Original Pickle Shot Taps Brazen Imports to Take Brand Past 100,000 Cases
The Original Pickle Shot, launched in 2018 and now the top-selling pickle brine-infused vodka in the U.S., has selected Brazen Imports & Consulting to represent the brand as it builds to exceeding the 100,000-case milestone this year.
Founded earlier this year by longtime industry veterans Laura Becraft and Lauren Ward (both former executives at 375 Park Avenue Spirits, a division of Sazerac Co.), Brazen Imports draws on the team’s 30+ years of experience to support growing brands through
distributor guidance, program development, marketing, compliance, and logistics in the U.S. domestic market, cruise channel, military, duty free, and the Caribbean.
For The Original Pickle Shot, Brazen will work with the company’s co-founder John King to lead the brand’s sales, marketing, and operations as the fast-growing brand continues to expand distribution across the U.S. The Original Pickle Shot is currently in 23 U.S. markets, with five more states slated to open in 2024.
“In the short Sme since we launched this brand, The Original Pickle Shot has already reached a certain cult status. Bartenders love us, consumers love us. And according to recent Nielsen figures, the brand has shown growth of 287%. We’re now available in over 15,000 on- and off-premises accounts, with 20 million views across social media and pickle groups last year alone,” says King. “I’m very proud of our phenomenal growth, but to further drive and expand that strong momentum, on our way to breaking the 100,000-case mark, we need the experience and skill of people who are experts in building successful brands in this industry. I can’t think of anyone more talented and qualified than Laura and Lauren to help lead our growth strategy.”
The Original Pickle Shot was created from the recipe of the famous pickle shot at Pickles Pub in Ocean City, MD, which sells over 100,000 shots each year. The Original Pickle Shot is unique in that it uses a proprietary pickle brine and 30-proof five-times distilled Iowa corn vodka to create the brand’s signature recipe, and is available in original and spicy flavors (in both 750ml and 50ml bottles, and soon to be 375ml).
The Original Pickle Shot isn’t a pickle back or a chaser, it’s a carefully crafted ready-to-pour vodka with an opaque light green color and delicious dill pickle taste that has quickly become one of the most popular called shots at bars across the country.
The Original Pickle Shot is also a lead sponsor of the “The Big Dill,” the world’s largest pickle party (with over 10,000 aiendees who converge annually on downtown Baltimore.) This year it will be Nov. 11-12 at Power Plant Live.
“When we started Brazen, our goal was to work with visionaries who we respect, and innovative
brands that are different and disruptive. That’s what excites us about working with John and The Original Pickle Shot, there’s no other brand like this,” says Becraft. “John has worked extremely hard and has accomplished so much in such a short time, we’re honored to be partnering with him to conSnue to build this truly amazing brand.”