Sausalito Liquor Co. Toasts One Year

SAUSALITO, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2024) – Sausalito Liquor Co. came onto the scene a year ago with its delicious, bold, and unapologetically drinkable whiskey and gin spirits inspired by the magic of Sausalito, California – and it’s raising a glass to beating the odds of being THAT business that fails within the first year. It’s not sinking or merely floating, but it’s cruising. 

In the time that the earth took a trip around the sun, Sausalito Liquor Co. snagged shelf space and menu spotlights at more than 125 Northern California stores, restaurants and bars; racked up more than a dozen awards recognizing the delicious taste and beautiful bottles; and showed its true spirit in supporting more than 15 organizations making a difference in the community. 

“It all started with the big idea that people wanted unapologetically drinkable spirits (i.e., no Ph.D. in mixology required), made with quality local ingredients, and that let them enjoy the beauty of the moment, the people they’re with, and the place that surrounds them,” says Scott Jampol, Sausalito Liquor Co. founder, former marketing executive, and part-time local bartender. 

The brand’s success in the first year underscores how consumer preference continues to gravitate toward local, small and unique craft spirits. Inspired by the coastal culture of sailing, adventure, and nature, each of its spirits pay homage to the locale. Marin Coastal Gin is infused with flavors of California lemon and orange peel, locally foraged Nori seaweed, and Angelica seeds from Santa Rosa. The Unsinkable Rye Whiskey and Bourbon are finished in Napa wine casks. 

Those on the quest for delicious spirits can shop or sip on Sausalito Liquor Co. at 125+ bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Northern California, including Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa, San Mateo and Alameda Counties. It plans to reach 200 locations by the end of 2024 and more than double its current availability over the next year by expanding down into the Central Coast and Southern California, as well as east toward Sacramento and Tahoe.

Consumers also like knowing that there are people in their community behind the products they are supporting. Sausalito Liquor Co. hasn’t just been showing up on the shelf and behind the bar – Jampol and his team have come out to support a variety of local non-profit organizations and events this past year that make a valuable impact on the community they live in. 

“As a brand that reflects the charm and unique vibe of Sausalito and the surrounding area, we’ve poured our support into the local arts and culture scene – and all the better if they share our ‘offshore’ mentality. From my experience working at OpenTable, I also developed a passion for helping restaurants flourish, which starts with good employees.”

Sausalito Liquor Co. has shared its services, spirits and time with amazing organizations like Sprouts Chef Training that equips youth to rise from hardship through hands-on culinary training, mentorship and job placement opportunities; Homeward Down of Marin that helps low-income and participants in its shelter and housing services to build core culinary skills and knowledge that would open up doors for them in the restaurant and hospitality industry; and Alliance Medical Center that supports individuals in the hospitality industry and their families.

The competition to get on bar and store shelves is fiercer than ever. And the big beverage companies have great advantages in securing and defending their spots, even as consumers are demanding more choices and more local products.  As a small, growing brand, Sausalito Liquor Co. spends its marketing resources finding ways to get involved where community members can taste the products, such as activations at local events, charity auctions, and tastings. Whether it’s preparing to fight scurvy at Fleet Week, teaming up with a local restaurant to feature a drink that was raising funds to save the iconic bronze Sausalito sea lion statue that had been swept off of its perch by a storm, or providing a guide to cocktailing a little offshore this fall, Sausalito Liquor Co. makes waves in its own way.

“People love to hear our story, learn about the spirits we make and have a taste. Once they do, they want to have a relationship with us and support us. Continuing to build opportunities for direct-to-consumer engagement and sales is a secret weapon for small brands like us,” says Jampol.

While Sausalito Liquor Co. swerves a bit from the standard industry spirit, it still appreciates a nice pat on the back for work well done. This past year, the brand collected over a dozen accolades for its taste and looks, including gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Diego Spirits Festival and Los Angeles Spirits Awards.

Sausalito Liquor Co. taps into the beauty, free spirit and offbeat nature of coastal California. That appeals to the locals who live and treasure the waterside area but also extends to those who visit and those who are simply drawn to the “coastal” mentality and lifestyle. Through online ordering at SausalitoLiquor.com, where it ships the gorgeous bottles and their delicious contents to 40+ states, the brand sees that it connects with folks who are from near and far to Sausalito. As it grows, it’s excited to bring the spirits to more areas around the country.

For retailers, restaurants and bars interested in selling or serving the spirits, visit sausalitoliquor.com. For anyone interested in trying something #alittleoffshore, pull up a chair or wooden stump, and join us for a sip of Sausalito Liquor Co.’s delicious spirits. Cheers!

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Sausalito Liquor Co. is a Northern California spirits brand with delicious, bold, and unapologetically drinkable gin and whiskey lines. We’re not mainstream or mainland. Our Marin Coastal Gin and Unsinkable Bourbon and Rye celebrate the beauty, free spirit, offbeat nature, and authenticity of the unique seaside town of Sausalito, California – a place that’s a little offshore of everywhere else. You can find our San Francisco World Spirits Competition Award, L.A. Spirits Award and San Diego Spirits Festival Award-winning spirits as well as more information about us at sausalitoliquor.com and on Instagram.