Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

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Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Inc
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Logo.png
AbbreviationDISCUS
Founded1973;49 years ago (1973)
Merger ofBourbon Institute,
Distilled Spirits Institute,
Licensed Beverage Industries Inc
52-0971454
Legal status 501(c)(6) [1]
Headquarters Washington, D.C., U.S.
Deirdre Mahlan [1]
Chris R. Swonger [1]
Subsidiaries DISCUS PAC 527(f) ,
DISCUS TEXAS PAC 527(f) [1]
Revenue (2016)
$16,778,517 [1]
Expenses (2016)$17,102,359 [1]
Employees (2016)
46 [1]
Volunteers (2016)
14 [1]
Website www.distilledspirits.org

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) is a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States. DISCUS was formed in 1973 by the merger of three organizations (the Bourbon Institute, the Distilled Spirits Institute, and the Licensed Beverage Industries, Inc.) that had been in existence for decades.

Contents

About

Members of DISCUS represent approximately 70 percent of all distilled spirits brands sold in the United States. [2] Members are: Agave Loco, Beam Suntory, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Campari Group, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Edrington, Jägermeister, MGP, MHW, Moet Hennessy, Pernod Ricard, and Rémy Cointreau. [3] In addition to full membership, DISCUS offers a Craft Distiller Affiliate Member program with 80 members as of March 2014. [4]

In May 2016, DISCUS said it dropped its DISCUS acronym and would use "Distilled Spirits Council" for the short form of its name in order to "modernize the association's public presence". [5] In 2018, it said it would further shorten the short form of its name to just "the Council". [6] In 2019, under the guidance of the new CEO Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council went back to using the full name, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.[ citation needed ]

Standards

DISCUS developed a set of voluntary guidelines that they suggest the spirits industry and council members follow. [7] The code provides for a review board to review complaints about advertising and marketing materials in the marketplace. In 2003, DISCUS began issuing semi-annual public reports describing the review board complaints and decisions. As of March 2013, DISCUS has posted some "pre-publication" results on its website to show preliminary drafts of the content in its reports prior to publication of a final semi-annual code-of-conduct action report. [7] (As of October 2016, the most recent semi-annual report on the DISCUS website was for a period that ended more than six years earlier. [7] )

Lobbying efforts

DISCUS lobbies on behalf of the distilled spirits industry on policy and legislative issues. DISCUS's team of lawyers, economists, scientists, lobbyists and public affairs professionals work to support legislation that increases adult market access to spirits products, including laws expanding Sunday spirits sales and spirits tastings. DISCUS also works to protect the distilled beverage industry from increased alcohol taxes and to reduce tariffs and trade barriers on spirits products across the globe.

In 2019, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States launched an advocacy alliance initiative called "Spirits United" in coordination with TIPS, an alcohol server and seller training organization, and the American Distilling Institute. [8] Spirits United is a grassroots website advocating for adult consumers to enjoy distilled spirits where they want, how they want, and when they want. [9] Spirits United consists of professionals in the distilled spirits industry, partners, customers and consumers. [8] By joining Spirits United, advocates have the opportunity to learn, influence, and engage on issues that impact the distilled spirits. [8]

Chris Swonger, president and CEO of DISCUS, said "Our goal is to build out Spirits United so that spirits advocates in any city or state can be quickly mobilized to engage with their elected officials." [8]

Programs and funding

Alcohol abuse prevention

The spirits industry has initiated and supported responsibility programs to promote responsible and moderate alcohol consumption. DISCUS developed an educational tool kit and distributed it to more than 3,000 health professionals. [10]

American Whiskey Trail and George Washington's distillery

DISCUS has launched several initiatives to promote and preserve the cultural history of distilling and spirits in the United States, most notably in the creation of the American Whiskey Trail and the reconstruction of the distillery built by George Washington near his home at Mount Vernon. Since 2000, DISCUS member companies and wholesalers have contributed more than $2.1 million to rebuild the distillery, which was one of the largest whiskey distilling operations in early America.

Washington's Mount Vernon distillery marks the beginning of the organization's American Whiskey Trail, a DISCUS program promoting the cultural heritage and history of spirits in America. Launched in 2004, the trail features operating distilleries and historic sites in five states.

Related Research Articles

Vodka Clear distilled alcoholic beverage

Vodka is a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. Different varieties originated in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol but sometimes with traces of impurities and flavourings. Traditionally, it is made by distilling liquid from fermented cereal grains. Potatoes have been used in more recent times, and some modern brands use fruits, honey, or maple sap as the base.

Whisky Distilled alcoholic beverage

Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, which are often old sherry casks or may also be made of charred white oak.

Bourbon whiskey American whiskey

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, a barrel-aged distilled liquor made primarily from corn. The name derives from the French Bourbon dynasty, although the precise inspiration is uncertain; contenders include Bourbon County in Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, both of which are named after the dynasty. The name "Bourbon" was not applied until the 1850s, and the Kentucky etymology was not advanced until the 1870s.

ThaiBev Thai beverage company

Thai Beverage, better known as ThaiBev (Thai: ไทยเบฟ), is Thailand's largest and one of Southeast Asia's largest beverage companies, with distilleries in Thailand, UK, and China. It is owned by Thai Chinese billionaire business magnate Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, Thai Beverage plc has a market capitalization in excess of US$13 billion.

Irish whiskey Popular spirit made in Ireland

Irish whiskey is whiskey made on the island of Ireland. The word 'whiskey' comes from the Irish uisce beatha, meaning water of life. Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world, though a long period of decline from the late 19th century onwards greatly damaged the industry, so much so that although Ireland boasted at least 28 distilleries in the 1890s, by 1966 this number had fallen to just two, and by 1972 the remaining distilleries, Bushmills Distillery and Old Midleton Distillery, were owned by just one company, Irish Distillers.

