Independently-owned New Riff Distilling is now distributing its Kentucky-made bourbons, ryes and gins across Arkansas, the 27th state in which its products are available. Arkansas Wine and Spirits Wholesale, based in Little Rock, is the distributor for the state.
“We are excited to finally bring New Riff products to Arkansas,” said New Riff Director of Sales and incoming President Mollie Lewis in a news release. “We’ve heard from whiskey fans in Arkansas for years and believe this is a great opportunity to grow and expand our brand. We have a fantastic distribution partner in Arkansas Wine & Spirits and are grateful for their hard work and collaboration in making this launch possible.”
New Riff is an independently-owned distillery in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country. The Newport distillery produces bourbon, rye and Kentucky Wild Gin. Bourbon and rye are made with traditional sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond without chill filtration. They are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program.
Bringing a Variety of Spirits to Arkansas
Arkansas Wine & Spirits began in 2017, with the leadership team bringing decades of experience in the beer, wine and spirits industries to the project. Initially focused on wine, they expanded to include spirits in 2019 and began cultivating a portfolio of distinctive products in categories underserved in Arkansas.
“We strive to develop true partnerships with our suppliers, retailers and consumers in order to bring the highest level of service to the market,” said Clayton Belknap, president and CFO in the release. “Additionally, we have given as much attention and care in the curation of our team as our portfolio — from sales, to delivery, to warehouse, to the back office.” Despite being a newer distributor in the market, Belknap said the company’s attention to detail across all facets of distribution has led them to become one of the state’s premier beverage distributors.
