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On October 4th, 2022, Empire Distributors, Inc. of Tennessee customers and trade members were invited to our annual Trade Tasting for the Knoxville area! The 2022 Knoxville Trade Tasting brought together many of Empire’s suppliers with retail & on-premise beverage buyers from across the Knoxville, TN area. Read on to get a recap of some of the suppliers & brands that attended the event and their featured items available in the Knoxville, Tennessee market.
About Obsidian Wine Company: Obsidian Wine Company has always owned and farmed their own vineyards, coopered their own barrels and vinified their own wines. In 2002, they made their first 98 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. (Consider reaching out to Corey for a better bio)
Products at Trade Tasting: Estate Cabernet, “Obsidian Ridge”, Estate Chardonnay, “Poseidon Vineyard”, Estate Pinot Noir, “Poseidon Vineyard”, “Half Mile” Cabernet Sauvignon, Obsidian Ridge Vineyard Obsidian Ridge Vineyard
About More Labs: More Labs was founded with an ambitious spirit and simple objective: to provide science-backed solutions to real problems. Each one of our products is designed to optimize your system, so you can maximize every moment and get more out of life.
Products at Trade Tasting: More Labs Dream Well, Liquid Focus, Morning Recovery, Morning Recovery Sugar Free
About Chattanooga Whiskey: Chattanooga Whiskey was founded in 2011 with a mission to bring back “Whiskey to the People.” We eventually became the first distillery in Chattanooga in over a century. In 2015, we began the patient process of crafting our style of straight bourbon whiskey we call Tennessee High Malt. After 8 years in the making, our Tennessee High Malt was released in August 2019, marking a new era in our company history.
Products at Trade Tasting: Chattanooga Whiskey Co., Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey 111 Proof, Chattanooga Whiskey Co., Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel 91, Chattanooga Whiskey Co., Straight Rye Malt Whiskey 99 Proof
About Ole Smoky: The Ole Smoky families are among the first to step foot in the Smoky Mountains. Like other families, we have honed the art of whiskey making to survive during tough economic times. When Tennessee state law changed to allow the distillation of spirits, we saw an opportunity to showcase the art of superior mountain-made moonshine. Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee.
Products at Trade Tasting: Amaretto, Apple Pie, Apple Pie Ginger, Banana Pudding, Butter Pecan, Cherries, Cinnamon, Cookie Dough, Hot & Spicy Pickles, Mountain Java, Mountain Mule, Peaches, Peanut Butter, Pecan, Peppermint, Pumpkin Spice Cream, Root Beer, Salty Caramel, Shine Nog, White Chocolate and Strawberry.
About Pritchard’s Distillery: Five generations ago, when Granddaddy Benjamin Prichard of Davidson County, Tennessee passed his “still, tubs and utensils thereto” to his son Enoch, his will of 1822 provided documentation of the last known “legal” distiller in the Prichard Family. Ben made his whiskey with a high sugar content white corn, pure Tennessee spring water and it was distilled using ancient pot still techniques.
Products at Trade Tasting: Prichard’s Distillery Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Covered Cherry, Chocolate Mint, Peanut Butter Cream Pie Liqueur, New Orleans Style Praline Cream Liqueur, Fudge Brownie Cream Liqueur, Tennessee XO Brandy, Barrel Aged Tennessee Malt Whiskey, Barreled Aged Straight Tennessee Whiskey 80 Proof, Double Chocolate Straight Bourbon Whiskey
About Brushy Mountain: These are true Tennessee spirits, and no other distillery has the dark and colorful history as Brushy Mountain Distillery. From farm to still, we use local grains, local water from the mountains’ natural springs, and local people as our distillers to create products for your enjoyment.
Products at Trade Tasting: Brimstone & Cinnamon Fire, Copperhead Cinnamon Schnapps, Double Barrel Whiskey, Frozen Head Vodka and Struggle Bus Bloody Mary Mix.
About Tennessee Shine Company: In our mountains, a man’s worth is built from respect. At the Tennessee Shine Company, we are committed to respecting the traditions of our Appalachian roots from the first drop to the last. We use the same time-tested methods from days gone by. Our taste and you will realize our moonshine and whiskey products are second to none.
Products at Trade Tasting: Big Orange Dreamsicle, Choco Moo, Cotton Candy, Nanner Puddin, Peachy Peach and Straight Off the ‘Still.
