Rock Town Distillery

What Rock Town Distillery does

Rock Town Distillery is a privately held craft distillery founded in 2010 by Phil Brandon and headquartered at 1201 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. The company produces a broad portfolio of award-winning spirits using copper potstill and column still distillation, including vodkas, gins, bourbons and whiskeys, craft cordials (Triple Sec, Peach, Ginger, Elderflower, Creme de Cacao, Coffee, Bourbon Cream, Black Raspberry), and moonshine expressions. A defining element of its operations is the Column Still Collection, produced through the Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Distilling Program: Arkansas-grown corn and wheat from Stratton Seed are trucked to Kentucky for column distillation, then aged and bottled back in Little Rock, using barrels from Gibbs Brothers Cooperage (Arkansas) and Kelvin Cooperage. The portfolio exceeds 50 SKUs across vodkas, bourbons, whiskeys, gins, moonshines, and cordials.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale model. DTC revenue comes from an on-site tasting room, a full cocktail bar at the distillery (cocktails $10-$15, flights $32-$45), distillery tours, mixology classes, three private-event spaces, and an Arkansas-exclusive Local Bottle Club subscription offering quarterly limited releases. Wholesale distribution runs through state-specific partners across 19 U.S. states and D.C., with digital sales supported by the shop.rocktowndistillery.com storefront and the SevenFifty trade platform. Pricing across the bar and merchandise follows unit pricing with pay-as-you-go billing; the Local Bottle Club is the only recurring subscription stream.

The company markets itself through its website, a 600+ recipe content library, an email newsletter, and active social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok), with earned media coverage in outlets such as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and American Craft Spirits magazine. It is founder-owned and operated by Phil and Diana Brandon with no disclosed institutional funding, parent company, subsidiaries, or public listing. The company has accumulated a consistent record of international awards since 2013, including Double Gold Medals, Best in Class awards, and 94-95/100 scores from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, John Barleycorn Awards, Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, and the Ascot Awards.

Name

Rock Town Distillery

Legal name

Rock Town Distillery, Inc.

Website

https://rocktowndistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rock Town Distillery is a privately held Arkansas craft distillery producing award-winning vodkas, gins, bourbons, whiskeys, cordials, and moonshine at its Little Rock facility, selling direct-to-consumer through an on-site cocktail bar, tours, events, and a subscription club, and wholesale through distributors across 19 U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft distilled spirits
• Small batch bourbon
• Artisan whiskey production
• Craft cocktail bar
• Distillery tasting room

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Bottle Sales: Direct retail sales of spirits including vodka, gin, bourbon, whiskey, liqueurs, and moonshine through online shop and distillery location. Products sold in various sizes (200ml, 750ml, 1L, 1.75L).
2. On-site Bar and Cocktail Sales: Full cocktail bar at the distillery serving craft cocktails, seasonal drinks, mocktails, beer and wine. Cocktail prices range from $10-$15 with happy hour discounts.
3. Local Bottle Club Membership: Quarterly subscription program offering exclusive limited releases and single barrels reserved for Arkansas members. Members pay quarterly and pick up bottles at the distillery.
4. Private Events: Venue rental for corporate functions, business meetings, retirement celebrations, training sessions, client events, birthday celebrations, engagement parties, and reunions. Includes private guided tours.
5. Tours and Cocktail Classes: Distillery tours and cocktail classes led by experienced mixologists where participants learn techniques and get to drink what they make.
6. Wholesale Distribution: Products distributed through network of state-specific distributors across the U.S. including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Washington.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rock Town Distillery is an Arkansas craft distillery that produces small-batch vodka, gin, bourbon, rye whiskey, liqueurs, cordials, and moonshine using Arkansas-grown grains distilled in copper potstills and column stills. The company operates a tasting room, full cocktail bar, distillery tours, cocktail classes, and private event venue at its Little Rock headquarters, with additional sales via online shop, Local Bottle Club membership, and a wholesale distribution network across 19 U.S. states. Its product portfolio exceeds 50 SKUs across multiple spirit categories and has earned more than 40 international competition awards.

Product overview

Rock Town Distillery is an Arkansas craft distillery producing a comprehensive portfolio of award-winning spirits including vodka, gin, bourbon, whiskey, and craft cordials. The core product lines include multiple flavored vodkas (Rock Town Vodka, Grapefruit, Lemon, Basil, