Crafting legacies, savoring traditions

About the client

Consolidated Rye & Whiskey is a new distillery focused on producing high-quality, small-batch whiskey using traditional techniques. The company sources the finest grains, including rye, from local farmers and has built a state-of-the-art facility to ensure the highest level of quality and consistency. Consolidated Rye & Whiskey is committed to sustainable practices, including recycling spent grains for animal feed and composting. The distillery offers a range of unique and distinct flavors, including their signature heritage ryes, and has quickly established itself as a top player in the craft spirits industry.

Opportunity

Consolidated Rye & Whiskey (CRW) has a unique opportunity to address the scarcity of rye whiskey in the market. With 90% of rye whiskey produced by just two players, MGP and Alberta Distillers, and both struggling to meet demand, the supply of rye whiskey is already scarce. The recent acquisition of Luxco by MGP for $475 million further reduces inventory availability for other distillers. Consolidated Rye & Whiskey can fill this gap by becoming a new player in the rye whiskey market and providing a much-needed alternative source of high-quality rye whiskey.

Solution

Fulton&Co provided comprehensive support to CRW in their efforts to expand their operations and meet the growing demand for high-quality varietal ryes. We worked with CRW to assess their needs, design a new business model, lead the engineering effort, and develop a pro forma to secure financing for a new facility that will have a capacity of 50,000 barrels per year.

One key strategy that Fulton&Co helped CRW develop was the introduction of heritage ryes to their product line. These ryes are carefully selected for their unique flavor profiles, similar to the way noble grapes are used in winemaking to create a distinct flavor profile for each vintage. By leveraging the distinct characteristics of these heritage ryes, CRW is able to differentiate their product line and create a unique flavor profile that carries across multiple products.

Fulton&Co’s support for CRW didn’t stop at designing the new facility. We’re committed to seeing the project through to completion and beyond by assisting CRW in managing the building process, identifying and negotiating partnerships, leading business development efforts, and creating derivative businesses such as selling spent grain.

With the support of Fulton&Co, CRW is well-positioned to continue their growth trajectory and become a leader in the craft spirits industry, while introducing the concept of heritage ryes to a broader audience.

Results

As CRW continues to expand their operations with the help of Fulton&Co, they are well on their way to becoming a leader in the craft spirits industry. The introduction of the heritage rye line and the development of a branded product stack built off a single heritage rye are just a few of the many ways that CRW is setting themselves apart from their competitors. With our ongoing support and expertise, we’re excited to continue our collaboration and see what the future holds for CRW and the positive impact they will have on the industry.

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