Pernod Ricard USA announces arrival of J.P. Wiser North American whisky to US market

Nevin Barich

NEW YORK , December 18, 2013 (press release) – Pernod Ricard USA, producer of premium spirits and wines, announces the arrival of J.P.Wiser’s® premium North American Whisky to the U.S. market. Just recently, J.P Wiser’s Rye, J.P Wiser’s Spiced, J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe and J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old arrived at retail and on-premise outlets throughout the country, and while new to the U.S., Wiser’s, born in 1857, has a long and storied history forged on an uncompromising commitment to quality.

“Based on current market and category dynamics, we believe now is the perfect time to bring J.P. Wiser’s to American consumers,” said Paul Di Vito, Vice President, Category Marketing, Irish & North American Whiskey, Pernod Ricard USA. “The whisky segment is enjoying a renaissance, contributing 49% of the volume growth of total spirits. North American whisky represents 61% of total whisky volume and is growing 11%, driven by new styles and flavor innovations. Within the North American segment, Rye whisky is on fire, growing at 52% in volume and 88% in value – the fastest growing segment within total whisky. Last but not least, flavored whisky is growing faster than all other flavored categories and ten times the rate of flavored spirits. There is no brand better positioned to capitalize on this phenomenal growth than J.P. Wiser’s North American Whisky.”

J.P. Wiser’s is produced the same way it was over 150 years ago when J.P. himself opened the distillery in 1857. A perfectionist and a visionary, J.P. Wiser was one of the original North American whisky barons and was instrumental in crafting and perfecting column distillation to create a smooth and pure whisky. Today, Wiser’s whisky is distilled in a single copper column using only the highest quality grains grown in the Northern climate. The distillate is then finished in hand selected white oak barrels to intensify its character and flavor.

The result is four premium whiskies, each with its own distinct style:

J.P. Wiser’s Rye (40% ABV/80 proof) is a rich amber colored blend with a complex combination of caramel, honeycomb toffee, vanilla and dried fruits on the nose leading to a full bodied, bold and balanced taste of roasted rye spices on the palate.

J.P. Wiser’s Spiced (43% ABV/86 proof) is a dark amber colored spiced blend that offers a sweet nose of raisins, English caramel toffee and French vanilla spices. The body is full and smooth and the finish is sweet, warm and pleasant.

J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe (40% ABV/80 proof) is an amber colored blend with a full round body, richly fragrant nose highlighted with notes of mature oak and an exceptional palate of oak, toasted grains and rich toffee.

J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old (40% ABV/80 proof) is an award winning, ultra-premium blend of the highest quality 18-year-old whiskies that is bottled in very limited quantities. It is deep amber in color, oaky and floral on the nose with a hint of fresh pine and robust on the palate highlighted by mature oak, baked apple, spice and rich caramel.

Di Vito concluded, “J.P. Wiser’s whiskies appeal to a range of consumers including whisky experimenters looking to enter the category, whisky enthusiasts seeking to expand their repertoire and whisky aficionados who appreciate the uncompromised commitment to quality reflected in every bottle of J.P. Wiser’s North American Whisky.”

The debut of J.P. Wiser’s will be supported with a robust marketing program that includes national TV advertising and geo-targeted digital media, trade advertising, retail and on-premise activation and trade education.

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©2013 Imported by Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY

About Pernod Ricard USA®

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

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