by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Memphis, TN (March 27, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, parent company of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, has appointed Gregg Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer. Gregg brings more than 30 years of experience in financial and business development leadership for organizations in telecom, healthcare, software, logistics, services, and beverage manufacturing industries. His specialties include finance and operations process development, mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, acquisition integration, strategic planning, raising capital, international operations, problem solving, IT strategy, sales, and business development.
In this new role, Gregg will be responsible for B.R. Distilling Co’s financial planning and analysis, external reporting, banking relationships, and internal controls. He will also have oversight of Human Resources, help to raise capital, and build relationships with key partners, investors, and vendors. Gregg will report directly to Logan Welk, President, and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.
”Gregg is an accomplished CFO whose expertise makes him an invaluable asset to our team,” said Welk. “Earlier this year, B.R. Distilling closed a multimillion-dollar financing round from existing shareholders. Gregg’s leadership and insights will be invaluable as we focus on generating distribution and depletions for Blue Note bourbon within our current U.S. markets as well as later this year when raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing. I’m thrilled to welcome Gregg to our team.”
Gregg’s experiences include working with family-owned, family-office, publicly traded, and private equity/venture capital backed companies. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of AMH Industrial, where he led the rebuilding and integration of a 30-year-old family business. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at Envoy Source, where he initiated organizational changes that turned the company around and generated a positive ROI for investors. He was also CFO at Wiseacre Brewing Company, where he helped raise debt and equity financing to build a new production facility and taproom in downtown Memphis, restructured the finance and logistics areas to be more efficient, and assisted sales with market-focused analysis to determine profitability of markets and distributors.
Gregg earned a BA in Accounting and a master’s degree in International Accounting from the University of Mississippi. A native of Northeast Arkansas, he currently resides in Memphis with his wife and two children.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, and producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, a bold yet approachable whiskey with big notes and a smooth structure. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company produces a handful of award-winning flagship expressions, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
# # #
by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Bi-Annual Release Includes First Cask Strength Rye and Newest Bourbon Offering
Corona del Mar, CA (March 27, 2024) – High n’ Wicked, the award-winning line of whiskeys within the Altamar Brands portfolio of premium distilled spirits, has released its first cask strength rye and its newest cask strength bourbon offering of its flagship rye and bourbon whiskeys.
High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey uses a five-year aged sour mash and a mash bill of 91% rye and 9% malted barley. Although rye whiskeys only require a minimum of 51% rye and can be difficult to work with especially at such a high percentage, the team found that a 91% rye mash bill best showcased the characteristics they desired in a rye whiskey. The expression is distilled by New Riff Distilling and bottled without chill filtration at cask strength (62% ABV or 124 proof) in Kentucky.
High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey features a five-year aged sweet mash, (unlike most whiskeys that use a sour mash), which allows for greater complexity of flavor (especially with this high rye content mash bill) that is further accentuated in the cask strength edition. The expression has a mash bill of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted barley and is distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky at cask strength (61.6% ABV or 123.2 proof) without chill filtration to retain maximum flavor and character.
High n’ Wicked was founded in 2019 by W. L. Lyons Brown, III, and Kevin E. Sachs, two former Brown-Forman senior executives who were instrumental in building Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort in Europe and Asia. The firm’s goal is to present ultra-premium rare and distinctive whiskeys that honor traditional methods of delivering exceptional flavors.
Both cask strength expressions have a suggested retail price of $90, which may vary by market. All High n’ Wicked offerings are regularly available in 41 U.S. states and Washington DC as well as online via the brand website, and Curiada.
For more information, please visit www.highnwicked.com
About Altamar Brands LLC
Founded in 2005 by W. L. Lyons Brown, III, Altamar Brands is a small, entrepreneurial outfit founded to develop and import esoteric, artisanal spirits brands that offer unique and distinctive production stories in their respective categories. They include: Elvelo Tequila, Foursquare Rum, High n’ Wicked Whiskeys, Kubler Absinthe, Lagrimas del Valle Tequila, Probitas Rum, Right Gin, and R.L. Seale’s Barbados Rum.
# # #
by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Sales & Distilled Spirits Veteran Focused on Building Blue Note Whiskey into a Beloved National Brand
Memphis, TN (March 27, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, parent company of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, has appointed Christopher (Chris) Crosbie as its new Vice President of National Sales. In this role, Chris will develop and deliver the company’s annual operating plan for all regions designed to build national brand awareness, education, and sales for Blue Note whiskey. He will also lead financial and operational management, provide strategic direction and oversight of profitability and distributor strategy, and oversee marketing and sales plans for trade channels, field execution, team performance, and talent development and recruitment. Chris will report directly to Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.
With both sales and distilled spirits expertise, Chris most recently served as Director of Sales & Trade Marketing East USA, Canada, LATAM & Duty Free for Altos Planos Collective, based in New York. Prior to that, he spent 16 years with Diageo, most recently as Vice President, Commercial, where he led the planning and execution of the spirits and beer portfolio across many markets. He also served as the Acting General Manager for the Caribbean and Central America region.
“With his deep industry and leadership experience, Chris possesses all the qualities to effectively lead our sales team and help to expand the Blue Note brand footprint in the U.S.,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer. “In a few short years, Blue Note has caught the attention of whiskey lovers and experts alike. For example, our flagship Juke Joint and Crossroads expressions were both awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competitions for the last two years. We’re excited and ready to capitalize on this momentum.”
