Wyckwood House, 80 S. River St. in downtown Aurora, is set to partner with Whiskey Acres for a whiskey tasting event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

“This event will be a Whiskey 101,” Nick Nagele, the co-founder of Whiskey Acres Distilling Company in DeKalb, announced in a press release about the upcoming event at Wyckwood House.

According to Nagele, the attendees will “leave with a better understanding of the distillation process.”

The ticketed event planned for the afternoon will feature whiskey samples from Whiskey Acres, which is recognized as Illinois’ first estate distillery, as stated in the press release. The organizers have announced that the acclaimed Blue Popcorn Bourbon will be highlighted at this event.

“We grow everything we distill,” Nagele said.

As a fifth-generation farmer, Nagele will walk through the basics of turning corn into whiskey. He will also welcome more advanced discussion for those who know the rudimentary processes, according to the release.

The cocktail bar at Wyckwood House will feature special cocktails for the event that incorporate Whiskey Acres spirits, organizers said.

Tickets are $45. For more information or to register, go to wyckwoodhouse.com/events.

The Venue, a live music performance space in downtown Aurora, will host a special free screening of the film “The Last Waltz” on Nov. 25.

“The Last Waltz,” the last filmed concert of Canadian-American rock group The Band, was directed by Martin Scorsese and was released in April 1978.

There is no cost to attend the film screening, however guests are asked to register online at themusicvenue.org.

The Venue, at 21 S. Broadway in downtown Aurora, offers live music year-round along with a wide selection of craft beer and other beverages at the bar which is open for all shows.

The city of Geneva is participating in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys For Tots program this holiday season.

The community is invited to drop off new, unwrapped gifts at two Geneva locations – the foyer of the City Hall Building Division, 109 James St., and the vestibule at the Geneva Public Works Department, 1800 South St.

The last day to donate is Monday, Dec. 11.

All eighth-grade boys are invited to take the Scholarship Qualifying Entrance Exam for Marmion Academy in Aurora at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

Those registering for the exam should complete an online application at www.marmion.org/exam.

Fourteen four-year scholarships ($328,000 total value) will be awarded to students based on exam scores, school officials said. In addition, a $1,000 scholarship for the 2024-25 school year will be awarded to every student who scores 90% or above on the exam.

The exam must be taken at Marmion, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora, on Dec. 2 to qualify for scholarships, officials said.

Marmion Academy is a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men. For more information on Marmion Academy, go to www.marmion.org.

State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, is hosting a Holiday Gift Card Drive for U.S. troops.

Gift cards from Amazon, Sam’s Club, Costco and Dollar Tree can be dropped off at his St. Charles office, 406 Surrey Woods Drive, Unit A, for the America’s Holiday Stockings’ campaign conducted by Operation Support Our Troops.

“Our troops sacrifice so much for our nation, including being away from family during important holidays,” Ugaste said in a release. “A gift card can provide an opportunity for them to purchase presents for loved ones or a treat for themselves during this holiday season.”

The deadline to donate a card is Tuesday, Nov. 21. Last year, the nonprofit group shipped 4,517 Christmas stockings to troops.

Entering a liquor store without a precise idea of what you’re seeking can be quite daunting, with towering shelves of bottles donned with terminologies that might be unfamiliar to you. You might have come across the term “barrel-aged” with regards to spirits, but the detailed meaning behind it could still be ambiguous to you.

In essence, the concept is as straightforward as it sounds: Upon being distilled, the new spirit is kept in wooden barrels for a span of several years. During this time, the flavors of the spirit develop and the wood lends varying notes to it. Though barrel-aging is a norm for whiskey, finding a barrel-aged vodka is relatively rare, but certainly not unprecedented.

The scarcity is primarily due to the variance in qualities that drinkers and distillers seek in whiskey and vodka. Aging can mellow the ethanol sting that is a characteristic of all spirits, however, it also enhances complexity by adding sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors to the base spirit. But as many see it, the mark of an excellent vodka is its purity, not its complexity. Given this belief, linked with the extensive aging period and excessive storage space requirements of barrel-aging, many vodka distillers avoid engaging with barrels all together. Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this general rule.

To know more, take a look at this: The Ultimate Vodka Brands, Ranked

Regulatory bodies and trade associations often mandate certain spirits, such as bourbon, rye, and Scotch whiskey, to be aged for a specific period. Vodka, however, is not among these spirits. Since aging is not a requirement, and a significant number of people prefer their vodka without age-related characteristics, the majority of vodka is simply not aged.

