A distillery and bar backed by 2 former NFL All-Pros has opened in the heart of Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood.
Tropical Distillers, at 2142 NW 10th Avenue, is jointly owned by twin brothers Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, and Kim Rodstein. The Pouncey’s, both former centers, retired from the NFL in February 2021. Mark from the Los Angeles Chargers and Maurkice from Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tropical Distillers CEO Buzzy Sklar said: “We choose Allapattah because we saw an opportunity to add something new to an already vibrant community, the neighborhood is developing into Miami’s newest travel destination, with the Rubell Museum, Superblue Miami and Michelin-winning restaurant HomeTown Barbecue that have opened up in the area in recent years.”
The 8,000-square- foot distillery, which employs 15 people, features a fully automated craft distillery with an in-house cannery, indoor-outdoor cocktail bar and gift shop. It also offers tastings, tours and events; access to food trucks from a 1,500-square-foot deck; and exclusive products from Tropical Distillers and J. F. Haden’s Craft Liquors, including its signature mango, espresso and citrus liquors.
The company, which launched in 2020, currently sells the liquor online and in Publix Super Markets, restaurants and bars across Florida, as well as Total Wine & More stores in six states.