Our Story
The ImpEx Collection is a labor of love derived from the heart of Sam Filmus, President and Managing Director of ImpEx Beverages.
He, along with his business partner Chris Uhde, has spent a great amount of time and passion selecting the casks that go into each bottle of The ImpEx Collection that you find on the shelf.
After over 40 years of combined industry experience, you can tell that each cask is unique and special, offering the best that different categories have to offer.
Whether you find yourself looking for a dram of rare and unique whisky or you feel you want a special and select rum or mezcal, you can be sure that each bottle of The ImpEx Collection will take your passion for a spirit to new heights.
The high expectations for quality and taste that Sam and Chris possess can be found in each sip of delicious juice.
While we unveil the offerings from The ImpEx Collection, we hope you will find the taste and style that suits you best.
Enjoy!
S.Filmus
Meet the ImpEx Collection’s Founders
Sam Filmus
Chris Uhde
As President of ImpEx Beverages and JVS Imports and a Keeper of the Quaich, Sam’s resume is lengthy and studded with achievements, but what’s most important to him are the creators he works with and the consumers he serves. Passion drives his business: passion for sharing stories, connecting with people, and filling glasses with beautiful spirits.
After decades as an importer and distributor, Sam realized that he could go even further to share his love of fine spirits with the world. He and business partner Chris Uhde started The ImpEx Collection as a way to showcase exceptional whiskies, rums, mezcals, and more, always keeping in mind that each bottle must offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
After a three-year journey to bring this idea to life, Sam is overjoyed to share his vision with the spirits-loving community.
Chris has been with ImpEx Beverages since its founding and became Vice President in 2018. Few people who meet this soft-spoken Georgia native realize that he’s one of America’s leading experts on Japanese and scotch whisky, but his years of experience and skill as a blender speak for themselves. He also serves as Chairman and Whisky Educator for the United Scottish Society of Southern California.
Chris shared Sam Filmus’s vision of bottling a range of unique and extraordinary spirits, and joined in his efforts to create The ImpEx Collection. He has been instrumental in obtaining and blending some of the rarest Japanese whiskies for the series. His love of the spirits industry and passion for sharing great drams help power The ImpEx Collection’s ambitions.
Chris is thrilled to fill the glasses of like-minded spirits lovers with the delicious and rare spirits of The ImpEx Collection.
Meet the ImpEx Collection’s Founders
Sam Filmus
As President of ImpEx Beverages and JVS Imports and a Keeper of the Quaich, Sam’s resume is lengthy and studded with achievements, but what’s most important to him are the creators he works with and the consumers he serves. Passion drives his business: passion for sharing stories, connecting with people, and filling glasses with beautiful spirits.
After decades as an importer and distributor, Sam realized that he could go even further to share his love of fine spirits with the world. He and business partner Chris Uhde started The ImpEx Collection as a way to showcase exceptional whiskies, rums, mezcals, and more, always keeping in mind that each bottle must offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
After a three-year journey to bring this idea to life, Sam is overjoyed to share his vision with the spirits-loving community.
Chris Uhde
Chris has been with ImpEx Beverages since its founding and became Vice President in 2018. Few people who meet this soft-spoken Georgia native realize that he’s one of America’s leading experts on Japanese and scotch whisky, but his years of experience and skill as a blender speak for themselves. He also serves as Chairman and Whisky Educator for the United Scottish Society of Southern California.
Chris shared Sam Filmus’s vision of bottling a range of unique and extraordinary spirits, and joined in his efforts to create The ImpEx Collection. He has been instrumental in obtaining and blending some of the rarest Japanese whiskies for the series. His love of the spirits industry and passion for sharing great drams help power The ImpEx Collection’s ambitions.
Chris is thrilled to fill the glasses of like-minded spirits lovers with the delicious and rare spirits of The ImpEx Collection.
Over the Years
2008
After business captaining JVS Imports for many years, Sam Filmus begins a new chapter at the helm of ImpEx Beverages. His vision is to import premium and rare spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best scotch whiskies.
2018
Chris Uhde Joins as Vice President and Co-Owner
A part of the ImpEx Beverages team from the start, Chris joins Sam as his business partner in 2018. Together they have expanded the portfolio and vision for ImpEx, motivated by their love of the spirits industry.
2019
Inspired to bring the most special and delicious spirits to consumers, and drawing on their experience of helping other brands succeed, Sam and Chris start putting the dream of The ImpEx Collection into motion.