Colorado's Old Elk Distillery Is Acquired by Ohio's Middle West Spirits

In a consolidation move in the craft whiskey world, Columbus, Ohio-based Middle West Spirits is acquiring Colorado's Old Elk Distillery, Shanken News Daily (SND) reported this morning.

Founded in 2008, Middle West is among the largest independent players in the U.S., with both contract and branded operations. Its offerings include Dark Pumpernickel straight rye, Four Grain Straight Wheated bourbon, and the Double Cask Collection, plus OYO Barrel Finished Honey Vanilla vodka, Vim & Petal gin, and Lux & Umbra gin.

Old Elk, which is based in Fort Collins, was founded in 2013 and is a non-distiller producer whose expressions have developed a strong following among whiskey lovers over the years. Its master distiller is Greg Metze, who worked at MGP from 1978-2016 and had a leading hand in many of the great whiskeys produced there over the years. Old Elk's key labels include Slow Cut bourbon ($40), Old Elk 9 year old bourbon ($60), and Old Elk Cigar Cut ($130). Old Elk's Port Finished bourbon ranked among our Top 20 Whiskies of 2023.

Middle West CEO and lead distiller Ryan Lang told SND his company is well-positioned for Old Elk because of its “operational depth and scale.” Middle West last year completed an expansion of its new Columbus site on the outskirts of town, which has a 75,000 square foot distillery on a 14-acre campus.

Having a well-known brand in the portfolio will create new whiskey content for the space, for production and consumer-facing, through the visitor center and tasting room. Old Elk CEO Luis Gonzalez called the deal a “launchpad” for his brand. “We’re securing the future of the Old Elk legacy with dedicated production and a true home for our brand,” he said.