Stoli® Vodka Introduces “Spirit of Stonewall” Limited Edition Bottle in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall Uprising
NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Stoli® Vodka, the original premium vodka with uncompromising quality since 1938, announced today the launch of the Stoli® “Spirit of Stonewall” limited edition bottle, which will be behind the bar and at participating retail outlets beginning later this month. Designed to honor the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a seminal moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Stoli Spirit of Stonewall bottle continues the Stoli® brand’s long-standing support of the LGBTQ community. The limited edition will help raise funds for the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative in support of its mission to eliminate the social intolerances that profoundly impact the lives of LGBTQ citizens in America and abroad, through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising and public dialogue.
The bottle was designed by Lisa Marie Thalhammer, an award-winning visual artist and member of the LGBTQ community, who is best known for her iconic 13-color rainbow “LOVE” mural located on Blagden Alley in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood. For the Spirit of Stonewall bottle, Thalhammer used a mural theme and incorporated emblematic LGBTQ imagery, including five hands and three protest signs at the corner of Gay and Christopher Streets outside of the Stonewall Inn, a high heel to represent the transgender activists who initiated the 1969 uprising, a sign spelling out “LIBERATION” as a reference to the Gay Liberation Front that includes three gender symbols, as well as a peace sign and protest fist holding a rainbow energy ribbon that swirls between fingers and brings the community together.
The brand will be hosting two private, invitation-only launch events for consumers to celebrate the Spirit of Stonewall bottle. The first will be a special artist’s release party in Thalhammer’s hometown of Washington, D.C., during which she’ll create a canvas featuring the label artwork. A second event is scheduled to take place on June 25th during World Pride in New York City. Additionally, a piece of art commemorating the Spirit of Stonewall is planned for an unveiling ahead of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, the world’s largest annual LGBTQ bartending competition, beginning on June 4th.
“We are thrilled that Stoli is continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting the LGBTQ community by working with the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative,” said Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative President, CEO & Co-Founder, Stacy Lentz. “These much-needed funds will help continue the Stonewall legacy especially in places where equality has been slow to arrive, and full legal protections are not in place.”
“Pride is all about sticking up for something you believe in – just as the brave patrons of the Stonewall Inn did 50 years ago – that all good people deserve to love freely and stand proudly in the bright spotlight of the beauty of their diversity without the expectation that one needs to hide in the shadows, or in the closet,” said Stoli LGBTQ National Brand Manager and Ambassador, Patrik Gallineaux. “Stoli celebrates the legacy of our gay bars, such as Stonewall, as the original community centers and safe spaces. It is a privilege to utilize our bottle as a platform for purposeful visibility and education via our second LGBTQ tribute bottle, the Stoli ‘Spirit of Stonewall’ limited edition.”
The Stoli Spirit of Stonewall Limited Edition bottle is 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), and a suggested retail price of $22.99 for 1L. To learn how you can join in supporting global equality and acceptance, please visit www.stoli.com or follow Stoli on Instagram @Stoli, on Facebook @Stoli and on Twitter @Stoli.
About Stoli® Group
Part of SPI Group – one of the world’s leading premium spirits businesses – Stoli® Group was established in 2013 as the division responsible for the management, distribution and marketing of SPI’s global spirits portfolio.
Stolichnaya, Stoli, the bottle shape, the label/s are trademarks, depending of the country, of ZHS IP Americas Sàrl, ZHS IP Europe Sàrl or ZHS IP Worldwide Sàrl.
SOURCE Stoli Group
