Finding your favorite whisky can get complicated and you will need to try to find which is your favorite by the Nose, Taste, Finish, Balance and complexity. Most Critics us Scoring which can help you make a better choice. It starts 0-100, 100 being the best score. Usually I would say 0-49 stay away 50-75 you can bare 76-89 are good and 90-100 the very best!

Whisky are not all Scottish, Canadian and America even do they do produce some of the most widely know brands, they are many worldwide. Here is to name a few,

*Japanese  * Argentina *Australia * South Africa
*European *Brazil * India *Taiwan

I urge to try something unique and different, this time of the year. The Holidays have passed. All the relatives are gone (mother in law) and you have some time to yourself, enjoy with a good cigar or not but do enjoy the aroma, flavor and balance of each sip you may take. Here is something fun to do, as your enjoying your drink close your eyes and try to enjoy all the flavors which come from the it. Caramel, Vanilla, Flowers, Citrus, Oaks, and many many more..

Fermin Perez
Ferminperez.com

This is going to be fun, join me and if you’ve got some suggestions let put into text.

Translation: I've been Blessed, Nothing in my life has come easily to me.

I’m Fermin Perez Jr. Born in Havana, Cuba. I have lived in Miami, Florida since 1980, since I have ventured and lived in Los Angeles, California and Bavaro, Dominican Republic. I have some traveling experience because of the my job mostly, visiting beverage manufactures, conventions, client and a little of personal traveling as well.

I have many things I cherish in my life like spending time with my wonderful and talented wife and my daughters..family and friends are an important part of my life. Fishing is most definitely one of my most favorite past times.

I’ve started with this blog/website as a pass time, where I will share some of my business experience in the most part but still try to keep a log of some of my great moments.

There is much to be learned by this great adventure… join me I hope we can all learn from these experiences

Ok someone asked me today if there was one thing I could not do with out in a launch or on the ongoing building of a beverage brand.

I would have to say sampling is the most important, and most cost-effective.

1. Only do sampling at location who have bought product.
2. Up sale directly to the consumer at his favorite and local store
3. Product is what cost you the least, so take advantage
4. Store owner like this because you give their store value and you are helping then move the product they just bought from you

Fermin Perez

Got your Beverage Brand sold outside of USA? Here is what you may encounter.

First of all congratulations, you are now an international company. Now that you have a buyer you need to start working on making sure you are protected. It’s Important to not rush this process, most inexperienced Brand owners will have to pay more for trying to push the brands to get registered and pass Sanitation(Similar to FDA). Don’t be afraid to ask the distributor what needs to be done or have him refer an Attorney or Company that can guide you through the process. In any event here are some quick notes, I hope they are helpful.

You will most likely need the following information:

1. Certificate of Free Sale

2. Technical Sheets of Formulation of product (does not need specific volume but ingredients will be a must)

3. International Shipping codes, and shipping technical sheet

4. Copies or your Labels in USA and formulation approvals for country of origin. (Technical Sheet may cover this)

Trademarks: You will need to Start this as soon as you can! You need to own the Trademark and then assign the to the distributor or distributors by area, like cities, state, provinces etc…

Trademark usage needs to be clear in your agreement with importer/distributor like the use of logo’s on T-shirt, website, social media, etc…

Know your cost clearly as well as calculating the import taxes and other logistics cost. There have been times that after reviewing the fee’s,Taxes and shipping it did not make sense to try to even open that market. You could just price yourself out with so much cost at the end of the day you need to be competitive.

Territory Assignments: Always try to give less and let then earn more territory as they grow with you. It’s always easier to add more areas than to take away.
Local/Jurisdiction Licenses/Permits: make sure you have copies of these from your importer / distributors. Verify dates and information for accuracy its important that you are working with a company that has proper documentation for your protection.
Sanitation: Similar to USA FDA most countries have this process, you will need to send an amount of product to get check and clear that process first. Do not some countries may not ask for it upfront but will once you do your first shipment. I have always tried to take the step and send some samples like 10 case so if they have issues they can start finding solution before you send a full container.

This is a very detailed process and I’m just covering it with a broad brush, it’s always important to get educated read and ask lots of question or hire someone who knows what they’re doing.

By:

Fermin Perez Jr.

HP Global Brands, Inc. Miami, Florida.

Since I have really not kept a great deal of Pictures or documentation of my past Experiences, you will need to excuse me. With that said i will begin to indulge in the spender of showing off our catches!

• Build a Marking Plan – Know your competition
• Establish your budgets clearly
• Social Media, Internet Marketing and others
• Launch Strategy/Territory
• Training of the Sales Staff
• Sales and Marketing strategy meetings with distributor
• Plan Yearly Trade show / Events

This week I’m working on new labels for a brand we are working closely with for our self at HP Global Brands, Inc.. How can you make the right choice when you have so many people adding to your ideas and what they think could be right or better. My take is always hear all the ideas and they will be helpful but at the end of the day there is only so much room in a label. Here is some of the thoughts i ask myself, to help me make the right decision.

1. Clear Text – Clear and easy to read logo’s
2. Fewer Colors involved the better – don’t loose sight of what you are trying to say
3. Get to the point – what are you selling let the consumer know ASAP
4. Who is your target client – make sure you appeal to that consumer
5. Talk about the benefits of your product clearly – Most consumer don’t read all the text on the bottle

this is of course that you take into consideration the color of the labels and bottles you are using. Please don’t use a water bottle for an energy drink… it does not relate..

Also try to do some studies with a few consumers which you will be targeting. Make a list of questions that you think are valuable to the implementation of your brand.

Good Luck!!

Hope this is useful, sincerely Fermin Perez, Jr.
fermin@hpglobalbrands.com