About Junction 35: Straight from the hills of the Smoky Mountains, Junction 35 Spirits is bringing a long-time family tradition to the public. Our rich local history of making and running spirits converging with our Master Distiller has brought together a taste like no other. Just like the railroad, Junction 35 Spirits will deliver the very best products nationwide.
Products at Trade Tasting: Junction 35 Bam Bam Vodka, Black Cherry Whiskey, Caramel Apple Whiskey, Cinnamon Whiskey, Honey Whiskey, Raspberry Whiskey and Tennessee Whiskey.
About Cantera Negra: Cantera Negra was founded more than 40 years ago, after Don Alberto Becherano spent more than a decade perfecting his proprietary method for making what we believe to be among the best tasting tequilas in the world. Ours are ultra-premium, sipping Tequilas and make proper craft cocktails truly remarkable.
Products at Trade Tasting: Cantera Negra Anejo Tequila, Cantera Negra Café, Extra Anejo Tequila, Reposado and Silver Tequila.
About Company Distilling: Established in 2020, Company Distilling makes straight bourbon whiskey that’s fully matured in oak barrels and finished with maple wood to produce a sip like no other. Company is on a mission to make spirits made for sharing, “meticulously crafted for the best of friends.”
Products at Trade Tasting: Company Distilling Maple Wood Finished Bourbon Whiskey and Ghost Rail Dry Gin.
About Infuse Spirits: In 2012, young and creative founder Seth Benhaim decided the world was in desperate need of a spirit that offered a natural and simple process that anyone could understand. After experiencing the magic of infused spirits while on vacation, he realized the market lacked such product. He decided to be the one to create it…and he did.
Products at Trade Tasting: Infuse Spirits Lemon Vodka, Infuse Spirits Mango Habanero Vodka and Infuse Spirits Peach Vodka.
About Broken Barrel: Broken Barrel began with a man, an axe, a barrel, and a dream. From its inception, the brand was intended to be different from all other whiskeys. The experiment involved sourcing used bourbon barrels, French oak barrels, and sherry casks from Spain – all to be used in the first ever Oak Bill™.
Products at Trade Tasting: Broken Barrel California Oak Bourbon, Bourbon Whiskey, Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Heresy Rye Whiskey.
About Wente Family Estates: Wente Family Estates recognizes the need for both technology and tradition at their winery. The fusion of old and new is a Wente family legacy. Their willingness to innovate and experiment has been a hallmark of the Wente family operations since they introduced the first varietally labeled Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay in the 1930s.
Products at Trade Tasting: Angel’s Ink Pinot Noir, Ravel and Stitch Cabernet, Wente Charles Wetmore Cabernet, Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc, Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay, Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay, Murrieta’s Well Sauvignon Blanc, Murrieta’s Well the Spur and Wente Southern Hills Cabernet.
About Four Roses: Four Roses Bourbon is one of the oldest and most recognizable names in the bourbon world. Four Roses continues the legacy that founder Paul Jones started back in 1888. Their passion for quality and pride in handcrafting an award-winning bourbon is evident in the smooth, mellow taste that has become the signature of the Four Roses Brand.
Products at Trade Tasting: Four Roses Bourbon 80 proof, Four Roses Single Barrel, Four Roses Small Batch and Four Roses Small Batch Select.
About Astral: Astral Tequila is made with 100% Blue Weber agave, slowly nurtured by the cyclical passing of warm daylight skies and cool nights. Astral Blanco is complex yet smooth, and bright white pepper, with underlying agave and an abundance of tropical fruit.
Products at Trade Tasting: Astral Blanco Tequila
About Sombra: Sombra Mezcal is made from Espadín agave, hand-harvested on the steep slopes of the Oaxacan Sierra. Sombra Mezcal is an artisanal spirit that respects the traditions of Oaxaca, while elevating production methods to include sustainable and responsible practices for the good of the local environment and local economy.
Products at Trade Tasting: Sombra Joven Mezcal
About Aviation Gin: Aviation American Gin is a welcome departure from the traditional London Dry style, and the brand’s extreme mixability appeals to a much wider audience of food and cocktail enthusiasts. The product is naturally gluten-free and distilled in small batches in Portland, Oregon, using American grain spirit and an adventurous blend of spices from around the world.
