by admin | Apr 29, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Award-Winning Whiskey Portfolio Proudly Partners with America’s Leading Professional Team Pickleball League for the Upcoming 2024 and 2025 Seasons
Memphis, TN (April 29, 2024) – Blue Note Bourbon™ has announced a multi-year partnership as the official bourbon of Major League Pickleball (MLP), the preeminent professional coed team pickleball league featuring nearly 100 of the world’s best players participating in America’s fastest-growing sport.
The exclusive and first major sponsorship for the burgeoning brand will shine a spotlight on the award-winning whiskey portfolio during nine MLP events across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The brand will have a presence in both the VIP hospitality and sponsor village areas at three events this year – MLP Atlanta (May 9-12), MLP Miami (Oct 24-27) and MLP Playoffs: Round 1 in Dallas (Nov 1-3). Attendees will have the opportunity to learn all about the Blue Note brand and sample a variety of signature cocktails.
Additionally, the partnership affords Blue Note the following broadcast (TV/MLP livestreams) and on-court assets throughout 2024-25 season: brand logo, signage, advertisements, and public address announcements; presence on MLP’s website and social media channels; and rights to pour at all 2024-2025 MLP events.
“We’re thrilled to be the first official bourbon sponsor of Major League Pickleball,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer, B.R. Distilling Company. “Like MLP and the sport of pickleball, Blue Note is experiencing unprecedented interest and growth. The sport aligns perfectly with the Blue Note drinker, and we look forward to introducing our award-winning bourbons to the players and fans alike.”
Launched in 2018, Blue Note is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with the soul of Memphis. The brand’s whiskey portfolio is distilled in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company (parent company of Green River Distilling Company) and then aged just north of downtown where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide. The long summers filled with infamous Memphis heat and cooler evenings forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth.
“Blue Note Bourbon and Major League Pickleball share many of the same core qualities for fans – they are both approachable while also being bold and smooth,” said MLP Chief Executive Officer Bruce Popko. “We look forward to welcoming them to the MLP family, starting with MLP Atlanta.”
Availability
Blue Note’s whiskey portfolio includes Juke Joint, Crossroads, Uncut, and Rye whiskey, and is currently distributed in 17 U.S. states and online at BlueNote.com. Please follow Blue Note on Facebook and Instagram.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, TN, and producer of world-famous Blue Note Bourbon. Currently, the company produces four flagship expressions, along with regular limited releases, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OK, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX and online. Please sip responsibly.
About MLP by Margaritaville
MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) is the preeminent team-based professional pickleball league, featuring nearly 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, a unique coed format, easy to understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. Founded in 2021, MLP named its first-ever title sponsor, Margaritaville, branding the league MLP by Margaritaville in December 2022. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
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by admin | Apr 4, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Independent Blender’s First Non-Cask Strength Offering is an Easy-drinking, Full-flavored Bourbon at 100 Proof
Louisville, KY (April 4, 2024) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS) today announced that Barrell Foundation, the original independent blender’s first non-cask strength bourbon, was awarded a Platinum Medal at the 2024 L.A. Spirits Awards. The competition employs a blind tasting system to ensure that judges focus on the quality of each entry and are uninfluenced by information that might invoke favoritism or prejudices. Barrell Foundation is a blend of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland bourbon whiskeys all ranging from five to nine years and bottled at 100-proof (50% ABV). The expression features a derived mashbill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley.
“We’re thrilled that Barrell Foundation, our first non-cask strength bourbon, won a Platinum Medal from the L.A. Spirits Awards,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “We applied the same meticulous, scientific approach to blending this 100-proof release that we put behind all our products. We welcomed the challenge to show that we can produce great bourbon whiskey at a more approachable strength and price for all occasions.”
Since launching last October, Barrell Foundation has also won the following awards:
- Whisky Advocate rating of 91 points
- World Whiskies Awards 2024 Best Blended Bourbon
- Whiskey Raiders 2023 Best Whiskey Awards
Barrell Foundation tastes great neat and works well in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned. The new ongoing release, which is available at fine retailers throughout the U.S., has a suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750ml bottle.
