STELLARTON, N.S.
The popularity of a new carbonated alcoholic drink made by a Pictou County company has found some unexpected success.
Evan MacEachern, with the Nova Scotia Spirit Co. based out of its new location in Stellarton, said the company’s Blue Lobster Vodka Soda has been so popular that it is tough to keep it in stock at the liquor stores.
“We knew we had a good product and we were really excited to bring it to market, but we never thought it would be as big as it is,” he said, adding people have said they like simplicity of the carbonated drink that is often described as refreshing.
“It is a great blend of citrus. People are a lot more health conscious and looking for drinks with less sugar. This drink is gluten free and Keto friendly and it has zero grams of carbs.”
The new product specifically uses natural flavouring, and is free of sweeteners, carbs sugar and gluten.
MacEachern said it usually takes about three days from start to finish to complete the drink’s carbonation and blending process followed by canning. He said the Nova Scotia Spirit Co. is currently upgrading its equipment to help speed up the canning line.
Beverly Ware, communications advisor for the NSLC, said Blue Lobster Vodka Soda is extremely popular with NSLC customers.
“It’s one of the most successful ready-to-drink products we’re carrying this summer. We could consider offering the product at more NSLC outlets when the time is right for Nova Scotia Spirit Company.”
She said Nova Scotians are very supportive of local, quality products and Nova Scotia Spirit Company has created a very strong brand with its Blue Lobster vodka.
“It is consistently one of our top sellers in the spirits category. The success of its new product seems to be a reflection of both customers’ preference to support local companies and NSSC’s proven success with its other product offerings,” she added.
The Nova Scotia Spirit Co. recently opened the doors of its Stellarton location for a pop-up shop where it steadily sold six packs of its vodka soda. This is something that the company hopes to do more often as long as the popularity and demand for the drink continues.
“The demand is pretty steady all over the province,” said MacEachern. “It is in about 45 NSLC locations and as soon as we can keep up with the demand, we will see it across the province.”
In addition to the Blue Lobster products, it also produces gin and rum.
“It is interesting because since the inception of our Blue Lobster Soda, our Blue Lobster Vodka brand grew quite a bit,” he said. “We were surprised because we thought some customers would move from the Blue Lobster Vodka to the canned product.”
Nova Scotia Spirit Co. is also busy getting ready to open its new storefront location in Stellarton, which will open up for tours and tasting of its products. It also expects its new Paint Boat Beer Company will be open in a few weeks out of the same Stellarton facility and will give customers the option of purchasing a “nice, crisp, clean, refreshing lager at a great value” from the NSLC.