Product at Trade Tasting: Aviation Gin
About Mucho Mas: Before creating the Mucho Mas wines, we select from amongst the best vineyards in each area, the most powerful grape varieties to later make our blend.
Product at Trade Tasting: Mucho Mas Red Blend Box, Mucho Mas Red and White.
About Prospero: Located in the Castilla-La Mancha region, Prospero takes its name from the protagonist character in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Its production technique, often referred to as Charmat Method is based on a second fermentation of a white wine and is bottled only after it has completed the fermentation process, unlike other sparkling wines.
Product at Trade Tasting: Prospero Brut
About Condado de Oriza: Condado de Oriza picks only the very best Tempranillo grapes to create this wine, these grapes are selected from40-year-old vines that produce no more than 4 to 5 scattered clusters.
Product at Trade Tasting: Condado de Oriza, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva
About Caymus: Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Caymus is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and remains 100% family-owned by the Wagner’s.
Products at Trade Tasting: Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Suisun Grand Durif and The Walking Fool.
About Emmolo Wine Co.: Created by Jenny Wagner, Emmolo’s wines offer a fresh take on California varietals, with a style not typically expected from their production.
Product at Trade Tasting: Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc.
About Red Schooner: Red Schooner, known for their Mendoza “Voyage” Malbec, has released a new “Red Wine of the World” sourced from renowned regions of Australia under the direction of Charlie Wagner.
Product at Trade Tasting: Red Schooner Transit #2.
About Sea Sun: Sea Sun Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are created from the singular beauty and character of the California coast. The regions where Sea Sun is sourced have included Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Solano Counties. Solano is home to the “hidden gem” of Suisun Valley — southeast of Napa, Suisun shares a similar maritime climate and is capable of producing outstanding grapes.
Products at Trade Tasting: Sea Sun Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
About Acrobat: Acrobat wines are sourced from a spectrum of Oregon vineyards, spanning the three classic Western AVA’s – Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley. Each vineyard and AVA have distinct characteristics and provide their own flavor. This diverse geographical selection was done by design, giving Acrobat wines a balanced flavor profile of the state of Oregon.
Products at Trade Tasting: Acrobat Pinot Gris.
About Chalk Hill: This iconic wine estate produces world-class wines in the Chalk Hill Appellation of Sonoma County. For over three decades the winery has produced exceptional wines that have received high acclaim from the trade, press and consumers. Here, nature is joined by artisans of the vineyard and cellar to bring forth wines that reflect the character and richness of this special place.
Products at Trade Tasting: Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
About Ferrari-Carano: Ferrari-Carano has always been a leading producer of world-class, nationally acclaimed wines. Vintage after vintage, the wines exhibit a remarkable consistency of style and elegance. Don and Rhonda Carano’s uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence reflects their desire to produce memorable wines that enhance the pleasures of gracious entertaining.
Products at Trade Tasting: Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc.
About The Four Graces: The Four Graces is owned by Bill Foley and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc renowned nationally and internationally for their balance, elegance, complexity, and richness. The wines are crafted under the guidance of Tim Jones who is thrilled to be able to taste and compare some of the best grapes in Willamette Valley.
Products at Trade Tasting: Four Graces Pinot Noir.
About Lucien Albrecht: The Maison Lucien Albrecht’s origins can be traced back to 1698, when Balthazar Albrecht settles in Orschwihr, a small Alsatian village in an ideal location for growing vines. Eight generations continue to work the soils of this unique terroir with the same tenacity and passion, creating the reputation and authentic character of Alsace wines which are enjoyed and renowned worldwide.
Products at Trade Tasting: Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rose.
About Noble Oak: We at Noble Oak are fanatics about wood. With Noble Oak, we elegantly marry two of the world’s most coveted types of oak used in whiskey making: American White Oak and Spanish Sherry Oak. We use time honored methods and our patented Compression Finishing™ process to create an unrivaled bourbon with body, deep color, and richness of flavor from some of the finest sherry oak staves.
Products at Trade Tasting: Noble Oak Bourbon, Rye.
About The Macallan: The Macallan was one of the first distillers in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then, we have built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America, and Scotland – and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship.
Products at Trade Tasting: The Macallan 12yr Double Cask.
Reach out with any questions you may have to see just how responsive, knowledgeable and downright friendly an Empire Representative can be.
