Spirits Event Raises More Than $85K for Animal Rescue League of NH

MANCHESTER, NH — The Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, one of the largest spirit tasting events on the East Coast, raised more than $85,000 to support the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (ARLNH). The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) event, which took place on Nov. 10, 2016, in Manchester, drew a crowd of more than 900 people who sampled from more than 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits, along with food from 19 of New Hampshire’s top restaurants. The Distiller’s Showcase also offered the opportunity to meet brand ambassadors and distillers from around the world, including Tito Beveridge, founder of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, who made a $16,500 individual donation to ARLNH as part of the Distiller’s Showcase, according to a press statement.

“The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is extremely pleased with the success of this year’s Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, raising a record $85,000 in support of the ARLNH,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “In addition to supporting a worthy cause, the Distiller’s Showcase is truly a one-of-a-kind event presenting our customers with the chance to explore their palates by sampling from more than 400 of the world’s best spirits. Our 11 million annual customers have come to expect unique, world-class events, exclusive products and the very best customer service—our ability to deliver those expectations time and time again is a big reason why our sales reached a record $678 million last year, including a 7.6-percent increase in spirit sales.”
In a special presentation during the Distiller’s Showcase, Tito Beveridge presented ARLNH Executive Director Monica Zulauf with a $16,500 check to support ARLNH. Tito’s Handmade Vodka has made a longstanding commitment to animals and animal rescue through its “Vodka for Dog People” effort. This past summer, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire donated $1 for every Tito’s Handmade Vodka & Lemonade drink sold this summer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford to ARLNH, culminating in this check presentation.

The Distiller’s Showcase offered guests the chance to bid on three bottles of the extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr Kentucky straight bourbon, and on a single bottle from Pappy Van Winkle’s “O.F.C. Collection,” together raising a total of $8,200 for ARLNH. Guests this year also bid on an all-inclusive, trip-for-two to Scotland to experience the historic Dalmore Scotch distillery.

The Distiller’s Showcase has raised more than $237,000 to support ARLNH over the past four years. ARLNH, which helps more than 2,200 animals each year, uses this critical funding to support operating expenses, as 73-percent of ARLNH’s operating budget goes to animal care and medical expenses.

NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers to raise $843,000 for nonprofit organizations making an impact in New Hampshire during the past three years. In addition to ARLNH, Homes for Our Troops, Operation Care for Troops, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Toys for Tots, New Hampshire Food Bank, Granite United Way, Concord Hospital and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire have all benefitted from NHLC’s support.

Submitted by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.