Next week, Bar Convent Brooklyn returns to Industry City in the Upper New York Bay area. The two-day, trade-only event, which takes place on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June, brings together bartenders, buyers, brand owners and distributors for a programme of tastings, training and networking opportunities.
This year’s show will feature live demonstrations, panel discussions and keynote talks from the likes of the American Craft Spirits Association, Brown-Forman-owned Jack Daniel’s, Campari Group, Diageo, Gallo’s Four Roses Distillery, Pollen Projects and Teremana Tequila. Sustainability remains a central focus for organisers, who have pledged to plant ten trees for each visitor who registers for the event.
Below, we highlight a selection of stands worth visiting at next week’s exhibition.
Barbera Imports – Stand 7-BW-603
Barbera Imports specialises in bringing “artisanal producers” into the US market, working with international producers across distribution and route-to-market strategy, as well as helping them navigate the three-tier system. At the show, the company will spotlight Tarsier Spirit’s Yuzu Marmalade Vodka (above), Calamansi Citrus Gin, Chilli & Lemongrass Gin, Lychee & Pink Raspberry Gin and Southeast Asian Gin.
The team will also be pouring Lanique Spirit of Rose, a pink liqueur made from steam-distilled attar of rose petals and recommended served in a spritz.
Bubba’s Whiskey – Stand 8A-512
Bubba’s Whiskey will showcase its range of dessert-inspired flavoured whiskies, including BS Burnt Sugar, Hot Honey, Pancakes & Bacon and Marshmallow Chocolate whiskeys. Sampling will be a central focus of the stand, with visitors invited to taste across the portfolio throughout the show. Bubba’s, owned by New York-based Chatham Imports, wants to build awareness and introduce more bartenders to the range of “Southern-style whiskeys”.
Brand representatives will be available to meet at the stand.
Cazcanes Tequila – Stand 8B-720
Cazcanes Tequila will present its full range of organic tequilas (above), including the Blanco and Aged collections. Limited editions Rosa Blanco and Rosa Reposado will also be available, alongside the latest annual release of Cazcanes’ Nuestras Raíces, the first spirit to receive a 100-point score from Wine Enthusiast.
The Cazcanes team will toast the new release at New York’s Manhatta bar on Monday evening. CEO Edwin Dolgopyat, president Jeff Kozak and brand ambassadors Wayne Cafariella and Drake Schaneberg will be available to chat at the stand.
Foley Family Wines & Spirits – Stand 8B-909
Foley Family Wines & Spirits will spotlight Tequila El Mexicano (above), a family-owned brand that it imports and sells in the US. Tequila El Mexicano is produced by the Bañuelos family in Arandas, Jalisco. The range now includes three iterations – Blanco, Blanco 90 and Reposado, which was unveiled in September last year.
Visitors will be able to taste the portfolio alongside cocktails created by Foley Family Wines & Spirits’ US spirits ambassador, Lucas Huff, while learning more about the distillery.
Gruppo Caffo 1915 – Stand IC19
Italy’s Gruppo Caffo hopes to bring “the spirit of the Italian table” to this year’s exhibition, showcasing a range stretching “from aperitivo to after dinner”. The company will be pouring Vecchio Amaro del Capo and marking the official US launch of new acquisition Cinzano (above), which was bought from Campari Group last June.
Visitors to the stand will be able to try “refreshing vermouth 70/30 serves, aperitivo and signature cocktails and ice-cold Vecchio Amaro del Capo celebration shots, accompanied by Italian tunes”. CFO Alessio Pane and other members of the team will be available to meet.
Hayman Distillers – Stand 8A-600
London’s Hayman Distillers will be pouring its namesake gins at this year’s show, ranging from the classic London Dry to Old Tom (above), Sloe Gin and the Peach & Rose Cup. Swing by to hear more about the company’s no- & low-alcohol range, with a recently released 0.0% ABV iteration and Hayman’s London Light, a 12.5%-ABV gin designed “to create a new way of enjoying a low-alcohol G&T”.
Distiller James Hayman, fifth-generation of the family-owned company, will be at the stand to greet visitors and enjoy a classic Freezer Martinez.
Isle of Wight Distillery – Stand EB23
The Isle of Wight Distillery will showcase its flagship Mermaid Gin (above), including the classic, Pink Gin and Zest expressions. Mermaid was founded in 2015 by Xavier Baker and Conrad Gauntlett at the Isle of Wight Distillery and uses locally grown botanicals from the island, a designated Unesco World Heritage site
In January, the brand partnered with Soho Drinks in the US to support export expansion in the country. Mermaid is distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
Laird & Co – Stand 7-BW-513
New Jersey-based Laird & Co, producer of Laird’s Applejack, will showcase its apple brandy portfolio alongside a range of imported spirits and liqueurs from France, Italy and the UK. The stand will also highlight the new Laird’s Barrel Finished Series (above), including Bourbon, Irish Whiskey and Corn Whiskey expressions.
Brands featured will include Laird’s Apple Brandy, Lazzaroni Liqueurs, Moletto Gin, La Truffe Cognac, G&W Bourbon, Tarquin’s Navy & Cornish Gin, Valdepablo Vermouth and Cherry Rocher.
Loca Loka Tequila – Stand IC40
Indian-inspired tequila Loca Loka is a joint venture between actor Rana Daggubati, composer Anirudh Ravichander and entrepreneur Harsha Vadlamudi. The trio launched their first tequila in the US last year and have plans to expand globally.
