January 22, 2025 -- North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, will return for a fourth edition in April2025. The three-day event program will be held in Vancouver, Canada, marking the first time in North America’s 50 Best Bars history that the awards will be held in Canada, culminating in the much-anticipated awards ceremony taking place on Tuesday April 29,2025.  

The 2025 event program gathers the North American bar community in Canada to shine a spotlight on the country’s world-class cocktail scene and to celebrate the best bartending talent in the region over three days of events in the vibrant cultural hub of Vancouver. In a city known for its scenic landscapes and diverse culture, Vancouver's budding bar scene is rapidly expanding with new and inventive ways to enjoy and celebrate cocktail craft. 

North America’s 50 Best Bars focuses on highlighting excellence in the bars industry specifically in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The inaugural awards ceremony was held in New York City in 2022, followed by San Miguel de Allende in 2023 and 2024. This year, 50 Best brings the awards ceremony to Vancouver, to continue shining a spotlight on each region of North America and to honor and celebrate the talented bars and teams in destinations throughout.  

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “After an electrifying celebration last year, we are thrilled to bring North America’s 50 Best Bars to Canada for the very first time. Hosting the awards in Vancouver, a city renowned for its dynamic cocktail culture, stunning natural beauty, and outstanding hospitality scene, allows us to highlight the city’s exceptional talent and celebrate its innovation on a global stage. We look forward to recognizing the people and places that continue to elevate North America as a true leader in the world of hospitality.” 

Highlights of the event program in Vancouver will include the Bartenders’ Feast, which takes place the night before the reveal of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025. It will be followed by the live countdown and the awards ceremony itself on April 29, ending in the announcement of The Best Bar in North America 2025 and other special award winners. For the first time since its inception, North America's 50 Best Bars is recognizing the growth of the cocktail scene by extending the list to include the 51-100 ranking. 

“Vancouver is proud to host North America’s 50 Best Bars for the first time this year. The multi-day event will shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and creativity of our city’s hospitality and mixology scene,” says Royce Chwin, President & CEO, Destination Vancouver. “North America’s 50 Best Bars recognizes excellence across the continent while providing a platform to showcase Vancouver’s vibrant culinary culture, diverse communities, and innovative spirit. As a global destination, we are excited to collaborate with industry leaders and create memorable experiences for everyone who attends.” 

Ahead of the North America’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, 50 Best will announce a few special award winners in advance to recognize incredible achievements for bars and individuals:  

Michter’s Art of Hospitality: This award is voted for by all members of the North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy, who are asked to name the bar where they received the single best hospitality experience during the voting period 

Altos Bartenders’ Bartender: This award is voted for by the bartenders behind those bars on this year’s list, who are asked to name one peer who has done more to further the craft of bartending than any other across the course of the 18-month voting period 

New to this year’s programming, North America’s 50 Best Bars will expand its list to include bars ranked 51-100, which will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the awards ceremony. This expansion highlights the growing bar scene and their corresponding teams across North America in elevating mixology and hospitality in the region.  

51-100 List: 50 Best will reveal those bars ranked between 51st and 100th on its website and social media channels 

Now in its fourth edition, North America’s 50 Best Bars will also award the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award for the first time since its inception. This award is given to a bar that has performed the most consistently across the history of the ranking. A bar can only win this distinction once.    

The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, will also be broadcast live to a global audience who are not able to attend in person.  

How the Voting Works 

The ranking for North America’s 50 Best Bars will reflect the best bar experiences based on the votes of the Academy members, who comprise anonymous North American bar industry experts from the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The voting split of these bar industry experts is 33% bartenders and bar owners, 33%, drinks writers and educators, and 33% well-traveled cocktail experts. There is a 50/50 gender balance among the voters.  

This year’s Academy is made up of more than 300 voters. This change was implemented to obtain a wider snapshot and ensure a greater number of diverse voices are heard in the voting process. Moreover, as per all 50 Best lists for restaurants, bars, and hotels, a minimum of 25% of Academy members are refreshed annually to keep the perspectives dynamic and relevant. Members of the 50 Best organization do not vote and do not control the composition of the list; that is the collective role of the voting Academy. This means that bars cannot apply to be on the list and no sponsors have any influence on the list. 

The Academy is divided into 7 regions: USA Northeast; USA Midwest; USA West; USA South; Canada East; Canada West; Mexico and the Caribbean. Each region has its own panel of members including a chairperson, called the Academy Chair. The Chairs each select a voting panel, ensuring a balanced selection. Each North America Academy member will vote for 7 bars, with a maximum of 5 in the home country (or state in the U.S.) where they are based. Voters also have the option to vote for a further 2 (or more) bars located outside of their home country (or U.S. state) up to a maximum of 7. 

