The Kentucky Department of Alcohol Beverage Control approved Dayton, Ohio-based Crystal Spirits LLC's request to sell its premium Buckeye Vodka brand in 750ml and 1.75L bottles throughout the state. Heidelberg Distributing Company of Kentucky will represent Buckeye Vodka.
"We believe Kentucky will embrace Buckeye Vodka," said Mike Monnin, Vice President and General Manager at Heidelberg Kentucky. "Kentuckians demand quality and value in their spirits and Buckeye Vodka certainly delivers on both."
With the expansion into Kentucky, Buckeye Vodka extends its reach to 35 states via The Party Source. The Covington store ships spirits to an approved list of 35 states, provided both the purchaser and recipient are of legal drinking age. Although prices vary by location, The Party Source currently sells 750ml bottles of Buckeye Vodka for $16.99 and 1.75L bottles for $30.99.
"Expansion into Kentucky along with our partnership with Heidelberg and availability at The Party Source is an important step for Buckeye Vodka," said Jim Finke, CEO of Crystal Spirits. "While we're extremely proud to be the best-selling Ohio-based spirit in the state, our reach beyond Ohio will help drive future growth."
In 2012, Buckeye Vodka pumped an estimated $1.26 million into the state's economy with sales up 70% over the previous year. Finke expects double-digit growth to continue.
Crystal Spirits was also recently named the 2012 Ohio Distillery of the Year by The New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). Buckeye Vodka earned a Silver Medal in the tasting competition, adding to its Gold Medal and Best Buy Award from the Beverage Testing Institute's International Competition in 2011. The NYISC judging, conducted by members of the spirits trade, occurred in New York City on October 21, 2012.
"The Buckeye Vodka family could not be more proud of the Ohio Distillery of the Year award," Finke commented. "Our team works incredibly hard to ensure superior quality, taste and consistency in every small batch of Buckeye Vodka. To receive international recognition for our company is absolutely wonderful."
The NYISC recruits a panel of industry experts to award its annual ratings. These panelists of trade volunteers are not involved for publicity or for their industry position as critics or members of the press. They are the decision makers and experts who have an authentic understanding of the business of buying and selling spirits.
