Mishka Vodka Wins National Airline Partnership
Mishka Premium Vodka has secured a major milestone. A national airline will now serve the Pennsylvania-based brand’s vodka on select flights and stock its products in Admirals Club lounges across the country.
The deal pushes Mishka into the national spotlight. Customers will soon be able to enjoy 50-milliliter bottles of its honey, cranberry, and plain vodkas while traveling. Founder Russell Fletcher called the news “a dream come true” as the brand continues its steady growth from Allentown to the rest of the country.
The airline partnership reflects a broader shift toward supporting American-made products. Fletcher says this visibility will allow Mishka to compete with leading vodka brands across the United States.
$120 Million Distillery Expansion in Allentown
Mishka’s growth is not stopping with the airline deal. Fletcher is building a new $120 million manufacturing and production facility at the old A-Treat Bottling site in Allentown. Demolition began in July 2025, and the project is expected to finish by March 2026.
Once complete, the new site will produce around $120 million worth of vodka in just two shifts. Fletcher expects to start with 15 full-time employees and possibly expand to 30–50 positions during peak seasons.
“This expansion is proof that starting local can lead to national opportunities,” Fletcher said. “We began with one bar, and now we’re growing into something much bigger.”
Local Partnerships Fuel National Success
Fletcher credits Mishka’s early community involvement for its rise. The vodka brand became the first of its kind at Musikfest, the Lehigh Valley’s signature music festival, three years ago. That partnership with ArtsQuest later opened doors to Levy, a hospitality company operating in more than 350 venues nationwide.
According to Fletcher, direct relationships in the community have made all the difference. “It all starts with partnerships like this,” he explained. “We connect directly, not through a spokesperson. That’s how we keep growing.”
Mishka Premium Vodka is produced by This Life Forever, the first Black-owned distillery in Pennsylvania and only the second minority-owned distillery in the country.
Government Support and Economic Impact
Local officials have strongly backed Fletcher’s vision. In 2024, Allentown received $7.9 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements, with $1 million earmarked for the Mishka distillery project. The city is also pursuing over $1 million in additional federal support through HUD.
“This funding gives an opportunity for local businesses like Mishka to expand production while creating jobs,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer said. “It will directly benefit our residents and improve the quality of life across the Lehigh Valley.”
State Sen. Nick Miller also praised Fletcher’s leadership. “Russell’s success shows what happens when we empower small business owners. His expansion will bring jobs, boost our economy, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Award-Winning Vodka with Global Recognition
Mishka Premium Vodka is not only growing in size but also in reputation. In 2023, the brand won Double Gold and Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the industry’s most respected contests. Only one other Pennsylvania distillery has ever reached that level.
“This places us among top domestic brands like Tito’s,” Mishka stated. The recognition underscores the vodka’s quality and positions it as a serious competitor on both national and international markets.
Fletcher believes the momentum is only beginning. “Since COVID, we focused on larger plays with retailers and partners who give us a bigger voice,” he said. “Now, it’s finally coming to fruition.”
