What Durham Distillery does

Durham Distillery is a craft spirits producer founded in 2013 in Durham, North Carolina, by co-founders Melissa Katrincic and Lee Katrincic. The company manufactures and sells a portfolio of award-winning gins under the Conniption brand (American Dry, Navy Strength, Barrel Aged, Kinship), alongside Damn Fine vodkas (including the cold-distilled VACUO Cucumber Vodka), Damn Fine liqueurs (Mocha, Bourbon Cream), and Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur, plus ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Its signature production technique is cold vacuum distillation combined with a dual-distillation approach, a rare method in the U.S. craft spirits market that preserves delicate botanical flavors.

The company operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and retail business model. Revenue is generated through (1) bottled spirit sales via an e-commerce store at ConniptionGin.com for out-of-state shipping, retail pickup at the Durham tasting room, and North Carolina ABC stores; (2) on-premise consumption at the Conniption Bar & Lounge in Durham and, as of December 2025, Conniption Cocktails & Cuisine at Raleigh-Durham International Airport; and (3) educational experiences including Behind the Scenes Distillery Tours (promoted at 50% off the second ticket during World Gin Month) and cocktail classes priced at $75 per person. Premium positioning is evident in product pricing, with the Conniption Barrel Aged Gin at $45 per 750ml and Krupnikas at $39.95 per bottle.

Durham Distillery's customer base centers on craft spirits enthusiasts, experience-seeking tourists visiting the Durham facility, and hospitality operators seeking distinctive craft spirits. Distribution is concentrated domestically in North Carolina, with the online channel extending reach to other U.S. states (subject to per-state shipping regulations). The company is privately held with no disclosed parent company, and co-founders Melissa and Lee Katrincic are described as the first female U.S. distiller inducted into The Gin Guild and Master Distiller/Warden Rectifier of the Guild, respectively — credentials that anchor the brand's craft authority.

Name

Durham Distillery

Legal name

Durham Distillery LLC

Website

https://durhamdistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Durham Distillery is a craft distillery in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 2013, producing award-winning Conniption gins, vodkas, and liqueurs using cold vacuum distillation, and selling direct-to-consumer, through North Carolina ABC stores, and via on-site bar and airport hospitality venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft gin distillery
• Modern gin production
• Craft spirit manufacturing
• Distillery tours classes
• Ready-to-drink cocktails

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spirit Product Sales: Direct sales of bottled spirits including Conniption Gin variants (American Dry, Navy Strength, Barrel Aged, Kinship), Damn Fine liqueurs (Mocha, Bourbon Cream), Damn Fine Vodka, VACUO Cucumber Vodka, and Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur. Sold through online store, retail pickup, and NC ABC stores.
2. On-site Bar and Restaurant: Revenue from Conniption Bar & Lounge cocktail sales, and Conniption Cocktails & Cuisine at RDU Airport featuring signature cocktails like Subzero Martinis and American cuisine.
3. Tours and Classes: Behind the Scenes Distillery Tours and Quick Tours provide educational experiences with tastings. Cocktail classes at $75 per person covering themes like American Classics, Tiki, Bitters, Sours, and Punches & Batching.
4. Online Shipping: Direct shipment of products to customers outside North Carolina through ConniptionGin.com online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Durham Distillery manufactures and sells award-winning craft spirits, led by the Conniption Gin portfolio, alongside Damn Fine liqueurs, vodkas, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails produced via cold vacuum and dual-distillation processes. The company also operates on-site tasting room and cocktail bar venues (Juniper Room, Conniption Bar & Lounge), an airport bar and restaurant at RDU, and paid distillery tours and cocktail classes, distributing bottles direct-to-consumer through its own retail, online store, and North Carolina ABC stores.

Product overview

Durham Distillery is a craft distillery founded in 2013, offering a portfolio of award-winning spirits centered on its Conniption Gin line. The product portfolio includes multiple Conniption Gin variants (American Dry Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Barrel Aged Gin, Kinship Gin), Damn Fine Liqueurs (Mocha Liqueur, Mocha Bourbon Cream), vodkas (Damn Fine Vodka, VACUO Cucumber Vodka), and Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur, plus ready-to-drink canned cocktails. The distillery also operates two hospitality venues—the Conniption Bar & Lounge and Juniper Room Tasting Room in Durham, NC, plus a new restaurant at RDU Airport—offering tours, cocktail classes, and on-site cocktail service. Products are crafted using cold vacuum distillation, a signature process that preserves delicate botanical flavors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Conniption Gin: Award-winning modern American gin crafted through cold vacuum distillation process
• Damn Fine Vodka
• VACUO Cucumber Vodka
• Damn Fine Liqueurs
• Krupnikas

