Middle West Spirits of Columbus, Ohio, is one of North America’s largest independently owned distilleries. Middle West has announced the acquisition of Old Elk Distillery of Fort Collins, Colorado, and its related assets. Known for its award-winning whiskeys, deep customer loyalty and distinctive Slow Cut® proofing process, Old Elk brings nationally recognized craftsmanship to Middle West’s expanding branded portfolio.
“This is a meaningful moment for both our teams,” said Ryan Lang, Founding Lead Distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits.
“Old Elk has built a respected and beloved brand with staying power, thanks to a distinct blending and innovation philosophy that complements our grain-to-glass production model. Their agility in developing award-winning blends pairs naturally with our technical approach and scale.
“Together, we’re not just expanding—we’re joining forces to preserve what makes each brand special while unlocking new potential. We’re laying the foundation for long-term growth with a shared focus on quality, transparency and customer relationships.”
Raising the Bar for Craft Spirits
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By combining Old Elk’s brand momentum with Middle West’s robust infrastructure, this acquisition empowers both companies to reach more consumers, drive innovation and raise the bar for craft spirits at scale.
“Since the day we launched over 8 years ago, we’ve been laser focused on one thing: listening —truly listening—to our team, customers and partners. That focus has brought us to this incredible moment,” said Luis Gonzalez, CEO of Old Elk. “Our relationships have always been at the heart of what we do and have been pivotal in shaping our journey. We’re wholeheartedly grateful to our extraordinary team, loyal customers and to our national distributor partner, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, for their trust and belief in our vision.
”I’m extremely appreciative to Greg Metze for his mentorship, craftmanship and dedication to the team and his lasting impact and influence on the spirits industry. We are thankful for our founders Curt and Nancy Richardson for their vision in creating a world-class whiskey. Their legacy has inspired us for many years.”
Middle West Spirits is a Top 10 Spirits Producer in the US
Founded in 2008, Middle West Spirits is deeply rooted in Ohio’s grain belt and manages every step of its production—from seed selection through distilling, aging, blending and bottling. The independently-owned distillery produces a portfolio of award-winning brands including Middle West Bourbon, Rye, Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, OYO Vodka, Vim & Petal Gin and Lux & Umbra. Having recently increased its distillation capacity, Middle West Spirits is the largest distillery in Ohio and one of the top 10 grain-to-glass whiskey and spirits producers in the U.S., producing spirits not only for its own brands but also numerous partners in the craft and global spirits industries.
“This acquisition isn’t just a milestone, it’s a launchpad. We’re securing the future of the Old Elk legacy with dedicated production and a true home for our brand, one that fans and partners alike can rally around for years to come,” adds Gonzalez. “As we grow, Middle West Spirits is doubling down on what matters most: delivering on demand, pushing innovation and building a best-in-class infrastructure that sets a new standard in the spirits industry. Joining the Middle West family is a powerful step forward—and together, we’re ready to shake things up and make bold moves. Together, I see an exciting future filled with opportunity and shared success for our customers, consumers and distributor partners.”
Rooted in innovation, quality, craftsmanship and integrity, Old Elk Distillery was founded in 2013. Founder Curt Richardson desired to create a distinctive portfolio of whiskeys that embodied his passion for whiskey, and he succeeded. In 2016, Greg Metze joined the team as Master Distiller, bringing his 40 years of experience in the whiskey industry to Old Elk. While the signature Old Elk Slow Cut® proofing process takes significantly longer than most, taking the extra time makes all the difference. The proof is in the liquid. Today, the Old Elk portfolio is available in all 50 states, delivering award-winning products that span several whiskey categories. For more information, visit online at Old Elk.
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