Holladay Distillery, the historic bourbon maker out of Weston, Missouri, has locked in a significant new distribution deal that could put its whiskey in a lot more hands across the country. The distillery, which operates under the McCormick Distilling Company umbrella, announced a multi-state partnership with Empire Distributors Inc., covering Colorado, Georgia, and Tennessee — three states with serious drinking cultures and competitive spirits markets.
For a distillery with roots going back to 1856, this kind of move signals that Holladay isn’t content to stay a regional secret much longer.
A Deal Built on More Than Just Moving Cases
Empire Distributors isn’t a new player. Founded back in 1940, the company has spent more than eight decades building relationships with retailers, restaurants, and bars across multiple states. That kind of ground-level presence is exactly what a growing spirits brand needs when it’s trying to get its bottles behind bar tops and onto store shelves in markets it doesn’t already dominate.
Patrick Fee, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at McCormick Distilling Company, made clear that the appeal of Empire goes beyond simple logistics. “Empire brings more than just strong distribution capabilities; they bring a true partnership mindset,” Fee said. “Their commitment to trust, collaboration, and long-term brand building gives us great confidence as we continue to grow in Colorado and beyond.”…