LAKE BLUFF, IL (Aug. 4, 2025) – Riazul, the acclaimed tequila brand rooted in the highlands of Jalisco, is proud to announce the launch of Riazul Cristalino Añejo. The new expression builds on the legacy of the brand’s acclaimed Añejo tequila, recognized for over a decade as one of the best sipping tequilas in the U.S.

Riazul Cristalino Añejo is crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the mineral-rich, volcanic "tierra roja" red clay soils of the Jalisco Highlands in Western Mexico. It is aged for a minimum of twelve months in American oak barrels before undergoing a proprietary high-tech filtration process that gently removes color while preserving the depth and complexity of the original Añejo. The result is a silky-smooth, crystal-clear tequila that embodies both tradition and modern luxury.

“Riazul Cristalino Añejo is the next chapter in our story,” says founder Iñaki Orozco. “It honors where we come from while embracing the future of ultra-premium tequila. Cristalino tequila is one of the fastest-growing segments in premium spirits, and as Mexico earns greater recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural sophistication, Cristalino Añejo shows how Riazul Tequila belongs in the evolving conversation of modern luxury.”

Riazul crafts exclusively small-batch tequilas that are all made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Jalisco highlands, a region defined by its high elevation and micro-climate, producing a sweeter, more distinctive base. Cristalino Añejo joins Riazul’s award-winning portfolio including: Extra Añejo, Añejo, Reposado, and Plata.

At the heart of Riazul Tequila lies a legacy of independence, first ignited by matriarch Maria H. Gomez. Maria was granted 10,000 acres of land in return for her courage and service as high counselor to the rebels during the Mexican War for Independence. She gave away most of the land to fellow revolutionaries, holding on to just 250 acres. Inspired by her vision, her great-grandson Orozco carried that same spirit forward when he became the first in his family to recognize their original land grant as ideal for growing agave. This decision marked the beginning of Riazul’s story: reclaiming history while forging a new future in tequila, one rooted in heritage, independence, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Cristalino Añejo continues Riazul’s tradition of honoring heritage through innovation and independent vision. Riazul Cristalino Añejo (SRP: $138) offers a complex, layered sip with delicate notes of ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and warm spices and an exquisite finish. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to appreciate the refined complexity.

TORONTO – July 30, 2025 - From the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta Distillers Ltd. introduces Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old, a new whisky expression that captures the essence of golden hour in every sip. Crafted with 100 per cent Canadian rye grain and aged for nine years, this release continues the brand’s tradition of excellence, while showcasing the full character and complexity of a matured rye. Made using local Canadian ingredients combined with meticulous crafting, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old launches across Canada this July. 

At the core of Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old is a thoughtful aging process that draws on three distinct barrel styles - new white oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-Canadian whisky casks. This layered maturation process reveals richness, spice, and nuance, allowing the rye grain to shine while evolving into an exceptionally smooth finish. Distilled and crafted with locally grown rye, this premium whisky reveals what time, terroir, and triple-barrel aging can truly offer.

With a bold 45 per cent ABV, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old delivers a dynamic profile where aromas of caramel, subtle leather, and a whisper of coconut lead into a palate rich with raisin and molasses. The finish is where this expression truly shines; sweet, yet laced with signature rye spice, it lingers with exceptional smoothness and layered warmth. This release is a tribute to the golden hues of the prairies, the precision of Canadian whisky-making, and the pursuit of a smoother, more refined rye experience. Proudly crafted from grain to glass in Canada, made with 100 per cent Canadian-grown rye, distilled and bottled on Canadian soil, Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old is a celebration of homegrown excellence in every sip.

“Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old, represents the essence of Canadian craftsmanship, elevating it with a complex, layered whisky experience,” says Deepti Gurkar, Senior Director – National Marketing Canada and Global Canadian Brands at Suntory Global Spirits. “This launch is a celebration of what makes Canadian rye whisky so exceptional - bold flavour, rich heritage, and our continued commitment to innovation. It's a whisky made for those who value authenticity and are looking to explore deeper dimensions of taste.”

Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old will be available across Canada beginning in July, at a suggested retail price of $37.95 per 750ml bottle. A testament to the mastery of Canadian whisky-making and the enduring appeal of 100 per cent rye, the new release invites both seasoned enthusiasts and new explorers to savour a whisky that balances flavour with remarkable finesse. 

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Caramel, hints of leather and top note of coconut

Taste: Raisin and molasses

Finish: Sweet yet spicy

Toronto, July 28, 2025 – After a tumultuous first quarter, the outlook for the foodservice industry has moderated thanks to a cooling of tariff war rhetoric and a slight uptick in consumer confidence, but operators remain cautious, according to Restaurants Canada’s Q2 Quarterly Report. Restaurants Canada expects real commercial foodservice sales to experience -0.5% to 0.5% growth in 2025 and a 0.1% to 0.6% decline in 2026.

Quarterly Report at a glance:

• Commercial foodservice sales are expected to reach between $98.5 billion and $99.5 billion in 2025, a slight improvement over last quarter’s forecast, but still below pre-tariff war expectations.
• Seven in 10 restaurant operators rate the current economic conditions just fair or worse. Only 31% say they are “good” or “very good.”
• While consumer confidence has improved slightly over last quarter, 48% of restaurant operators expect to be less profitable in 2025 than they were in 2024.
• Food costs (83%), labour costs (80%) and a weak economy (55%) were the top three challenges cited by foodservice operators.
• To deal with rising operating costs, foodservice businesses are raising menu prices (85%), cutting staff or hours (60%), increasing hours worked by owners or managers (54%), or changing suppliers or ingredients (53%).
• Overall, 41% of foodservice businesses are operating at a loss of just breaking even. This is an improvement over 2024, but still far below 2019 levels, when only 12% reported operating at a loss or just breaking even. Only 9% of operators report making a profit above 10%, compared to 36% pre-pandemic.
• While tariff uncertainty continues to weigh heavy on the foodservice outlook, consumer confidence, spending and debt levels are improving, offering a glimmer of hope for an upswing in mid-2026.

GST/HST holiday provided needed boost to the foodservice industry

In the first four months of 2025, commercial foodservice sales grew by a solid 6.6%, supported in part by the GST/HST holiday in January. With headwinds picking up speed again and a majority of restaurants having to increase prices, Restaurants Canada is urging the federal government to permanently exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from GST/HST.

“Keeping food affordable needs to be a top priority for the government. Canadians from all walks of life rely on restaurants to feed themselves, whether it’s parents grabbing dinner on the way home from soccer practice, an elderly person who needs a hot meal delivered, or a busy student getting a breakfast sandwich on the way to school,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Removing the GST/HST from all food is a no-nonsense way to improve the quality of life of Canadians and support the foodservice industry.”

To sign Restaurants Canada’s petition calling on government to exempt all food from sales tax, visit .

Toronto, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada welcomes and supports the collective call by Canada’s Premiers at yesterday’s Council of the Federation meeting for a more regionally responsive, transparent, and effective immigration system.

Labour shortages are having a devastating impact on the foodservice industry in Canada. Our sector employs 1.2 million Canadians, many of whom are youth, but those jobs are at risk if hard-to-fill and skilled positions, like cooks, remain vacant.

We urge the federal government to respond to the premiers’ call to reinstate Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) allocations to ensure access to economic migrants. With more than 78,000 job vacancies, current immigration levels threaten the viability of many restaurants, particularly in rural, remote and tourist areas. It is essential that foodservice be permitted to provide jobs for newcomers.

As Canada continues to welcome a significant number of asylum seekers, Restaurants Canada supports automatically granting work permits to them so that they can fully contribute to society and the Canadian economy while their claims are processed. As a major employer of newcomers across the country we have the ability to ensure a smooth transition into employment for asylum seekers. We also share the concerns of the premiers that processing times not just for asylum seekers, but for all immigration streams need to be faster.

 A collaborative federal-provincial framework that is responsive to regional realities is essential. We look forward to continuing this conversation with all levels of government.

• Kelly Higginson, President and CEO, Restaurants Canada