Former Breakthru Beverage Group government John Oliver has joined Vermont-based Caledonia Spirits as vice-president of gross sales.
Oliver spent almost 19 years at US distributor Breakthru Beverage Group, the place he held positions together with nationwide commerce advertising director and senior director of enterprise improvement.
He’s now directing gross sales technique for Caledonia Spirits, which opened its multi-million-dollar solar-powered distillery in Montpelier, Vermont, in July 2019.
Caledonia’s portfolio contains the flagship Barr Hill line with a gin and a vodka produced from 100% uncooked honey, Tom Cat Gin, and a ready-to-drink (RTD) Picnic Cocktails vary. It additionally produces Phyllis Vermont Rye Whiskey, with milling, fermenting, distilling, and ageing carried out in-house.
At Breakthru, as a part of the distributor’s rising spirits technique crew, Trident, Oliver additionally helped incubate and develop rising spirit manufacturers, together with Barr Hill. He helped broaden the model’s presence throughout 14 of the distributor’s markets.
“Barr Hill solutions the decision for manufacturers that exemplify a real sense of place,” Oliver mentioned. “Through the use of our northeast wildflower honey in each bottle of Barr Hill Gin and Barr Hill Vodka, we’re capturing the terroir of Vermont and offering a degree of distinction each in flavour and story for our prospects and shoppers.”
Oliver’s appointment comes because the distillery has seen 18% development within the final 12 months in its Northeast markets. The markets embody its dwelling state Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New York and New Jersey.
The expansion is alleged to be pushed by Barr Hill Gin and its Bee’s Knees Week marketing campaign, held yearly in June. The initiative’s 2026 run concerned greater than 5,000 bars, eating places and shops all through the US, celebrating the Bee’s Knees cocktail whereas additionally supporting the preservation of pollinator habitats with greater than 1.5 million acres preserved.
The distillery additionally highlighted its not too long ago launched low-ABV restricted version RTD Barr Hill cocktail line as one other development driver.
Of the northeast focus, Oliver mentioned: “We’re seeing great development within the northeast markets and shall be doubling down on that technique over the subsequent two years.
“Nationally, the main target is on a focused method working with restaurateurs, bartenders and retailers that join with our model pillars of sustainability, supporting bee tradition and that includes manufacturers that carry one thing completely different to the desk.”
Caledonia Spirits’ Barr Hill line is on the market nationwide in additional than 30 markets.
President and head distiller, Ryan Christiansen, added: “We’re excited to welcome John Oliver to Caledonia Spirits. His expertise constructing manufacturers and understanding the distributor panorama offers him a singular perspective as we enter our subsequent chapter of development.
“It’ll assist us construct on the success of Barr Hill, introduce extra shoppers to Phyllis Vermont Rye, and proceed rising our portfolio of distinctive spirits.”
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