J. Rieger & Co. resurfaced in 2014 after 95 years of being dormant due to Prohibition. Since then, the company’s whiskey and other alcohol products have regained their verve and are now available in several states.
The rejuvenated distillery, located in Kansas City’s East Bottoms, just added Texas as a distribution base, making it the 17th state. Victory Wine Group will be J. Rieger & Co.’s exclusive representative in the state.
Their products are available in Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, DC and Wisconsin. Sales have grown 70 percent since November 2016.
Jacob Rieger & Company was originally founded in 1887 in Kansas City. The brand was relaunched in 2014 by business partners Ryan Maybee, owner of The Rieger and Manifesto; and Andy Rieger, the great-great-great-grandson of Jacob Rieger.
Maybee and Rieger hope to develop a national market while retaining their strong Missouri and Kansas distribution. Their commitment to reviving a historic legacy and to brand-building over the long term has resonated with distributors.
“J. Rieger & Co. has an authenticity that helps them connect the history of their brand to today’s consumers in a relevant, modern way,” Monique Huston, national spirits director of Winebow Group said in a release.
The distillery’s product line includes Kansas City Whiskey, Midwestern Premium Vodka, Midwestern Dry Gin, Left For Dead and Caffé Amaro.
