by admin | Aug 4, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
B.R. Distilling Company and Leatherwood Distillery Join Tennessee’s Growing Statewide Whiskey Experience
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (August 4, 2026) — The Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a collective of more than 30 distilleries and tasting rooms across the state, has expanded its footprint with the addition of two new destinations: B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis and Leatherwood Distillery in Clarksville. The additions further strengthen the Trail’s mission of showcasing Tennessee’s rich distilling heritage while encouraging visitors to explore the diverse communities, stories and flavors that make the Volunteer State a top destination for spirits tourism.
“We are thrilled to welcome B.R. Distilling Company and Leatherwood Distillery as stops along the Trail,” said Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. “The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is built on the incredible variety of distilleries across our state, and from Memphis to Clarksville, these new additions represent the craftsmanship, innovation and hospitality that continue to make all of Tennessee a leading destination for whiskey enthusiasts and travelers alike.”
B.R. Distilling Company is Memphis’ oldest licensed distillery and the producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon portfolio. Artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, Blue Note Bourbon is celebrated for its bold character and smooth finish. Located just north of downtown Memphis, the distillery offers guests an immersive look at its production process through guided tours and curated spirit tastings.
Founded by military veteran Andy Lang, Leatherwood Distillery in Clarksville crafts a range of small-batch spirits using traditional techniques and high-quality Tennessee ingredients. From smooth, aged bourbons and rye whiskeys to handcrafted flavored rums, each expression reflects the distillery’s commitment to technique and innovation. Situated along the Cumberland River, Leatherwood welcomes visitors for behind-the-scenes tours, sharing the story of the distillery and its production process before concluding with a guided tasting experience.
The Tennessee Whiskey Trail serves as a gateway to Tennessee’s thriving spirits industry, connecting visitors with distilleries and tasting rooms across hundreds of miles of the state – from vibrant cities to charming small towns. Through the Trail’s free digital passport, guests can discover participating locations, check in at stops and earn rewards as they travel. In addition to highlighting distilleries, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail website features curated itineraries that pair Trail stops with local restaurants in its Cork to Fork program, outdoor attractions, historic landmarks and cultural experiences, offering visitors a comprehensive way to experience Tennessee.
To learn more about the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, visit tnwhiskeytrail.com and follow along on social media @tnwhiskeytrail to stay up to date on Trail experiences.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE WHISKEY TRAIL
Where the whiskey meets the road. In 2017, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail was launched by the Tennessee Distillers Guild as a celebration of our state and its signature spirits. Today we host morethan 30 stops across the state, offering a taste of Tennessee and a road map for adventure. Visitors to the Trail can soak up the sights and sounds that have been shaped by Tennessee whiskey, whether stopping by for a sip or making a weekend of it. For more information, visit www.tnwhiskeytrail.com and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s Instagram.
ABOUT B.R. DISTILLING COMPANY
B.R. Distilling Company is Memphis’ oldest licensed distillery and the producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon portfolio. Artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, Blue Note Bourbon is celebrated for its bold character and smooth finish. Located just north of downtown Memphis, the distillery offers guests an immersive look at its production process through guided tours and curated spirit tastings.
ABOUT LEATHERWOOD DISTILLERY
Founded by former Green Beret Andy Lang, Leatherwood Distillery is a veteran-owned and operated craft distillery based in Clarksville, Tenn. Lang discovered his passion for distilling during military deployments overseas, an experience that ultimately led to the founding of Leatherwood after his retirement from service. Today, multiple military veterans make up the distillery’s ownership and operational team, united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and hands-on production. Proudly rooted in the Clarksville community, Leatherwood produces a growing lineup of handcrafted spirits and recently opened its new hometown distillery in May 2026.
###
by admin | Aug 3, 2026 | IN THE NEWS
100% Additive-Free Small-Batch Tequila Makes Waves by Focusing on the History of its Legendary Recipe, Quality, Transparency, Cultural Relevance, and Grassroots Activation
New York, NY (August 3, 2026) – Marcado 28, the premium additive-free tequila rooted in generational craftsmanship and the legendary recipe of a 10th-generation tequila-making family finished in collaboration with world-renowned chef Michael Voltaggio, today announced significant distribution expansion and market momentum across the U.S., underscoring its rapid growth in an increasingly competitive spirits landscape.
