End of Days Distillery adds space and Releases Ready to Drink Cocktails
Wilmington, NC. June 8, 2022 – End of Days Distillery’s team has been working to perfect recipes and processes for its line of RTD (Ready to Drink) Cocktails since early in 2020 when it’s first line of take-home cocktail mixers was released. To achieve statewide distribution renovations on a warehouse on the corner of Newton St. and Wrightsville Ave began after the facility was purchased in March.
The Distillery has sold spirits from its location on Castle St. since February of 2020. Its first line of spirits Port of Entry Vodka, Rum, and Gin were released for statewide distribution during that same year. We have been working to gain market share and shelf space at ABC stores and restaurants throughout NC and we have been so appreciative of our loyal customers and fans who request our spirits at their local ABC stores. Each of these spirits has also achieved critical success by winning multiple awards at International Spirit Competitions. These three premium spirits form the foundation for our RTD Cocktails.
We realized quickly that our space on castle street would not be sufficient to support the production, packaging, barrel aging, and canning or each of products. The new warehouse gives us the space we need to have a fully separated packaging facility. It also allowed us to add larger capacity brite tanks which are used to chill and carbonate the RTD Cocktail prior to canning. We plan on making additional improvements to the building that will allow for additional barrel and inventory storage in the future.
The three RTD Cocktail recipes are based off popular cocktails served at The Distillery Lounge. The Hurricane contains Port of Entry Rum, Passion Fruit, Citrus, and Cane Sugar. The Cargo Mule has Port of Entry Vodka, Ginger, Lemongrass, and Citrus. And the Gin & Tonic uses Port of Entry Gin and a tonic syrup which is made by infusing cinchona bark, the traditional primary ingredient in tonic water, with a custom botanical blend designed to pair with the Gin. Each of these cocktails is designed to duplicate the experience you get from custom mixing a drink without all the extra messy glassware and bottles.
Although the RTD’s were just released for statewide distribution this week we have been selling them from the distillery and perfecting the recipes for a long time. We released early test batches to the SIP Awards International Spirits Competition, which is the largest consumer judged spirits award competition. We were astounded that in the category of Pre-Mixed Cocktails each of new products received recognition as outstanding international beverages. The Hurricane received a prestigious double gold medal. The Gin & Tonic received special mention with an innovation award and a silver medal. The Cargo Mule also received a gold medal.