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Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. understands how crucial recycling is on the island home of the world’s largest rum distillery, which is based in Catano, Puerto Rico. Every year the Bacardi rum facility recycles more than 4 million pounds of material.

New York-based Pernod Ricard USA and Miami-based Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. (Southern) announced a national effort to promote retailer engagement with The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR), a national nonprofit funded by distillers aimed at reducing drunk driving and underage drinking.

Suntory Holdings Ltd., Osaka, Japan, completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares of Beam Inc., Deerfield, Ill., for $83.50 a share on April 30.

Deerfield, Ill.-based Beam Suntory Inc.’s Sauza 901 Tequila introduced its first digital media campaign featuring Founder and Co-owner Justin Timberlake, designed to motivate millennial consumers of legal drinking age to rethink the definition of premium tequila. The “Premium Remastered” year-long campaign shows how a pursuit of perfection doesn’t have to be pretentious and exclusive, but, like the brand’s founder, it instead can be approachable and entertaining, the brand explains.

Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. added a new Mango Fusion flavor to its Bacardi rum line.

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, Gatlinburg, Tenn., is throwing its hat into the premium spirits market with the debut of its first barrel-aged premium product: Ole Smoky Charred Moonshine.  The initial batch will be available in a limited release nationwide this spring, with only 3,500 cases spread out across 49 states and the rest available exclusively at the Ole Smoky distillery, known as “The Holler.”

E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), Modesto, Calif., announced that it has purchased Ledgewood Creek Winery and Vineyard in Solano County.

Luxco Inc. relaunched its Purple Passion ready-to-drink cocktails with a new formula and retro-inspired packaging.

Island Club Brands added a cherry cola flavor to its Chicken Cock whiskey brand.

Hard ciders were popular in the United Kingdom for years before reaching the mainstream U.S. market. Likewise, stevia was used as a sweetener in Japan for decades before getting approval as a safe food additive in the United States in the form of Rebaudioside A, according to Cargill. Many trends are born overseas and eventually make their way to the U.S. market. But that doesn’t mean Americans can’t be trendsetters too.