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels, and aging environments. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean it can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes and a liberated approach to blending guides every product release. The award-winning line of BCS releases are now sold in 49 US states, Australia, Canada, and the UK. 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. Our cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey, winning awards from the world’s most prestigious distilled spirits publications and competitions. Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Memphis, TN (March 27, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, parent company of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, has appointed Gregg Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer. Gregg brings more than 30 years of experience in financial and business development leadership for organizations in telecom, healthcare, software, logistics, services, and beverage manufacturing industries. His specialties include finance and operations process development, mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, acquisition integration, strategic planning, raising capital, international operations, problem solving, IT strategy, sales, and business development.
In this new role, Gregg will be responsible for B.R. Distilling Co’s financial planning and analysis, external reporting, banking relationships, and internal controls. He will also have oversight of Human Resources, help to raise capital, and build relationships with key partners, investors, and vendors. Gregg will report directly to Logan Welk, President, and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.
”Gregg is an accomplished CFO whose expertise makes him an invaluable asset to our team,” said Welk. “Earlier this year, B.R. Distilling closed a multimillion-dollar financing round from existing shareholders. Gregg’s leadership and insights will be invaluable as we focus on generating distribution and depletions for Blue Note bourbon within our current U.S. markets as well as later this year when raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing. I’m thrilled to welcome Gregg to our team.”
Gregg’s experiences include working with family-owned, family-office, publicly traded, and private equity/venture capital backed companies. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of AMH Industrial, where he led the rebuilding and integration of a 30-year-old family business. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at Envoy Source, where he initiated organizational changes that turned the company around and generated a positive ROI for investors. He was also CFO at Wiseacre Brewing Company, where he helped raise debt and equity financing to build a new production facility and taproom in downtown Memphis, restructured the finance and logistics areas to be more efficient, and assisted sales with market-focused analysis to determine profitability of markets and distributors.
Gregg earned a BA in Accounting and a master’s degree in International Accounting from the University of Mississippi. A native of Northeast Arkansas, he currently resides in Memphis with his wife and two children.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, and producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, a bold yet approachable whiskey with big notes and a smooth structure. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company produces a handful of award-winning flagship expressions, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Bi-Annual Release Includes First Cask Strength Rye and Newest Bourbon Offering
Corona del Mar, CA (March 27, 2024) – High n’ Wicked, the award-winning line of whiskeys within the Altamar Brands portfolio of premium distilled spirits, has released its first cask strength rye and its newest cask strength bourbon offering of its flagship rye and bourbon whiskeys.
High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey uses a five-year aged sour mash and a mash bill of 91% rye and 9% malted barley. Although rye whiskeys only require a minimum of 51% rye and can be difficult to work with especially at such a high percentage, the team found that a 91% rye mash bill best showcased the characteristics they desired in a rye whiskey. The expression is distilled by New Riff Distilling and bottled without chill filtration at cask strength (62% ABV or 124 proof) in Kentucky.
High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey features a five-year aged sweet mash, (unlike most whiskeys that use a sour mash), which allows for greater complexity of flavor (especially with this high rye content mash bill) that is further accentuated in the cask strength edition. The expression has a mash bill of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted barley and is distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky at cask strength (61.6% ABV or 123.2 proof) without chill filtration to retain maximum flavor and character.
High n’ Wicked was founded in 2019 by W. L. Lyons Brown, III, and Kevin E. Sachs, two former Brown-Forman senior executives who were instrumental in building Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort in Europe and Asia. The firm’s goal is to present ultra-premium rare and distinctive whiskeys that honor traditional methods of delivering exceptional flavors.
Both cask strength expressions have a suggested retail price of $90, which may vary by market. All High n’ Wicked offerings are regularly available in 41 U.S. states and Washington DC as well as online via the brand website, and Curiada.
