Snow Leopard Vodka, which launched in the state in July, hosted a series of brand events in a variety of settings. Founder of the brand, Stephen Sparrow, worked with representatives from Edrington and Rhode Island Distributing Company for brand trainings at on- and off-premise accounts, consumer events and community service events. Proceeds from the vodka’s sales and local events help benefit conservation efforts of endangered snow leopards via its Snow Leopard Trust UK non-profit.
During August and September, the Snow Leopard Vodka “Million Dollar Survival Fund” raised more than $1,000 among the 11 participating establishments. Westerly’s Perks & Corks Café sold the most Snow Leopard martinis over the two-month period. “Cocktails and Conservation” events, hosted by Sparrow at Hotel Viking in Newport, New Harvest Coffee and Spirits in Providence and Bellevue Wine and Spirits in Newport, featured a martini “how-to” seminar, Snow Leopard vodka tasting and silent auction. On September 19, despite the inclement weather, Jason Kindness, Manager at Newport’s Revolving Door, joined the Snow Leopard team during a beach clean-up at Second Beach in Middletown, with conservation group Clean Ocean Access.
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- Snow Leopard Vodka Founder Stephen Sparrow leads a seminar at Hotel Viking on September 13. Snow Leopard Vodka is made with rare spelt grain, natural spring water and is distilled six times, under supervision of Master Distiller Joanna Dawidowicz.
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- Samantha Wise, Bartender, Perks & Corks Café; Bryan Keilty, Owner, Perks & Corks Café; and Kayleigh Speck, Brand Activator, Edrington Americas. Perks & Corks Café sold the most on-premise Snow Leopard Vodka martinis during the launch fundraiser. Participating accounts: The Breachway Grill, Charlestown; BLU On The Water, East Greenwich; Cap’n Jacks Restaurant, Wakefield; The Grange, Providence; Malt, Newport; Perks & Corks Cafe, Westerly; The Revolving Door, Newport; Tavern on Broadway, Newport; Trio, Narragansett; TwoTen Oyster Bar and Grill, South Kingstown; Ogies, Providence.
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- The service team at TwoTen Oyster Bar and Grill, South Kingstown after brand training.
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- Bartender Willa Van Nostrand mixes up a “Dandy Lion” cocktail at The Chanler, Newport.
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- A Snow Leopard Vodka display at Haxton’s Tollgate Liquor in Warwick. Snow Leopard Vodka’s new bottle style will be launching later this year.
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- A cocktail display at New Harvest Coffee and Spirits in Providence.
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- Cleaning up Second Beach with Clean Ocean Access. Jackie Connetti, Innovation and Market Manager RI, Edrington Americas; Jason Kindness, Manager, The Revolving Door; Kayleigh Speck, Brand Activator, Edrington Americas; and Snow Leopard Vodka Founder Stephen Sparrow.
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- Snow Leopard Vodka Founder Stephen Sparrow and Jackie Connetti, Innovation and Market Manager RI, Edrington Americas after the Second Beach clean-up effort.
