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Less than 5% of the spirits industry is made up of businesses owned by BIPOC and women, according to ReserveBar.
Thankfully, that online booze retailer is doing something to help support that small number. Throughout February, ReserveBar is taking $20 off $100+ in booze purchases (use the code BHM20) when you purchase one of the bottles that are part of the Spirited Change Initiative (SCI).
And that list is great! It covers rum, tequila, whiskey, vodka and even bitters, and the brands featured are some of the best in the business. Below, a spotlight on a few of our favorites on sale.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Fawn Weaver’s diligent research into the background of Nathan “Nearest” Green, a former slave and a friend/mentor to Jack Daniel, helped rewrite American whiskey’s whitewashed past. In just a few years, Weaver and her team have also created an award-winning whiskey and built a massive distillery in Tennessee.
Du Nord Craft Spirits
Owned by Chris Montana, former president of the American Craft Spirits Association (along with his wife Shanelle), this Minneapolis-based operation produces everything from blended whisky to gin to apple liqueur. You can read more about how Du Nord is leading its home city’s revival here.
Harridan Vodka
An overproofed corn vodka that was created and launched during the early days of COVID-19, the NY-based Harridan is a female-founded and owned spirit … and one of the few vodkas we’ve had that possesses real flavor and character. Read our review and profile here.
Ten to One
Ten to One showcases the best in Caribbean rums (as in, not bound by just one country or island). The brand was started by Marc Farrell, a Trinidadian who attended MIT at the age of 16 and went on to become Starbucks’ youngest V.P.
21 Seeds
Blanco tequila infused — and that’s a rarity — with grapefruit, hibiscus, Valencia orange and cucumber jalapeño flavors. It’s not a sipper, but rather your ideal base for a paloma.
Sorel
“Most people don’t know how expensive it is to create and grow a premium spirit brand in America,” as Sorel founder Jackie Summers said last year. Thankfully, the brand is now thriving. This bright red liqueur is crafted from with Moroccan hibiscus blended with Brazilian clove, Indonesian cassia and Nigerian ginger.
Hella Cocktail Co.
A wide range of syrups, mixers and bitters — and even a non-alcoholic canned cocktail — are available from this NY-based brand.
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