Draft:Henderson Spirits Group
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|  |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverages |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Alan Henderson |
| Products | Spirits |
| Website | www |
Henderson Spirits Group is an American spirits company founded in 2020 by former NBA player and Indiana basketball legend Alan Henderson. The company produces award-winning spirits that honor African American figures in the history of the spirits industry, with the mission to "Diversify the Bar".
History
[edit]Henderson, who played 12 seasons in the NBA, launched the company after noticing a lack of representation of Black figures on spirit labels. He began purchasing bourbon barrels in 2015 and officially launched Henderson Spirits Group in 2020, centering on African American pioneers in the field.[1]
Mission and Branding
[edit]The company places names, faces, and stories of African American spirits innovators front and center on its bottles. Its slogan is "Diversify the Bar", and its goal is to bring recognition to overlooked Black contributors to distilling and bartending.[2]
Brands and Products
[edit]- Birdie Brown: Launched in spring 2020, this line is based on the recipe of early 20th-century African American distiller Birdie Brown. It debuted with Plain Hooch (unaged, 100 proof) and later a Straight Wheat Whiskey.[1]For more information, see Birdie Brown’s official website.
- Tom Bullock’s: Introduced in fall 2021, this line celebrates Tom Bullock, one of the earliest published Black bartenders with The Ideal Bartender (1917). Products include Old Tom Gin with Sweet Lime and Burnt Orange Bourbon.For more information, see Tom Bullock’s official website.
Awards
[edit]Henderson Spirits Group has received multiple accolades from top-tier spirits competitions:
- Birdie Brown Straight Wheat Whiskey: 91 points and Gold Medal, 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.[3]
- Birdie Brown Plain Hooch: 91 points and Double Gold Medal, 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.[3]
- Tom Bullock’s Old Tom Gin with Sweet Lime: Gold Medal, 2020 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards.[4]
- Tom Bullock’s Burnt Orange Bourbon: 94 points, 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.[5]
Distribution
[edit]Since its launch, the company has expanded distribution across multiple U.S. states and offers nationwide shipping through partners like ReserveBar.[1]
Founder: Alan Henderson
[edit]Alan Henderson, an Indianapolis native and former NBA forward (1995–2007), founded the company citing a lack of representation of Black figures on spirits labels. Prior to launching Henderson Spirits Group, he owned multiple Smoothie King franchises in Atlanta.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Hussain, Ruksana (2024-04-15). "Henderson Spirits Group Diversifies Industry by Honoring African Americans in Spirits History". Cuisine Noir.
- ^ "Minority Business Highlight: Henderson Spirits Group". Indiana Minority Business Magazine. 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b "San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 Results".
- ^ "MicroLiquor Spirits Awards Results 2020".
- ^ "Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021 Results".