Interestingly, aged vodka exists in somewhat of a hazy category by law. While there is no explicit prohibition on aging vodka, the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau describes vodka as lacking any “distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color”— features that can emerge due to aging. Intriguingly, the bureau does not restrict what ingredients can be used to make vodka, with most vodkas having a base of grain or potatoes. You may find vodka manufacturers avoiding the term “barrel-aged”, opting for phrases such as “rested on oak” or “finished in barrels” instead. Regardless of the terminology, it essentially means the same thing: the spirit has spent a considerable duration in proximity with barrels or wood chips, infusing the vodka with distinctive flavors from the wood.

Aged vodkas certainly exist, and like any other aged spirit, wine or beer, detailed consideration is given to the type of barrels used for aging. Oak is a commonly used wood for aging vodka and other beverages, but there’s variation within that category — such as French vs. American oak. Distillers might also use other types of wood, including chestnut or cherry. Regardless of the wood type chosen, it is typically toasted to enable its bending into a barrel shape. The degree and method of toasting can also influence the flavor. In certain instances, barrels are reused to infuse the taste of whatever previous contents they held, which is why you might sometimes find vodka aged in cognac, wine, or even whiskey barrels.

Because aged or “barrel-finished” vodka is presently a relatively niche, experimental product, it may not be readily available everywhere. When available, it likely comes with a premium price compared to standard, unadulterated vodka options. If you’re keen to taste some boldly flavored vodkas but aren’t finding any at your local stores, you might consider making homemade vodka infusions, a novel way to enhance your next homemade cocktail hour.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023/ Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. (TSXV:RUM) (the “Company” or “Rocky Mountain”), which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), has announced its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2023.

KEY OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Three-month comparison from July 1 – September 30:

The gross margin experienced an increase of 8%, rising to 24.2% (from 22.4% in 2022).

EBITDA increased 6% to $536,675 (2022 $505,613)

Operating margin increased 3% to $909,564 (2022 $884,749)

Nine month comparison January 1 – September 30:

Gross margin increased 6% to 23.9% (2022 22.5%)

EBITDA saw an 11% growth, reaching $961,555 (2022 $868,848)

The operating margin exhibited an increase of 4%, amounting to $2,008,247 (2022 $1,931,217)

Notably, the EBITDA for the three and nine-month periods ending Q3 2023 maintains its sustained outperformance compared to 2022. Moreover, the organization succeeded in debt reduction of $1.4M within the past year, thereby enhancing the balance sheet status — resultant of offsetting interest costs due to a surge in the prime rate.

Allison Radford, the CEO, stated, “The management will unceasingly strive to boost category management — via optimization of purchasing, pricing strategies, and emphasizing the fulfillment of the consumer’s market-driven demand. Additionally, the Company is in a constant state of evaluation concerning its marketing plans — with the agenda of whether the tactics effectively generate both brand awareness and engagement, alongside driving customer footfall in stores.”

The following table provides a summary of the pivotal operating and financial metrics of the Company’s performance for the three and nine month periods ending on September 30, 2023, and 2022.

For the 3 months ended

For the 9 months ended

September 2023

Sep 2022

Sep 2023

Sep 2022

Sales

11,057,847

11,867,942

30,361,418

31,564,891

Sales of Existing Stores (1)

$

11,057,847

$

11,674,363

$

30,361,418

$

31,010,536

Average Sales Per Existing Store (2)

$

442,314

449,014

1,214,457

1,192,713

Gross Margin

24.2

%

22.4

%

23.9

22.5%

Operating Margin (3)

909,564

884,749

$

2,008,247

$

1,931,217

EBITDA (3)

$

536,675

$

505,613

$

961,555

$

868,848

Net Comprehensive Income

$

261,436

270,303

283,869

$

288,821

Number of Stores in Operating at Period End

25

26

25

26

Total Credit Facility Use

2,442,836

3,838,326

2,442,836

3,838,326

Sales existing stores are sales from stores that are in operation during the applicable period.

Average sales per existing store is based on sales of existing stores.

Calculation of Operating Margin and EBITDA are described under the heading “Non-IFRS Measures” in the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis.

Calculation of credit facility can be found on page 7 under the heading “Summary of Credit Facilities” in the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis.

