2025 NO. 1
- Steve Jobs details matter,
IT’S WORTH details matter, IT’S WORTH getting IT right. getting IT right.
Meet Amy Sutton
POSITION
Area manager
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT WESTERN SON?
In April, I will have been with Western Son for six years.
CORE MEMORY AT WESTERN SON
This one just happened, so it is at the top of my mind. I presented to a multi-account buyer in Maryland. He sampled our original vodka and several flavors while comparing them to our competitors. His response was, and I quote, “This vodka is so smooth, it will have me chasing farm animals.”
FAVORITE COCKTAIL
Water from the West FUN FACT
I am participating in ten 5K races this year.
FAVORITE HOLIDAY
Christmas is my favorite holiday because I love the focus on family, tradition, and the spirit of giving. The decorations and lights create a sense of warmth and cheer during the cold months in the Northeast.
Operations
OPERATIONS KEEPS IT FRESH WITH A BERRY SWEET COMPETITION!
Every March, we turn our leftover blueberry solids from our #1 flavored vodka into culinary gold with the Blueberry Cooking Showdown! Our Operations team goes head-to-head, creating delicious dishes for ultimate bragging rights.
This year, Josh’s blueberry pretzel twist and Aaron Puckett’s blueberry bacon bourbon buns—featuring our own bourbon—claimed victory! Judges Brian and Tessa had a tough job with so many incredible entries, including Chad’s blueberry sopapilla cheesecake, Natalie’s blueberry cake, Trevor’s blueberry cheesecake squares, Abigail’s blueberry bundt cake, and John McKinney’s blueberry cheesecake.
A huge congratulations to all participants for making this year’s showdown a flavorful success. We can’t wait to see what creative dishes next year will bring!
On-Premise
BIG WIN IN THE MILE HIGH CITY: WESTERN SON EXPANDS WITH LITTLE PUB CO!
Denver’s own Little Pub Co. has been a neighborhood favorite since 1994, running 17 unique concepts across the metro area. Locally owned and community-driven, they’re now making room for something new behind the bar!
As a longtime partner of Deep Eddy (moving 125 9L cases in 2024), Little Pub is stepping it up in 2025. Thanks to the dedication of Stephen Griffin, Western Son Lemon and Grapefruit are now officially placed in ALL locations, with even more flavors rolling out soon!
And the early results? A strong 71 9L cases sold across 8 of 17 concepts in Q1! Western Son is making its mark in Denver. Cheers to this exciting placement and even more wins ahead!
Off-Premise
SETTING THE STANDARD
This year, our Sales team is raising the bar— committing to higher standards, stronger execution, and setting the pace in the market. At the start of the year, we rolled out clear brand guidelines to ensure consistency and impact across all retail accounts.
One standout example comes from Houston, where Ryan Geer has truly set the standard at SAS Liquor’s three locations. In 2024, the chain moved an impressive 79 9L cases— driven by strong performance from Original 1.75L and 375mL, with support from select flavors.
After working closely with the management team, Ryan reset the shelves at all three stores, expanded the portfolio to include all 750mL SKUs, and successfully introduced Ginger Beer and Gin. This isn’t just a win—it’s a blueprint for success.
n the Wild
SIPPING SUCCESS: WESTERN SON SHINES AT MCKINNEY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY SIP N STROLL!
Western Son Vodka kicked off the first event in a four-part series at the McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Sip N Stroll—and it was a huge hit!
The star of the day? The Berry Lucky cocktail, featuring Western Son Strawberry Vodka, with over 1,000 samples served. More than half of attendees already knew and loved Western Son, while first-time tasters were eager to find it in local stores.
The event also generated major buzz for our distillery, with 500 tour passes handed out and attendees quickly booking visits— including past guests excited to return!
With three more Sip N Strolls ahead, we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more exciting activations as we keep growing our local presence!
n the Wild
WESTERN SON SOCIAL SERIES
KICKS OFF IN HOUSTON WITH A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
The 2025 Western Son Social Series launched in style at Haywire Houston’s brand-new Party Barn, bringing together consumers and local influencers for an unforgettable evening of craft cocktails, live music, and interactive fun.
Guests enjoyed four signature Western Son cocktails—The Buckin’ Berry Mule, Blazin’ Saddle, Texas Two-Step, and Cowgirl Kiss each showcasing a unique Western Son flavor. The DIY craft cocktail infusion bar added an interactive twist, letting attendees create their own infusion jars to take home.
With delicious Haywire bites, great company, and a lively atmosphere, the event was the perfect toast to 2025. Beyond great drinks and good times, events like this boost brand awareness and strengthen key partnerships— and this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more stops on the Western Son Social Series!
Social Showdown
Total Followers
23,838
Total Impressions in Q1
208,310
Engagement rate in Q1
2.44%*
*Industry average is 1.2%
Total Followers
47,370
Total Impressions in Q1
2,792,743
Engagement rate in Q1
1.72%*
*Industry average is less than 0.27%
Social Collab
SHAKING UP YOUR GREENS: THE CAESAR SALAD MARTINI GOES VIRAL!
Who says salads and cocktails don’t mix? We teamed up with @eatdrinkdoaustin to bring the internet’s latest obsession to life—a Caesar Salad Martini. Yep, you read that right! This bold blend of savory, briny, and “wait… what did I just sip?!” had everyone talking.
The results? 8,300+ views, 20.4K followers engaging, and a 2.67% engagement rate— proving this wild cocktail was a viral hit! Sometimes, shaking things up is exactly what the internet craves.
atest & Greatest
WESTERN SON HITS THE AIRWAYS WITH EXCITING IN-STUDIO SEGMENTS!
As part of our omni-channel marketing strategy, we’re taking Western Son to the airwaves in a big way—starting with in-studio segments! Our first stop? Living Oklahoma in OKC, where Erin absolutely crushed it, showcasing two standout cocktails.
For St. Patrick’s Day, we stirred up the Limelight Mule featuring Western Son Lime Vodka, and for National Cocktail Day, Erin served the timeless West-presso Martini with Western Son Original.
This is just the beginning—we’re excited to keep the PR momentum rolling and bring Western Son to screens everywhere!
atest & Greatest
THE DISTILLERY IS OPEN AND BETTER THAN EVER!
What a way to kick off the season! Our distillery reopening was a massive success—sold-out tours, $6,850 in revenue, and 600 cocktails served! Guests had a blast enjoying live music, shopping fresh spring merch, and exploring a farmer’s market with six local vendors. Plus, a bottle engraver added a personal touch for those taking home Western Son.
A huge shoutout to Alejandra and our incredible hospitality team for making it all happen! This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait for an amazing season ahead—welcoming guests and creating unforgettable experiences!
NEXT ISSUE TO BE RELEASED JULY 15TH