The stand will feature cocktails created by New York ‘master mixologist’ Cyllan Hicks, with activations centred around the Blanco (above) and Reposado expressions. North-east regional sales director Laura Santana and tequila market manager Carlos Garay will be running ‘tasting labs’ at the stand.
Noblewood Group – Stand 8A-506
Beluga Vodka’s Gold Line expression (above) will lead the line-up at Noblewood Group’s stand. The wider Beluga range will also be there, alongside the US debut of Oyster Gin, a London Dry with botanicals from locations along the Adriatic Coast, such as Montenegro. Cocktail serves will be available for both brands, including a Beluga Gold martini paired with caviar, “an iconic pairing that speaks to the growing on-trade interest in savoury, ultra-refined cocktail serves”.
“The US is a strategic priority market for Noblewood Group,” says US MD Daniil Kurilov, who will be available to meet at the stand.
Old Spirits Co – Stand 8B-715
As its name suggests, Old Spirits Co sources and sells vintage spirits dating back as far as the 18th Century. Much of its inventory dates from between the 1930s and 1980s, but current records for the oldest and rarest include a 1795 cognac, a circa-1800 madeira, a case of mid-19th-Century absinthes and an 1868 Pennsylvania rye whiskey.
The London-based company works with on-premise operators, private collectors and brands, supplying rare and discontinued bottlings across multiple categories. At the show, visitors will be able to explore and taste from the company’s portfolio, including expressions from Canadian Club.
Patrón Tequila (Bacardí) – Stand IC32
Patrón will be focusing on its 100 expression at this year’s show. Patrón 100 (above) is a new, 50%-ABV (100-proof) blanco that was released by the Bacardí-owned brand in April and is positioned with bartenders in mind.
The stand will feature activations with Chicago’s Meadowlark Bar – which came in at No.38 in the North America ’50 Best Bars’ list for 2025. Pop along to the stand to try cocktails from the Meadowlark Bar team and meet Patrón master distiller David Rodriguez.
Pollen Projects – Stand 8B-729
Pollen Projects – the venture studio founded by Seedlip’s Ben Branson and Emma Wykes – will showcase Sylva Orchard non-alc aged spirits and Seasn 0.0% ABV cocktail bitters (above). Seasn consists of two variants: Light, for lighter drinks such as soda, Seedlip & tonic, G&Ts, martinis and margaritas; and Dark, described as “full-on spice for your darker drinks like ginger ale, whisky soda or old fashioned”.
The company is set to cut the ribbon on a “maturation lab and distillery” in New York’s Hudson Valley this autumn.
Santa Cruz Organic Craft Bar Collection – Stand 8A-511
TruRoots-owned Santa Cruz Organic Craft Bar Collection will be showcasing cocktail mixers in the ‘bronze showroom’. The range includes Paloma, Pressed Strawberry/Lime Margarita, Jalapeño Margarita, Chipotle Spiced Bloody Mary, Lemon Citrus Sour and Cranberry Juice Cocktail mixers positioned as a clean-label, organic, preservative-free solution for the on-premise.
Visitors can try cocktails and no- & low-alcohol serves, including the Spicy Bloody Mary and Paloma Basil & Bitters mocktail. CEO Adam Carr, R&D lead Nicholas Van Campen and GM of food service Helen Mackey (creator of the bar collection) will be available to meet.
Suyo Pisco – Stand 7-BW-601
Peruvian pisco brand Suyo will serve up signature cocktails and introduce its latest limited-release Exploratory Series: Andean Brandy. Visit the stand to taste the core Single Origin Quebranta and Single Origin Italia piscos (above).
Co-founders Ian Leggett and Alex Hildebrandt, marketing director Maddie Bedder, brand manager Matt Conner, brand development manager Giancarlo Quiroz Jesus and brand ambassadors Isaiah Luís Sergeant and Alvaro Tello will be in attendance. Suyo is also hosting post-show events at Mr Melo in Brooklyn on Tuesday and Little More in Tribeca on Wednesday.
Veda Spirits – Stand 7A-116
Veda Spirits will showcase its flagship Veda Mushroom Liqueur (above) – an “umami-led spirit” designed for cocktails and digestif serves. Visitors can check out the Veda colada slushy serve and unleash their inner mycologist with a closer look at a shiitake mushroom-covered log.
The brand is using BCB to build awareness around umami spirits within the trade while seeking new US distribution partners and export opportunities. Founders Jeremy Block and Adam Starowicz, alongside brand manager Andreas Sanidiotis, will be available at the stand.
Volans Tequila – Stand 8B-706
Founders Chad and Cristina Allen will showcase their range of “traditionally made” tequilas: Still Strength Blanco (above), Blanco and Reposado. The family-owned business is based in Guadalajara and produces tequila in El Pandillo in the Highlands of Jalisco.
The pair, who met at music college in Los Angeles, founded Volans in 2015, moving to Guadalajara in 2021. Their brand is named after “a constellation of the flying fish in the Southern Hemisphere”. If you wander past, ask them about Igor the Shredder!
Zacapa Rum (Diageo and Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala) – Stand IC33
Zacapa’s stand, which will be in the courtyard between buildings 7 and 8, will give its Zacapa No.23 Rum (above) centre stage. The stand will host rotating guest bartenders throughout the show, allowing visitors to taste cocktails from a range of professionals. Zacapa master blender Lorena Vásquez and global ambassador Vanessa Leon will also be on-site to offer a deeper look into rum-making.
The brand, co-owned by Diageo and Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, is using BCB to build awareness in the on-premise while deepening education around Zacapa’s production, heritage and versatility in cocktails.
