Grand Traverse Distillery Honored as one of “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch”

Grand Traverse Distillery has been recognized as one of the 2013 “Michgian 50 Companies to Watch,” – an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Awards will be presented on May 2 in Lansing.

Companies making it to the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list are a remarkable group of second-stage companies. Defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants, these companies form the backbone of Michigan’s economy.

Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, companies like Grand Traverse Distillery are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage.

Winners were selected by michigan-based judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development, industrial and venture capital communities.

“We’re pleased to be chosen as one of the 50 companies to watch in Michigan,” says Owner/Distiller Kent Rabish. “Distilling world-class vodka, whiskey and gin products – using grains grown in Michigan – is our mission. I’m glad to see the work recognized and customers supporting locally-produced spirits.”

Hand-crafted in small batches, GTD products include True North Vodka, Chocolate Vodka, Cherry Vodka and Wheat Vodka; Ole George 100% Straight Rye Whiskey, Bourbon, a 2nd Straight Rye Whiskey, and a 100% Corn Whiskey; Double Barreled Ole George Whiskey, Cherry Whiskey, and a soon-to-be-released gin.

GTD currently operates four tasting rooms in Michigan – including two in Traverse City (the original location on Industrial Circle and in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons), River Place Shops in downtown Frankenmuth, and in Leland on the Leelanau Peninsula, not far from historic Fishtown. A new tasting room is schedule to open during the summer of 2013 in Novi.

Spirits can also be found in over 900 retail outlets and 400 restaurants/bars in Michigan and is distributed in Michigan by Great Lakes Wine & Spirits.

Last week, GTD’s Ole George Rye Whiskey was awarded “Best of Category – Gold Medal” in the Aged Rye Whiskey category at the American Distilling Institute (ADI) 7th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits. Other recognitions for GTD’s brands include multiple “Gold Medal” honors in the International Review of Spirits (2007 and 2009) and a “Gold Medal” in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2008). In the 2009 and 2010, Wine Enthusiast Magazine selected True North Vodka as one of the six best vodkas in the world.

For more information about Grand Traverse Distiller, log onto www.grandtraversedistillery.com or find them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Traverse-Distillery/208013680224

Michigan 50 Companies to Watch is presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Founding underwriters are the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, PNC Bank, Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and Dynamic Edge. Contributing underwriters are DTE Energy Foundation, Comcast Business class, Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates, Rehmann, Varnum Attorneys at Law, Consumers Energy, Comcast Spotlight and AARP. Information about next year’s Michgian 50 Companies to Watch program can be found at www.Michigan.CompaneisToWatch.org. For more information about Michigan Celebrates Small Business, visit www.MichiganCelebrates.biz.