CoreBev Brings Luxury Bourbon to Market with Launch of Adversary Whiskey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Waterbury, Connecticut — February 2026

CoreBev today announced the official launch of Adversary Whiskey, a premium American whiskey developed through a five-year finishing program conducted at Connecticut Distilling in Waterbury, Connecticut. The release marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting both its long-term barrel management strategy and its vertically integrated co-manufacturing capabilities.

Adversary Whiskey began in 2019 with the brand's ideation and its initial sourcing of select bourbon barrels chosen for structure, balance, and aging potential. These barrels were transferred to Connecticut and placed into a controlled finishing program. Over the course of five years, the whiskey underwent careful monitoring, evaluation, and blending trials to ensure optimal maturation and profile development prior to release.

“We had our sights set on the luxury whiskey category for many years,” said Stelios Stavrianos, Founder and CEO of CoreBev. “From the beginning, we were clear about the caliber of product we intended to bring to market. We wanted to build something that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the most respected names in American whiskey, and Adversary is that product."

Rather than rushing to capitalize on momentum in the premium spirits segment, CoreBev implemented a long-term brand strategy centered on meticulous barrel selection, finishing precision, and obsessing over every packaging detail. The company delayed commercialization until the portfolio reflected the structure, depth, and maturity expected within the luxury category.

Dimitrios Zahariadis, CoreBev’s Chief Operations Officer, emphasized the operational discipline behind the release and the company’s commitment to technical precision throughout the development process. “We’re launching with a 6-year straight bourbon, a 9-year cask strength expression, and a 12-year bourbon finished an additional nine months in port casks,” Zahariadis said. “Each expression is as unique and exceptional as the last."

Adversary Whiskey is now available in Connecticut, New York, Montana, and South Carolina. Expansion into New Jersey is scheduled for April 2026, with entry into California and Florida planned for June 2026. The phased rollout is part of a 2-year national distribution strategy focused on sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and long-term brand positioning within key U.S. spirits markets.

A distinguishing element of the launch is CoreBev’s utilization of its internal co-manufacturing infrastructure to manage production, bottling, compliance, and scaling. Through its federally bonded operations at Connecticut Distilling, the company maintains integrated capabilities that include barrel management, quality control, packaging, regulatory oversight, and multi-state logistics coordination. This vertical integration enabled CoreBev to retain full operational control throughout the development cycle while preparing the brand for multi-market expansion.

By leveraging its co-manufacturing platform, which is traditionally utilized to support external beverage clients, CoreBev demonstrated how production infrastructure can be strategically deployed to incubate and scale proprietary brands. The launch of Adversary Whiskey represents the company’s dual positioning as both a national beverage production partner and a brand developer within the premium American whiskey category.

Adversary Whiskey enters the market positioned for premium retail placement, on-premise programs, and collector interest. The company expects continued distribution growth throughout 2026 as it deepens partnerships in both established and emerging markets.

About CoreBev

CoreBev is a Connecticut-based beverage co-manufacturing and production company specializing in spirits and ready-to-drink products. Operating through Connecticut Distilling, CoreBev provides federally bonded production, bottling, packaging, compliance, and scaling services to beverage brands nationwide while developing proprietary products for multi-state distribution.

For media inquiries, distribution partnerships, or additional information regarding Adversary Whiskey, please contact CoreBev directly: press@corebev.com