This is VinePair’s Booze News Weekly Roundup, where we gather the hottest headlines and product releases every Friday for a snapshot of what’s happening in the beverage alcohol industry. This week, we have updates on Pop-Tarts’ exit from BuzzBallz collab, Trump’s ban on Canadian alcohol, the latest product releases, and more.

News to know:

  • Pop-Tarts exits BuzzBallz partnership: Pop-Tarts’ owner Mars, Inc. backpedaled from its collaboration with popular ready-to-drink brand BuzzBallz out of fear it would target underage drinkers. Pop-Tarts cut the partnership just one month into the campaign following a meeting with the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance and after public health organizations co-signed a letter calling out the collab. Pop-Tarts also said it will not enter co-branded campaigns with alcohol companies in the future.
  • Trump’s ban on Canadian alcohol takes effect: President Trump’s ban on the importation of Canadian alcohol, which he threatened earlier this month after Canada enacted retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, took hold on Tuesday. It appears Canada won’t push back, as Prime Minister Mark Carney expects the impact of the ban, which also includes dairy and motorcycles, to be “modest,” according to BBC.
  • Strike begins at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery: An estimated 100 members of Unite the Union began a strike at Cameronbridge distillery — the production site for Diageo brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Tanqueray — this week. The union voted to walk out earlier this month after accusing the parent company of giving improper notice of job cuts at the facility. The layoffs were part of CEO Dave Lewis’ $1 billion cost-cutting, restructuring plan.
  • Black Box named official wine of NHL: The multi-year deal with E&J Gallo Winery-backed brand marks the National Hockey League’s first-ever wine partnership. As part of the collaboration, which is slated to begin in 2027, the boxed wine brand will launch programming both in arenas and across digital platforms. The heart of the deal will be Wine Wednesday programming, according to a press release, though details of the campaign have yet to be announced.
  • Google to permit alcohol advertisements on YouTube: The tech giant altered its personal advertising guidelines and will allow alcohol ads to run across YouTube beginning Oct. 30. Advertisers must still adhere to local regulations but are now able to “personalize ads on YouTube inventory for alcohol advertising, including alcohol, alcohol-related products, and alcohol alternative beverages.”

Product releases to watch:

  • Cazcanes inaugurates Experimental Single Barrel series with two releases: The brand is releasing two single-barrel reposados — one aged in ex-Mirabelle eau de vie casks and the other in ex-apricot brandy barrels, both bottled at 100 proof — to debut its new Experimental Single Barrel collection. Both reposados are now available in limited quantities for a suggested retail price of $99.99.
  • Lost Lantern releases first single-distillery bourbon: The Vermont-based bottling company is launching the George Dickel Collection, a series of bourbons all produced at the historic Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. The collection comprises 11 single-distillery and single-cask whiskies, with suggested retail prices ranging from $79.99 to $249.99.

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