PORTLAND, Ore (Feb. 16, 2016)– Hood River Distillers, Inc., the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer and bottler of distilled spirits in the Northwest, has tapped veteran mixologist and brand spokesperson Milo Rodriguez to serve as Absinthe Portfolio Brand Master beginning February 2.
Rodriguez will draw from his more than 14 years of industry experience to elevate awareness and distribution of Hood River brands, with particular emphasis on Lucid Absinthe Supérieure and the Jade line of ultra-premium absinthes.
In addition to working with the Hood River sales team to gain new on- and off-premise placements, Rodriguez will work closely with Lucid Absinthe creator Ted Breaux to educate wholesalers and gatekeeper audiences about the entire Hood River portfolio of absinthes and dispel common myths about absinthe.
“We are thrilled to welcome Milo to the HRD team,” said Keri Eliason, Marketing Brand Manager at Hood River Distillers. “His knowledge of the back bar and experience in integrating brand marketing with sales will be critical to helping us drive growth for Lucid Absinthe Supérieure and our award-winning absinthe portfolio. We plan to make full use of Milo’s extensive and acclaimed mixology background to create new and innovative cocktails that will help our absinthes regain their historical place in cocktail creation.”
During his career, Rodriguez has balanced full time brand ambassador roles for brands such as Bombay Sapphire and Chartreuse with senior bartender positions in some of the world’s most renowned cocktail markets including London, New York, Miami and New Orleans. His experience has given him insight into what consumers and gatekeepers alike are seeking from brands.
“Cocktails have been at the core of my career, and I’m so excited to be working with brands that are as historically important to mixology as the absinthe portfolio at Hood River,” said Rodriguez.
“There is a lot of misinformation about the absinthe category and I’m eager to help set the record straight. Not only are authentic absinthes like Lucid and Jade part of our cocktail history, they are infinitely mixable and belong in contemporary cocktails. I can’t wait to start creating cocktails and the rest of the Hood River portfolio is a great place to start.”
About Lucid
Lucid Absinthe Supérieure was the first genuine absinthe — made with real Grande Wormwood — to be legally available in the United States after a 95-year ban. Lucid is distilled in strict accordance with traditional French methods, in the historic Combier distillery (Loire Valley, France), founded in 1834 and designed by Gustave Eiffel. Distilled by T.A. Breaux, the father of modern absinthe, and made only with whole European herbs, Lucid does not contain any artificial additives, oils, or dyes, and is ideal for both traditional and modern absinthe drinking methods. Visit Lucid at www.drinklucid.com.
About Hood River Distillers
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Hood River, Ore., Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, bottler, and marketer of distilled spirits. Pendleton® Whisky, Pendleton® 1910 Rye Whisky, Pendleton® Midnight Whisky, Trail’s End® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with Oregon Oak, Sinfire® Cinnamon Whisky, Yazi® Ginger Vodka, ULLR® Nordic Libation, HRD® Vodka, Lucid® Absinthe Supérieure, the complete line of Monarch® distilled spirits and the Clear Creek Distillery portfolio are just a few of the company’s brands distributed across the country. Hood River Distillers is a member of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and promotes responsible drinking habits. For more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com.