PRESS RELEASES
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96% of every dollar spent on Sweet Home Divided stays within Alabama, supporting local businesses and individuals.
Letter from the Founder, Austin Creel:
It’s October 2, 2024, and I am knee-deep in preparation for our most important month of the year. October marks the start of Q4, which is the busiest time of year for Sweet Home and distilleries alike. We have our specialty fall batches to launch, barrels to open, and tastings to schedule. We also have an extra bonus this year—our current Leeds distillery neighbor, Atrox, is preparing for their season, which gives us a nice boost of foot traffic at the distillery.
With all of this happening, I was overwhelmed with feelings last week while bottling our Sweet Home Divided. As I looked down at the mahogany hue of the whiskey, it represented the entire journey of this endeavor to me: the dream of creating my own Alabama-style whiskey, the support I’ve received from the industry, community, friends, and family, the petrifying doubts about whether this product would ever turn out right, the mistakes made along the way, and the pride I now feel that this whiskey has finally opened up as a hope for the future. It has been years in the making—quite literally in the aging of these barrels, but also in the understanding of this business and what we aim to represent at Sweet Home.
We proudly stamp ‘Product of Alabama’ on the seal because this product truly represents what Alabama has to offer:
- Labels made in Irondale, AL
- Boxes made in Anniston, AL
- 45% of mash from Alabama Row Corn in Hamilton, AL
- Graphic Artist from Birmingham, AL
- Distilled at Dread River Distilling Co. in Birmingham, AL
- Promotional materials made in Homewood, AL
- Owners from Bluff Park, AL
- Aged, finished, and bottled at Sweet Home Spirits in Leeds, AL
When you purchase a Sweet Home Divided bottle at an ABC store, Sweet Home Distillery, or a private package store, just remember that 96% of that money stays in Alabama. We only outsource the non-Hamilton grains, the bottle, and the cork. Every purchase keeps the Sweet Home storyline alive and supports many Alabama businesses and individuals along the way.
I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who purchased a bottle of Batch #1, #2, and #3. I can’t put into words what it means to know that people put their hard-earned dollars into a young whiskey brand still learning the ropes. Looking back, it’s been a trial-and-error process to bring the best product to market, representing Alabama. I was told time and time again to wait, but the expenses, hopes, and dreams of Sweet Home couldn’t let me wait. I never wanted to miss an Iron Bowl, and I never wanted to miss a chance to make the much-needed revenue. But today, I can rest easy because we’ve hit the 2.5-year mark of aging our family grain in the barrel, and as the name suggests, we’re blending a two-year white corn bourbon with it. We toasted the pecan wood just right to bring a beautiful aroma to the bottle, and that once-offensive row corn whiskey batch #2 and #3 now has a sweetness that allows the palate to enjoy the malted rye and unique qualities of our mash.
We have two more iterations of our inaugural batch done in 2022, with plans to release a 3.5-year barrel in 2025 and a 4.5-year barrel in 2026. I can’t wait to see how the product changes over time, and I hope we’ll be able to continue using Hamilton Row Corn for our product. Sweet Home Spirits is putting its best foot forward heading into fall, and we’ll soon be working on specialty barrels to continue advancing our progress. Our aim is to have an excellent product on the shelves and to be a great representative of Alabama in the future.
We have such a long way to go. My 2020 vision plan had us competing with the big players by 2025, but 2025 will be another year of pure survival as we look toward a 2027 facility to become a regional player. There’s only one barrel left on the market of the 1st edition of our Sweet Home Whiskey, made in 2020 and released in 2021. Once that’s finished, our 2nd edition two-year bourbon will hit the shelves—the barrels everyone’s been enjoying in the cask strength special releases we’ve done in 2024. Once that happens, we’ll have a full line of strong, enjoyable products perfected over the years through mistakes, growth, and lessons learned. While we don’t have much time to reflect on this nearly five-year journey, I can be proud of what we’ve achieved at our distillery in Leeds.
This letter helps me put some thoughts on paper and really reflect on where we stand at Sweet Home Spirits. We need support this fall, and we now have the products that everyone can enjoy. If you have Sweet Home Divided Batch #1-3, keep those tucked away as collector’s items. There are still some available to grab, but Batch #4 is the one we want you to use for a toast to a true Alabama-style whiskey made from a dream that you’ve been following. If you’ve tried our products in the past, give us another go. Our limoncello is better than ever, our cask strength has been well-received, and soon our base whiskey will have a smooth bourbon-style profile for everyone to enjoy.
I’m amazed by the thousands of people I’ve met and the countless ads and marketing gimmicks I’ve tried to grow this brand, yet Sweet Home is still a stranger to many. It’s clear that there’s so much competition for people’s attention, but now, more than ever, I want to get this product in front of the right people. Our only way to do that is by having our founders, ambassadors, and distillery members help spread the word. We’ve gotten a great start with ABC purchasing half of our cases in Alabama, so be ready to find our Batch #4 at an ABC store near you!
Come by the distillery this October! We’ll have late nights, cocktails, and special releases for you to enjoy.
Share a Taste of Home
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Leeds, AL – September 1, 2023 – Sweet Home Spirits illuminated the night of the Blue Moon with an exciting new release. On August 30th, under the enchanting glow of the full moon, Sweet Home introduced its latest creation – Sweet Home Honey Shine.
This limited-edition moonshine was a true testament to the art of local craftsmanship. Sweet Home Honey Shine is expertly distilled in Leeds, Ala., and artfully sweetened with raw honey sourced from Bald Rock Bees in Moody, AL. The result was a one-of-a-kind spirit that encapsulated the essence of the South.
“Always celebrate the full moon with some Sweet Home moonshine!”
