John Rich Throws a Redneck Riviera Whiskey Kick Off Party at His Nashville Home

Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST), makers of award-winning craft spirits, and John Rich, multi-platinum country-music artist and one-half of the award-winning duo Big & Rich, kicked off the Southeastern states launch of their new product, Redneck Riviera Whiskey, on Saturday night at a private party at John Rich’s Nashville home. Big & Rich, Avenged Sevenfold and Gretchen Wilson played to an overflow crowd.

In October, Eastside Distilling and John Rich signed an exclusive global spirits licensing agreement with Rich’s Redneck Riviera lifestyle brand. The “Work Hard, Play Hard” brand celebrates the working men and women who are the backbone of the U.S.

Redneck Riviera Whiskey is a small batch whiskey with vanilla honey smoothness and a subtle finish that consumers will find easy to drink. Redneck Riviera Whiskey was crafted by the famed distilling team at Eastside, including Travis Schoney and Mel Heim. The team painstakingly developed what Eastside and John Rich believe is a superb whiskey unlike any other on the market, working over many months, with input from John Rich and friends.

“I’m thrilled to launch our new Redneck Riviera Whiskey in Nashville, my professional and personal home,” said John Rich. “I am extremely proud of our collaboration with Eastside Distilling and the outstanding American whiskey we’ve jointly produced. Redneck Riviera Whiskey has a smooth and satisfying finish. I’m excited to have our fans enjoy this labor of love.”

The Nashville launch for Redneck Riviera Whiskey drew potential liquor distributors, national and local media. In attendance were liquor industry professionals, primarily from the southeastern United States where Redneck Riviera Whiskey will be available first.

Jarret Catalani, VP of Sales for Eastside Distilling, commented, “The response from potential distributors to the Nashville event was phenomenal. We hope to be working with multiple distributors – national and regional – to get the product on store shelves for customers to enjoy in the next few weeks. John’s broad appeal will be instrumental in what we expect to be a successful rollout.”

Those in attendance were treated to a private performance by John Rich, including the new Big & Rich hit single, “California.” Also performing was Avenged Sevenfold and country music star, Gretchen Wilson, who performed her signature song “Redneck Woman.” The evening culminated in a special birthday toast to John, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Sunday.

Images and other media interviews of the Nashville Event can be found on Eastside’s website at: http://www.eastsidedistilling.com/redneck-riviera-nashville-party

Grover Wickersham, CEO of Eastside Distilling, commented, “If our whiskey is half as successful as the Nashville launch party was, we have a major hit on our hands. We look forward to a long relationship with John, his brand and, most importantly, his and our whiskey’s loyal fans.”

About Redneck Riviera:

Redneck Riviera is a privately held lifestyle brand that celebrates America’s hard-working men and women. Built for people who live to turn up the music and have fun with friends and family, Redneck Riviera is America’s ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ brand that offers something for everyone who likes to rock the red, white and blue all year long. Launched in 2014, the brand brings these values to life through footwear, apparel, hospitality, food, spirits and licensed products in a variety of categories. Redneck Riviera has expanded its reach with the opening of honky-tonk bar Redneck Riviera Las Vegas and a Nashville location opening in 2018. More information can be found here.

About Eastside Distilling

Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2008. The company is distinguished by its highly decorated product lineup that includes Burnside Bourbon, West End American Whiskey, Goose Hollow Reserve, Below Deck Rums, Portland Potato Vodka, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum and a distinctive line of fruit infused spirits. Eastside Distilling is majority owner of Big Bottom Distilling (makers of The Ninety One Gin, Navy Strength Gin and Delta Rye whiskey) and the Redneck Riviera Whiskey Co. All Eastside, Big Bottom and Redneck Riviera spirits are crafted from natural ingredients for quality and taste. Eastside’s MotherLode Bottling subsidiary is one of the Northwest’s leading independent spirit bottlers and ready-to-drink canners. For more information visit: www.eastsidedistilling.com or follow the company on Twitter and Facebook.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the Company's products in the market; the Company's success in obtaining new customers; the Company's success in product development; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; the Company's success in integrating acquired entities and assets, and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release may include statements related to our strategic focus, product verticals, anticipated revenue, and profitability. The Company assumes no obligation to update the cautionary information in this release.

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Company Contact:
Eastside Distilling
Steve Shum, CFO
971-888-4264
[email protected]
or
Investors:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Robert Blum, Joe Diaz or Joe Dorame
(602) 889-9700
[email protected]