TOPO Organic Distillery launches in Whole Foods Market, Jackson Mississippi

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - June 19, 2014 - PRLog -- (Chapel Hill, NC) – TOPO Distillery, a small-batch organic distiller located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is leading the way in creating a market for organic, grain-to-glass spirits by joining forces with organic food giant Whole Foods Market. TOPO Organic Gin, Vodka and Whiskey will be added to the mix of organic foods and beverages offered by the retailer in a new 950 square foot wine and spirits store called Merchant of Vino, located adjacent to the Whole Foods Market in Jackson, MS. In addition to Mississippi, TOPO has also expanded distribution into South Carolina, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and Missouri.

TOPO Spirits launched in North Carolina in 2012. Distilled using locally-sourced organic wheat, they have produced three spirits: Organic Piedmont Gin, Organic Vodka, and Organic Carolina Whiskey. All three spirits have won gold medals at international spirits competitions. In 2013, TOPO vodka was top-rated in its category with five stars from the F. Paul Paucalt's Spirits Journal, placing it among the best vodkas in the world.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the evolution of craft organic spirits. Our customers really appreciate the value of sourcing our ingredients close to home and supporting organic farming. When we started planning TOPO Distillery seven years ago, there was only one organic wheat field in our state. If we can create something that people love to drink, then there’s an opportunity to expand organic agriculture, which is more sustainable for the land and gives us a better product. We want to do all we can to help that happen,” says Scott Maitland, proprietor of TOPO Distillery. “Creating a whole family of world-class organic spirits really reinforces that commitment.”

The fourth member of the organic spirit family is TOPO’s aged organic wheat whiskey. Currently TOPO’s unaged moonshine-style whiskey is a gold medal winner, known for its smooth taste and butterscotch undertones. (Tasting Panel magazine has given it a 92 rating.) The aged spirit will soon be available, having spent two years in American oak barrels.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing a world-class organic wheat whiskey to life,” says George Dusek, TOPO’s Head Distiller. “It’s warming and slightly sweet—because of the wheat—with all the smoothness you’d expect from a top whiskey. It’s the kind of quality we are proud to share with all whiskey enthusiasts, and we're even more proud that it originates from a sustainable process."

Whole Foods Market consistently brings new food and beverage concepts to the areas it places its stores, and organic spirits is a young category. TOPO’s inclusion is the first placement of the brand in the state.

“Does being organic create a better taste in the overall scheme of distilling? We believe it does,” says George Dusek. “The raw ingredients are pure and carry their own flavor profiles in the crispest way, giving us a clean canvas on which to work.”

The distillery takes the organic process even further by committing to a 360 degree manufacturing process. They begin with organic grain, capturing the benefits of organic farming, then move the grain into a closed-loop system to reduce water usage. The final step returns spent grain back to the land when it is provided as organic animal feed to local farmers.

Esteban McMahan, TOPO Spirit Guide, comments, “TOPO’s focus on the importance of where things come from and how they are made mirrors Whole Food Market’s approach to organic and natural products. It’s a great fit.”

ABOUT TOPO Spirits

TOPO Distillery is the only USDA Certified organic and all local distillery in the deep South. The spirits are distributed by in North Carolina Southern Wine and Spirits. TOPO is the brand name of Top of the Hill Distillery, a sister company to the Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery located in downtown Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Tours of the Distillery take place most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and can be booked at topodistillery.com/bookatour.

ABOUT Whole Foods Market, Jackson MS

The Jackson, Mississippi Whole Foods Market is located in the Highland Village Shopping Center in North Jackson. It is the first Whole Foods Market in the state of Mississippi. Merchant of Vino is a separate shop adjacent to the market.

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Interviews, media kit inquires, tours and sample requests should be directed to Dana McMahan at 919-434-1229 or dana@topodistillery.com.

More details on the TOPO Organic Spirits are available at www.topodistillery.com.