Declared Austin Creel, Co-founder of Sweet Home Spirits. The release of Sweet Home Honey Shine was a momentous occasion, representing the brand’s commitment to crafting exceptional spirits infused with authentic Southern flavors.
It’s worth noting that this unique moonshine was exclusively available at the Sweet Home Spirits Distillery in Leeds, Alabama. As a limited-release offering, enthusiasts and connoisseurs are encouraged to seize this rare opportunity to experience the rich blend of moonshine and honey.
In addition to this announcement, Sweet Home Spirits had more in store for its loyal patrons. After a successful first batch, Sweet Home Limoncello and Sweet Home Campfire Cinnamon Whiskey expanded their reach across the state of Alabama. These delightful creations are now available at ABC Select Spirits stores, allowing more Alabamians to savor the taste of Sweet Home.
Pricing for Sweet Home Spirits’ New Offerings:
- Sweet Home Limoncello: $29.99 for a 750 mL bottle- ABC Code- A070041
- Sweet Home Campfire Cinnamon Whiskey: $33.99 for a 750 mL bottle- ABC Code- A070073
These expanding offerings are a testament to Sweet Home Spirits’ commitment to sharing the essence of Alabama through their meticulously crafted spirits.
As the Blue Moon graced us with its presence, Sweet Home Spirits invited all to celebrate this momentous occasion. Visitors are encouraged to visit Sweet Home Spirits Distillery in Leeds, Alabama, and raise a glass to the enchanting Sweet Home Honey Shine, a moonshine experience like no other.
For media inquiries, please contact: Austin Creel
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LEEDS, Ala. – Sweet Home Spirits Distillery, a small batch distillery located in the Leeds Historic and Entertainment District, is excited to announce its grand opening on May 11, 2023. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 12 p.m., and the grand opening weekend will continue through May 14, with hours of operation from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Street Address is 8316 Parkway Drive, Suite 120.
“Our distillery will provide a unique experience for craft spirits lovers, and it gives us the opportunity to engage directly with the community about our small batch liquors. This facility will be our springboard for our research of new products and our prototype of future developments,” said Austin Creel, President and founder of Sweet Home Spirits Distillery.
Customers can purchase Sweet Home Spirits bottles to go, enjoy 1.5-ounce sample flights, and craft cocktails on site during the grand opening weekend. Following the grand opening, the tasting room will be open on Thursdays through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., with private event bookings available.
Sweet Home Spirits will celebrate its two-year anniversary on May 5 and now offers a Brick and Mortar Tasting Room. The distillery is proud to offer a unique experience for craft spirits enthusiasts, and its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community is evident in its small batch liquors.
“We started this journey in 2020 and are thrilled to be able to continue it by opening our own distillery in Leeds. We are as grassroots as they come with 25 founders who cobbled together their time and resources to make this dream a reality. Starting as a modest brand with two package stores, we’ve grown to be in over 200 shelves in Alabama and Georgia. We welcome you to “Share a Taste of Home” in our new home at the ‘Stillery,” said Creel.
About Sweet Home Spirits Distillery: Sweet Home Spirits is a Leeds, Ala.-based craft distillery dedicated to making creative, authentic liquor and helping to build a great craft spirits culture within communities it serves. Founder, Austin Creel, is a Birmingham native with a passion for craft distilling. Born from his desire to bring exciting, flavorful, fresh small batch liquors to his hometown, Sweet Home Spirits is bringing the craft liquor tradition to Central Alabama.
For more information, please visit our website at www.sweethomespirits.com or follow us on social media @drinksweethomespirits
Contact: Austin Creel President and co-founder Sweet Home Spirits Distillery (205) 305-0747 austin@sweethomespirit.com
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Leeds, AL – May 24th, 2023, marked a significant milestone for Sweet Home Spirits as it proudly celebrated its two-year journey in the realm of premium liquor and spirits. From its humble beginnings to becoming a recognized name, these two years have been a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.
A defining moment arrived as Sweet Home Spirits unveiled its very own in-house distillery located in the heart of Leeds. This move signifies a significant step towards full control over the production process, allowing for meticulous craftsmanship and uncompromising standards that define Sweet Home Spirits.
With the local Leeds Distillery now at the heart of operations, Sweet Home Spirits continues to embody the essence of its roots while embracing a vision for the future. This milestone is a reflection of the dedication and passion that has gone into creating spirits that capture the spirit of Alabama.
As the brand toasts to the achievements of the past two years, the journey continues with an unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional, locally distilled spirits. Here’s to two years of success, growth, and the enduring spirit of Sweet Home!
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Sweet Home Spirits: Official Whiskey Sponsor for Imagine Music Festival in Georgia
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Sweet Home Spirits will now be offered in the state of Georgia!
Official Launch Party is at Imagine Music Festival, Where Sweet Home Whiskey will be the official sponsor.
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May 24th, 2022 was the one year mark for SHS, so Austin Creel and Carl Baldone celebrated it by releasing the 2nd batch of their Alabama-Style ‘Sweet Home Divided’ whiskey.
Soon after the Sweet Home Divided Release, Austin began preparing two new products that will be on shelves in August, the Sweet Home Campfire Whiskey and Sweet Home Limoncello. Be on the lookout for these products!
“At Sweet Home Spirits, the greatest gift we’ve received this year is to have the continued support of our customers! We’ve enjoyed making many new friends that are willing to hop on this Sweet Home Storyline and we hope to continue championing Alabama in the wide world of spirits. We’ll continue trailblazing a path but will never forget our way home to Alabama!”
− Carl Baldone and Austin Creel
On May 5th, 2021, Sweet Home Spirits started with just 2 ABC Select Spirits package stores and have now grown to be in over 150 package stores across Alabama.