California’s largest regional grocer reserved an exclusive allocation from Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery for valued clientele
MODESTO, Calif. (March 11, 2024) – Select Save Mart and Lucky Rewards customers were treated to a surprise last month when The Save Mart Companies’ provided an exclusive opportunity to purchase one of eighty bottles of the highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery offers an extremely limited production of the iconic American spirit that has a cult-like following by whiskey aficionados in the U.S. and beyond.
Included in the special allocation were eight bottles of 15-year Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve, six bottles of the 13-year Van Winkle Family Reserve, 30 bottles of 12-year Van Winkle Special Reserve, and 36 bottles of 10-year-aged Old Rip Van Winkle. Representatives of The Save Mart Companies were met with enthusiasm and excitement when they personally contacted a carefully curated list of Save Mart and Lucky Rewards customers with the extraordinary offer to purchase a bottle of their choice. These customers purchased and received their bourbon via personal delivery at select locations throughout the state.
“We truly value our loyal Rewards customers and look for chances to show our gratitude by offering exclusive opportunities like this whenever possible,” said Chris Hooks, chief merchandising and marketing officer at The Save Mart Companies. “Due to our strong relationship with our vendor partner, we received an unexpected share of the rare and enigmatic Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, along with its acclaimed sister expressions. We are thrilled to be able to pass along our good fortune to customers.”
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve, also singularly known as “Pappy,” is frequently regarded as one of the finest bourbons in the world. Its exceptionally low production and high demand make it difficult to find. Celebrities such as David Beckham, Sammuel L. Jackson and Chef David Chang have sung its praises, and the spirit has been called “the bourbon everyone wants but no one can get.” Its popular and more accessibly priced sister brands Old Rip Van Winkle and Van Winkle are also distilled at the same location in Frankfort, Kentucky, and are produced with a similar mash bill but aged for shorter periods of time.
This exclusive offer was the latest in a time-honored commitment The Save Mart Companies upholds to meet and exceed its customers’ high expectations of service and product assortment.
About The Save Mart Companies
The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company and a California-based grocer, operate 194 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (“SSI”), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. Proud to be California’s largest regional, full-service grocery chain, the Company and its 13,000 associates take extra care to provide customers with the freshest foods for their families at affordable prices. For more information on the company, please visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com.
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