Brand New Whiskey Says, “Life’s A Beach” In The Super-Premium Segment

Beach Whiskey™ Invites You to Your Place in the Sun™

“Beach Whiskey is about combining my love of whiskey with my love of the beach. It’s about creating a fun and delicious whiskey that can be enjoyed at a daytime beach party or by a bonfire at night.” – Andrew “McG” McGinnis, co-founder, Beach Whiskey

The Ultimate Beach Party Has Begun! Beach Whiskey™, a meticulously crafted, super-premium American whiskey, is set to launch this fall. At launch, the Beach Whiskey portfolio includes Original (40% ABV / 80 proof), Bonfire Cinnamon™ (35% ABV / 70 proof), and Island Coconut™ (26% ABV / 52 proof). Beach Whiskey will be initially available in Southern California and Florida, with a selective roll-out planned in major markets during early 2016.

Beach Whiskey Logo (PRNewsFoto/Beach Whiskey)

Beach Whiskey was founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs who are leaders in the beverage, entertainment, lifestyle and business services industries and is an American whiskey made for sun worshiping, moon chasing, fun seekers. A whiskey for the wise and the whimsical. Beach Whiskey celebrates the beach life and all that comes with it… parties, sports, relaxing, good music, and having fun. Even the packaging – an etched label on an embossed sea glass bottle – is designed to evoke the spirit of the beach life, and it’s a love of the beach that brought the Beach Whiskey creators together.

Beach Whiskey Portfolio (PRNewsFoto/Beach Whiskey)

Beach Whiskey (SRP $27.99, 750ml) is carefully crafted in the United States from corn at partner distilleries to produce a clean and crisp base, before filtering and blending to exact specifications. The team at Beach Whiskey spent much of the past year tasting whiskeys and flavors and testing those profiles with consumers and trade experts to perfect the recipes and final product.

“Over the last decade, the spirits industry has seen significant growth in both market size and share,” said J. Smoke Wallin, co-founder and CEO of Beach Whiskey and CEO of Taliera, a brand incubator and global sales, marketing and distribution agent. “At the same time, global fascination with American whiskeys and the explosive growth of flavors in the category means the time is right for a new brand like Beach Whiskey.”

In addition to Wallin, founding investors of Beach Whiskey include TV and radio personality Billy Bush, and entrepreneurs Andrew McGinnis and Kenny Dichter.

Wallin, a native of Longboat Key, Florida, said while growing up he spent all his free time either at the beach or in and around the water.  “Because we all love the beach, we also share the responsibility for protecting it. Beach Whiskey believes in preserving the world’s water and beaches, and by promoting the beach lifestyle, we hope to raise people’s awareness of this precious natural resource.“

Andrew “McG” McGinnis, co-founder and SoCal native, is an avid surfer, waterman and beach volleyball player, who grew up playing beach sports and living the beach life in Santa Monica, Malibu and on Lake Tahoe. “Beach Whiskey is about combining my love of whiskey with my love of the beach,” said McGinnis. “It’s about creating a fun and delicious whiskey that can be enjoyed at a daytime beach party or by a bonfire at night.”

Simply delicious and smooth, Beach Whiskey cuts across traditional beverage categories and appeals not only to whiskey aficionados but also to anyone who loves a great cocktail and a fun time in the sun. “Beach Whiskey is exceptional!” said Kendall Lockwood, Indianapolis Craft Mixologist and GM of the Ball & Biscuit, who created signature cocktails for the brand. “It is wildly versatile – great straight, on the rocks or blends beautifully with a variety of flavor profiles in cocktails.”

Michael Tolley, CCO/Beverage By Design agreed. “As a seasoned beverage trainer, bar consultant, and a drink recipe developer, there is nothing I enjoy more than a spirit in the raw!  Beach Whiskey is one that can stand on its own, conceived in an era of craft, not misery. A spirit of today, for today… Beach Whiskey!  I’ll have mine on the rocks.”

Beach Whiskey will be featured at the Hospitality Executive Exchange (HEE), a gathering of food and beverage industry leaders, at the beach on Amelia Island, FL (August 29-September 2) where Bush will be giving the keynote.

“I love the idea of combining fine whiskey with the beach life,” said Bush. “Beach Whiskey provides the right mix of fun with great flavors. I’m excited to be a part of this ground-breaking brand!“

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the first conference to introduce Beach Whiskey to the Hospitality Industry, and having Billy Bush as our welcome keynote speaker is the icing on the cake,” said Jen Robinson,CEO/Duchess of The Pineapple Group LLC, which owns and manages HEE. “Beach Whiskey is definitely a brand that we want as a long-term partner, and where better to showcase it than at the beach.“

Celine Dion Premieres Much-Anticipated Return Of Her Headlining Residency Show At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace

Singer Triumphantly Returns to the Las Vegas Stage After a Year Hiatus

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello

Celine Dion brought “The Power of Love” to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this past Thursday night, to resume her critically-acclaimed Las Vegas residency show, Celine. After a year hiatus, the stage came to life as Celine made her momentous return to a sold-out house and multiple standing ovations from thousands of fans.

Celine Dion Premieres Much-Anticipated Return Of Her Headlining Residency Show At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace (Photos By Denise Truscello
Aug 27 2015)

Earlier this year, Dion announced her return on the 12-year anniversary of her first performance in The Colosseum, when she opened the venue on March 25, 2003. When her first show A New Day… opened, it went on to not only become one of the most successful shows in Las Vegas but also redefined the entertainment industry; Dion would go on to become the first artist at the height of her career to stop touring and invite fans to come to her instead. By the time the show closed on Dec. 15, 2007, more than three million fans spanning all seven continents and 138 countries had seen the show.

