The opportunity to purchase a profitable Kentucky distillery rarely comes around. But today, that opportunity arrived. This is not a fire sale, in fact it is a successful business venture as you can see in the financial details below. Due to unforeseen circumstances forced by a mediated settlement between the owners the sale is judicially mandated to terminate the partnership.
The distillery and social club were founded in 2019 and has been profitable from its first year in business. This is not the founders first rodeo. The offering includes a move-in-ready, fully licensed distillery, with plenty of aging barrel inventory ready for bottling, and pallets of assorted bottles of finished goods ready for sale.
UPDATE: The distillery has been sold. Here is the statement about the final sale.
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Statement: Tranzon Asset Advisors, a leading, national auction marketing firm based in Kentucky, this week successfully auctioned a well-established premium craft whiskey distillery and brand for more than $20.5 million. Tranzon’s auction experienced unprecedented demand from prospective buyers, with more than 220 direct inquiries and nearly 60 bids from across the world (British Virgin Islands, Canada, England, France, India, Italy and Scotland).
The winning bidder acquired a bonded whiskey distillery, licenses, real estate and significant inventory of barreled and packaged whiskey. The sale also included the purchase of additional, substantial real estate holdings in Louisville’s Whiskey Row neighborhood.
It’s important to note the buyer is obtaining a distillery that boasts significant cash flow, a profitable track record and a well-known premium brand. In addition, they are acquiring a luxury retail product (starting at $200 per bottle), along with a ready-to-sell packaged inventory and an extensive supply of barreled whiskey.
According to Fred Minnick, “As part of a court-mediated divorce settlement, Old Carter’s bonded whiskey distillery, licenses, real estate and whiskey stocks went to auction. Mark Carter, the brand’s founder, won them out right, retaining Old Carter Whiskey Company LLC and Kentucky Spirit Bottling.” The auction closed on December 12, 2024.
This distillery is a leading premium craft whiskey spirits brand, with a private club and tasting space, and located in an exceptional downtown Louisville, Kentucky destination in a high foot-traffic area with several other Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries nearby. The brand enjoys widespread recognition in its home state and distribution in multiple other regions of the country. Its unique setting and ability to host exclusive, members-only tastings and to sell limited edition bottles, is at the heart of its retail and wholesale success.
The distillery has earned a reputation for high quality, ultra-premium whiskey, receiving multiple industry awards for its spirits. It reached profitability soon after its establishment. The distillery ceased production in 2024 during the settlement but is a move-in-ready, fully licensed distillery, with plenty of aging barrel inventory ready for bottling, and pallets of assorted bottles of finished goods ready for sale.
“Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whiskey, and a dog to eat the steak.” ~Johnny Carson
The sale is judicially mandated to terminate the partnership, and a structured bid process has been established for potential qualified buyers to participate in the process of acquisition of the distillery and/or ancillary real property not intrinsic to the operation of the distillery. Sealed bids will be due through the engaged exclusive sale firm with extensive due diligence information available to potential buyers. The auction is for a cash sale of the company and all assets, with optional bidding on the ancillary real estate. Other terms apply, inquire with Tranzon Asset Advisors for further information, due diligence access, bid procedures or asset information. Confidentiality/Non-Reliance Agreement Required for access to due diligence.
Distillery Growth Opportunities
Upward Trend – The distillery’s distribution and direct to consumer growth has increased since the brand was introduced. Move In Ready – Fully equipped and licensed distillery with aged barrel inventory and raw materials to support production with finished luxury-priced bottled goods ready to sell. Whiskey Emphasis – 100% of its spirits revenue is earned from whiskey products, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the national spirits marketplace. Inventory and Production Capacity – The Company currently has 1,300 barrels of spirits from multiple states aging in inventory to support future growth, with production capacity already in place to support sales growth projections.
Investment Highlights
Positive Cash Flow – Profitable, debt free company with strong business fundamentals with $4.6mil in Revenue and $3mil in Net Ordinary Income in 2023 Market Penetration – The brand enjoys widespread statewide recognition in its home state and out-of-state distribution was established and growing. Proven Success – Bucking the trend in the craft distillery sector of a slow ascent to profitability, the Company has been profitable since launch. On-site Tasting Room – The distillery is fully set up to host private tastings as part of a members-only club whose members pay annual dues. The private club allows the owner to sell high-margin, direct to customer bottles without going through distribution.
