Mad River Distillers

What Mad River Distillers does

Mad River Distillers is a craft distillery founded in 2011 at Cold Spring Farm in Warren, Vermont, by John Egan, Maura Connolly, and Brett Little. All production — mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling — occurs on-site using a German-engineered Mueller still, water from a 150-year-old on-farm spring, and regionally sourced non-GMO, fair-trade grains and apples. The portfolio spans bourbon (including a maple-wood smoked barley expression), rye, single malt, demerara-sugar rums, and a Vermont apple brandy, plus limited releases, ready-to-drink cocktails, and a Private Barrel Program.

The company generates revenue through four channels: wholesale distribution via six regional partners across Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and California; direct-to-consumer sales at two company-owned tasting rooms (Burlington and Waitsfield, VT) and a Vermont-only e-commerce shop; paid distillery tours and experiential events ($15/person) at the Warren facility; and customized single-barrel whiskey sales to individuals, hospitality venues, and corporate clients. Customers span on-premise and off-premise accounts, craft spirits tourists, whiskey connoisseurs, and corporate gifting clients, with multiple spirits recognized at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Ascot Awards, and Ultimate Spirits Challenge. The team of approximately 12 operates across production, wholesale sales across New England, New York, and Upstate NY, tasting room retail, and marketing.

Name

Mad River Distillers

Legal name

Mad River Distillers

Website

https://madriverdistillers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mad River Distillers is a Vermont craft distillery founded in 2011 that produces bourbon, rye, rum, and apple brandy from locally sourced grains and apples, selling through regional wholesalers across eight U.S. states, two tasting rooms, DTC e-commerce, and a custom private barrel program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (AFAFAAAE), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft distillery spirits
• Bourbon whiskey production
• Aged rum distilling
• Apple brandy production
• Ready-to-drink cocktails

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Sales: Bottles of whiskey, rum, and brandy sold directly to consumers at company-owned tasting rooms (Burlington and Waitsfield, VT) and via the online shop. Tasting rooms also serve cocktails, tasting flights, and retail accessories. Spirits purchased online ship within Vermont; some items (e.g., seasonal releases, RTDs) are pickup-only.
2. Wholesale / Off-Premise Distribution: Spirits sold in bulk to wholesale accounts (restaurants, bars, liquor stores) through regional distributors in VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, ME, NH, and CA. Products include flagship spirits (Straight Bourbon, Revolution Rye, Rum 44, Maple Cask Rum, First Run Rum) and limited releases.
3. Distillery Tours and Experiences: Paid distillery tours at the Warren, VT facility ($15 per person, 45-60 minutes) including samples of award-winning spirits. Tours are by appointment only, offered Tuesday-Friday. The company also hosts private events, cocktail-making classes, and whiskey seminars at the Burlington Tasting Room.
4. Private Barrel Program and Custom Whiskey: Premium single barrel program inviting whiskey connoisseurs, bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and individuals to hand-select barrels and customize proofs, finishes, mash bills, and labels. Revenue generated through barrel sales and custom bottling services. Also used for corporate gifts, commemorations, and whiskey clubs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mad River Distillers is a craft distillery that ferments, distills, and bottles whiskey, rum, and apple brandy on-site at Cold Spring Farm in Warren, Vermont. Its product portfolio includes straight bourbon, rye, single malt, multiple aged and flavored rums, an apple brandy, ready-to-drink bottled cocktails, and gift packs, sold through tasting rooms, an online shop, wholesale distribution across New England, New York, and California, and a Private Barrel Program for custom bottling and corporate gifts.

