National Expansion Underway Palm Republic Rum is entering eight new U.S. markets beginning this summer through a distribution partnership with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, marking a significant expansion for the premium rum brand co-founded by actor Eric Winter and spirits entrepreneur Brad Parkes. Southern Glazer's will represent the brand in California, Florida, and Texas, while Palm Republic will simultaneously expand into New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Colorado. The brand will also launch in Georgia through Empire Distributors, Inc. and Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, with Southern Glazer's serving as broker in the latter state. The expansion will increase availability across both on- and off-premise accounts.
Portfolio and Production Palm Republic offers two expressions blending rums from multiple Caribbean origins.
The Silver Rum combines rums from Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands with aromas of banana, vanilla, and fresh sugar cane layered with nutmeg and clove. The Aged Rum blends rums from Panama, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aged up to eight years in sherry casks, and offers notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and molasses leading into muscovado sugar, gingerbread, and baking spice.
New Leadership and Awards The expansion coincides with the appointment of Jeff Popkin as CEO.
Popkin joined Palm Republic in early 2026 after serving as President of Compass Box Whiskey, VP of Sales at Stoli Group USA, and in senior commercial leadership roles at Red Bull North America. "Palm Republic was created to celebrate premium rum and the moments that bring people together," says Eric Winter, Co-Founder of Palm Republic Rum. "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." The brand has earned Wine Enthusiast ratings of 96 for its Aged Rum and 94 for its Silver Rum. It also received Platinum for Aged Rum and Double Gold for Silver Rum at the 2025 SIP Awards, plus Platinum and Gold honors, respectively, at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Why It Matters
The Southern Glazer's partnership represents a significant distribution milestone for an emerging premium rum brand, positioning it for rapid shelf placement across major on- and off-premise channels. For operators and retailers, Palm Republic's multi-market entry signals new consumer choice in the premium rum segment and improved availability across key metropolitan markets.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
