Stateways Fall 2022 | Page 33

VODKA TRENDS

Anchorage Distillery in Alaska uses local barley to produce its vodka , which lends it a touch of sweetness and nuttiness . The company recently began using a new form of charcoal filtering , “ just to add a little bit more smoothness to it , to take some of the heat out of it ,” says its chief revenue officer Skyler Fancher .

Anchorage ’ s lineup features several vodkas , including a cranberry made exclusively for the Princess Cruise Line , and a ghost pepper vodka . “ It ’ s one of the hottest peppers in the world ,” says Fancher . “ A lot of people love it for Bloody Marys or spicy Margaritas .”

GET READY TO DRINK At Jubilation Wine & Spirits , Zonski-Armijo has seen brisk sales of ready to drink cocktails , many of which are vodka-based . For example , the Newport , OR-based Rogue Spirits offers an extensive line of RTDs , including an Espresso Martini , a Lemonade Iced Tea Vodka Soda and a Ginger Lime Vodka Mule , to name a few .

And Lansdale , PA-based Boardroom Spirits recently announced new 750-ml . bottled cocktails that include Lansdale Lemonade , made with Boardroom ’ s vodka , and Spring Garden , which is a combination of its citrus vodka , ginger vodka , C ( the distillery ’ s carrot spirit ), along with cucumber and citrus notes .

Sass says Gallo ’ s High Noon ’ s variety of flavored canned hard seltzers have sold well . The gluten-free , 100-calorie RTDs contain vodka , juice and sparkling water , with no sugar added .

Sean “ Diddy ” Combs and Diageo in April unveiled Cîroc Vodka Spritz , the brand ’ s

Vodka-based RTDs continue to drive growth for the category .

LEADING BRANDS OF VODKA , 2020 - 2021

( Thousands 9-Liter Cases )

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