Ken Wyatt does not get enough credit.
Recently on a trip to Detroit, I had the honor of visiting the Motown Legacy Lounge, owned and run by -LAZAR FAVORS. Situated in the heart of downtown, the MLL's claim to fame is it serves ONLY BLACK-OWNED SPIRITS.
Gins. Vodkas. Whiskeys. Over 100 Black-owned spirits of every kind.
As I stood at the bar marveling at this monument to Black history, a thought struck me: for the hundreds liquor brands born to Black entrepreneurs in the past decade, Sorel Liqueur, is their progenitor. While there is no direct line to be traced, in many ways, Sorel is the great-granddaddy of all Black-owned liquor currently being served.
All, save one: North Vodka 44 North, founded by Ken Wyatt in 2004.
To be clear: there were a handful of Black people like Clyde Davis Jr.. (formerly of Chairman's Reserve Rum) who had import licenses, and another handful who had contracts with co-packers. So while being the first legal licensed distiller in the US is meaningful, from everything we know, Sorel Liqueur is the SECOND Black-owned spirit in the US.
44° North Vodka by Ken Wyatt is the first.
Ken Wyatt IS Black history. His award winning vodka deserves a place in your cocktails, on your back bar, and in history.
#BHM
#BlackHistory
#BlackHistoryMonth
#ForTheCulture
National Buying Executive Manager
1moI’ll be celebrating with friends and a fruit salad since our blackberries are on ad for $1.99 🎉😎