The Company increased its operating margin by 3% in Q3 2023 over the same quarter in 2022 by focusing on cost efficiencies and from selling an under-performing store in 2022. Sales of existing stores for the three months ending September 30, 2023, are lower than the same period in 2022 due to the sale of a store in Q4 2022. The weather throughout the summer, particularly on weekends, played a large role in the sales trends for the third quarter ending 2023 as it was not as favourable as 2022.

Average sales per existing store increased by 2% for the nine month period ending September 30, 2023, over September 30, 2022, primarily due to inflationary pressures on pricing. Sales of existing stores for the nine month period ending September 30, 2023, are 2% lower than the same period in 2022. For the first two months in 2022, restrictions were in place to on-site liquor consumption establishments resulting in a positive effect on retail liquor sales in that period.

Gross margins are higher by 8% at 24.2% for the three months ending September 30, 2023, compared to 22.4% for the same period in 2022, and higher by 6% at 23.9% for the nine month period in 2023 compared to 22.5% in 2022 as management has been focusing on its marketing, pricing, and promotional strategies to support profitable growth.

Detailed information in the form of the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and also on the Company’s website at www.ruminvestor.com. After accessing the website, please choose the “Investor Relations” tab to view Quarterly Reports.

About Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain owns 100% of Andersons Liquor Inc. (“Andersons”), headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, which now owns and operates 25 private liquor stores in that province, up from 18 stores since the Common Shares began trading in December 2008. It is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V:RUM).

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release presents statements and information with a forward-looking stance, abiding by the applicable laws of securities. These statements seem to predict future occurrences and performances. One must note that statements are not strictly historical facts but include forward-looking details. Often words like “appear”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “expect”, “intend”, and “believe” serve to clear the ambiguity.

Such forward-looking information and statements serve to shed light on the management’s future plans and expectations of the company. Admirers and stockholders are forewarned that depending on such information for investment orientated decisions may not be the correct approach. In the coming year 2023, favourable results might paint a different picture, subjected to risks like change in management policies, market tendencies, and strategic orientations. The COVID-19 pandemic made it all the more uncertain, with its potential to impact not just our operations but also third-party suppliers. The uncertainty of the future makes these forward-looking statements risky. It is possible that the actual results might vary greatly from what is being currently anticipated. The aforementioned risks, along with additional ones, have been discussed thoroughly in the section named “Risk Factors” in RUM’s Management Discussion and Analysis, which can be accessed here.

In case of any reason leading to non-execution, it is advised to not completely depend on this forward-looking timeline information. In case of any new information or future developments, there is no commitment to update or revise this information, unless TSX-V or the applicable securities laws demand so. This cautionary note qualifies all the future-looking statements furnished in this news release.

Finally, it is to be noted that neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider carries the responsibility of warranty or precision of this release.

For further information:

Allison Radford

Sarah Stelmack

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

(780) 483-8183

(780) 483-8177

SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/804567/rum-reports-an-increase-to-ebitda-for-q3-2023-consolidated-financial-results-compared-to-2022

Meili Vodka co-founders Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson.

The Hollywood action star is perhaps best known for playing DC’s mighty superhero of the sea in the Aquaman films, but Jason Momoa has been making waves lately beyond the big and small screen with his other business commitments, including his new, award-winning Meili Vodka company.

Co-founded alongside Momoa’s best friend, Blaine Halvorson, these two gentlemen searched the world together, from Antarctica to the Northwest Passage, in hopes of discovering the purest water sources to make the very best tasting vodka possible. As fate would have it, their greatest find came basically in the backyard of Halvorson’s dad’s Montana home.

Momoa told me, “It’s this beautiful water source that comes off of this limestone shelf – 300 million-year-old aquifer. It looked like Avatar – I had never seen so much life at a water source, where there’s snow everywhere. We come to find what makes it so special is that there’s no sodium in that water. The salt is really what takes away some of the notes that you taste in that from our grains, and it’s high in calcium and sulfur. That’s what gives it that really unique taste.”

Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson are co-founders of Meili Vodka.

First, Momoa met Halvorson when he found a pair of shoes that Halvorson had designed. As Momoa got to know Halvorson better, he shared, “I hired him to assist me with all the roles I played, from Frontier to Aquaman. I wore his unique MadeWorn clothing from the start. When I began to direct, be it Carhartt or Harley-Davidson, he helped creatively and in making these worlds a reality. We enjoy working together, constantly trying to impress each other. He is someone I highly respect, and if he appreciates something, I am content with it. That is how we built our friendship – through creation and innovation .”

