Spirits Stay Hot, Routes Get Messy, Taxes Take Aim

Spirits Stay Hot, Routes Get Messy, Taxes Take Aim

May 28, 2026 · 3 min · Season 5 · Episode 3

About this episode

The episode discusses current trends and challenges in the beverage alcohol industry, including taxation and market strategies.

Four things are moving the bev-alc map this week — andthey're not pointing in the same direction. Spirits are still pulling the cart. RNDC is rewriting route-to-market in real time. Illinois wants to tax cocktails like luxury goods. Bourbon's export halo is cracking abroad. Here's what each one means — and what to do about itbefore your competitors figure it out.

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