Chris studied Business Administration at Edinburgh’s Telford College and is currently working towards a BA in History in his spare time. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, he lives in the New York Metro area.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, and producer of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon, a bold yet approachable whiskey with big notes and a smooth structure. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company produces a handful of award-winning flagship expressions, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
# # #
by admin | Mar 18, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Award-winning Industry Standout Well-Positioned for Significant Future Growth on the Eve of its 10th Anniversary
Memphis, TN (March 18, 2024) – B.R. Distilling Company, the creator of the award-winning Blue Note Bourbon™, has secured an asset backed line of credit from Live Oak Bank, providing the company with working capital to finance its inventory purchases under its long-term production agreement with Green River Distilling Company, the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky. The transaction also frees up the company’s other capital for sales and marketing support to fuel the growing brand.
“Live Oak Bank is proud to partner with B.R. Distilling Company to further the company’s growth and support their business needs as they expand their operations,” said Jeff Clark, Vice President of Wine and Craft Beverage lending at Live Oak Bank.
“With decades of industry experience in supporting small business, Live Oak Bank shares our long-term vision for continued growth and innovation,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling.
In connection with the line of credit, the company recently closed a multimillion-dollar financing round from existing shareholders and expanded its production facilities in Memphis to 110,000 square feet, which includes a unique and intimate public tasting room. The company plans to raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing later this year to support continued significant growth as the company executes its strategic plan.
“As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’ve established a strong foundation and are poised to become a break-out brand by continuing to deliver exceptional and innovative products and experiences to whiskey enthusiasts,” said Welk. “We’re well positioned within the premium whiskey category and laser-focused on generating distribution and depletions within our current U.S. markets.”
The company’s whiskey portfolio spends the first year and a day of its life in Kentucky before traveling through Nashville on its way to Memphis where it is then further aged just north of downtown Memphis along the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers, its own micro-climate, with high humidity and higher average temperatures than Kentucky. This forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth.
About B.R. Distilling Company
Founded in 2014, B.R. Distilling Company holds the oldest distillery license in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The company launched the award-winning Blue Note bourbon in 2018, which is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with the city of Memphis. Two of the brand’s flagship expressions – Juke Joint and Crossroads – were awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and again in 2023. Additionally, Blue Note Uncut was named #7 on Whisky Advocate’s list of top whiskeys in 2022. Currently, B.R. Distilling Company products are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, KS, MO, NJ, NY, SC, TN, and TX. Please sip responsibly.
# # #
by admin | Mar 11, 2024 | IN THE NEWS
Axiom Brands Named First Official Importer for the Award-Winning Blender of Unique, Aged, Cask Strength Whiskey Since 2013
Louisville, KY (March 11, 2024) – Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS) today announced that it has officially launched its award-winning spirits portfolio in the United Kingdom (UK). The original independent blender known for its unique, aged, cask strength whiskey, has selected Axiom Brands as its brand-building distribution partner for both on- and off-trade.
“We’re excited to partner with Axiom Brands – an independent company like Barrell Craft Spirits, which is both passionate about and deeply immersed in the UK drinks market,” said BCS Founder Joe Beatrice. “We’re thrilled to have pioneered the movement to elevate the art of blending in the United States. The UK is a crucial distilled spirits market as we look to expand our distribution abroad.”
“We have a long-standing history in our team with the American Whiskey category,” said Ian Bayliss, Co-Founder Axiom Brands. “We are thrilled to welcome the most exciting new American whisky brand to come out of the US right now into the Axiom portfolio and begin the journey of establishing Barrell Craft Spirits on all the best back bars and retail shelves across the UK for consumers and trade to explore.”
Founded in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky, BCS selects and blends products that explore different distillation methods, barrels, and aging environments. BCS’s extensive stocks of high-quality casks mean it can craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient. Creative finishes and a liberated approach to blending guides every product release.
The BCS cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey, picking up more than 150 awards from the world’s most prestigious distilled spirits publications and competitions. They include the “Chairman’s Trophy” and top score (97/100) in the American whisk(e)y category at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge for Barrell Dovetail American Whiskey; and several top awards at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including Best Bourbon and Best Small Batch Bourbon – both overall and within the 6-10-year category – for Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 (2020), “Best Small Batch Bourbon over 11 years old” for Barrell Bourbon Batch 018 (2019), and “Best Bourbon” and “Best Small Batch Bourbon” for Barrell Bourbon Batch 11 and “Best Over Proof Rum” for Batch 001 (2017).
The award-winning line of BCS releases are now sold in 49 US states, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Follow Barrell Craft Spirits on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram or visit barrellbourbon.com.
Barrell Craft Spirits®
Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits® is the original, pre-eminent independent blender of unique, aged, cask strength whiskey and rum. Recognized for our blending expertise since 2013, we skillfully design, produce, and launch leading, unique products that surprise
and delight whiskey aficionados and novices alike. Our cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases have quickly become an influencing force in American whiskey, winning awards from the world’s most prestigious distilled spirits publications and competitions.
Barrell Craft Spirits®, Barrell®, Barrell Bourbon® and Barrell Rye® are registered trademarks owned by Barrell Craft Spirits LLC.
Axiom Brands
Since 2015, Axiom Brands has been transforming boutique luxury spirit brands into true UK market leaders. The company was founded by two entrepreneurs with a meticulous eye for world-class potential and knowledge of the UK drinks market. Today, a team of 15 in-house spirit experts are driven by developing tomorrow’s big players and a mission to serve world-class, ‘liquid first’ brands to the market, moulding the future of the industry, and defining the next consumer drinking trends. Axiom Brands is home to 15 luxury spirit brands, with three major acquisitions under its belt in just five years. Pushing the boundaries through innovative brand-building with its luxury network of the country’s most exclusive venues and retailers, Axiom Brands does more than move boxes, it builds brands.
# # #