Following various successful collaborations, Halvorson suggested to Momoa that they should create their own vodka brand. Looking back, he recalls, “Jason asked, ‘Why should we make vodka? We are not even fans of vodka.’ I responded, ‘Exactly!’ We appreciate the allure and storytelling behind moonshine. So, I wanted to bring some of that to vodka, which I felt was lacking. Vodka is often only seen as an ingredient. Especially in the U.S., it is not seen as a spirit. Considering vodka is 60% water, our focus was to find a unique and pure water source to pair with our grains. That’s where it started. We aimed to change people’s perception of vodka.”

Momoa explained to me that unlike traditional vodka, he personally recommends people to try Meili Vodka “warm and served straight,” as its unique Montana water taste makes it a fantastic standalone drink. Moreover, he expressed profound pride in their glass bottles’ sustainable and recycling-friendly design, showing their commitment to the environment.

Momoa made a point, “I’m naturally engaged in a lot of activities and I’m profoundly passionate about our planet. I’m a huge advocate for creating something that’s wholly 100% post-consumer glass. Blaine discovered someone who crafts the best glasses in Mexico. The exciting aspect of this quest is that we are planning to produce them out of Pennsylvania [targeted for Spring 2024], implying fully made in the U.S. The privilege to manufacture the glass locally, for the first time, is phenomenal. Though the endeavor to create such an attractive bottle, recycled and bearing all its subtle specifics is intense, to us it feels just like nurturing our own offspring.”

Halvorson supplemented by stating, “From as long as I can remember, Jason and I have been fascinated by procedures – the way something is designed, who fabricates it, its aesthetic appeal, and the craftsmanship. In my perspective, the process of creation represents a crucial beautiful aspect to it. The journey of recycling this entire glass – melting it in a furnace till it takes shape – is as much rewarding as owning an exclusive bottle. There’s something magical about the authenticity of handmade glass. The piles of glass we recklessly discard, can easily be repurposed for better.”

The venture, Meili Vodka, founded by Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson has been making progress.

Since they marked their entry into the saturated and competitive liquor industry earlier this January with the launch of their visionary product, Meili Vodka, the curiosity spikes about what makes Momoa and Halvorson confident that their new invention is a definitive consumer choice that separates them from their contemporaries in the current market.

Halvorson stated, “In a liquor industry that is largely built upon marketing and gimmicks, we stand out by being transparent and sharing the details of our creation process. This approach to vodka is distinctive, as we are treating vodka as a spirit to be savored, not merely consumed.”

Momoa shared, “Despite the trend of celebrity-owned brands, we are not just another name in the crowd. Rather, my approach involves building everything from scratch — from Mananalu, the water company, to the climbing corporation, So iLL. I’m not just a hired face for the company. This endeavor represents the passion and commitment of two best friends who’ve been pursuing this vision for nearly eight years. We did everything ourselves. We’re not just another celebrity-owned brand; we’ve truly earned our stripes performing the hard work ourselves.”

With a retail price that ranges from $19.99 to $29.99, the cost of Meili — which symbolizes the adventurer’s heart, the pure joy of discovery, and the spirit of exploration — is affordable. Throughout October, Momoa and Halvorson traveled across the country to meet fans and autograph bottles of Meili Vodka. Both gentlemen are keen on the possibility of hosting similar events in the future.

During their tour in October 2023, Blaine Halvorson and Jason Momoa, co-founders of Meili Vodka, took photos with their fans across America.

Halvorson made the comment, “The most significant takeaway from this tour, we captured such stunning portraits all through the tour and conversed with so many individuals who came to support us. This is what Meili is all about – Jason and I commenced this on the premise of communal story-telling, gathered around a campfire or dining table. We hope that as Meili expands and more individuals sample it, they will share their personal narratives with us, enriching the concept of ‘where will Meili take you?’ Today, a large amount of interactions happen virtually via social media which is two-dimensional. I feel it’s wonderful to revive those moments where real human face-to-face interaction happens. The incredibly diverse and beautiful crowd that turned up was astounding.”

