High West Distillery and Breakthru Beverage Illinois, are pleased to announce a new partnership agreement which will expand High West's availability throughout Illinois.
"We at High West are excited about the move to Breakthru Beverage Illinois," said High West Distillery CEO, John Esposito. "High West is one of the fastest growing craft spirits and a partnership with Breakthru, a company that knows how to build brands, will allow us to continue to build our brand together."
High West is a boutique distillery, concentrating on quality ingredients, small batches and the distiller's creative touch. Founded by David Perkins, a former biochemist with a passion for whiskey, High West has gained international acclaim for its artfully blended whiskeys, such as American Prairie Bourbon, Campfire Whiskey, Double Rye and Rendezvous Rye.
Opened in Park City, Utah in 2007, High West was the state's first legal distillery since 1870. Over the nine years the distillery has been open, High West's whiskeys have received multiple awards and accolades including being named the 2011 Whiskey Pioneer of the Year by Whiskey Advocate magazine.
"The Breakthru Beverage partnership with High West further exemplifies our commitment to building and representing the finest craft spirits in the industry," said Jason Griffin, Breakthru Beverage Illinois Business Manager, Craft Spirits. "The quality of whiskey that Brendan Coyle, the Master Distiller produces is outstanding and that resonates with both our trade partners and consumers alike."
The new distribution agreement will make High West available statewide in both the on and off premise markets. Leading Breakthru Beverage's craft efforts will be the newly formed Breakthru Craft Spirits team, led by Business Manager Jason Griffin and Channel Manager Eric Mersch, along with an expert team of Craft and Beverage Development Specialists. This craft-focused team will engage with Chicago's premiere accounts, providing product education and usage occasions.
"Breakthru has one of the most professional sales forces in the industry and the business support systems that they provide will allow us to grow our mutual business. We look forward to working together," said Esposito.
About Breakthru Beverage Illinois
Breakthru Beverage was formed by joining substantial holdings of The Charmer Sunbelt Group and Wirtz Beverage Group. The company employs more than 7,000 associates, and with its affiliates has operations in 19 markets across the country and Canada. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com.