Firefly Distillery

Firefly Distillery is a company located near Park Circle North Charleston, South Carolina, that produces a line of alcoholic beverages and licenses its brand name to the Sazerac Company for Firefly branded products produced elsewhere. Some Firefly branded products sold outside of South Carolina are actually produced in Kentucky by Sazerac rather than being produced by Firefly itself.[1][2][3]

Firefly Distillery
LocationNorth Charleston, South Carolina
Founded2005
FounderJim Irvin & Scott Newitt
Websitehttps://www.fireflydistillery.com/

History

Firefly Distilling was founded by Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt in Charleston, South Carolina in 2005.[1]

Concert Series

In 2020, Firefly Distilling hosted a Safe Sounds concert series which included covid protocols, private pods, and organized spacing.[4] These new protocols became how many event venues structured their concerts.[4]

Firefly Distilling announced a concert lineup in 2023 in cluding Gov't Mule, Gregory Alan Isakov with Lucius (band), Willie Nelson and Family, and Noah Kahan.[5]

Products
Firefly Muscadine Vodka

Firefly Distillery's first product was Firefly Muscadine Vodka. The vodka was introduced in April 2006, after an impromptu early March debut at Charleston International Antiques Show emceed by Martha Stewart gave the company unexpected attention.[6]

The flavored vodka was inspired by the distillery's location on a vineyard. Muscadine grapes are native to the southeast region, and muscadine wine is traditionally a very sweet wine. This product was originally produced in Florida due to South Carolina's distillery licensing fees issues.[6]

Firefly earned 89 out of 100 points from the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, outscoring such industry standards as Absolut and Ketel One.[6]

Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

In April 2008 Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka was added to the product line. The product is a twist on the southern staple, sweet tea. The vodka is distilled on Wadmalaw Island and the tea is from Charleston Tea Plantation.

In 2013, the Distillery introduced Firefly Moonshine. Moonshine Flavors include White Lightning, Apple Pie, Blackberry, Caramel, Cherry, Peach, Ruby Red and Strawberry.[7]

Firefly Handcrafted Vodka

Firefly Handcrafted Vodka, a straight vodka product, was introduced to the market January 2009. This vodka is distilled slowly in batches six times. Currently this product is only distributed to South Carolina, but plans are to expand distribution. The 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Firefly Handcrafted Vodka a bronze medal.[8]

Firefly Sweet Tea Whiskey

Firefly Sweet Tea Whiskey is made with tea grown locally near the distillery. It is only available in South Carolina.[9]

Firefly Bourbon Ball Whiskey

Firefly Bourbon Ball Whiskey is a chocolate and pecan flavored whiskey.[9]

Firefly Southern Lemonade

Firefly Southern Lemonade was released in April 2010 and is a part of Firefly's ready to drink collection. Firefly Southern Lemonade blends Firefly straight vodka with fresh squeezed lemonade.[10]

Firefly Sweet Tea Lemonade

The Sweet Tea Lemonade is a blend of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and fresh squeezed lemonade.[10]

Production by the Sazerac Company

In October 2008, Firefly Distillery and the Sazerac Company formed a joint venture to produce Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka at Sazerac's Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky and distribute the product through Sazerac's distribution channels.[11][12] Through this joint venture Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka was able to be distributed to all states by March 2009.

As of April 2016, the company's web site says that "Firefly products that are sold outside of South Carolina are made at our sister distilleries in Kentucky",[1] and the Sazerac Company web site lists Firefly brand products in its brand portfolio.[2]

References
  1. About Firefly Spirits, Firefly Distillery official web site. Accessed 2020-08-27.
  2. Sazerac Brand Portfolio Archived 2015-02-14 at the Wayback Machine, The Sazerac Company official web site.
  3. Garian, Alexandra (2022-01-31). "11 questions with Firefly Distillery co-founder Scott Newitt". CHStoday. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  4. Oyer, Kalyn (2023-08-14). "Firefly Distillery shares what goes into an outdoor concert setup". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. "Firefly Distillery - 2023 show schedule & venue information". Live Nation. 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  6. Hartvigsen, Kristine (Feb 1, 2007). "Kindred Spirits: Firefly Vodka". South Carolina Business: Centerfold. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  7. Brown, Robbie (February 10, 2009). "A Southern Twist: Tea-Infused Vodka". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  8. "Firefly Flavored Tea". The Sazerac Company official web site. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  9. "Fireflyvodka.com". www.fireflyvodka.com.
  10. Barna, Stephanie (May 10, 2010). "Firefly Bottles Up a New Cocktail". Charles City Paper. The Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  11. Bird, Allyson (October 15, 2008). "Firefly to buzz nation". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008.
  12. Sexton, Megan (Jan 8, 2009). "S.C.-born Firefly Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka quenching a thirsty nation". The State. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
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