Products and services

• Conniption American Dry Gin Flagship gin crafted through cold vacuum distillation, delivering brightness, balance, and complexity with delicate botanicals.
• Conniption Navy Strength Gin High-proof gin offering powerful yet smooth flavor, suitable for martinis and gin & tonic.
• Conniption Barrel Aged Gin Barrel-aged gin with complex flavor suitable for sipping neat or in old fashioneds; 2024 release priced at $45.00 for 750ml.
• Conniption Kinship Gin Gin featuring delicate flavors with striking colors, designed for visually appealing cocktails; priced at $29.95 on sale (regular $34.95).
• Damn Fine Mocha Liqueur Rich, indulgent chocolate and coffee liqueur made with real ingredients; original version priced at $19.95 for 375ml.
• Damn Fine Mocha Bourbon Cream Liqueur Bourbon cream variant of the mocha liqueur, described as rich, velvety, and smooth.
• Damn Fine Vodka Versatile vodka from Durham Distillery, available for $5 off in June at the distillery and NC ABC stores.
• VACUO Cucumber Vodka Cold-distilled cucumber vodka with a light, refreshing flavor, available for $5 off in June.
• Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur Honey-based spiced liqueur with warming notes of honey, spice, and depth, priced at $39.95.
• Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails Pre-mixed canned cocktails offering bar-quality pours for easy consumption outside the bar.
• Behind the Scenes Distillery Tours Immersive tours of the production process where visitors learn about distillation and taste the spirits; 50% off second ticket with promo code WORLDGIN during June.
• Quick Tours Brief distillery tours for visitors short on time, available on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Cocktail Classes Hands-on cocktail mixing classes held in the Juniper Room, priced at $75 per person, with monthly themes covering American Classics, Tiki, Bitters, Sours, Punches & Batching, and Make it Hot!
• Conniption Bar & Lounge On-site cocktail bar at the Durham distillery featuring seasonal menus, outdoor seating, and cocktails crafted with spirits distilled on-site; open Wednesday-Saturday 4PM-11PM and Sunday 4PM-9PM.
• Conniption Cocktails & Cuisine Bar and restaurant at Raleigh-Durham International Airport serving signature cocktails made with Conniption Gin and American cuisine.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Green Hat Gin: Small-batch American craft gin producer focused on modern botanical profiles. Comparable in scale, craft positioning, and emphasis on experiential tastings and tours at the distillery.
• St. George Spirits: California-based craft distillery producing gin, vodka, and liqueurs with an emphasis on innovation and botanicals. Closely comparable in product breadth (gin plus vodka and liqueurs) and craft-science brand positioning.
• Aviation American Gin: American craft gin brand positioned in the modern, premium craft gin category with national and global distribution. Directly comparable to Conniption Gin as both are U.S.-origin craft gins targeting cocktail enthusiasts and on-premise programs.
• New Riff Distilling: Independently owned Kentucky craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and gin with a strong on-site experience component. Comparable in independent ownership, craft positioning, and integrated distillery-hospitality model.
• Corsair Distillery: U.S. craft distillery producing gin, whiskey, and specialty spirits with experimental and small-batch positioning. Comparable in craft experimental ethos and multi-category spirit portfolio.
• Smooth Ambler: West Virginia craft distillery producing gin, whiskey, and other spirits with award-winning positioning. Comparable as a small American craft distiller with a diversified spirit portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Hendrick's Gin: Globally distributed premium gin from a major multinational distiller, known for unusual botanical infusion and distinctive branding. Comparable as a competitor in the modern, botanical-forward premium gin category Durham competes in.
• Tanqueray: Mass-market premium gin owned by a global spirits multinational with broad on-premise and off-premise distribution. Comparable as a gin competitor across price tiers and as a benchmark for the scale Durham would need to reach.
• Beefeater London Dry: Iconic London dry gin from a major multinational producer, widely distributed in U.S. on-premise and retail channels. Comparable as a benchmark incumbent whose distribution and on-premise placements Durham must compete with for bartenders and shelf space.

Emerging players

• Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey: Rapidly scaling American craft whiskey brand built on founder and storytelling narrative. Comparable as an independently owned American craft spirits brand with strong founder narrative and rising national profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/durhamdistiller
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKWZYYz2IiXyQGKZWNYLJ1A
• Facebookfacebook.com/durhamdistillery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/durham-distillery/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/durhamdistillery
• Pinterestpinterest.com/ConniptionGin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Durham Distillery