GATLINBURG, Tenn. (PRWEB) – Ole Smoky®, the world’s most awarded moonshine company, has been named a 2017 Impact Hot Brand by M. Shanken Communications, a leading publisher in the U.S. Wine & Spirits industry known for such magazines as Wine Spectator, Impact, Market Watch, and Cigar Aficionado.
“It is a huge honor to receive this award,” says Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky. “We are all aiming to build a world class spirits brand, and this award is recognition of all of our efforts. We are proud of what we have accomplished to date, pleasing so many consumers with our great products, and will continue working for greater success in the future.”
The Hot Brand Award is given to both established and upcoming brands that have reached a minimum depletion number of 200,000 cases, and whose volume has grown at least 10% in each of the past three calendar years or at least 15% in 2017.
This award comes at a very exciting time for Ole Smoky. The company is not just growing its moonshine sales, but taking the brand to the next level with the late 2017 national launch of its whiskey product line. Mango Habanero is listed on menus at multiple on-premise locations, the demand for Salty Caramel Whiskey has far exceeded expectations, and Ole Smoky’s 5 year aged Straight Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey is among the highest quality product of its type in the market today.
Ole Smoky’s three distilleries in East Tennessee have been a source of competitive advantage to build awareness and trial of the company’s products, while educating consumers about the deep heritage and authenticity of the brand. Sales have been strongest in the states within a few hundred miles of these distilleries, but are now growing rapidly in many states further afield. This success has inspired the company to start building a 4th location in Nashville, which is targeted to open later in 2018, further fueling the growth of the brand.
“We are very excited to have our efforts in building such a strong brand recognized by receiving the 2017 Impact Award,” says Michael Bender, President of Wholesale at Ole Smoky. “Our numbers have been incredible these past few years. We are motivated to continue setting and reaching higher goals.”
Ole Smoky will receive their award at the Impact & Market Watch Hot Brand Awards Reception, held during the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 75th Annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas on May 1, 2018.
For more information about Ole Smoky and a list of other awards the company has achieved visit http://www.olesmoky.com
About Ole Smoky® Distillery LLC:
Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the U.S. and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. The company’s roots can be traced to the early settlers of the Smoky Mountains. In 2009, (when the law in Tennessee changed and suddenly, it was legal to make, distill and sell the infamous bootlegger’s hooch), a group of families decided to bring their artistry of superior moonshine making to the world at large.
Over 3.9 million people annually visit Ole Smoky’s 3 famed East Tennessee distilleries: Holler™, Barrelhouse™ and Barn™. The Holler™ see’s over 2 million visitors per year making it the most visited distillery in the world. In 2018, Ole Smoky will open a 4th location in Nashville.
Ole Smoky now retails globally and offers more than twenty creative flavors crafted from authentic family recipes. Ole Smoky can be found in grocery and liquor stores, as well as in on-premise establishments including some of the biggest music and sporting venues in the country.
For more information, please visit http://www.olesmoky.com and find them on social media @olesmoky.
Shine Responsibly®
©2018 Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC. All Rights Reserved. OLE SMOKY, OLE SMOKY TENNESSEE MOONSHINE, OLE SMOKY WHISKEY, and SHINE RESPONSIBLY are registered trademarks of Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC.
“If you’re a drink aficionado, it can be tricky to know what the best mix options are,” says company Founder, Shelley Buchanan. “But for Bloody Mary lovers, the search for a guide to the best bloody mary mixes is over, thanks to The Drunken Tomato. We eat, sleep, and breathe all things Bloody Mary, and have compiled our handy blog to include relevant topics, recipes, and even merchandise. This year marks the first year that we are also tasting and awarding some of the best Bloody Mary mixes from around the world; the results of which can be found on our easy to use site.”
Here’s a quick overview of highlights you can expect during Winesong Weekend –
Doffo Winery’s 2015 Zinfandel took first place in the competition, after taking second place to Wilson Creek’s Petite Sirah at last year’s inaugural event. The 2017 second place winner was Lorimar Winery’s 2014 Syrah, and third place was taken by Thornton Winery’s 2014 Estate Syrah.
The winery was nominated for the award in September, when Wine Enthusiast Italian Editor Kerin O’Keefe highlighted the quality of the wines as “higher than ever” and noted the “extraordinary beauty” of the estate, which has recently expanded its hospitality offerings. Today, Fontanafredda includes a park open to the public (Villaggio Narrante), four restaurants (Guido in the Royal Villa headed by Michelin-starred chef Ugo Alciati, the brand-new Taverna del Re, Disguido Osteria del Vino Libero, and the Lake Garden), two 4-star hotels (the Foresteria nelle Vigne and Magic Vines Hotel), and a Cultural Foundation.
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” The Readers’ Choice Awards have become more selective and specific to the passions that inspire today’s travelers. In 2017, more than 300,000 readers made their voices heard via desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone.
The following is a timeline with corresponding entry fees:
Wine & Spirits’ Top-100 status recognizes 100 wineries around the world who have delivered best overall performances in the magazine’s tastings over the previous 12 months. Six estate-bottled wines account for Concha y Toro’s presence in this year’s Top 100 list:
