Our latest distribution roundup finds Tribini amping up the buzz in Jersey and mid-proof Sommarøy Spirits making headway into the grocery channel, while tequila products Margs and Lo Siento sign deals with new distributors as they go deep in Virginia and Georgia respectively. Plus, news from Long Drink and Coconut Cartel.
Sommarøy Spirits Moves into Jewel-Osco, Whole Foods
Mid-proof spirit brand Sommarøy Spirits is hitting grocery shelves as it expands outwards from its Chicago base. At 27.5% ABV, Sommarøy is part of the emerging mid and lower-proof segment aiming to fill the gap between full and zero-proof spirits.
Already available in major beverage retailers like Total Wine & More, Lee’s Discount Liquor and Binny’s Beverage Depot, Sommarøy Vodka is now available in 73 Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois and Sommarøy Gin is available at 53 Whole Foods stores across 12 states, with distribution anticipated to expand significantly by year’s end.
“As a Chicago brand, we have a strategic focus on showing up on bars and store shelves in our hometown,” said co-founder and CEO James Cosma. “We are taking a multi-pronged approach to expand our reach across the country and to engage consumers at different touchpoints.”
Events, sampling, and presence at several Chicago restaurant groups have been part of the brand’s strategy to meet “moderation-minded consumers where they are,” said Cosma.
Tribini Buzzes to Atlantic City, Jersey Shore
Ready-to-drink espresso martini Tribini is now available at all Bottle King locations in New Jersey and anchoring itself across Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore, including Hard Rock Resort & Casino, The Showboat Waterpark & Resort, The Golden Nugget Casino, The Tropicana, The Borgata, Whitbrier Restaurant, and The Princeton.
The West Chester, Pennsylvania-based brand is hyper focused on growing its core markets on the east coast which include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida, said Taylor Grant, co-founder and CEO. High volume bars, restaurants, and entertainment centers that stand to benefit from “the combination of utility that Tribini offers: quality, consistency, and speed of service,” have been successful for the brand so far.
Last month, Tribini expanded multiple accounts in the Delaware beaches area, including Outlet Liquors, Dewey Beach Liquors, Cape Wine & Spirits, Pacific Wines and Spirits, and Beach Liquors.
“Our team is focusing marketing to increase velocity in existing off-premise accounts, and we are looking to add more exposure to chain off-premise and grocery,” Grant said.
A few points that have sold retailers, said Grant: the company is dedicated to the espresso martini rather than having one as a part of a diversified cocktail lineup, the flavors appeal to different consumers, and the brand performs well after doing samples on the floor.
Tribini will also soon dip its toes into the west coast via Colorado with a big splash of a customer, The Mishawaka Amphitheater.
Lo Siento Moves into Georgia
Tequila label Lo Siento has moved into its third state with plans to earn a foothold in fast-growing Southern markets. The company’s full range of premium products (Silver, Reposado and Añejo) are now available in over 300 accounts in Georgia including Tower Liquor, Metro Bottle and Camp Creek World of Beverage.The retail push comes after the brand has spent the first two years of business building a presence on-premise.
Despite its Los Angeles headquarters, Lo Siento has aimed to get a leg up in a fast-growing market by making Tennessee a hub. The brand has built its distribution strategy around two pillars, including finding leverage as one of the few spirit companies in the portfolio of a “hodgepodge” of traditional beer distributors. Instead of competing with a wide agave portfolio at a larger distributor, Lo Siento has opted to offer product from a leading spirit category to craft beer distributors like Scout Distribution in California. The brand has now moved into Georgia with the help of General Wholesale.
MARGS Heads to Virginia
MARGS plans to expand to Virginia through Premium Distributors of Virginia and Chesbay Distributing, under Reyes Beverage.
The tequila-based RTD cocktail launched in 2021 and is sold in five flavors including classic, mango, coconut, mezcal, and spicy. The brand has expanded over the last year to Connecticut, Michigan, and Massachusetts, with Virginia being its latest territory.
“The strategy that’s worked well has been building a strong presence in the on-premise upon market entry,” said Justin Nabozna, CEO.
Other notable news:
- Coconut Cartel, a Miami-based premium rum brand, has expanded its aged Guatemalan rum, Coconut Cartel Special Añejo, into a new U.S. market – Tennessee.
- Sunshine Punch is now available in 11 Costco Wholesale locations across Illinois.
- The Finnish Long Drink is now available for the first time in Western Canada.