Product overview

Mad River Distillers is a craft distillery producing whiskey, rum, and apple brandy in Vermont's Mad River Valley. The product portfolio centers on core spirits including Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Revolution Rye, Rum 44, Maple Cask Rum, First Run Rum, PX Rum, Vanilla Rum, and Mad Apple Brandy, along with specialty offerings like Burnt Rock Bourbon (maple-wood smoked barley bourbon) and Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey (bourbon with Vermont maple syrup). The company also offers limited releases (Founders Reserve Rye aged 10 years, Summit Single Malt), collaboration products (Hopscotch with Lawson's Finest Liquids, Silver Oak finished rye), ready-to-drink bottled cocktails (Old Fashioneds, Maple Fig Madhattan), and gift packs. All spirits are fermented, distilled, and bottled on-site using locally-sourced non-GMO, fair trade ingredients, with rums made from 100% demerara sugar and whiskeys featuring unique grains including oats, chocolate rye, and maple-wood smoked barley.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Burnt Rock Bourbon American bourbon whiskey with a smoky Vermont twist, named for a popular hiking trail in the Mad River Valley. Made with 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% maple-wood smoked barley. Awarded Platinum Medal at Ascot Awards 2023 and 88 points from Wine Enthusiast.
• Maple Cask Rum Premium rum finished in barrels that previously held maple syrup from Wood's Vermont Syrup Company. Distilled from 100% demerara sugar with notes of tropical fruits and butterscotch. Awarded Gold Medal at Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America 2014 and Gold at Spirits of the Americas 2014.
• Rum 44 Silver rum distilled on the 44th parallel from 100% demerara sugar. Gluten-free with 97 calories per serving. Received 92 points and 'Best Value' at Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020.
• Revolution Rye Whiskey Award-winning rye whiskey carefully fermented from local and organic rye. Features earthy and peppery notes with hints of walnut, berry, tropical spice, and cocoa richness from chocolate malted rye.
• Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey Cordial combining Mad River Straight Bourbon Whiskey with Vermont maple syrup. Features house-distilled wheated bourbon paired with rich Vermont maple syrup.
• Straight Bourbon Whiskey Classic American straight bourbon with a Vermont twist, featuring deep aroma of Vermont-grown corn, smokiness on the palate, and smooth aromatic finish. Awarded Gold Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023.
• First Run Rum Premium aged rum made with cane sugar in fresh charred American oak barrels. A sipping rum with a smooth and distinctly rum-caramel finish.
• PX Rum Demerara-based rum carefully aged in toasted and charred barrels, then finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Imparts nutty and smoky aromas and flavors. Won Double Gold medal at 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Vanilla Rum All-natural rum infused with Tahitian vanilla beans, resulting in a clear rum with vanilla cupcake nose. No sugar added, making it an excellent grain-free alternative to vanilla vodka.
• Mad Apple Brandy European-style dry apple brandy distilled in Vermont using 100% Vermont apples. Features fresh apple notes on the nose, oak spice and vanilla on the palate, followed by crisp apple finish. Winner of Good Food Awards 2016.
• Founders Reserve Rye Limited release rye whiskey distilled in 2014, aged for 10 years in #3 charred American oak barrels at Cold Spring Farm in Warren, VT. The oldest whiskey ever released by the distillery.
• Summit Single Malt Single malt whiskey distilled from 100% Northeast-grown barley. First edition showcasing Mad River Distillers' dedication to sourcing locally and pushing boundaries of American whiskey craftsmanship.
• Hopscotch Collaboration with Lawson's Finest Liquids. Batch #8 of single malt whiskey distilled from Lawson's Finest Liquids 'Triple Sunshine' IPA. Made with 100% barley and aged for three years in New American Oak at 92 proof. Seasonal release available for pickup in Vermont only.
• Silver Oak Cellars Finished Rye Whiskey Collaboration with Caskforce using Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon barrels to finish Mad River's Revolution Rye. Featured in Food & Wine's '56 American Whiskeys under $100 You Need to Try!'.
• Bottled Maple Fig Madhattan Ready-to-drink bottled cocktail featuring Maple Cask Rum, Black Fig Vodka by Black Infusions, and bitters. No mixing or shaking required, simply pour over ice.
• Bottled Revolution Rye Old Fashioned Ready-to-drink bottle of Old Fashioned made with Revolution Rye, featuring chocolate and mocha notes with peppery spice at the back end.
• Bottled Bourbon Old Fashioned Ready-to-drink bottle of Old Fashioned made with Straight Bourbon Whiskey, featuring smooth palate with subtle sweetness of corn, homemade bitters, and sugar.
• Mad River Whiskey Gift Pack Gift pack containing three best-selling spirits in 'flask' sized 200ml bottles including Bourbon Whiskey, Revolution Rye, and Maple Cask Rum.
• Old Fashioned Cocktail Variety Pack Variety pack of ready-to-drink Old Fashioned cocktails featuring Maple Cask Rum OF, Bourbon Whiskey OF, and Revolution Rye OF in 200ml bottles.
• Distillery Tours at Warren, VT Paid distillery tours at the Warren, Vermont production facility ($15 per person, 45-60 minutes) including samples of award-winning spirits. Booked online by appointment only, offered Tuesday-Friday.
• Private Barrel Program and Custom Whiskey Premium single barrel program inviting whiskey connoisseurs, bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and individuals to hand-select barrels and customize proofs, finishes, mash bills, and labels. Includes distillery visits with blind tastings. Used for corporate gifts, commemorations, and exclusive offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92 Points - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 (Rum 44)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 802 SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor802 Spirits serves as the primary distributor for Mad River Distillers products in Vermont. They manage both on-premise and off-premise accounts throughout the state, enabling broad retail availability in Vermont liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.
• M.S. WalkercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorM.S. Walker is the primary distributor for Mad River Distillers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire. They handle wholesale distribution to on-premise and off-premise accounts across these New England states.
