Brother Justus Whiskey Company, a renowned Minneapolis-based craft distillery, is making significant strides in expanding the distribution of its acclaimed American Single Malt Whiskey products. This expansion entails a remarkable increase in production capacity, key personnel promotions, and an extended partnership with Breakthru Beverage Group for a broader market reach.
To facilitate their ambitious growth trajectory, Brother Justus has appointed Helen Hardy as the new President and elevated Stacy Pagano to the position of Chief Marketing Officer. Additionally, they have enlisted the expertise of industry veteran Cody Souders to spearhead national sales operations.
One of the company's most exciting developments is their innovative Cold-Peated American Single Malt Whiskey, a product that is setting new standards in the spirits industry. Notably, their patented Aitkin County Process, used in creating this exceptional whiskey, has garnered widespread recognition. It recently earned the second-place honor at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) annual Innovation Showcase, a testament to the company's pioneering ideas and approaches in spirits production.
Brother Justus Whiskey Company has also made its presence felt on the global stage, earning a coveted spot on the shortlist of finalists for the SB Awards presented by The Spirits Business in London. The category in question is the SB Award for Innovation in Production, with the results set to be announced in late November.
Moreover, the company's commitment to excellence has been consistently acknowledged this year with over two dozen medals and awards. Notably, their Cold-Peated American Single Malt Whiskey has been recognized as the third-best American Single Malt overall in the prestigious International Whisky Competition. These accolades underscore the company's dedication to innovation and quality in the American Single Malt Whiskey sector.
Founder and CEO of Brother Justus Whiskey Company, Phil Steger, expressed his confidence in the brand's growth potential, citing Minnesota's abundant natural resources as a key factor. He envisions Minnesota as the equivalent of Kentucky in the world of Bourbon, producing some of the highest-quality natural whiskey ingredients globally. The unique aspect of Brother Justus' approach is their responsible use of whole peat instead of peat smoke, making them the first and only whiskey producer to do so.
The company's exclusive focus on American Single Malt Whiskey is in line with this category's rapid growth within the industry. Their core product lineup includes American, Silver, and the highly acclaimed Cold-Peated American Single Malt, which stands out for its innovative use of peat.
Brother Justus collaborates with American Peat Technology (APT) of Aitkin County, Minnesota, to source the peat used in their Cold-Peated Whiskey. Together, they have developed Torv Rök, a groundbreaking granular peat product used for filtering and finishing spirits. The Aitkin County Process, a proprietary method invented by Brother Justus, leverages peat's natural filtering properties to create exceptionally smooth whiskey with distinct peat characteristics.
Phil Steger believes that their unique approach allows consumers to experience peat in a more natural form, emphasizing the peat itself rather than the traditional burnt peat smoke. He anticipates that as they expand and license this innovative peat usage process, it will revolutionize whiskey production globally, providing consumers with a wide array of new and exciting flavor profiles.
Brad Pieper, CEO of APT, shares Steger's enthusiasm for this collaboration. He sees it as an opportunity to enrich an industry steeped in tradition while also connecting people with overlooked resources, thus creating a global impact.
In the coming year, Brother Justus Whiskey Company is poised to produce 5,200 nine-liter cases of Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey. These exceptional spirits will be available in Minnesota and Illinois, with the company aggressively working towards introducing their award-winning whiskey to new markets across the world. Brother Justus Whiskey Company is undoubtedly a rising star in the American Single Malt Whiskey industry, poised to redefine the landscape of whiskey production with its innovative and high-quality offerings.