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello

Dion, one of the most immediately recognized, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history, has sold almost 250 million records during her over 30-year career. She has earned five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 20 Juno Awards (Canada) and an astonishing 40 Felix Award (Quebec). In 2004, Celine received the Diamond Award at the World Music Awards in recognition of her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2007 she was honored with the Legend Award at World Music Awards in recognition of her global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry.

The stage wardrobe for Celine at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace  is composed of exclusive designs developed by her stylist in collaboration with acclaimed design houses Atelier Versace, Schiaparelli, Elie Saab and Mugler. (Photo Credit: Denise Truscello)

Celine at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is conceived as a glamorous show directed by legendary Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich and presented jointly by AEG Live and Caesars Entertainment. Celine’s updated Las Vegas show includes her biggest hits mixed with timeless hits by iconic artists that celebrate all generations and genres of music ranging from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to the Bee Gees, Queen and Prince. The show features a full orchestra and band and is set to a visually stunning presentation designed exclusively for the 4,300-seat state-of-the-art venue. Celine also returns to The Colosseum with a new stage wardrobe composed of exclusive designs developed by her stylist in collaboration with acclaimed design houses Atelier Versace, Schiaparelli, Elie Saab and Mugler.

Caesars Palace Las Vegas spans 85-acres at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, just 10-minutes from McCarran International Airport. Caesars Palace offers a total of 3,960 rooms and suites throughout five hotel towers:

Nobu Hotel – 181 Rooms including 18 suites

Octavius Tower – 642 rooms and suites including six luxury villas, opened Jan. 2012

Augustus Tower – 949 rooms and suites including three luxury villas, opened in 2005

Forum Tower – 452 rooms and suites including two villas, renovated in 2009.Palace Tower – 1,131 rooms and suites including 12 penthouse level suites, renovated in 2006.

Roman Tower – 567 hotel rooms and suites, 12 stories high.

Tickets for performances scheduled through Jan. 17, 2016 are on sale now. For additional show and ticket information, visit celineinvegas.com. Tickets may be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office, by calling 866-320-9763, or online at thecolosseum.com or axs.com. Orders are subject to additional service charges and fees. Ticket prices are $250/$175/$140/$95/$55 (prices include 10% Live Entertainment Tax). For groups of 10 or more, call 866-574-3851. All shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Golden Door Spa Named #1 Destination Spa by Readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine In 2015 World’s Best Awards

Golden Door Spa, 2015 “World’s Best Destination Spa” award from Travel + Leisure Magazine in their annual World’s Best Awards issue (Photo courtesy of Travel + Leisure magazine)

Golden Door (777 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos, California 92069) recently received the 2015 “World’s Best Destination Spa” award from Travel + Leisure Magazine in their annual World’s Best Awards issue. The property, inspired by traditional ryokan inns in Japan, provides guests with an all-encompassing spa experience characterized by Asian influences, like a Watsu water therapy pool and Reiki chakra-balancing massages. The Golden Door experience empowers each guest to achieve a healthy mind, body and spirit. Guests relax, restore and refresh on a journey focused on personalized fitness, spa and nutrition programs, thoughtfully designed to meet the specific goals and needs of each individual.

Golden Door. (PRNewsFoto/Golden Door Properties, LLC)

Every year, the publication invites readers to rate travel categories such as airlines, cities, cruise ships, hotels, etc. In the category of destination spa, readers rated five characteristics–accommodations/facilities, treatments, service, food and value–in which Golden Door scored 98.33 out of 100 points.

“We are so pleased and humbled to be recognized with this award,” said Kathy Van Ness, Golden Door General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. “We thank our loyal guests for their support and our dedicated employees who make this magic happen every day. During the past several years, we have worked hard to make improvements for our guests, including a $15 million renovation of the facilities and upgrades to the guest rooms.”

Located in a serene coastal valley between San Diego and Los Angeles, Golden Door provides seven-day stays for a maximum of 40 guests, each in a private room, with a ratio of four staff members to each guest. With a nod to busy individuals, the spa recently added three- and four-day-stay options. Guests are encouraged to pursue a healthy mind, body and spirit with a focus on fitness, spa and nutrition programs, all personalized to meet the goals and needs of each individual.

In addition to a complete range of daily and optional spa services, Golden Door offers hiking and mountain-biking trails, a 2000-square-foot equipment gym, two swimming pools and a therapy pool, three group exercise studios, a Pilates studio, cycling room and tennis court.

The 600-acre property features mature Japanese gardens, bamboo forest, woodlands, mountains and citrus, avocado and olive groves. The culinary gardens and orchards, which are organically and bio-intensively farmed, provide a large portion of healthy garden-to-table meals for guests. With more than 30 miles of hiking and walking trails, mountains to climb, vistas to discover and a bamboo forest that gives voice to the wind, guests are surrounded by breathtaking beauty that nurtures the soul.

During the past year, the spa has expanded its retail products, which until now were available only onsite and online. On September 1, Golden Door opens two retail kiosks, one at Westfield Century City and one at Westfield UTC in San Diego. These first off-site kiosks will feature selected products from the Artisan Food, Skin Care and Jewelry lines. Gift certificates for visits to the 2015 World’s Best Destination Spa also are available.

Perhaps the most innovative and far-reaching endeavor is Golden Door Foundation, established in 2013. The spa’s philosophy of helping to transform lives extends beyond those of guests to select local, national and international charities. As a show of support to those involved in making the world a more loving, more humane and more peaceful place, Golden Door pledges 100 percent of net profits from the resort to select charities that make a difference in the lives of children.