With New Owners, Black Button Distilling Is Rescued from Bankruptcy

Back in July, Rochester, New York-based craft distiller Black Button shut down after 13 years of operation. The announcement came just a few years after a major expansion—fueled in part by an earlier investment from High West owner Constellation Brands—which saw the distillery move into an expansive production and retail space across town from its original location. But Black Button was unable to maintain sufficient momentum, and founder Jason Barrett made the difficult decision to cease production, citing financial difficulties and a downturn in the market. With bankruptcy on the horizon, it seemed uncertain whether Black Button would be able to bounce back. But now Black Button is getting a lifeline, thanks to the recent acquisition by Blackstar Company LLC, a group founded by industry veterans.

The exact terms of the deal were undisclosed, but we were able to confirm that Blackstar now fully owns Black Button Distilling, including its brand, assets, intellectual property, and operations. While Barrett no longer holds a share in the distillery, he will continue to lead production as president and master distiller. The plan is for Black Button to continue distilling and bottling its bourbon, rye, vodka, gin, and bourbon cream, while Blackstar handles the business side, including marketing, logistics, distribution, and sales. The distillery’s staff of nine full-time employees will keep their jobs. Black Button’s tasting room remains closed for the time being as Blackstar assesses the business.

Blackstar is a new face in the industry, having only been incorporated in July, and Black Button is its first acquisition. It was founded by a group of industry veterans, most prominently Kris Comstock and Ray Franklin. Comstock, who serves as president of Blackstar, is best known for his nearly two-decade career in Sazerac’s whiskey division, where he played a key role in building Buffalo Trace and its many sister brands into the stars they are today. Many readers may recognize Franklin as the founder of Staghorn, parent company of the short-lived Garrard County Distilling Co. In late 2024, just ahead of Garrard County’s lawsuits and subsequent implosion, Franklin left Staghorn behind for a position at Spirits Capital Corporation—the company behind the barrel-aged spirits trading platform DBFEX—where he’s currently chief revenue officer.

“Although this is bittersweet, I’m happy that the distillery will remain open and our team will stay in place,” says Barrett. “I’ve known Kris for several years and have the utmost respect for his ability to build brands. I feel Black Button is in great hands.” The two have known each other professionally for nearly a decade, but their friendship began in earnest around four years ago after spending some time together at industry events and collaborating on projects.

Blackstar positions itself as a sort of incubator for spirit companies, offering brand building, access to nationwide distribution via established relationships in the industry, strategic planning and development, and compliance. The company also offers aged whiskey, contract distilling, and bottling facilities in Kentucky and New York. Considering that Black Button offered contract distilling, it seems like the distillery is a natural fit for that side of Blackstar’s business model.

Comstock says that he was drawn to a partnership with Black Button due to the people working there, the whiskey it was producing, and its potential for growth. “Black Button has established a solid foundation across New York with their award-winning products,” he explains. “We look forward to building on that foundation as we expand the business.” Not much has been disclosed about what those expansion efforts will look like, but he confirmed that expanded distribution and new product launches are part of the long-term plan.