The News
Tailgate Spirits LLC has named Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) as its exclusive distributor in West Virginia, effective April 1, 2026. Blue Lot® Bourbon, launched in August 2024, now reaches over 75 retail accounts through direct founder relationships and will expand statewide with RNDC's support.
The Takeaway
- Brand Building: Tailgate Spirits built Blue Lot® bourbon from the ground up by directly engaging with retailers across West Virginia, showing how small brands can gain traction without big distributor support.
- Strategic Expansion: By partnering with RNDC, Tailgate is leveraging a larger distribution network to scale Blue Lot® as one of the top ultra-premium bourbons in the state, proving that direct relationships and disciplined execution are key for growth.
- Regional Impact: The move highlights how regional spirits brands can capitalize on local market momentum by aligning with distributors who understand their specific needs, especially in a competitive category like bourbon.
Original Press Release
Founder-built across 75+ West Virginia retail accounts, Blue Lot® now scales statewide with RNDC
MORGANTOWN, WV, UNITED STATES - Tailgate Spirits LLC (TGS), producer of Blue Lot® Bourbon, today announced a distribution agreement, effective April 1, 2026, naming Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) as its exclusive West Virginia distribution partner.
Blue Lot® launched in August 2024, reached more than 75 retail accounts statewide through direct founder relationships, and emerged as one of the top-selling ultra-premium bourbons in West Virginia. The RNDC partnership accelerates availability across the state with the reach, coverage, and account support a premium brand demands.
“Blue Lot® earned its footing in West Virginia the hard way: door by door,” said Michael Greenblatt, Managing Member of Tailgate Spirits LLC. “RNDC gives us the statewide execution to match the standard we’ve set. We’re building this brand just like the people here: work hard, play harder. Culture, Bottled.™”
“We’re seeing genuine energy around Blue Lot® in the West Virginia market, and that gives us a strong foundation to build on,” said Roy Stisher, Vice President of Sales. “RNDC is ready to leverage that traction with disciplined execution and strategic expansion that fuels statewide growth.”
Source: BevNET