Eugene, Oregon-based Wolf Spirit announced today its spirits products will be available in Canada starting this month. Southern-Glazer’s Wine and Spirits will serve as the wholesaler for the distribution of Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon and Tom of Finland® Organic Vodka across Canada. Southern Glazers is also Wolf Spirits’ primary distributor in the U.S.

For the initial launch into the important Canadian market, Wolf Spirit brands will be found at Liquor Control Board stores in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia. For Pride Month in June, Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, which was cofounded by a member of the LGBTQ community, is named for a ground-breaking LGBTQ artist, and donates a portion of its proceeds to support queer artists, will be featured in the LCBO’s Pride Promotions, including instore displays and direct-to-consumer marketing.

Puncher’s Chance was recently awarded a Double Gold medal at the prestigious 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

ABOUT WOLF SPIRIT

Perhaps the only liquor company in the world founded in an old laundromat (Nanny’s Wash & Dry, to be exact), Wolf Spirit is a true Eugene, Oregon original, producing fine, handcrafted products that capture the pioneering spirit of the American northwest. Founded by Campari Group veteran Umberto Luchini and helmed by longtime spirits industry expert Bradd Levitan, Wolf Spirit embodies the traits of its namesake. Guided by instinct and fueled by a hunger for brands with authentic stories, Wolf Spirit is building a pack of unique products with courageously bold identities that come together with purpose. Our premium brands include Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon, Tom of Finland® Organic Vodka, Blood x Sweat x Tears® Vodka and Bosscal® Mezcal. Launched in 2017, Wolf Spirit’s products are now available nationally across the US with a keen focus on national and regional on- and off-premise chains. Find out more at www.ourwolfspirit.com.

The Vodka: Named for the eponymous artist who created the gay “leather” iconography that represented an entire LGBTQ subculture and was adopted by Freddie Mercury, George Michael and even Karl Lagerfeld, Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is distilled at Lignell & Piispanen, the oldest distillery in Finland, from 95% wheat and 5% rye, with water from the surrounding Arctic region. A full 5% of all sales go back to Tom of Finland Foundation, which is based in Tom House, the Echo Park (Los Angeles) bungalow in which Tom lived his truest years of personal expressive freedom. The Foundation promotes and preserves erotic art as well as tolerance for all. Tom of Finland Vodka was co-founded by a member of the LGBTQ community. Where to Find it: The brand is available at retail nationwide, on Drizly and online through the US importer, Wolf Spirit: https://ourwolfspirit.com/collections/shopbottles It is also available in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, the UK, and France. Tasting Notes: Clean aromas with subtle hints of rye spice. No burn whatsoever, the first sip is smooth. Vanilla and cream soda lead to a crescendo of spice that hints at cracked black pepper with star anise overtones. A soft mellow finish. Tom of Finland was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Spirits of 2020, as well as its 10 Best Vodkas of 2020. Suggested Retail Pricing: $34.99/750mL ABV and Proof: 40%/80 Proof About Tom of Finland – The Artist Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, 1920-1991) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists for his groundbreaking representation of the male figure. In his youth, Tom trained at an advertising school, but what he would come to call his “dirty drawings,” which he first began developing as a teenager, were the true focus of his attention, both during this formative period and throughout the entirety of his life. These masterful renderings of virile men engrossed in acts of homoerotic desire can be approached along several interpretative lines—art historical, social, technical—but each of them points to the revolutionary nature of his project. A master draftsman, whose passion for both his medium and his subject matter enabled him to become a powerful cultural force, Tom gave form to an imaginative universe that in turn helped fuel real-world liberation movements and enabled gay men to access their strength in new ways. Tom’s drawings reaffirm the centrality of sexuality, joy, and the body in all areas of human endeavor. About Wolf Spirit Perhaps the only liquor company in the world founded in an old laundromat (Nanny’s Wash & Dry, to be exact), Wolf Spirit is a true Eugene, Oregon original, producing fine, handcrafted products that capture the pioneering spirit of the American northwest. Founded by Campari Group veteran Umberto Luchini and helmed by longtime spirits industry expert Bradd Levitan, Wolf Spirit embodies the traits of its namesake. Guided by instinct and fueled by a hunger for brands with authentic stories, Wolf Spirit is building a pack of unique products with courageously bold identities that come together with purpose. Our premium brands include Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon, Tom of Finland® Organic Vodka, Blood x Sweat x Tears® Vodka and Bosscal® Mezcal. Launched in 2017, Wolf Spirit’s products are now available nationally across the US with a keen focus on national and regional on- and off-premise chains. Find out more at www.ourwolfspirit.com. # # # Media Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SOzzcsEU2Axo-suxSjXRAJRNXAnlbrX?usp=sharing Website: https://www.tomoffinlandvodka.com

