Bacardi Limited, Hamilton, Bermuda, announced the completion of a transaction that makes the family-owned company the sole owner of ILEGAL Mezcal, a leading super premium artisanal mezcal. ILEGAL Mezcal is available in Joven, a full-bodied agave flavor with a light smoke; Reposado, aged six months in medium-charred American oak; and Añejo, aged to taste for 13 months using a combination of new and used American oak, medium char barrels. 

Tequila and mezcal are the hot segments in the spirits category thanks to premium offerings, multicultural consumers and innovative cocktails featuring these agave-based spirits.

The distilled spirits sector remained resilient in 2022 despite a challenging external environment, achieving record market share and sales driven by continued consumer interest in premium spirits and the ongoing recovery of the hospitality industry, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) reported at its annual economic briefing for media and analysts.

Lobos 1707 Tequila and Mezcal now are offering the brand’s award-winning Joven and Reposado in 375-ml bottles. Derived from 100% Blue Weber agave plants, harvested and bottled in Jalisco, Mexico, Lobos 1707 originally launched in 2020 with 750-ml bottles. 

Global spirits company Casa Lumbre debuted its Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal in the United States. Made from cultivated Espadín agave, Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal is matured for approximately six months in charred American oak barrels sourced from renowned U.S. whiskey producers, the company says.

Drink Monday, a non-alcohol beverage brand, announced the launch of Monday Mezcal.

New York-based Thirstie announced Thirstie Digital Consumer Insights, an ongoing data intelligence report geared toward online shopping patterns for alcohol consumers. The company released its first report focused on tequila and mezcal finding that single suburbanites make up nearly one third of online category sales with 30.25% share.

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has acquired a minority stake in Dos Hombres, an artisanal and handcrafted mezcal brand created by “Breaking Bad” co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group, and Dos Hombres remains independently owned and will continue to manage, market and produce its award-winning mezcals. 

ZIGNUM Mezcal is debuting packaging created by Quaker City Mercantile. The packaging debuted in duty-free channels last year. 

A Drizly study found nearly half of retailers predicting significantly higher sales this holiday season. Additionally, 78 percent of respondents reported higher online sales since March, and Mezcal is projected to leapfrog the likes of Irish and Japanese whiskies in expectations for growth next year.