by admin | Feb 23, 2023 | IN THE NEWS
Louisville, KY (February 21, 2023) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the original independent blender of unique aged, cask strength whiskey since 2013, has hired Chris Riesbeck as its Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Chris will assume responsibility for developing commercial strategies, achieving the company’s revenue goals, and overseeing the route-to-market (distributor) strategy in addition to all operational aspects of sales activities. He will also join the BCS Executive Team, reporting directly to Founder Joe Beatrice.
With expertise in sales and distilled spirits, Chris most recently served as Vice President of Sales for Westland Distillery in Seattle where he built and oversaw the Commercial strategy for all Global markets. Previously, he spent five and a half years with Classic Imports in Boston and before that nearly four years with Slocum & Sons in Connecticut, in various roles.
“I’ve known Chris for several years and have been highly impressed with his strategic thinking, management style and overall track record,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “Given his background and proficiency within both sales and distilled spirits, he’s tailor-made for this critical role.”
Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (Bioethics) with a minor in Economics from The College of Wooster and a PgD in Brewing & Distilling Sciences from Heriot-Watt University.
For more information, follow Barrell Craft Spirits® on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram or visit barrellbourbon.com.
Barrell Craft Spirits®
Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits® is the original, pre-eminent independent blender of unique, aged, cask strength whiskey and rum. Recognized for our blending expertise since 2013, we skillfully design, produce, and launch leading, unique products that surprise and delight whiskey aficionados and novices alike.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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by admin | Feb 8, 2023 | IN THE NEWS
Kisner to Broaden Awareness of Chicken Chock Whiskey
CHARLESTON, SC (January 31 , 2023)- Grain & Barrel Spirits has announced a multi-year partnership with Aiken, SC native and PGA TOUR Pro Golfer Kevin Kisner. Grain & Barrel is a producer of world-class spirits and iconic brands including Kentucky-based Chicken Cock Whiskey and SC-based Dixie Vodka, two of Kevin’s favorites, which led to the partnership coming together.
Chicken Cock Whiskey is looking forward to supporting Kisner through all of his outdoor pursuits, whether it be during the golf season, or hunting and fishing in the off season. The Chicken Cock Whiskey logo will be displayed on Kisner’s shirt sleeve for the full PGA TOUR schedule, as well as the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Viewers can get a first look at his branded shirt at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am February 2-5, held annually in Pebble Beach, California as part of the PGA TOUR.
Kisner, a PGA TOUR winner and Presidents Cup Team participant, is currently ranked #31 in the world. His confidence, bold attitude and prestige mirror Chicken Cock Whiskey’s celebrated reputation. Known as “The Famous Old Brand,” Chicken Cock Whiskey originated in Paris, Kentucky in 1856 and prospered for nearly a century, through prohibition, until it disappeared from the market in the 1950’s. In 2012, Grain & Barrel Spirits Founder Matti Anttila came across the legendary brand while researching the early days of distillation and decided to bring it back to its former glory.
“I’m thrilled to work with Grain & Barrel, especially since they were founded in my home state of South Carolina,” shares Kisner. “Their support for the Kisner Foundation really means a lot and I’ll be proud to wear the Chicken Cock logo this season. Chicken Cock, like golf, has a long, rich history I admire. Whether it’s golf or good whiskey, this ain’t no hobby for me!”
“Partnering with a South Carolina native to activate our brand carries so much meaning to us,” says Anttila. “The fact that we get to work with a golfer like Kevin, whose values align so closely with our brand’s values, is truly a gift. We’re looking forward to expanding Grain & Barrel’s reach by connecting golf aficionados with whiskey and vodka lovers.”
Grain & Barrel looks forward to supporting the Kevin & Brittany Kisner Foundation at a variety of charity events throughout the year. The nonprofit, run by Kevin and his wife, benefits children in the Central Savannah River area by providing them with opportunities to build strong foundations for success.
