PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST), makers of award-winning craft spirits, today announced one of the largest independent supermarkets in the gulf coast area, Rouses Markets, has ordered the newly launched Redneck Riviera Whiskey. Redneck Riviera Whiskey is a joint collaboration between Eastside and John Rich, the multi-platinum country-music artist and one-half of the award-winning duo Big & Rich.
Grover Wickersham, CEO of Eastside Distilling, commented, “We identified Rouses as our premier launch partner for Louisiana and we are extremely pleased Donny Rouse agreed. We wanted a broad distribution over the whole state and for that Rouses is ideal.”
Rouses Markets is a 54-store independent, family owned chain operating in three Gulf Coast states: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. CEO Donny Rouse is the third-generation manager of the company. The family has a 58-year history in the groceries business, beginning with Donny’s grandfather, Anthony J. Rouse, Sr., who opened his first store in Houma, Louisiana, in 1960. Its Louisiana food roots go further back to the days when Anthony’s father, J.P. Rouse, sold fruits and vegetables to local merchants. Rouses Markets employs over 6,500 team members. It has consistently been voted Best Supermarket and Best Place to Work. New Rouses Markets in West Mobile, Alabama, and Moss Bluff, Sulphur and Covington, Louisiana are among stores the company will open this year.
John Rich commented, “I'm beyond excited to have Rouses be the very first grocery chain in America to add Redneck Riviera Whiskey to their shelves! The folks at Rouses are the epitome of what Redneck Riviera stands for -- the "Work Hard, Play Hard American!" The support from Rouses will add a significant bounce to our efforts in raising money for our give back partner "Folds of Honor" which is a group dedicated to paying for college tuition for kids who had a parent killed in combat. A portion of sales of Redneck Riviera Whiskey support the "Folds of Honor." Now let's get this party started!”
Initially, Eastside will be providing both 375ml bottles to Rouses. Marketing support for the gulf coast region will accelerate as John Rich has a multi-city tour planned for the region during 2018, which will be accompanied by numerous radio, television and print spots highlighting Redneck Riviera Whiskey.
"We're excited to introduce Redneck Riviera to the Gulf Coast," said Donny Rouse, CEO of Rouses Markets. "We've been consistently recognized for our whiskey selection. It's the most extensive on the Gulf Coast. Country music and whiskey naturally go together. If you're a big fan of John Rich like I am, you'll want a bottle."
Rouses will be supplied by Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). Eastside and RNDC recently entered an agreement to covers the 80 million population region of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida as well as North Carolina. RNDC is one of the nation’s leading wholesale beverage alcohol distributors, specializing in wine and spirits. RNDC serves as a product liaison between suppliers and those who sell alcoholic beverages – defined by its impeccable customer service, unrivaled expertise in beverage education, and a broad product portfolio.
Redneck Riviera Whiskey is a small batch whiskey with vanilla honey smoothness and a subtle finish that consumers are sure to love. Redneck Riviera Whiskey was crafted by the famed distilling team at Eastside, including Travis Schoney and Mel Heim. The team painstakingly developed what Eastside and John Rich believe is a superb whiskey unlike any other on the market, working over many months, with input from John Rich and friends.
About Redneck Riviera:
Redneck Riviera is a privately held lifestyle brand that celebrates America’s hard-working men and women. Built for people who live to turn up the music and have fun with friends and family, Redneck Riviera is America’s ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ brand that offers something for everyone who likes to rock the red, white and blue all year long. Launched in 2014, the brand brings these values to life through footwear, apparel, hospitality, food, spirits and licensed products in a variety of categories. Redneck Riviera has expanded its reach with the opening of honky-tonk bar Redneck Riviera Las Vegas and a Nashville location opening in 2018. More information can be found here.
About Eastside Distilling:
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2008. The company is distinguished by its highly decorated product lineup that includes Burnside Bourbon, West End American Whiskey, Goose Hollow Reserve, Below Deck Rums, Portland Potato Vodka, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum and a distinctive line of fruit infused spirits. Eastside Distilling is majority owner of Big Bottom Distilling (makers of The Ninety One Gin, Navy Strength Gin and Delta Rye whiskey) and the Redneck Riviera Whiskey Co. All Eastside, Big Bottom and Redneck Riviera spirits are crafted from natural ingredients for quality and taste. Eastside’s MotherLode Bottling subsidiary is one of the Northwest’s leading independent spirit bottlers and ready-to-drink canners. For more information visit: www.eastsidedistilling.com or follow the company on Twitter and Facebook.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the Company's products in the market; the Company's success in obtaining new customers; the Company's success in product development; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; the Company's success in integrating acquired entities and assets, and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release may include statements related to our strategic focus, product verticals, anticipated revenue, and profitability. The Company assumes no obligation to update the cautionary information in this release.