr 9th 2010 2:17PM “Crown Royal is to whiskey what McDonalds is to food.”
Can you please explain that comparison?
You’re from Lubbock Texas and you said: “many people do not care for the more mellow flavor of Canadians.”
I would certainly understand that statement if you were from New York or Los Angeles, but from the heart of Texas?
First I certainly wouldn’t repeat that at too many gatherings in Texas considering what a dominant brand Crown Royal is there in sales and loyalty for decades.
Also, nationally, Crown Royal is the most profitable brand of spirits and I believe is one of the top 5 or 6 brands in sales. Since the late 1980’s Crown Royal has experienced a dramatic and sustained growth across the country. Based on results, it certainly is a drinking man’s drink.
Tru Blood Beverage For True Fun {Luxist}
Apr 9th 2010 1:50PM $7.50 for a basic fruit drink is too high for average consumption, but I am sure they are not seeking to make this a high volume non-carb player and are doing it for the PR at that high price.
Certainly at 99 calories and 24g of sugar this product cannot claim to be one of the healthier choices either.
But I am sure that fans of the show will be the first to cough up the big bucks for this - but maybe only once.
Crown Royal Launches Premium "Black" {Luxist}
Apr 8th 2010 12:26PM Regarding another Crown Royal line extension, I was having a business lunch and while waiting at the bar for a table I thought I had seen Crown Royal Special Reserve on the back bar but it looked different. I could not read what was ont he label at all. It was Crown Royal Cask 16 which resembles Crown Royal Special Reserve. From the distance of the bar the label should be legable enough to read.
Crown Royal Launches Premium "Black" {Luxist}
Apr 5th 2010 11:37AM Your point that Crown Royal Black should replace the flagship should be disturbing for Diageo. Diageo has been rapidle line-extending Crown Royal in different directions and could cause confusion to loyal Crown Royal drinkers. I also agree that the price is too low for a product like this and could just add to confusion among the different line extensions. It is one thing to strive to maintain interest in among a consumer franchise, but it quite another to throw brand versions at them without them clearly understanding where they fit and make sense.