ABOUT GRAIN & BARREL SPIRITS
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide. The company’s core brands include: Chicken Cock Whiskey, the famous heritage whiskey brand established in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856; Dixie Vodka, the leading premium homegrown vodka produced in Charleston; High Goal Luxury Gin, a small batch, ultra-premium gin produced in Charleston; Elvis Whiskey, Elvis Presley-inspired whiskeys; Tequila Eterno Verano, a range of ultra-premium tequilas made for adventurous souls; and Virgil Kane Lowcountry Whiskey, chef driven, flavor forward whiskeys inspired by and created in Charleston. Grain & Barrel has been named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America three years in a row.
by admin | Jan 25, 2023 | IN THE NEWS
Charleston, SC (January 25, 2022) – Grain & Barrel Spirits, which develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide, has appointed Will Woodington as its first National Whiskey Brand Ambassador. A long-time resident of Metro Detroit, he will be responsible for promoting the Grain & Barrel Spirits whiskey portfolio. Will’s primary focus will be expanding the national footprint for the historic Chicken Cock Whiskey brand, which was established in 1856 and rose to fame as the house whiskey at The Cotton Club, one of Prohibition’s most legendary speakeasies. He will also assist with marketing and sales related initiatives for Elvis and Virgil Kaine whiskeys.
Will brings considerable beverage alcohol experience to the new role, having most recently served as a Brand Ambassador for Bardstown Bourbon Company, where he oversaw on- and off-premise events and tastings. Over the past several years, he has built a respectable following as a whiskey enthusiast and social influencer via @bondedinbottles. He is also co-founder of and moderator for The Bourbon Alliance, a select group of whiskey enthusiasts who aim to shine a light on distilleries nationwide. Previously, Will worked as Channel Sales Manager at Roush Performance Products for nearly 10 years.
“Will brings substantial sales and marketing experience plus a passion for whiskey to this new role,” said Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. “He will be an excellent steward for our whiskey portfolio helping to generate national awareness and buzz.”
To connect with Will, please email him at [email protected]
About Grain & Barrel Spirits
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide. The company’s core brands include: Chicken Cock Whiskey, an historically significant whiskey brand established in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856; Dixie Vodka, the leading premium homegrown vodka produced in the Southeast; Virgil Kaine Lowcountry Whiskey; High Goal Luxury Gin, a small batch, ultra-premium gin produced in Charleston; Elvis Whiskeys, a duo of Elvis Presley-inspired whiskeys, and; Tequila Eterno Verano, a range of ultra-premium tequilas made for adventurous souls. Grain & Barrel has been named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America three years in a row. For more information, visit www.grainandbarrel.com.
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by admin | Jan 23, 2023 | IN THE NEWS
Slated to Open in 2024, the New 70,000 Square Foot Campus Will Include End-to-End Production, Visitor Center & Tasting Room, and Will be Michigan’s Largest Distillery
Traverse City, MI (January 24, 2023) – Traverse City Whiskey Co. (TCWC), an award-winning portfolio of premium whiskeys and bourbon made in Michigan, officially broke ground on the future site of its new whiskey production facility, in Traverse City. The company’s rapid growth has exceeded its current distilling capacity, which resulted in a portion of its annual production to be outsourced to out-of-state partners. The first-of-its-kind distilling campus in Michigan will enhance the company’s current production facilities and tasting room located at 201 E. 14th St. in downtown Traverse City, which has become a popular destination for tens of thousands of area residents and visitors since 2012.
Set on 35 acres of land in the countryside, the new facility will accommodate every step in the whiskey production process (mashing, fermentation, distillation), allowing the company to significantly increase production of its award-winning portfolio of premium whiskeys and bourbon, to as many as 24,000 barrels of whiskey each year. Part of the property will also be dedicated to growing grain to be used in the company’s various distillations. The facility will also help to meet increasing demand for TCWC’s portfolio of products, which includes its best-selling Premium Cocktail Cherries and Cocktail Crate craft mixers.