In conclusion, Momoa said, “It was my sincere wish to acknowledge everyone in a way that shows this was built with all our love and now, it belongs to you. It’s available to everyone. We have put our utmost efforts into this. It is truly stunning and I feel it’s an exceptional venture to own a brand that reflects who you are. This is our initial year. Getting people excited about it, once they taste it, it’s transformative!”

Since its debut more than a century ago in the 1800s, the Whiskey Sour has undergone numerous changes and possibly given rise to dozens of variations. However, one thing has remained constant through the years: A shaker of Whiskey Sour is only as good as the whiskey you mix it with. Though you can make a Whiskey Sour with both Bourbon and rye whiskey, don’t mistake it as a one-to-one substitution. Your choice of whiskey actually plays a crucial role in the flavor of the final drink.

This difference in taste is due to the distinct mash bills, which are the combinations of grains that are eventually fermented into alcohol, used in these two types of whiskey. Rye whiskey, as the name suggests, is made from a mash bill that has at least 51% rye, which gives the whiskey a very heady, intense flavor packed with spice. This is perfect if you enjoy your Whiskey Sour cocktail hard and dry.

On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more mellow taste, then Bourbon is the way to go. Bourbon’s mash bill consists of at least 51% corn, which gives it a totally different flavor profile. The corn contributes to a sweeter and fuller-bodied flavor in the final drink. Depending on the brand, you may even detect common tasting notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, nuts, and oak from the cask — all of which you’d be able to savor more easily with less spice in the liquor.

Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

If you’re aspiring to enhance your Whiskey Sour with additional sweetness and a gentler flavor profile, consider a few options rather than relying solely on bourbon. First off, altering the sweetening elements can make a noticeable difference. Typically, a conventional Whiskey Sour employs simple syrup for sweetness. By slightly increasing the quantity of syrup from the usual ½ ounce, you can augment the sweetness. Be cautious, however, to not go overboard, as excess syrup can render the cocktail overly sweet.

For those who don’t have any qualms deviating from the classic recipe, there’s another shortcut. Certain bartenders have introduced orange juice for adding a blend of sweetness and tartness to this cocktail. This trick comes in particularly handy when bourbon isn’t available and you are resorting to rye whiskey, helping scale-down the whiskey’s spice profile by adding a citric hint.

And if you’re attempting the frothy Whiskey Sour recipe with egg white, think about employing the “reverse dry shake” method. Start by stirring the ingredients with ice for cooling. Post that, strain the mix, discard the ice, pour back the cocktail into the shaker, and shake it again without adding ice for around 15 to 20 seconds. This extra shake contributes towards enhancing the frothiness of the egg white, leading to a smoother texture that feels easier on the palate.

For more insights, do visit the original article on Tasting Table.

Meili Vodka co-founders Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson.

The Hollywood action star is perhaps best known for playing DC’s mighty superhero of the sea in the Aquaman films, but Jason Momoa has been making waves lately beyond the big and small screen with his other business commitments, including his new, award-winning Meili Vodka company.

Co-founded alongside Momoa’s best friend, Blaine Halvorson, these two gentlemen searched the world together, from Antarctica to the Northwest Passage, in hopes of discovering the purist water sources to make the very best tasting vodka possible. As fate would have it, their greatest find came basically in the backyard of Halvorson’s dad’s Montana home.

Momoa told me, “It’s this beautiful water source that comes off of this limestone shelf – 300 million-year-old aquifer. It looked like Avatar – I had never seen so much life at a water source, where there’s snow everywhere. We come to find what makes it so special is that there’s no sodium in that water. The salt is really what takes away some of the notes that you taste in that from our grains, and it’s high in calcium and sulfur. That’s what gives it that really unique taste.”

Meili Vodka co-founders Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson.

Momoa mentioned his first encounter with Halvorson was through a pair of shoes Halvorson had crafted. After initiating contact and getting to know each other better, Momoa confided, “I brought him on board to assist me with everything related to the characters I’ve portrayed, from Frontier to Aquaman. I wore his original [MadeWorn] collection in the early days. When I ventured into directing projects, ranging from Carhartt to Harley-Davidson, he acted as a creative lead helping me bring these concepts to fruition. We derive immense pleasure from our joint efforts and constantly strive to impress each other. His approval means the world to me. Hence, our companionship was built on this foundation – the joy of creating and crafting.”

