
Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) added several new brands to its portfolio in August and September. Heavyweight Wines from Scotto Cellars of Napa Valley is now available in Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Bounty Rum, produced by St. Lucia Distillers, is offered in four expressions: Spiced, White, Gold and Dark. Ghost Tequila is a fusion of ghost peppers and 100% agave tequila from Jalisco, Mexico. The Finnish Long Drink offers a unique taste of natural grapefruit and juniper berry flavors with gin, taking an iconic Finnish recipe and making it available in canned format. Grey Goose La Vanille was introduced to the on- and off-premise divisions, where a shelf-setting exercise and cocktail-creation competition were part of the iconic French brand’s relaunch of the flavored vodka. Jamaica’s Stolen Overproof Rum, Stolen Smoked Rum and Stolen Whiskey also joined the CDI lineup.
- Bill Chenault, CT Manager, Heavyweight Wines and Kristian Snook, Business Manager, CDI.
- Bounty Rums, double-distilled rums made from Guyanese molasses, are produced in Roseau on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
- Benjamin Jones, Managing Director, Spiribam Fine Rum Specialists and Brendan Edwards, Northeast Market Manager, Inspired Beverage Inc. with Bounty Rums.
- John Craft, Director of Marketing, The Long Drink Company; Ere Partanen, Co-Founder, The Long Drink Company; Callie Bak, Trade Marketing Manager, CDI; Paul Puhalla, Director, Business Development, CDI; and Evan Burns, Co-Founder, The Long Drink Company.
- Jennifer Focarino, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Kellei Coolbeth, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Chris Sperling, Division Manager, New England Division, CDI; Morgan Whitney, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Ryan Mahoney, CT Sales Manager, Ghost Tequila; Macy Engengro, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Kristyn Castaldi, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; and Ryan Toole, Business Manager, CDI.
- The Grey Goose La Vanille cocktail, Going Bananas, was created by Tim Foular, Diamond Division Sales Representative, who won an in-house competition during the sales launch event.
- John Park, President, CDI; Steve Drew, Connecticut State Manager, Bacardi; and Kelly Scofield, Business Manager, CDI with Grey Goose La Vanille.
- Nick Andreo, Considine Division Sales Representative, CDI and Josh Fowler, Regional Chain Account Development Specialist, CDI during the Grey Goose La Vanille shelf exercise.
- Dan Hagendorn, VP of Sales, Northeast, Spirits Investment Partnership presents Stolen Overproof Rum, Smoked Rum and Whiskey to the CDI Diamond Division.
- Callie Bak, Trade Marketing Manager, CDI; Paul Puhalla, Director, Business Development, CDI; Tamara Ferrara, Field Sales Manager – Diamond Division, CDI; Chris Sperling, Division Manager, New England Division, CDI; and Dan Hagendorn, VP of Sales, Northeast, Spirits Investment Partnership.
- Chris Sperling, Division Manager, New England Division, CDI; Morgan Whitney, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Macy Engengro, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Kellei Coolbeth, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; Jennifer Focarino, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI; and Kristyn Castaldi, Sales Representative, New England Division, CDI celebrating the Stolen launch.
Photos by Joe Palisi.