Since launching in October 2024, Marcado 28 has expanded into 14 key U.S. markets, including CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, LA, MD, MO, NE, NY, OK, SC, TX and Washington, D.C., including major retail partners such as ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Total Wine & More, leading independent retailers including Dierbergs and Applejack, and hospitality partners such as Federal Grill and OTO Development affiliated venues.
The brand’s strategy of building distribution market-by-market—rather than forcing rapid national scale—has enabled stronger sell-through and account-level engagement.
“We’re seeing meaningful traction by focusing on real relationships—winning accounts one at a time and building from there,” said Phil Hurst, Founder, CEO, PLH Wine & Spirits. “We’re on track to hit our goal of doubling sales in 2026 and more than doubling again in 2027. At a time when many brands are facing headwinds, we continue to grow at double digits.”
As tequila competition intensifies and consumer scrutiny around authenticity grows, Marcado 28 is gaining traction by emphasizing quality, transparency and craftsmanship while aligning with the growing consumer shift toward cleaner, additive-free spirits.
“There’s a real shift happening—people are drinking less, but they’re drinking better. That plays directly into our approach,” said Howard Jackowitz, President and Co-Founder, Spirits That Rock.
Marcado 28 is also being fueled by cultural relevance. Born from Master Tequilero Bruno Barba, a descendant of the legendary Romo family credited with creating Reposado and elevated through the culinary perspective of world-renowned chef Michael Voltaggio, Marcado 28 is the result of a legendary recipe that brings together 10 generations of tequila craftsmanship with modern culinary creativity. Marcado 28 Blanco and Reposado honor time-tested traditions by slow-roasting agave and crafting tequila from just three all-natural ingredients: water, 100% blue Weber agave from the Tequila Valleys of Jalisco, Mexico, and yeast.
Later this year, Marcado 28 will introduce “Experience the Legendary Recipe,” a new marketing campaign inspired by the collaboration between Bruno Barba and Michael Voltaggio. More than a tagline, the campaign invites consumers to discover the legendary recipe born from generations of tequila-making heritage and elevated through Michael’s instinct for flavor. The result is a tequila people don’t simply taste – they remember.
The brand is also succeeding with local grassroots activations and events, in-store tastings and bottle signings, “meet-the maker” market visits, and consumer-facing activations, hosted by local market brand ambassadors.
“When I walk into accounts and people already know the brand—or follow what we’re doing—that’s when you know something real is happening,” said Barba, a 10th-generation tequila producer who has built a rapidly growing social presence with over 100,000 followers driving organic brand awareness.
Marcado 28 also continues to differentiate itself through unique tequila and cheese pairing experiences, including retail and educational tastings, and emerging culinary credibility, through chef-driven programming, culinary partnerships, and media opportunities. These experiences invite consumers to experience the legendary recipe firsthand while discovering how craftsmanship and culinary creativity come together in every pour.
Looking ahead, Marcado 28 plans to introduce a new Añejo expression (already pre-sold to ABC stores) and will continue to broaden distribution, deepen relationships with retail and hospitality partners, build on its additive-free and culinary positioning, and leverage cultural moments and influencer reach to accelerate growth.
Marcado 28 Blanco is the purest form of Tequila–clear, unaged and unaltered—while Marcado 28 Reposado acquires a rich golden hue that whispers tales of time and tradition after aging for eight months in American oak barrels. Both expressions received high praise from Wine Enthusiast magazine, earning 94 points for the Blanco ($50) and 93 points for the Reposado ($60).
For more information, including where to buy, please visit https://marcado28.com/ and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram
About Marcado 28
Marcado 28 is a premium additive-free tequila born from a legendary recipe that unites two worlds rarely found together: the heritage of a 10th-generation tequila-making family and the culinary creativity of world-renowned chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. Crafted using traditional methods and only three natural ingredients, Marcado 28 invites consumers to experience the legendary recipe in every bottle while redefining how tequila connects with modern consumers. This perfectly positions the brand as tequila drinkers increasingly seek crafted products with a real story.
# # #
