Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing Announces Partnership With Alma Del Jaguar Tequila and Waymar Gin House, Bringing Award-Winning Spirits to National Spotlight

May 21, 2025 Atlanta, GA?Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing today announced a strategic partnership that brings two standout brands into its premium portfolio: Alma del Jaguar Tequila, the fastest-growing tequila in the U.S. premium segment, and Waymar Gin House, which is one of the highest rated new, American gins on the market.? 

This strategic partnership elevates the Blue Ridge portfolio with Alma del Jaguar's explosive 428.96% growth in retail scan sales year-over-year, further strengthening its presence in the high-demand agave category. Waymar Gin House adds a fresh take on classic gin, appealing to both cocktail-forward bars and stylish home mixologists, with new distribution channels opening in key Southern markets. 

Carlos Carreras, CEO of Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing, commented: 

"These brands bring real momentum and thoughtful innovation into the market. Alma del Jaguar is dominating the premium tequila segment with unprecedented growth, and Waymar Gin House's recent expansion across Tennessee, Texas, and Florida represents a significant milestone for this modern classic. We're very excited to add these great brands to our portfolio." 

McCauley Williams, CEO of Morningside Brands, the parent company to Alma del Jaguar and Waymar Gin House, said: 

"At Morningside, we build brands with story, quality, and staying power. Partnering with Blue Ridge gives us the horsepower to grow smart and stay true to our roots. The expansion of Waymar Gin House?into these key Southern markets, alongside Alma del Jaguar's continued meteoric rise, validates our approach to creating spirits with both exceptional quality and purpose." 

ALMA DEL JAGUAR: UNPRECEDENTED MARKET PERFORMANCE 

Alma del Jaguar is dominating growth in the premium tequila segment (above $40 per bottle) with standout statistics: 

• Retail sales values skyrocketed by 428.96% year-over-year, per Nielsen data for the 52 weeks ending April 30, 2025 

• Distribution grew from 9 states in 2023 to 23 states in 2025, including key markets like California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois 

• Now available in over 4,500 retail accounts nationwide?and expanding at a rate of over 200 new accounts per month 

This explosive growth stands out in a challenging market. While the overall tequila category grew by 7.25% in retail dollar sales, Alma del Jaguar's 428.96% surge makes it the undisputed leader in growth among premium brands that have sold over 15,000 units. 

AWARD-WINNING QUALITY 

Alma del Jaguar's success is backed by serious industry recognition: 

• Named one of?Esquire's best tequila brands of 2025 

• Crowned?"Best Reposado Tequila of 2024"?by Rolling Stone 

• The Blanco earned a?97-point rating?from the Tasting Panel 

• The Reposado scored?95 points?from Wine Enthusiast 

• The High Proof Blanco, Nocturna, was listed by Robb Report as one of?"The 50 Greatest Tequilas of the 21st Century" 

ARTISANAL PRODUCTION WITH PURPOSE 

Produced in partnership with the fifth-generation Vivanco tequila family at their renowned distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, Alma del Jaguar delivers unmatched quality through time-honored methods: 

• Made exclusively with mature Los Altos agave grown at 6,800 feet elevation 

• Features a unique fermentation blend of 80% wild yeast and 20% champagne yeast 

• Double distilled in copper pot stills from Santa Clara del Cobre 

• Bottled unfiltered by hand at the source 

Alma del Jaguar was born from a deep commitment to wildlife conservation, inspired by Rick Williams (uncle of CEO McCauley Williams) and his work protecting wild jaguars in northern Mexico. The brand proudly supports the Northern Jaguar Project, with a portion of proceeds going to jaguar conservation efforts. 

WAYMAR GIN HOUSE EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION 

As part of this strategic partnership, Waymar Gin House is expanding its distribution into Central Tennessee, Texas, and Florida markets. This modern take on classic gin is crafted with a thoughtful blend of botanicals that appeals to both traditional gin enthusiasts and new consumers exploring the category. 

The expansion into these key Southern markets represents a significant growth opportunity for Waymar Gin House, which has already gained popularity for its sophisticated flavor profile and mixability in craft cocktails. 

About Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing 

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing (BRSWM) is a national sales and marketing company specializing in premium spirits. With a dedicated team of industry veterans, BRSWM delivers distributor management, commercial strategy, and brand-building execution across the U.S.? 

About Morningside Brands