MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phillips Distilling Company (Phillips), the fifth-generation, family-owned maker of distilled spirits, today celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding on April 13, 1912. What began as Ed Phillips & Sons, a small distributor of newspapers, candy and tobacco in Manitowoc, Wis., now produces and markets over 70 different spirits products around the globe.
“Our story embodies the American dream,” said fifth-generation CEO, Dean Phillips. “From an immigrant’s determination to build a business and new life, we have endured an entire century. We are proud to be among the few companies to reach such a remarkable milestone.”
With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Ed Phillips & Sons ventured into the liquor distribution business and moved its headquarters from Eau Claire, Wis. to Northeast Minneapolis. In 1935, Phillips salesman, Al Dorsch, spotted Minneapolis saloon patrons dropping peppermint candies into their poorly aged whiskey and developed America’s very first schnapps brand, Phillips Peppermint, in the kitchen of his home. By World War II, Phillips was producing a range of spirits in its Minneapolis plant and emerged as the largest independent wine and spirits distributor in the United States.
Always recognized as one of the industry’s most innovative companies, Phillips pioneered many of the country’s most successful categories, including schnapps in the 1930’s, flavored vodkas in the 1950’s, luxury vodka (Belvedere and Chopin) in the 1990’s, flavored whiskey in the 2000’s and most recently Prairie Vodka, distilled exclusively from Minnesota organic corn. The launch of UV Vodka in 2001 quickly became the largest volume brand in the company’s history. UV Vodka expects to reach a total volume of 1.7 million cases sold this year and has been an IMPACT Hot Brand Award winner for seven consecutive years.
To kick off a year-long celebration of 100 years in business, Phillips will embark on a Midwest tour this summer. “As an ode to the people and partners who have supported us from our humble beginnings we are taking a summer road trip, visiting the historic cities and establishments where it all began,” said Phillips. “We’re excited to share our 100th anniversary with the fans, employees, bartenders, mixologists, bars, vendors and cities that make Phillips possible.”
In June, Phillips will launch two new UV Vodka varietals and a wheat-based vodka. They will reintroduce Sno Shoe Grog, the classic 1963 blend of brandy and peppermint schnapps and Gin-Ka, the 1971 blend of gin and vodka which remains a cult favorite almost thirty years after it was discontinued. Phillips continues to be recognized for its high quality and terrific value; using only natural, globally sourced ingredients, real cane and beet sugars and the most stringent quality control standards in the industry.
“There is a story in every Phillips bottle,” said Phillips. “We invite you to dig into your old tackle boxes, cabins or basement bars and share your favorite Phillips memories.”
Phillips will share upcoming anniversary events and information throughout 2012. Cheers to 100 years!
About Phillips Distilling Company
From a small distributor
of candy and newspapers to becoming one of the most innovative and
enduring distilled spirit
companies in the U.S., Phillips
Distilling Company has been producing high-quality products using
the finest ingredients from around the globe for five generations. From
America’s first schnapps
in the 1930s, to flavored
vodka in the 1950s, to flavored
whiskey in the 2000s, Phillips
has consistently been a pioneering company while operating as one of
America’s last family-owned spirits businesses. The Phillips
portfolio includes the UV
Vodka line of flavored vodkas,
Prairie
Vodka, Trader
Vic’s Rums, Liqueurs
and Cocktails,
Revel
Stoke Spiced Whisky, Phillips
Union Whiskey, SourPuss
Liqueurs and Ice
Hole Liqueurs. The company is based in Minneapolis. www.phillipsdistilling.com
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