Heritage Distilling Co. Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey Named “Best Flavored Whiskey” In The U.S. at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards

Marking the third win for Heritage Distilling in this prestigious category

GIG HARBOR, Wash., Feb. 25, 2025 -- Heritage Distilling Company, Inc. ("HDC" or "Heritage") (Nasdaq: CASK), a leading craft distiller of innovative premium brands, announced its Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey was named “Best Flavored Whiskey” in the United States by Whisky Magazine at its regional World Whiskies Award. The whiskey will move forward to compete for Whisky Magazine’s “World’s Best Flavored Whiskey” later this winter. Previously, Heritage Distilling has twice won Best Flavored Whiskey in the United States and Best Flavored Whiskey in the World for Brown Sugar Bourbon. 

"We are incredibly proud that our Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey has received this prestigious honor from the tasting panel at Whisky Magazine. This recognition—one of the most respected in the industry—is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship our team pours into every bottle, ensuring that each flavored whiskey we create captures the essence of true, authentic flavors," said Justin Stiefel, CEO and co-founder of Heritage Distilling Co. "Heritage has been the most awarded craft distillery in North America for a decade, and with Cocoa Bomb earning this distinction—our third win in this category—we continue to solidify our presence in the rapidly growing flavored whiskey market."

Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is bottled at 75-proof and naturally flavored. No artificial flavors, sweeteners or ingredients are used. Flavor notes include a burst of semi-sweet dark cocoa, cocoa nibs and a rich chocolate nose with the signature whiskey finish. Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is available in 750 ml and 50 ml size formats at select spirits retailers. It is also available in HDC tasting rooms and online for direct-to-consumer orders. 

For more information about Heritage Distilling and its suite of award-winning products, visit: heritagedistilling.com.

About Heritage Distilling Company, Inc.Heritage is among the premier independent craft distilleries in the United States offering a variety of whiskeys, vodkas, gins, rums and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Heritage has been North America's most awarded craft distillery by the American Distilling Institute for ten consecutive years out of the more than 2,600 craft producers. Beyond this remarkable achievement, Heritage has also garnered numerous Best of Class, Double Gold, and Gold medals at esteemed national and international spirits competitions. As one of the largest craft spirits producers on the West Coast by revenue, the company is expanding its presence nationwide through a diverse range of sales channels, including wholesale, on-premises venues, e-commerce, and the innovative Tribal Beverage Network (TBN). The TBN initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration with Native American tribes, focuses on developing Heritage-branded distilleries, unique tribal brands, and tasting rooms tailored to tribal communities. By serving patrons of tribal casinos and entertainment venues, the TBN creates meaningful economic and social benefits for participating tribes, while providing an additional avenue for tribes to exercise and strengthen their sovereignty. This unique partnership reflects Heritage’s commitment to innovation, community engagement, and sustainable growth.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated results or benefits anticipated from awards or accolades received for Heritage’s products and the implications that may come from it.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on Heritage’s current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks of expanding sales and revenue due to awards or accolades received for Heritage’s products and any consumer response that would be expected to result therefrom. These and other risks concerning Heritage’s programs and operations are described in additional detail in its registration statement on Form S-1, and its quarterly 10-Q filings, which are on file with the SEC. Heritage explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.