For more information, please visit www.highnwicked.com
About Altamar Brands LLC
Founded in 2005 by W. L. Lyons Brown, III, Altamar Brands is a small, entrepreneurial outfit founded to develop and import esoteric, artisanal spirits brands that offer unique and distinctive production stories in their respective categories. They include: Elvelo Tequila, Foursquare Rum, High n’ Wicked Whiskeys, Kubler Absinthe, Lagrimas del Valle Tequila, Probitas Rum, Right Gin, and R.L. Seale’s Barbados Rum.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Sales & Distilled Spirits Veteran Focused on Building Blue Note Whiskey into a Beloved National Brand
Memphis, TN (March 27, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, parent company of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, has appointed Christopher (Chris) Crosbie as its new Vice President of National Sales. In this role, Chris will develop and deliver the company’s annual operating plan for all regions designed to build national brand awareness, education, and sales for Blue Note whiskey. He will also lead financial and operational management, provide strategic direction and oversight of profitability and distributor strategy, and oversee marketing and sales plans for trade channels, field execution, team performance, and talent development and recruitment. Chris will report directly to Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.
With both sales and distilled spirits expertise, Chris most recently served as Director of Sales & Trade Marketing East USA, Canada, LATAM & Duty Free for Altos Planos Collective, based in New York. Prior to that, he spent 16 years with Diageo, most recently as Vice President, Commercial, where he led the planning and execution of the spirits and beer portfolio across many markets. He also served as the Acting General Manager for the Caribbean and Central America region.
“With his deep industry and leadership experience, Chris possesses all the qualities to effectively lead our sales team and help to expand the Blue Note brand footprint in the U.S.,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer. “In a few short years, Blue Note has caught the attention of whiskey lovers and experts alike. For example, our flagship Juke Joint and Crossroads expressions were both awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competitions for the last two years. We’re excited and ready to capitalize on this momentum.”
Chris studied Business Administration at Edinburgh’s Telford College and is currently working towards a BA in History in his spare time. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, he lives in the New York Metro area.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, and producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, a bold yet approachable whiskey with big notes and a smooth structure. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company produces a handful of award-winning flagship expressions, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
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by admin | Mar 18, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Award-winning Industry Standout Well-Positioned for Significant Future Growth on the Eve of its 10th Anniversary
Memphis, TN (March 18, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, the creator of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon™, has secured an asset backed line of credit from Live Oak Bank, providing the company with working capital to finance its inventory purchases under its long-term production agreement with Green River Distilling Company, the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky. The transaction also frees up the company’s other capital for sales and marketing support to fuel the growing brand.
“Live Oak Bank is proud to partner with B.R. Distilling Company to further the company’s growth and support their business needs as they expand their operations,” said Jeff Clark, Vice President of Wine and Craft Beverage lending at Live Oak Bank.
“With decades of industry experience in supporting small business, Live Oak Bank shares our long-term vision for continued growth and innovation,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling.
In connection with the line of credit, the company recently closed a multimillion-dollar financing round from existing shareholders and expanded its production facilities in Memphis to 110,000 square feet, which includes a unique and intimate public tasting room. The company plans to raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing later this year to support continued significant growth as the company executes its strategic plan.
“As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’ve established a strong foundation and are poised to become a break-out brand by continuing to deliver exceptional and innovative products and experiences to whiskey enthusiasts,” said Welk. “We’re well positioned within the premium whiskey category and laser-focused on generating distribution and depletions within our current U.S. markets.”
The company’s whiskey portfolio spends the first year and a day of its life in Kentucky before traveling through Nashville on its way to Memphis where it is then further aged just north of downtown Memphis along the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers, its own micro-climate, with high humidity and higher average temperatures than Kentucky. This forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014, B.R. Distilling Company holds the oldest distillery license in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The company launched the award-winning Blue Note bourbon in 2018, which is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with the city of Memphis. Two of the brand’s flagship expressions – Juke Joint and Crossroads – were awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and again in 2023. Additionally, Blue Note Uncut was named #7 on Whisky Advocate’s list of top whiskeys in 2022. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company products are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
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