Thomas Ashbourne Craft Cocktails Hits Kroger Stores Nationwide
Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits, a ready-to-drink brand crafted with the help of celebrity founding partners like Sarah Jessica Parker, has expanded into about 800 locations of Kroger Family Companies across the country.
Initially, two of the five varieties – The Perfect Cosmo by SJP and The Classic Old Fashioned – will be available in 375 ml bottles. The latter debuted as a partnership with actor John Cena, who has now been removed from the company’s website and promotional materials.
“By introducing our bar-quality cocktails in Kroger nationally, we continue to deliver on our mission of making top-notch craft cocktails easily accessible to all,” said CEO Cara Kamenev.
Ten Kroger banners across fifteen states will carry the products, including Kroger, Fry’s and Ralphs.
Launched last Summer, each celebrity partner was “instrumental in developing their signature cocktail’s flavor profile and personality, based on their individual tastes and the style they are known for,” according to the brand. Other celebrities involved include Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Playboi Carti.
Its newest cocktail, The After Hours Espresso Martini, debuted in May and was crafted with actor and producer Neil Patrick Harris. Thomas Ashbourne has an average SRP of $12.99 per 375ml bottle and $19.99 for a 200ml four pack cans.
Waterford Whisky Expands Across the U.S.
Waterford Distillery, a Irish producer of single malts, has announced a summer expansion across new markets nationwide under new distribution partnerships, beginning with Johnson Brothers. The collaboration comes via Waterford’s new importer partner, MORF Brands, a luxury beverage importer based in Texas.
Launching under Johnson Brother’s new luxury brand division, Oxford Street Merchant, Waterford products will be available in ten new states this month. The line-up will include a revamp of the brand’s new core range (typically priced $80 and up), including a flagship cuvée (The Waterford), an organic cuvée, a peated cuvée, and a biodynamic cuvée.
Based in the South East of Ireland, Waterford Whisky is the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic single malts.
“We view our whiskies as agricultural produce, not a manufactured product, and believe that the drinkers of tomorrow will be aligned with our view that authenticity trumps mere luxury in spirits,” said Waterford CEO Mark Reynier. “We’re delighted with our game-changing new distribution model, which will allow us to bring the most natural and traceable barley flavors to the American spirits connoisseur at scale.”
Irish spirits exports grew by 17.3% in value in 2022, reaching a record high of $1.6 billion, according to the recently released Irish Spirits Market Report. The U.S. is Irish whiskey’s biggest export market.
RD1 Spirits Moves Into Five More States
RD1 Spirits, a Lexington-based bourbon brand, marked the next step in its growth plan with the addition of five states to its distribution footprint: Nevada, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida and Louisiana. With this expansion, RD1 bourbon is now available for purchase in ten states.
Founded in 2020 by Lexington entrepreneurs, the company’s mission is to help give life to the stories of Lexington’s bourbon firsts, namely its first federally registered distillery established in 1865. After its first release called WM Tarr, the company rebranded a new line of whiskeys under the RD1 name and revealed a new premium package design for its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 98 proof ($49) and a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with French oak at 101 proof ($59). The company focuses on Kentucky straight bourbon and various wood finishings.
Other notable news:
- Martinez Brands announced an agreement with Casa Cuervo to distribute two of its heritage brands in the U.S.: Santa Clara Rompope and Viuda de Sanchez Sangrita. Previously distributed through Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits, the move is an aim to “take those categories to the next level with greater level of expertise and a more refined approach that is typically lacking for the Hispanic market within the big distributors,” said the release. The Los Angeles-based importer and wholesale distributor has also partnered with You Know Who, an L.A based marketing agency with vast experience in the Hispanic market as well.
- Lo Siento Tequila expanded its presence across all Total Wine locations in Southern California. The Blanco ($37.99) and Reposado ($42.99) expressions are positioned as premium, approachable tequilas, and are available in California and Tennessee.