The lists of North America’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Bars are the results of two separate votes from two different voting Academies, taking place at different times and assessing different geographical regions. Therefore, the results from voting create two separate lists, with different rankings.  

Voting is carried out individually and strictly confidentially on a secure site and remains confidential before the list announcement. Academy Chairs are not privy to, and have no knowledge of, the votes cast by the voters in their respective regions. They are not spokespeople for the 50 Best brand. 

The list will be the result of a poll of more than 300 experts (all within the North American continent), who each cast votes for the bars where they have had their ‘best experience’ during the last 18 months before the voting deadline. The list is a simple computation of votes by North American voters for bars in North America. Further information on the Academy Chairs and how the voting works is available on the FAQs page here.

Vancouver whisky enthusiasts, get ready. Canada’s premier whisky festival is back and set to take place on (Friday) January 24th and (Saturday) 25th at the Paradox Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The tenth anniversary edition of the highly anticipated event promises to be an exceptional experience for whisky connoisseurs and novices alike. Both General Admission and VIP tickets are available and can be purchased at https://www.thewhiskyglobal.com/vancouver.

This is not your grandfather’s whisky festival. It is a premier experience centred around the tasting of and learning about whiskey. Here’s what to expect:

1. Two Exciting Sessions, Two Days: January 24th and January 25th evenings from 6:00 PM -        7:00 PM for VIP, and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for general admission.
2. VIP Experience: Attendees can elevate their experience with VIP tickets which grants them access one hour before general admission when vendors are pouring their most premium pours. They will enjoy exclusive access to premium selections from vendors and indulge in rare VIP pours, plus additional perks.
3. Diverse Selection (see Appendix for full list of exhibitors): With over 140 whisky SKUs available for sampling, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of global flavours and profiles, making it a haven whisky enthusiast.
4. Inclusive Experience: Whisky Global is designed for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners looking to delve into the world of whisky. The event offers a special opportunity to sip, taste, and learn in a welcoming and comfortable space.
5. All-Inclusive Tickets: Each ticket includes samples of the finest whiskies, whisky-infused dinner, coat check & commemorative souvenir glass.
6. Fun and Social Atmosphere: Whisky Global is not just an event; it's an experience. Guests are encouraged to dress up, mingle, and enjoy live music throughout the memorable night.

“We're thrilled to bring Whisky Global back to Vancouver for its tenth year. The overwhelming response from last year's attendees encouraged us to make our tenth year truly more spectacular. Whether you're a whisky aficionado or just starting your journey, Whisky Global offers a unique and enjoyable experience for all,” said Adam Bloch, the event’s Lead Producer.

Louisville, KY, Jan. 22, 2025 – Today, Old Forester announces the return of Extra Old, a limited-edition whisky derived from an extra-long double-barreling process. This liquid was first released in February 2022 as an installment of the brand's acclaimed and limited-expression lineup, the 117 Series. 

To create this unique expression, Old Forester aged its 1910 whisky in a secondary barrel for an additional 18 months, resulting in a rich flavor profile with pronounced caramel notes. 

“This expression showcases the exceptional flavors that can come from the second barrel, and how we can layer the flavors we achieve from maturation through the double barreling process” Master Taster Melissa Rift said. “Whisky lovers can taste the history captured in this bottle.” 

Old Forester 1910 is a coveted expression commemorating the October 22, 1910 distillery fire at 117 Main Street. A batch of mature whisky, ready to be bottled, was then re-barreled in new barrels so it could be removed due to the fire damage. What emerged from the re-barreling was a full-bodied whisky, remarkable enough to become an entirely new expression – Old Fine Whisky. For Extra Old, the brand left the 1910 whiskey aging in a secondary barrel and extracted a more heavily charred influence.  

Tasting Notes: 

AROMA: On the nose, this expression showcases chocolate covered cherries, burnt caramel and graham cracker with subtle notes of barrel smoke and creamy butterscotch

FLAVOR: The palate is balanced and buttery with pops of spiced pear and apple as notes of chocolate and cinnamon graham cracker persist

FINISH: A balanced finish presents warm spiced cinnamon, apple skin and lightly charred oak creating a long and flavorful finish

Extra Old is bottled at 93-proof in a 375 ml bottle. A limited quantity will be available at Old Forester Distillery starting at 10 a.m. EST on January 22, 2025 and is available for shipping in states where it is legal (KY, NH, NE, ND, D.C.) at shop.oldforester.com It is also available at select Kentucky retailers. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $64.99.   