After multiple shared endeavors on diverse projects, Halvorson remarked that he and Momoa were prepared to develop something exclusive for themselves. Upon proposing the idea to Momoa of establishing a vodka brand, he recalls, “Jason questioned, ‘Why are we making vodka? We don’t enjoy vodka.’ To which I responded, ‘Exactly!’ We were intrigued by the mystery, roughness, and narrative associated with moonshine – hence, being able to bring some of those elements to vodka, which in my opinion, was lacking. Vodka is just considered an ingredient. Especially in the U.S., it’s typically not recognized as a distinct spirit. Given vodka consists of 60% water, we applied our focus there. We sought the cleanest and most distinct water source to pair with our grains. That’s truly where it all began. Our aim was to alter the public’s perception of vodka.”

Momoa then proceeded to speak about how, contrary to most other vodkas, he actually recommends people to savor Meili Vodka “warm and straight” – praising its pure Montana water flavor which makes for a pleasing “neat” beverage. He also articulated his immense pride in the environmental consciousness and recycling priorities incorporated into the production of their glass bottles – from its general design to prioritizing the wellness of our planet.

Momoa stated, “I clearly do a multitude of activities, and am fervently passionate about our planet. I strive to make everything completely 100% post-consumer glass. Blaine discovered a manufacturer who produces the finest glasses in Mexico. The best part has been shifting the production to Pennsylvania, scheduled for Spring 2024. Meaning, we’ll manage everything 100% domestically. The ability to produce the glass locally, a first, is simply wonderful. Every minuscule detail matters when making such an elegant and recycled bottle, it’s rather exhaustive. We cherish it dearly.”

Halvorson chimed in, “Jason and I have always been fascinated with the process – the step-by-step creation of a product, the craftsmen behind it, its appearance, and mode of production. I find the process beautiful and inherently vital. We take wasted glass, put it into a furnace, and melt it down – each bottle has a uniqueness. The feeling of holding handmade glass, it’s magical. With the abundance of glass we discard, it can certainly be reused.”

The co-founders of Meili Vodka, Jason Momoa, and Blaine Halvorson.

I couldn’t help but inquire, given their entry into the vastly growing and highly competitive liquor business this past January with their launch of Meili Vodka. What is it that Halvorson and Momoa believe sets their new spirit apart in today’s market?

Halvorson said, “In a liquor industry that is really heavily built today on marketing and marketing gimmicks, I think us as an open book and storytelling of how this process is done and how it can be done, I think, makes us unique – taking a very different approach to vodka and creating vodka as an actual spirit. Something you can sip and enjoy.”

Momoa added, “We’re in the footprints of like so many celebrity brands. I think if you get to know me, I’m not like that at all, and if anything, most of the companies I’ve ever started, they have all started from the ground up – with the water company [Mananalu], with the [So iLL] climbing [company] – with all the things that I love. It’s not somebody coming to me, paying me a certain fee and then I have to do these appearances and show up. This is two best friends, going on eight years of doing this, a passion that we want to keep this. It’s just a different feel than being like something celebrity, because we really did it on our own. We did it just the two of us for a very long time.”

With its retail price ranging from $19.99 and $29.99, Meili (pronounced MAY-lee) is a term that represents the adventurer’s heart, the purity of discovery and the spirit of exploration. All throughout this past October, Momoa and Halvorson decided to travel around the country to meet with fans and sign their Meili Vodka bottles, fond experiences that both gentlemen are interested in doing more of in the near future.

Meili Vodka co-founders Blaine Halvorson and Jason Momoa taking photos with fans during their U.S. tour in October 2023.

Halvorson expressed, “The major lessons from this journey are the stunning portraits and conversations we collected throughout. The genesis of Meili, which started with Jason and myself, was grounded in the idea of community storytelling, whether around a campfire or a dinner table. Our aspiration is that as Meili expands, our consumers share their narratives with us and engage with our concept of ‘where will Meili take you.’ Despite the prevalence of social media and two-dimensional communication today, we want to revive those moments of real, face-to-face human interaction. Witnessing the extraordinary and inspiring diversity of our supporters was truly memorable.”

In conclusion, Momoa stated, “My aim was to pay tribute to everyone involved in this journey, emphasizing that what we’ve built with great love and passion is now yours. It’s out there for all. It’s the best gift we could ever offer. It’s truly magnificent to have a brand that truly represents you. This is our initiation year. Getting people excited about it – once you taste it, you’ll be hooked.”