US spirits producer Heritage Distilling Company is to close its tasting rooms and shift to contract production. In a statement yesterday (23 October), the company said its decision stems from a review addressing “shifting market dynamics” and “financial realities” in the beverage-alcohol industry. The closures, effective 31 December, are driven by a “challenging” tax and regulatory environment in Washington and Oregon, it added. Five retail tasting rooms in the states are set to be shuttered. Heritage ...