For more information on Old Forester, please visit OldForester.com.

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half (49%) of Americans say they plan to drink less alcohol in 2025, a 44% increase since 2023 and further proof the sober curious movement continues to gain momentum. The percentage of those planning to cut back on alcohol consumption has been trending consistently upward over the last three years. In 2023, 34% of Americans planned to drink less. In 2024, that percentage rose to 41%.

In 2025, 30% of Americans say they are taking part in Dry January, the annual challenge to abstain from alcohol – a 36% increase from 2024.

The latest findings are from a 2025 consumer sentiment survey about the sober curious movement, a follow up to 2023 and 2024 surveys, which also focused on consumer interest in nonalcoholic beverages. The surveys were commissioned by NCSolutions (NCS). The findings also include an analysis of NCS proprietary consumer purchase data. NCS is the leading company for improving advertising effectiveness for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) ecosystem.

Consumer purchases of nonalcoholic drinks on the rise

The sober curious movement is impacting consumer shopping behavior, according to NCSolutions purchase data. Dry January is the least popular month to buy alcohol. In 2024, purchases of spirits dropped 39% in January compared to the month prior. Wine purchases fell 36%, and beer/cider/hard seltzer purchases decreased 21% over the same period.

Meanwhile, purchases of nonalcoholic drinks are on the rise. NCSolutions purchase data shows a 22% increase in nonalcoholic beer purchases from December 2023 - November 2024 in comparison to a year prior.

"As more consumers, especially younger ones, embrace a sober curious lifestyle, we're seeing a change in purchasing behavior following this cultural shift," said Alan Miles, chief executive officer, NCSolutions. "NCS data shows the demand for new nonalcoholic beverage options grew steadily over the last three years. Beverage brands are meeting and contributing to this demand with new nonalcoholic products on the shelves."

Nonalcoholic options extend beyond beer, wine and spirits to THC- and CBD-infused drinks. In 2025, 26% of consumers say they are interested in trying these cannabis-infused drinks. Younger generations are more interested in trying these options in 2025 – the newest findings indicate 38% of Gen Z and 37% of millennials expressed interest, compared to 30% of Gen Z and 32% of millennials in 2024.

Youngest generation leading the way to a dry lifestyle

Over two-thirds (65%) of Gen Zers say they plan to drink less alcohol in 2025, a much higher percentage than other generations. By comparison, only 57% of millennials, 49% of Gen Xers and 30% of boomers plan to cut back.

In addition, 39% of Gen Z plan to adopt a dry lifestyle, not just during January, but during all of 2025. That marks a significant shift toward the sober curious movement for this generation compared to older generations. Only 19% of Gen Z said they didn't drink any alcohol in 2024, a percentage similar to millennials (18%) and Gen X (19%). However, just 19% of millennials and Gen X, along with 10% of boomers, said they planned to adopt a dry lifestyle this year.

Where the sober curious go for alcohol-free drinks

Over the last year, 37% of Americans say they've noticed more restaurants, bars and stores offering nonalcoholic options. Younger generations are more likely to have noticed new options including 53% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials.

When shopping for nonalcoholic drinks, 37% of Americans head to the grocery store and 30% to a superstore, while 20% purchase alcohol-free beverages in restaurants. They also shopped for nonalcoholic options at convenience stores and wholesale clubs. Our survey respondents could select all relevant responses since shopping often occurs in multiple locations.

Marketing to the sober curious

Social media is a highly effective channel for Americans to learn about new alcohol-free drink options. This is especially true for younger generations: 35% of Gen Z and millennials discover new nonalcoholic beverages on social media compared to 22% of Gen Xers and 18% of boomers.

Younger generations are influenced by the recommendations of celebrities and influencers. More than one in four (28%) of Gen Z and millennials have tried an alcohol-free drink endorsed by a celebrity or influencer. 

When new beverage products are marketed as aligned with the sober curious lifestyle, 43% of Gen Z and 33% of millennials say they are more likely to buy it - compared with just 16% of Gen X and 10% of boomers. Overall, 75% of Americans say they are most likely or as likely to try a new beverage product in 2025 if it is marketed as aligning with the sober curious lifestyle, up from 70% in 2024.

"Over three years of data, the trend couldn't be more clear – younger consumers are strongly motivated to drink less alcohol than their parents and their grandparents," said Miles. "As our analysis shows, Gen Z and millennials are heavy social media consumers and put trust in influencers. Beverage brands can expand their market for nonalcoholic options by targeting the right audiences in the right places with messaging that aligns with the sober curious lifestyle. In addition, they can partner with like-minded influencers."

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