Distiller's Showcase Raises $58,700 for Animal Rescue League of NH

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) raised $58,700 in support of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire during the second annual Distiller’s Showcase—doubling last year’s proceeds. The Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, which took place on November 20th at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, drew more than 900 guests and featured more than 400 fine spirits, 100 distillers, mixologists, whisky and spirit seminars, silent auctions, a raffle and great food from New Hampshire’s leading restaurants. As part of the event, NHLC hosted a live auction of four individual bottles of the coveted and incredibly rare, Pappy Van Winkle 23-year Family Reserve Bourbon, raising $5,500 between the four bottles.

“With more than 900 guests this year, the NHLC is extremely pleased with how the Distiller’s Showcase has grown in just its second year. The event serves the dual purpose of providing expanded opportunities to our loyal customers so they may sample premium spirits and thus become more educated consumers, while also raising significant funds to support the important work of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “With our spirits sales totaling $347 million last Fiscal Year, it is clear our customers are interested in exploring the diverse and growing world of spirits.”

Proceeds from the Distiller’s Showcase support general operating expenses for the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire—68-percent of the League’s operating budget goes to general animal care and medical expenses.

“The Animal Rescue League is so incredibly grateful to have participated in the second Annual Distiller’s Showcase,” said Paula Mattis, President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of NH. “Together with the NHLC we doubled the size of the event in just two years. Those attending the event told us how much fun they had and they appreciated the increase in food and spirit offerings. The financial success of this event will go a long way to help animals in need.”

The Distiller’s Showcase featured New Hampshire distillers like Sea Hagg Distillery in North Hampton, Djinn Spirits of Nashua, Flag Hill Distillery of Lee and Smoky Quartz Distillery of Seabrook, as well as national brands and craft distillers offering samples of various styles of whiskey, rye, Scotch, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, cordials and liqueurs. The event also boasted rare whiskey and Scotch sourced and bottled exclusively for New Hampshire, including 1994 BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 1994 BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 1995 Glendronach Single Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and 16-year ABERFELDY® Single Cask Highland Scotch Whisky.

Guests sampled more than 400 spirits and tasted scrumptious cuisine from leading New Hampshire restaurants, while also having the chance to interact with brand ambassadors, such as Alasdair Day, owner of Tweeddale Blend; Megan Breier, Kentucky Bourbon Ambassador for Jim Beam; Philip Pepperdine, Single Malt Scotch Ambassador for Morrison Bowmore Distillers; Chris Fletcher, Assistant Master Distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery; and Raj Sabharwal, U.S. Brand Ambassador for Amrut Distillerie.

The Distiller’s Showcase is a recent example of the NHLC supporting and facilitating meaningful partnerships designed to deliver critical support to New Hampshire nonprofits. Including the Distiller’s Showcase, NHLC has helped raise more than $256,000 in the past two years through partnerships benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program, New Hampshire Food Bank, Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, MooreMart, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, and Easter Seals New Hampshire.

Photo Captions:

Distillers 1: Featuring more than 400 spirits and more than 100 distillers, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s second annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits raised $58,700 in support of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire. The event drew more than 900 guests to the Radisson Hotel in Manchester on November 20th. Susan Laughlin photo.

Distillers 2: Along with more than 400 spirits available for sampling, NHLC’s Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits also featured renowned mixologists, like Elayne Duff, head mixologist for Diageo Wine and Spirits, pictured here, who whipped up delicious concoctions throughout the event. Susan Laughlin photo.

Distillers 3: As part of the second annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, NHLC auctioned off four individual bottles of the rare Pappy Van Winkle 23-year Family Reserve Bourbon. Here, Mark Roy, NHLC spirits marketing specialists, poses with one of the four lucky winners. Susan Laughlin photo.

About the New Hampshire Liquor Commission
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) operates 77 retail locations throughout the Granite State and serves more than 9 million customers each year. More than $3 billion in net profits has been raised since the first store opened in 1934. NHLC had its best sales year ever in Fiscal Year 2014, generating $626 million in gross sales, an increase of $23 million – or nearly 4% over the previous fiscal year. Total liquor net profits transferred to the New Hampshire’s General Fund reached $148 million, which are used to fund programs including education, health and social services, transportation and natural resource protection. NHLC is expecting to net an additional $1 billion for New Hampshire’s General Fund in the next seven years.

Visit www.LiquorandWineOutlets.com to locate a store, search for product availability, learn about monthly sales, review wine tasting schedules, and sign up to receive significant savings with monthly Email Extras.

About the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire
The Animal Rescue League of NH improves animal welfare in our communities by helping pets and the people who care for them. During 2013 we served 2,200 animals with 586 being helped by our Outreach and Cruelty Investigation Department. The ARLNH assists area residents with a low cost spay neuter clinic and pet food pantry for qualified individuals.

The ARL NH is open to all residents of New Hampshire, and actively serves the towns of Amherst, Auburn, Bedford, Brookline, Candia, Dunbarton, Francestown, Goffstown, Hollis, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Boston, Peterborough, Wilton, and Windham.

Submitted text and courtesy photos.