Black-owned Victor George Spirits (VGS) announced they have closed on a deal to buy a majority equity stake in Palm Beach Distillery (PBD). GTerms weren’t disclosed.
Founded by Summer Piep in 2017, Palm Beach Distillery currently makes vodka, rum, gin and will begin producing several Victor George Spirits products including Pullman Porters 1867, a six-year aged rye whiskey named after former slaves that became the highest paid Black people of the 1860’s, and Fort Mose’ bourbon named after the first city in America that Black people could live free which wasjust outside St Augustine, Fl.a. These two new brands are scheduled to be released by Victor George Spirits in February 2022 in honor of Black History Month.
Victor and Jolyn Harvey with Summer Piep (PRNewsfoto/Victor George Spirits)
Piep will remain as a partner and serve as Chief Operating Officer and Master Distiller of Palm Beach Distillery. “We feel this is a great opportunity to help Palm Beach Distillery get to the next level. The Victor George Spirits team brings experience, marketing, resources and distribution opportunities that will help get our award-winning brands in the hands of more consumers,” said Piep.
Victor G Harvey, an industry veteran and owner of nationally distributed Victor George Vodka “VG”, will be the Chairman of the Board and Director of Business Development, his daughter Jolyn Harvey, also a partner in the new venture and graduate of Ohio State University who has worked in the family business for the last three years will serve as Chief Marketing Officer of Palm Beach Distillery.
Palm Beach Distillery will remain Florida’s first female operated distillery with Summer Piep and Jolyn Harvey.