History Of Hardhide Whiskeys

Hardhide serves as the “Official” mascot of Ponchatoula and made his debut in 1972. Originally, the gator resided in an outdoor, fenced pool, as alligators were a rare sight at that time. After being listed as an endangered species in 1973, the Mayor of Ponchatoula relocated Hardhide to downtown, where he quickly became a local icon. The original Hardhide garnered such fame that upon his passing in 1985, thousands attended his funeral. His coffin was transported in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by a jazz band to his final resting place south of the city.

The first Hardhide established a lasting tradition of future Hardhides overseeing Ponchatoula. He proudly symbolizes the city. In 2023, the most recent Hardhide was retired and returned to her original home with the Kliebert Family, where she is enjoying a happy and healthy life. The whole town eagerly anticipates her replacement.

My father’s twin brother raised his family in Ponchatoula, and I vividly remember them taking me to see the first Hardhide when I was a kid. That experience left a lasting impression on me over the years. After we launched Gambino’s King Cake Rum Cream, it was time to develop a second brand. With my experience in the industry, I wanted to explore a category where our company could truly excel. Flavored whiskey seemed to be the perfect fit, as it allowed for creativity and innovation. Most options on the market were low-proof, artificially flavored sugar bombs, which we aimed to avoid. We wanted to make something special.

Strawberries are the second most popular fruit in the United States. While there were a few strawberry whiskeys available, none piqued our interest. As I thought about Ponchatoula, an idea began to take shape. I envisioned a Southern brand that emphasized whiskey with natural fruit flavors, working with local, independently owned farms, and a local Louisiana distillery.

There’s truly nothing like a freshly picked strawberry from that Tangipoah Parish region. They grow them large, vibrant, and bold with a perfect touch of sweetness!. My partner Max suggested blending aged wheat whiskey with light American whiskey. The blend and recipe were refined by Sugarfield Spirits Distiller, Thomas Soltau, along with renowned food scientist Hoby Wedlund. Our goal was to source fruit from independently owned small farms, initially starting with Johndale Farms and recently moving to Landry-Posche Farms. An original at 86 proof, Hardhide is delicious. The whiskey quickly gained popularity! It’s sold across the South, Southeast, and Southwest, even reaching national restaurant chains like Bubba Gump’s and James Beard award winning restaurants like Willie Mae’s and Toup’s Meatery.

We sought an eye-catching label, so we contacted the renowned New Orleans artist, Frenchy. As the former official artist for the NFL, he has created numerous original posters for the New Orleans Jazzfest and frequently travels with live music acts, capturing their performances through his art. We are proud to possess the very first Gator painting he has ever made (with a little assistance from his young son), which inspired the design of the Hardhide packaging.

On the heels of our Strawberry we are now proud to offer Hardhide Chilton County Peach Whiskey. In line with our values, we continue to use a blend of aged wheat and light American whiskey.

The name Hardhide holds a proud significance. It embodies strength and resilience. If somebody from this region has a Hardhide, you might perceive them as genuinely tough. Nevertheless, People from around here are also recognized for their generosity and love of fun. We celebrate our community, cherishing our friends and family. We are not for the “Thin Skinned.”