Big News: 3 reasons it's great Belle of Dayton vodka is going Ohio wide

“We are pretty pumped about it,” Belle of Dayton co-founder Mike LaSelle told us. “Probably by Christmas and the New Year, we are going to be through the state of Ohio.”

Belle around the Buckeye State

Mike said Southern Wine and Spirits, one of the nation's largest distributors of wine and spirits, will help advertise and market and sell his company's award-winning vodkas, whiskey and rum to bars, restaurants and other retailers.

"They are going to be one who are going to get the word out about Belle of Dayton," Mike said. "They will be our brand ambassadors."

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Belle will likely grow

Opened in a 2,700-square-foot facility at 122 Van Burren St. in 2014, Belle is currently only sold in Dayton and Cincinnati.

Mike and his brothers Tim and Murphy oversee the new distillery and tasting room and handle distribution themselves.

Mike said the Southern Wine and Spirit agreement means there will be a need for new equipment and employees.

"We will need help, but it is a little to early (to know details)," Mike said.

Craft spirits are the next big thing

Like craft beer and food, Mike said people crave craft spirits and liquor.

“People demand high quality and selection,” he said. “You are going be left behind if you don’t have those craft spirts.”

He said the craft spirit movement is where the craft beer movement was 10 years ago and is growing fast.

"(People) don't want the same status quo that is on the bar shelves," Mike said.