Get Adobe Flash player

Southern Glazer’s Expands Sassenach Spirits Distribution

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is expanding its distribution agreement with Sassenach Spirits, the spirits import company founded by Scottish actor and philanthropist Sam Heughan and American entrepreneur Alex Norouzi.

Inspired by the Scottish Highlands, The Sassenach Spirit Of Home Edition is a collaboration between Master Blender Michael Henry and Heughan. Carefully selected single malts create an ornately balanced blend with a sweet finish.

“Whisky is personal to me,” Heughan said. “It has been part of every moment in celebrating life, my heritage, and my culture. So, this wasn’t just a ‘business opportunity,’ it was the process of creating something very personal and unique that we could share with others. With our first release of The Sassenach, ‘The Spirit of Home’ Edition, we accomplished exactly that! The partnership with Southern Glazer’s is yet another endeavor to celebrate, and I can’t wait to work closely with them in bringing more of my home to consumers.”

The portfolio consists of The Sassenach Scotch Whisky: Spirit of Home Edition. Additionally, the company will launch a high premium Scottish Gin, scheduled to be released in 2023.

“This partnership is critical to the growth of our portfolio,” Norouzi said. “The Southern Glazer’s team brings strong proficiency in both the on- and off-premise markets and we know that the momentum we’ve created so far will be enhanced by their team.”

Sassenach Spirits is part of the Southern Glazer’s Craft Collection Luxury Spirits Division portfolio. The Craft Collection team of industry specialists delivers a differentiated customer experience, with first-hand beverage operations expertise, collaboration, and a thoughtfully curated portfolio.

“We’re pleased to be working with such a professional team,” said Ray Lombard, executive vice president, general manager, Craft Collection Luxury Spirits Division of Southern Glazer’s. “Sam personifies Scotland – his passion for Scotch and collaboration with Michael are truly bringing ‘Scotland in a bottle.’ Sam and Alex have built a formidable brand and we’re excited to be part of the next phase of growth. Our team is also looking forward to helping launch The Sassenach Scottish Gin and create a strong national footprint for the brand.”

For news of interest to the alcoholic beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Potatoes USA Puts Modern Spin on Thanksgiving Staple

Potato and Turkey Pot Pie

Everyone knows it’s not Thanksgiving without potatoes, but most people don’t know how America’s favorite vegetable ended up on our plate for this American holiday. If you’re looking to put a modern twist on your classic Thanksgiving potatoes, Potatoes USA has some fun new recipes to mix things up at your holiday table.

Did you know that potatoes were not on the first Thanksgiving menu in 1621? The Native Americans and Plymouth settlers likely feasted on food like venison, dried fish, eels and a native variety of corn in the form of porridge. We know children across the country are grateful they don’t have to say, “Please pass the eels!”

While the pilgrims may not have had potatoes on their table, researchers from Utah have discovered that Native Americans in the western United States ate wild potatoes nearly 11,000 years ago. But it wasn’t until we were a fledgling nation that potatoes (which had come to Europe via Spanish Conquistadors in South America) started growing toward the popularity they enjoy today.

By the time Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November a “day of Thanksgiving,” potatoes were much loved around the country … and the rest is history!

“It’s no wonder potatoes have become a Thanksgiving staple. They’re easy, affordable and guaranteed to please everybody at your table!” said chef and registered dietician R.J. Harvey, director of culinary at Potatoes USA.

Potatoes also are a nutritional powerhouse. Per serving, they pack more vitamin C than pumpkin, more iron than green beans, and more potassium than sweet potatoes.

“Potatoes don’t have to be your guilty pleasure. They are naturally fat-, cholesterol- and sodium-free, and they’re the type of quality carbohydrate that fuels performance for your family flag football game!” Harvey said.

If you’re looking to take your potatoes up a notch this Thanksgiving, try this delicious recipe for Roasted Fingerlings with Brown Butter, Garlic, and Thyme. Yum!

Looking for a twist on the classic mashed potato recipe? Try Fall Harvest Mashed Potatoes.

Want to throw it all together in one pan? Try this recipe for Sheet Pan Roasted Turkey and Herbed Potatoes. How easy can it get?

Or looking for something to do with all those leftovers? Toss them into crowd-pleasing Potato and Turkey Pot Pie.

For news of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Campbell to Advance Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Campbell Soup Company and Enel North America have made a 12-year virtual renewable power purchase agreement, supporting Campbell’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Campbell will purchase the electricity and the associated renewable energy credits from a 115 megawatt share of Enel’s Seven Cowboy wind project in Oklahoma. The contract is expected to commence in July 2023.

“Improving the sustainability of the agriculture and food value chain is important to Campbell,” said Stewart Lindsay, Campbell’s vice president, corporate responsibility and sustainability. “Reducing emissions is a key part of this work, and the agreement with Enel North America provides a significant step forward in meeting our science-based emissions targets.”

The renewable energy credits retained through the agreement will reduce Campbell’s Scope 2 GHG emissions, enabling the company to make substantial progress toward achieving its science-based target to reduce its combined Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42 percent by fiscal year 2030. Using expected production from Campbell’s portion of the wind project, the renewable electricity is estimated to avoid approximately 191,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year, or the equivalent of approximately 29% of Campbell’s fiscal year 2021 combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“We are proud to support Campbell’s goal to create a more sustainable food system,” said Paolo Romanacci, head of Enel North America’s renewable energy business, Enel Green Power. “This agreement demonstrates how food and beverage companies like Campbell can leverage clean energy solutions to achieve their emissions reduction goals, while also supporting the addition of new renewable energy to the electric grid.”

Located southwest of Oklahoma City, the Seven Cowboy wind project will have 107 turbines that are expected to generate over 1.3 terawatt hours of energy each year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 120,000 U.S. households.

For news of interest in the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.