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Local distillery announces partnership

Wyoming Whiskey recently announced the addition of a new member. As of Sept. 6, Edrington and Wyoming Whiskey have formed a strategic partnership. Edrington, the international premium spirits company, has a portfolio of products which includes The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, and Cutty Sark Scotch whiskies, Brugal rum, and Partida tequila. As a result of this partnership, Wyoming Whiskey will immediately join Edrington Americas’ nationwide distribution network which will assume all sales, marketing and distribution of products.

David Defazio, Wyoming Whiskey founder and COO, explained the business did not approach anyone to suggest a partnership. He attended the Shanken Impact Seminar in New York, which brought together several presidents of spirit manufacturers. During that seminar, he was introduced to a handful of presidents from different companies.

There have been about a dozen different companies that have taken an interest in Wyoming Whiskey over the past three years, Defazio said, from those interested in being minority stakeholders to others wanting to completely buy out the business. Defazio said Edrington provided the “right fit,” and one of the great things about the partnership is there is no desire to change the business.

The partnership with Edrington places Wyoming Whiskey alongside the most respected whiskies in the market. Chris Spalding, President and CEO of Edrington Americas, stated, “Wyoming Whiskey holds its own against the nation’s finest. We are proud to be playing our part in helping more consumers discover the quality of this outstanding American Whiskey.”

Wyoming Whiskey has been able to achieve this by partnering with a company that is aligned with it culturally, not by selling out. All of the whiskies will continue to be made in Kirby with Wyoming grains, Wyoming water, and by Wyoming hands, but it never hurts to take a few pointers from folks who have been making whiskey since 1798. Defazio noted the only change to how Wyoming Whiskey makes its products is subtle refinements in the process, taking advantage of the knowledge Edrington has from over 200 years of making whiskey

As an independent distiller, Wyoming Whiskey has achieved national recognition for the quality of its whiskies. This partnership now gives Wyoming Whiskey national and global distribution opportunities that could not have achieved on its own. This means that the Kirby distillery can now deliver Wyoming to consumers in every neighborhood across the country.

Defazio said he couldn’t single one market out that he’s excited about getting into, but pointed out Wyoming Whiskey has been fighting for more attention ever since the business decided to sell outside the state. While they’ve been something of the “little guy in the room” when it comes to meetings with distributors, he said this partnership definitely gives them some clout.

Though a lawsuit was filed against Wyoming Whiskey in March by Frank Sacca, claiming breach of a National Sales Director Employment Agreement, Defazio said the lawsuit will not impact the partnership and vice versa.

Sam Mead, head distiller with Wyoming Whiskey, said everyone there is pretty excited about the partnership, as Edrington brings a lot of expertise in sales and marketing of premium spirits.

There will be no production changes, Mead said, other than they will be making a lot more. Currently in production four days a week, Mead said they will be going to seven days. With that change the distillery will be going from about 3,000 barrels per year to about 10,000. Of course, added production means added shifts, and Mead expects they will begin hiring in early to mid-2019.

 

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