This year’s spirits news was full of big names and bold moves: warring tequilas, sudden closures, celebrities popping in and out of the industry, and even an intern blowing things up. You read ‘em, we ranked ‘em. Here’s a preview of this year’s top 10 spirit stories: #9 🔨 Smashing Success If we skip right to the end of this fun marketing success story, non-alc cocktail Mixoloshe gets a new name, SMASHD, that pays homage to its viral social media campaign that amassed over 120 million views and gained the brand a half million followers on Instagram. But that skips over the best part – an intern gleefully taking a baseball bat to one of the company’s cocktails. To say the least, this one was a hit. #7 🥊 Industry Vets Ready for ‘Round 2’ Being a billionaire certainly helps, but businessman John Paul DeJoria is bringing more than just that to his new Texas-based company Round 2 Spirits; as the co-founder of Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell hair products, he’s got a track record that beckons well for his new venture – even more so when considering he’s teaming with an experienced team of former leaders from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. As reflected by the launch story’s popularity, BevNET readers apparently agree. #4 🇫🇮 Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners Backs The Finnish Long Drink This has been kind of a big year for hip-hop legends entering the spirits game (see below), but Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) didn’t make it about him when investing in fast-rising RTD brand The Finnish Long Drink back in May via Marcy Venture Partners, the firm he co-founded alongside RocNation CEO Jay Brown and investor Larry Marcus. He may be in the conversation as rap’s G.O.A.T., but the multi-Grammy Award winner isn’t expected to be splashed across promos for the brand, which also counts “Top Gun: Maverick” actor Miles Teller, DJ Kygo and professional golfer Rickie Fowler as backers. #2 🎤 Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Launch Gin & Juice RTD Some 30 years after first topping the charts, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre returned with a much-awaited new album this month, but the West Coast rap legends had already put together a prolific year long before then. The duo made noise in February by announcing their first joint foray into beverage with a ready-to-drink collaboration inspired by Snoop’s iconic Dre-produced single “Gin & Juice.” The drink was the first release from Dre & Snoop, a new premium spirits company led by founders of On The Rocks cocktails. Drawing more inspiration from the artists’ musical collaborations, the brand has since followed with Still G.I.N. on the promise of a coming U.S. ‘gin-aissance.’ What story made the top-slot? Click here to read the full list on BevNET. | 
