FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2014 Sugarlands Distilling Company Begins Nationwide Rollout for Full Line of Moonshine Fan Favorite Butterscotch Gold Already an Award Winner Gatlinburg, Tenn. —East Tennessee-based Sugarlands Distilling Company has made quite a splash since arriving
on the moonshine scene. The company has only been open a few months, but has already received numerous
awards from some of the spirit industry’s most prestigious competitions.
Sugarlands Distilling Company opened its doors to the public in March 2014 and is currently rolling out its seven
varieties of moonshine across the Southeast, with plans to be in every state by mid-2015.
The company's distribution strategy is being supported through a partnership with TAG USA, well-known for helping
brands like Tito’s Vodka and Patron Tequila go national.
When it comes to the craft of moonshine distilling, Sugarlands Distilling Company boasts a deeply-rooted, authentic
approach.
“This historic part of the country gave rise to the genesis of moonshine distilling and sharing that message is core to
who we are as a brand,” said Ned Vickers, owner of Sugarlands Distilling Company, “Sharing our region’s history
with the masses is an indispensable part of what we do through our people and our products.”
The distillery’s 100-proof product offerings include the company’s signature shine – Silver Cloud – a traditional, clear
moonshine with smooth, mellow hints of sweet corn that tastes just like the Prohibition-era sour mash moonshines;
and Jim Tom’s Signature Unaged Rye, the “legal” version of TV personality and master moonshiner Jim Tom
Hedrick.
“We have been receiving a lot of positive feedback on Silver Cloud,” said Greg Eidam, head distiller for Sugarlands
Distilling Company. “We knew we had created something special, and it’s rewarding to hear such great things about
the exceptional taste of our shine. Of course, we’re also thrilled that it was just awarded ‘Best in Class Platinum’ at
this year’s International SIP Awards.”
The five additional varieties of award-winning moonshine include: Appalachian Apple Pie, Blockader’s Blackberry,
Butterscotch Gold, Old Fashioned Lemonade and Southern Sweet Tea.
Butterscotch Gold has quickly become a favorite among the company’s devoted following.
“This particular shine boasts a creamy caramel and butter flavor that smells like brown sugar and kettle corn from the
county fair,” said Eidam. “The high demand for Butterscotch Gold has been incredible. It’s by far one of our top
sellers.”
Already this year, Butterscotch Gold has garnered the “Platinum” honor from the 2014 Spirits International Prestige
(SIP) Awards in the flavored moonshine category, as well as the “Bronze” award from the ” 2014 Los Angeles
International Spirits Competition in the Whiskey/Whisky, Flavored Whiskey/Whisky, Bourbon category.
"Our mantra is that there are 'Stories in Every Jar' of authentic Sugarlands Shine. We encourage our customers to
sip our shine while slowing down and truly enjoying the company of their family and friends – that’s what it’s all
about," said Brent Thompson, director of strategy for Sugarlands Distilling Company. "Our focus has always been –
and will continue to be – about crafting superior-tasting moonshine and that the great stories will follow. Our distillery
is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, so for us, it's all about the complete moonshine experience."
Sugarlands Distilling Company makes its moonshine by first grinding grains like corn and rye in an artisanal stone
mill, into meal that is then mixed with pure Smoky Mountain water. From there, some varieties are moved to a giant
cooker, and then transferred to a fermenter to simmer for a few days. Each batch of shine is distilled a total of six
times, ensuring high quality and unmatched flavor.
“Our moonshine recipes truly hearken to the days of Prohibition,” said Vickers. “Just one sip can you back
generations. People tell us all the time how our product tastes the way moonshine is supposed to taste.”
For those interested in using moonshine to make a cocktail, Sugarlands Distilling Company has come up with several
varieties of moonshine cocktails, each with instructional videos posted to their website. The most popular moonshine
cocktails using Sugarlands Shine include versions of margaritas, mint juleps and spritzers.
In addition to the moonshine on the shelves, customers who visit Sugarlands Distilling Company can try multiple
shine flavors at the distillery’s “Sippin’ Posts,” as well as shopping for branded clothing, novelty items and other
merchandise. Sugarlands Distilling Company operates out of a 10,000 square-foot barn house, made from four
seasoned East Tennessee barns and houses salvaged and repurposed to create a wooden patchwork of color and
age.
More information about Sugarlands Distilling Company, its story, and videos of how to make moonshine cocktails can
be found at www.sugarlandsdistilling.com.
List of International Spirits Competition Honors
•
Silver Cloud (100-proof):
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o
“Platinum Best in Class” at the 2014 Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards in the unaged
whiskey / moonshine category.
o
“Silver” at the 2014 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in the Whiskey/Whisky, Un-aged
American Whiskey category
Butterscotch Gold (40-proof):
o
“Platinum” at the 2014 Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards in the flavored moonshine
category
o
“Bronze” at the 2014 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in the Whiskey/Whisky,
Flavored Whiskey/Whisky, Bourbon category
Appalachian Apple Pie (50-proof):
o
“Silver” at the 2014 Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards in the flavored moonshine category
o
“Silver” at the 2014 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in the Whiskey/Whisky, Flavored
Whiskey/Whisky, Bourbon category
Jim Tom's Signature Unaged Rye (100-proof):
o
“Silver” at the 2014 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in the Whiskey/Whisky, Unaged American Whiskey category
About Sugarlands Distilling Company
Sugarlands Distilling Company is a producer of craft quality moonshine and whiskey and is also a popular attraction
in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Inside the distillery, guests can taste free samples of authentic Sugarlands
Shine, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the production, and purchase a variety of moonshine flavors, mountain
merchandise, and apparel. To enhance their experience, guests can enjoy live music, Appalachian storytelling, and
book outdoor adventure tours in the Sugarlands, an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park historically
referred to as “moonshiners’ paradise.” The company is East Tennessee-owned, with a focus on bettering the local
community through a variety of events and charitable giving. Sugarlands Distilling Company's phased strategic
distribution strategy will be supported through a partnership with TAG USA, one of the most respected beverage
marketing/sales organizations in the country.
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