Tennessee whiskey Whiskey made in Tennessee, U.S.

Tennessee whiskey is straight whiskey produced in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Although it has been legally defined as a bourbon whiskey in some international trade agreements, most current producers of Tennessee whiskey disclaim references to their products as "bourbon" and do not label them as such on any of their bottles or advertising materials. All current Tennessee whiskey producers are required by Tennessee law to produce their whiskeys in Tennessee and — with the sole exception of Benjamin Prichard's — to use a filtering step known as the Lincoln County Process prior to aging the whiskey. Beyond the perceived marketing value of the distinction, Tennessee whiskey and bourbon have almost identical requirements, and most Tennessee whiskeys meet the criteria for bourbon.

Wild Turkey (bourbon) Brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey

Wild Turkey is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co, a division of Campari Group. The distillery is located near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It offers tours and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The American Whiskey Trail is the name of a promotional program supported by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States that promotes the distilled beverage industry in the U.S. The Trail was first promoted to the public on September 28, 2004.

McCormick Distilling Company United States historic place

McCormick Distilling Company is a distillery and alcoholic beverage importing company in Weston, Missouri. Established by Ben Holladay in 1856, the distillery has been registered in the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River that is still operating at its original location.

American whiskey Type of distilled liquor produced in the United States

American whiskey is whiskey produced in the United States. The primary types of American whiskey are bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, rye malt whiskey, malt whiskey, wheat whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, and corn whiskey. All of these are made from mashes with at least 51% of their named grains.

Indian whisky Type of distilled liquor produced in India

As of 2006 most distilled spirits labelled as "whisky" in India were a form of Indian-made foreign liquor, commonly blends based on neutral spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses with only a small portion consisting of traditional malt whisky, usually about 10 to 12 percent. Outside India, such a drink would more likely be labelled a rum. According to the Scotch Whisky Association's 2013 annual report, unlike in the European Union (EU), "there is no compulsory definition of whisky in India, and the Indian voluntary standard does not require whisky to be distilled from cereals or to be matured. Very little Indian 'whisky' qualifies as whisky in the EU owing to the use of molasses or neutral alcohol, limited maturation and the use of flavourings. Such spirits are, of course, considerably cheaper to produce than genuine whisky." Such molasses-based blends made up 90 percent of the spirits consumed as "whisky" in India in 2004, although whisky wholly distilled from malt and other grains, was also manufactured and sold. By 2004 shortages of wheat had been overcome and India was one of the largest producers. Amrut, the first single malt whisky produced in India, was launched in Glasgow, Scotland in 2004. After expanding in Europe it was launched in India in 2010.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is one of the eleven public safety agencies under the Secretariat of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the Commonwealth. The agency administers the state's ABC laws with an emphasis on public service and a focus on protecting citizens by ensuring a safe, orderly and regulated system for convenient distribution and responsible consumption of alcohol.

Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org), formerly known as the Century Council, is an American not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 and funded by a group of distillers that aims to fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision-making regarding alcohol use.

George Washingtons Gristmill United States historic place

George Washington's Gristmill was part of the original Mount Vernon plantation, constructed during the lifetime of the United States' first president. The original structure was destroyed about 1850. The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association have reconstructed the gristmill and the adjacent distillery. The reconstructed buildings are located at their original site three miles (5 km) west of Mount Vernon proper near Woodlawn Plantation in Alexandria, Virginia. Because the reconstructed buildings embody the distinctive characteristics of late eighteenth century methods of production and are of importance to the history of Virginia, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places despite the fact that the buildings are not original.

Willett Distillery

Willett Distillery, also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), Ltd., is a private family-owned and -operated company that produces bourbon and rye whiskey. Over the years the company has bottled whiskeys that range from 2 years of aging maturity up to 28 years.

Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company

Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company is a brewery and distillery based in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1999 by Pearse Lyons, the president and founder of animal nutrition company Alltech.

New Jersey distilled spirits

The production of distilled spirits in New Jersey has not been a large industry in the state. Strict alcoholic beverage control laws in place during and after Prohibition (1919–1933) prevented the industry from growing for almost a century. In 2013, the state passed a law creating a craft distillery license. and issued the first new distillery license since Prohibition to Jersey Artisan Distilling

Old Pogue is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the Old Prague Distillery carries strong family ties dating back to the 1870s, and is privately owned by members of the Pogue family.

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Brand of Tennessee whiskey

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is a brand of Tennessee whiskey produced by Uncle Nearest, Inc., headquartered in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathan "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. The brand's producer is Uncle Nearest, Inc., also located in Shelbyville.

Outline of whisky Outline of the knowledge of whisky

Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used in different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, generally made of charred white oak.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Guidestar. December 31, 2016.
  2. About Us, DISCUS official web site.
  3. Member Companies Archived 2012-07-10 at the Wayback Machine , DISCUS official web site.
  4. Schmitz, Kyle. "Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) Elects Eight-Member Advisory Council". Catoctin Creek. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  5. "Distilled Spirits Council Announces Rebrand". The Spirits Business. May 6, 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  6. Williams, Walt (March 20, 2018). "Distilled Spirits Council unveils new logo, website". CEO Update. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  7. 1 2 3 Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing, DISCUS official web site.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Swartz, Kyle (August 23, 2019). "U.S. Distilled Spirits Industry Launches 'Spirits United' Grassroots Platform". Beverage Wholesaler. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  9. https://www.spiritsunited.org/
  10. Educational Tool Kit on Beverage Alcohol Consumption Archived July 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , DISCUS official web site.