National Expansion Underway Palm Republic Rum, the premium rum brand co-founded by actor Eric Winter and spirits entrepreneur Brad Parkes, announced a significant expansion of its U.S. distribution footprint, with rollout beginning this summer. The brand will now be represented by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits in California, Florida, and Texas, with expansion into New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Colorado. Palm Republic will also launch in Georgia through Empire Distributors, Inc., and in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board with Southern Glazer's serving as broker.

Product Portfolio and Awards Palm Republic offers two expressions: a Silver Rum blending rums from Jamaica and the U.S.

Virgin Islands, and an Aged Rum combining rums from Panama, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aged up to eight years in sherry casks. The Silver carries aromas of banana, vanilla, and fresh sugar cane layered with nutmeg and clove. The Aged Rum offers notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and molasses leading into muscovado sugar, gingerbread, and baking spice. The brand has earned recognition including Wine Enthusiast ratings of 96 for its Aged Rum and 94 for its Silver Rum. It also received Platinum for its Aged Rum and Double Gold for its Silver Rum at the 2025 SIP Awards, plus Platinum and Gold honors, respectively, at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Leadership and Strategy The expansion coincides with the appointment of Jeff Popkin as CEO.

Popkin previously served as President of Compass Box Whiskey, VP of Sales at Stoli Group USA, and held senior commercial leadership roles at Red Bull North America. "Palm Republic was created to celebrate premium rum and the moments that bring people together," Eric Winter said. "My connection to rum goes back nearly two decades to Puerto Rico with my wife, an experience that sparked a real appreciation for the spirit. Bringing that passion into the brand has been incredibly meaningful. As demand continues to grow, partnering with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits marks a major milestone. Their scale, expertise, and relationships make them an ideal partner as we introduce Palm Republic to new markets nationwide." Popkin added: "Palm Republic has already built an incredible foundation through exceptional liquid, authentic storytelling, and an experienced, passionate team of industry vets. The opportunity now is to thoughtfully scale that success. With our new brand identity and reimagined bottle design, Palm Republic really stands out on the shelf. I'm thrilled to help lead the brand as we continue building long-term momentum."

Why It Matters

The shift to multi-state distribution through a major wholesaler signals that celebrity-backed spirits brands can sustain growth beyond novelty appeal when anchored to product quality and strategic distribution. For operators, this means increased availability and likelihood of seeing Palm Republic on more bar and retail shelves across key metros in 2026.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors