Helmsman Imports Brings a Curated Roster of Spirits Brands

Helmsman Imports brings a roster of boutique, terroir-driven, and story-rich brands. At present, our brand spotlight includes Avuá Cachaça, Casa Malka Tequila, Drifter Cocktail Co., and Paladar Tequila. Below is a breakdown of each, what sets them apart, and why they merit attention from trade Buyers.

Avuá Cachaça: Avuá is a Brazilian cachaça made at a single estate farm about four hours from Rio de Janeiro, using a traditional, sustainable, small-scale process. Avuá is pot distilled in copper stills, pressed with a waterwheel, moved via gravity, and a cane fiber fuels the stills. This is all part of a low-impact, terroir-aware method. Avuá offers multiple expressions: two unaged (e.g. Avuá Prata, Avuá Still Strength) and several aged wood expressions. Avuá Prata is unaged, proofed at 84 (42 % ABV), rested six months in stainless steel before bottling, giving it a lush, crisp, floral profile ideal for cocktails. Avuá Still Strength is a bolder, 90-proof version with vegetal and banana notes, meant for drinks demanding higher proof. Both are single-estate sourced using traditional production. Their range of aged and unaged styles means it performs both as a cocktail base and a sippable spirit. 

Casa Malka Tequila: Casa Malka is a newer brand but comes with strong intention. It positions itself as a premium, additive-free tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave. They offer two core expressions: Blanco and Reposado (6 months aging). The Blanco is described as having fresh citrus, agave sweetness, floral notes, and a subtle vanilla finish. Their Reposado showcases caramel and vanilla from wood influence. The brand markets itself with elegant design, “The Queendom” branding, and a filtration/oxygenation process to deliver “sublime smoothness.” Because Casa Malka is relatively new, it brings novelty, strong branding, and quality expression in a crowded tequila space.

Drifter Cocktail Co. (Ready-to-Drink & Spirit-Driven Cocktails): Drifter Cocktail Co. (under the Drifter / Drifter Spirits umbrella) creates ready-to-serve, high-quality canned / bottled cocktails, bridging the gap between spirits and RTD convenience. Their lineup includes twists on classics like Spicy Margarita, Passion Fruit Caipirinha, Moscow Mule, and more. What distinguishes Drifter is that they build these cocktails using premium spirits (e.g. Paladar Blanco in one) rather than generic neutral bases. The labeling emphasizes cocktail craftsmanship and bar-quality formulations. For trade Buyers, this makes Drifter an appealing “ready bar” offering that carries premium spirit legitimacy without needing full bar service.

Paladar Tequila: Paladar is produced by the Orendain family in Jalisco—one of Mexico’s historic tequila producing lineages (the Orendains have been distilling since 1844) and is among the few independent founding families still operating. Paladar makes Blanco tequila from Blue Weber agave grown on their own farms, with indigenous fermentation (wild yeasts), roasting and distillation in steel pot stills. Paladar markets itself as additive-free and rooted in tradition yet with a modern sensibility. In Drifter’s cocktails, Paladar is used to impart integrity and distinct agave character instead of neutral blancos.

Tasting at a Glance

Why Trade Buyers Should Pay Attention

• These brands bring authenticity plus personality. In a crowded market, consumers and bar patrons seek stories — estate cachaça, independent tequila lineage, bar-certified RTDs.
  
  
• They cover both ends of the spectrum: from base spirits (Avuá, Casa Malka, Paladar) to finished cocktails (Drifter). That allows a buyer to offer a full experience.
  
  
• Their production approaches emphasize sustainability, additive-free practices, terroir expression—qualities trending among discerning consumers.
  
  
• Many markets remain underserved for premium cachaça or boutique tequila brands, giving early entrants a competitive advantage.
  
  
• For On-Premise and Off-Premise, they offer flexibility in presentation, margin strategies, and storytelling that can differentiate your shelf or cocktail list.
  
  

For On-Premise Buyers

If you manage or buy for bars, restaurants, or hospitality venues, these brands let you curate a standout list:

• Use Avuá in signature cocktails (beyond just caipirinha), or feature its aged expressions neat.
• Swap in Casa Malka or Paladar as a “house premium blanco” in your agave cocktails, showcasing elevated flavor.
• Leverage Drifter RTDs for low-labor outlets, pop-up bar settings, or late-night service when full bartending staff is limited.
• Tell the provenance stories to your clientele—guests increasingly care about origin, sustainability, small-batch, and craftsmanship.
• With smaller SKUs and niche appeal, you can test risk with lower inventory exposure while offering premium differentiation.
  
  

For Off-Premise Buyers

If your focus is shelves, retail shops or e-commerce:

• These brands give you compelling shelf narratives. The packaging, brand voice, and authenticity make them eye-catching.
• You can cross-merchandise: pair Avuá with exotic mixers or Brazilian cocktail displays; group Casa Malka / Paladar with tequila sections; feature Drifter as “cocktail in a can” for convenience seekers.
• Because they’re less common, they offer discovery margin potential—consumers pay a premium for brands they trust but haven’t tried.
• Seasonal promotions (e.g. summer cocktails, tiki, Latin nights) allow you to rotate emphasis on Avuá or Drifter flavors.
• The smaller or newer brands often offer strong trade support, promotional flexibility, and storytelling assets to help with localized marketing.
  
  

Recipe Spotlight

The Royal Pomegranate Spice Margarita recipe:

Ingredients
• 2 oz Casa Malka Blanco
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 oz Pomegranate Juice
• ¾ oz Spiced Syrup (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove)
• ½ oz Cointreau Orange Liqueur

Method
Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with pomegranate arils and a sugared rosemary sprig.

That combination marries tequila brightness, tart pomegranate, and warm spice—beautiful for a tap list or cocktail special.

Final Take for Trade Buyers

Helmsman Imports brands present an opportunity to carry spirits that are not just another SKU but conversation pieces—Avuá’s terroir-driven cachaça, Casa Malka’s bold tequila vision, Paladar’s heritage lineage, and Drifter’s craft RTDs form a portfolio that delivers both depth and versatility. They let you differentiate your bar or shelf, innovate your menu, and appeal to consumers seeking authenticity, handcrafted quality, and new drinking experiences. In a world of sameness, these offerings help your venue or store stand out—and profit.