EMPIRE MERCHANTS PICKS UP TREND-SETTING HKB BAIJIU
Recently featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal
Highest Honors (Chairman’s Trophy) at F. Paul Pacult’s 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
As of May 1st, 2016, HKB Baijiu will be distributed throughout New York state by Empire Merchants and Empire North, New York’s leading wine and liquor distributor group. Empire Merchants works with more than 20,000 restaurants, bars, hotels, nightclubs, and retail outlets throughout New York State.
Lloyd Sobel, Empire CEO & President, says: “When I read in The New York Times that New York bartenders have taken on this category with the same sense of experimentation, challenge, and excitement they once brought to similarly unique spirits like mezcal, I wanted Empire Merchants to be in the game and represent a high-quality, craft baijiu. When I found out that HKB was brought in by CNS Imports, the oldest and largest importer of Baijiu to the United States, I was confident of its quality. HKB came to us with some great accounts they opened directly that are already working with the brand and showing good consumer take-away. I know that the partnership with HKB will be win-win.”
A strong aroma baijiu from Sichuan province, HKB received a “Chairman’s Trophy” (96 points / Extraordinary / Ultimate Recommendation) in F. Paul Pacult’s 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Only 40 Chairman’s Trophies were awarded among a field of more than entries, and HKB was judged by industry greats including Dave Wondrich, Tad Carducci, and Jacques Bezuidenhout. Top barman Orson Salicetti opened America’s first baijiu bar, Lumos, in 2015; he describes HKB as “my favorite baijiu for mixing cocktails.” Lumos has been covered by the Associated Press and NBC News, among other major media outlets. Gaz Regan was also an early and ardent supporter of HKB.
Brand creator and owner Charles Lanthier says: “We are thrilled, thank our partners and supporters to date, and raise a shot glass to our continued, mutual success.”
HKB, 43% ABV; SRP $49.99; imported exclusively by Private Cask Imports, Palm Beach, FL. Please enjoy responsibly. https://twitter.com/hkbspirits https://www.facebook.com/HKBspirit https://www.instagram.com/hkbspirits/
