Woodinville Whiskey Company expands distribution

Woodinville Whiskey Company is expanding its distribution footprint for the first time with plans to enter two new markets this year.

Woodinville Whiskey will launch in California and Oregon this year

The Washington-based whiskey maker is planning to distribute its brands in California from mid-April and Oregon by the end of this year.

Founded in Woodinville by two long-time friends, Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile, Woodinville Whiskey Company has been making rye whiskey and Bourbon since 2010.

Sorensen said: “Brett and I have built Woodinville with a very concentrated and deliberate approach to the markets we enter.

“We are very excited to expand our reach outside of Washington state and share our whiskies with our friends along the west coast.”

Now in its ninth year of operation, the distillery was purchased by Glenmorangie and Belvedere owner Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) in July 2017.

Jim Clerkin, president and CEO of Moët Hennessy North America, said, “We acquired Woodinville last year with the confidence that we had identified an iconic brand in its home state, which shares the same authenticity, commitment to excellence and pioneering spirit as some of our centuries-old wine and spirits brands.

“Our vision for Woodinville involves significant geographic expansion driven by a thoughtful process that preserves the outstanding quality of the products.”

California distribution for Woodinville Whiskey Company will be handled through Coastal Pacific Wine and Spirits, a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

Earlier this month, the wine and spirits arm of LVMH announced it had achieved double-digit growth of 10% in the first quarter of 2018.