The 70,000 square foot campus, which will be built in partnership with Mathison Architects and Erhardt Construction, will feature a state-of-the-art traditional rack house, dedicated processing and packaging spaces, administrative offices, a visitor center & tasting room, and spectacular indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces. The new facility will also create approximately 100 new jobs for the surrounding community and afford TCWC the ability to support other Michigan distillers in need of capacity for their own growing brands.
“We’re thrilled to break ground on this incredible new facility which will allow us to expand operations and exclusively produce our award-winning whiskey right here in our hometown of Traverse City,” said Chris Fredrickson, Co-Founder and President, TCWC. Our new headquarters will be an all-encompassing campus that will provide a unique immersion in whiskey culture and industry and will add a new experience to the thriving Northern Michigan agritourism industry. It will provide numerous jobs and attract new and returning visitors to our beautiful region. We can’t wait to welcome our friends into our new home.”
Known as the “Whiskey of the North,” the 100% family-owned craft whiskey company produces straight bourbon and its signature cherry whiskey which have become top selling craft whiskeys statewide and across the U.S. The team draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800s, sourcing all their grains (corn, rye and malted barley) from the Midwest. The distilling team, led by Chris Fredrickson, Jared Rapp and Moti Goldring, makes an award-winning portfolio of quality products, inspired by patented distilling techniques invented by Fredrickson’s great grandfather that were approved by the US PTO during the prohibition era. In 2018, TCWC introduced its Premium Cocktail Cherries which have grown to be the leading premium cocktail cherry nationally, sold in all 50 states. In 2019, TCWC acquired Cocktail Crate premium craft mixers and opened its first tasting room in Metro Detroit: The Outpost, in Ferndale.
TCWC products are available via the brand website and at on- and off-premise establishments in more than 30 U.S. States.
For more information, please visit www.tcwhiskey.com and use the “whiskey finder” in the top right corner to find retailers that sell the brand. Please also follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tcwhiskey
About Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is an independent and locally owned distilled spirits company based in Traverse City, Michigan, that’s dedicated to producing approachable premium to super-premium whiskey and bourbon. Known as “The Whiskey of the North,” the upstart company draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800’s, sourcing all grains from the Midwest.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. is a member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
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by admin | Jan 9, 2023 | IN THE NEWS
89,000 Square Foot Facility Will Help to Meet Increased Demand for the Independent Blender’s Award-Winning Cask Strength Whiskey
Louisville, KY (January 9, 2023) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS) today announced the purchase of an historic rickhouse in Shively, Kentucky. The five-story, 89,000 sq. ft. rickhouse, which can house more than 17,500 barrels, will afford BCS much needed storage space, given the increased demand for the company’s award-winning line of whiskey and rum.
BCS purchased the rickhouse from Angel’s Envy, which had owned it since 2013, in December 2022 for $2.41 million. Originally built in 1940 as part of a Yellowstone Distillery campus following the repeal of Prohibition, it has been owned and operated by several companies since then, including Florida Distillers, Glenmore Distilling Company of Owensboro, and most recently, Angel’s Envy.
“Working with approximately 65 different producers presents logistical challenges for transporting and accessing all of these barrels,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “The new facility will help to solve these challenges and allow for increased storage space near our blending facility. We plan to begin moving barrels into the rickhouse later this month.”
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels and aging environments, and bottles them at cask strength. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean it can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes, a liberated approach to blending, and a deep-seated commitment to releasing each whiskey at cask strength guides every product release.
For more information, follow Barrell Craft Spirits® on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram or visit www.barrellbourbon.com.
Barrell Craft Spirits®
Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits® is the original, pre-eminent independent blender of unique, aged, cask strength whiskey and rum. Recognized for its blending expertise since 2013, they skillfully design, produce, and launch leading, unique products that surprise and delight whiskey aficionados and novices alike.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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