• Brescome BartoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrescome Barton serves as the distributor for Mad River Distillers products in Connecticut. They manage wholesale accounts for both on-premise and off-premise sales in the state.
• Empire MerchantscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpire Merchants is the primary distributor for Mad River Distillers in New York. They manage wholesale distribution to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores across New York state.
• Empire NorthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpire North handles distribution for Mad River Distillers products in upstate New York markets, complementing Empire Merchants' coverage of the broader New York territory.
• Park Street ImportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPark Street Imports serves as the California distributor for Mad River Distillers products. Orders for California are handled by emailing [email protected], with Park Street managing the physical distribution.
• Wood's Vermont Syrup CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA unique barrel exchange partnership with Al Wood of Wood's Vermont Syrup Company. The distillery provides barrels used for aging First Run Rum, which Wood's then uses to craft rum barrel aged maple syrup. The barrels are returned to Mad River Distillers and used to finish the Maple Cask Rum. This circular barrel exchange creates a distinctive maple-forward flavor profile unique to the product.
• 5th Quarter Butcher + ProvisionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions in Waitsfield, Vermont operates as Mad River Distillers' tasting room and bottle sale destination in the Mad River Valley. The specialty grocery store also carries a curated selection of local Vermont products alongside Mad River Distillers spirits. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.
• Silver Oak CellarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through the Caskforce program where Silver Oak Cellars' Cabernet Sauvignon barrels were used to finish Mad River Distillers' Revolution Rye whiskey. Nick O'Connell of Caskforce proposed the collaboration in 2018. The resulting Silver Oak Cellars Finished Rye Whiskey was featured in Food & Wine magazine's list of '56 American Whiskeys under $100 You Need to Try!'
• Lawson's Finest LiquidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative product development resulting in 'Hopscotch' — a single malt whiskey distilled from Lawson's Finest Liquids 'Triple Sunshine' IPA. Made with 100% barley and aged for three years in New American Oak at 92 proof. Seasonal release available for pickup in Vermont only.
• Black InfusionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMad River Distillers uses Black Fig Vodka by Black Infusions as a key ingredient in their Bottled Maple Fig Madhattan ready-to-drink cocktail. This ingredient partnership enables the creation of the unique Manhattan riff.
• Old City SyrupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMad River Distillers provides their used bourbon barrels to Old City Syrup for their Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup production. This creates a reciprocal barrel exchange that supports local Vermont producers while maintaining the distillery's farm-to-glass sustainability model.
• Higher Ground MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMad River Distillers partners with Higher Ground Music for joint promotions, including ticket giveaways for Higher Ground music shows at the Shelburne Museum, Essex Midway, and Burlington Waterfront. Promotion targets tasting room visitors and email subscribers, with no purchase necessary to enter.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WhistlePig: Vermont-based craft distillery specializing in rye whiskey and bourbon. Direct craft-spirits peer operating in the same Vermont/New England market with comparable premium positioning, award-winning rye and bourbon portfolio, and DTC tasting room/distillery tour model.
• Caledonia Spirits (Barr Hill): Vermont-based craft distillery producing gin, vodka, and whiskey from local honey and grain. Direct regional peer with comparable farm-to-glass sourcing narrative, Vermont terroir story, and tasting room/direct-sales model.
• Tuthilltown Spirits: Hudson Valley, NY craft distillery (maker of Hudson Whiskey) producing bourbon, rye, and other spirits. Direct craft distilling peer with similar scale, regional distribution focus, and farm-sourced production approach.
• Hillrock Estate Distillery: Estate distillery in the Hudson Valley producing whiskey, bourbon, and rye with on-site grain sourcing. Comparable craft estate distillery with single-site production, premium positioning, and tasting room/experiential model.
• Tamworth Distilling: New Hampshire craft distillery producing whiskeys, gin, and other spirits with experimental mashbills and barrel finishes. Comparable craft peer with similar New England footprint, small-batch production, and tasting room experience.
• Corsair Distillery: Nashville-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, rum, and brandy with experimental mashbills. Direct peer in the experimental craft spirits segment, sharing small-scale production and barrel-finishing innovation.
• Few Spirits: Evanston, IL craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka. Comparable craft whiskey producer with award-winning portfolio, premium positioning, and tasting room/distillery tour business model.
• Stone Barn Brandyworks: Oregon-based craft brandy and spirit producer focused on American brandy revival. Comparable craft producer with apple brandy and terroir-driven small-batch positioning, similar to Mad River's Mad Apple Brandy.

Broad incumbents

• Brown-Forman: Major American spirits company (Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve) with broad national and global distribution. Broad incumbent whose premium whiskey portfolio (especially Woodford Reserve) competes in the same on-premise and off-premise accounts as Mad River.
• Diageo North America: Global spirits leader with Bulleit Bourbon and other craft-adjacent brands. Broad incumbent that competes for distributor attention, on-premise placements, and shelf space alongside craft producers like Mad River.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8Misch3cSJSIvHgVLRlGUg?view_as=subscriber
• Instagraminstagram.com/madriverdistillers
• Xx.com/drinkmrd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Mad River Distillers