 

A percentage of the profit from each bottle is donated to the Tom of Finland Foundation.

Tom of Finland was a gay hero who created the look of masculine gay man. Showing that gay men can be happy on their own terms he started a movement, changed lives and inspired generations.

TOM OF FINLAND – A GAY HERO PIONEER AND CREATOR OF CONTEMPORARY GAY CULTURE § Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991) was a pioneer who dreamed and drew what the masculine gay culture is today. § Tom of Finland is widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists for his revolutionary representation of the male figure. § Tom’s pictures are iconic and part of today’s cultural fabric. Tom’s men were happy men. His art radiates joyful masculinity. § Tom of Finland has influenced the aesthetic of cultural icons such as Freddie Mercury and trends ranging from the modern civil rights movements to the body building culture. § The amazing story of Tom of Finland’s life provides us with a shining inspiration and a genuine message of acceptance and love

Tom of Finland Organic Vodka celebrates the life and art of Tom of Finland, the artist. § Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is a super-premium vodka artistically crafted in Finland from the finest organically grown wheat, rye and pure arctic water. § Bold yet smooth, Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is full of character, where the spiciness of the rye is balanced by the softness of the wheat and arctic water. § The vodka is 100 % organic and there is no added sugar

Crafted in Finland by Lignell & Piispanen which, founded in 1852, is the second oldest family-run company in Finland. Situated in Kuopio, surrounded by arctic waters, Lignell & Piispanen creates premium quality drinks with family heritage. § Abv 40 % § 50 cl Europe, 75 cl USA § Blend of 95 % organic wheat and 5 % organic rye § 100 % organic, no added sugar § Arctic water from the Kuopio region in Finland § The water is filtered and softened § Distilled in a stainless steel column still § Five distillations § Filtered through a regular sheet filter. The vodka is so smooth there is no need to charcoal filter or for other tricks § Produced in small batches of 5 000 – 10 000 bottles § Produced by Lignell & Piispanen in Kuopio Finland § Master distiller Mika Mönkkänen

TASTING NOTES AROMA Clean with subtle hints of rye spice. TASTE No burn whatsoever, the first sip coats your mouth with a silky smooth oiliness. Vanilla and cream soda lead to a crescendo of spice that hints at cracked black pepper with wonderful star anise overtones. FINISH High notes of delicate spice, perfectly accompanied by a soft mellow finish

TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION § In 1984, the non-profit Tom of Finland Foundation was established by Tom of Finland and Durk Dehner. § As Tom of Finland had obtained worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation’s original purpose was to preserve his vast catalogue of work. § Today, the Foundation continues in its efforts to educate the public and support the LGBTQ+ community. These efforts seek to extol the virtues and cultural merits of erotic art in the promotion of healthier, more tolerant attitudes towards sexuality. § The Foundation is located in Tom House in Echo Park in Los Angeles. It is an exciting and eclectic place which holds the largest collection of Tom’s art in the world. It is part home, part art exhibition and museum, artist in residency and exhibition centre. Since 2016 it has been a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. § A percentage of the profit from each bottle is donated to the Tom of Finland Foundation.

COCKTAILS T.O.F. COLLINS | MULE OF FINLAND | TOM’S PICKLE | TOM OF VESPER | TOM ROCKS | TOM & SODA LOVE & LIBERATION | LEATHER MEN | RHUBARBULOUS | CENTENNIAL | ESPRESSO TOMTINI EVERY MAN-TINI | SEAHORSE CLUB | TOM’S TOM | NIPA MARTINI | WILD JOY FIZZ | APPLE EYES Recipes created by top bartenders in Finland, USA and UK.

 

 

Cocktails

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.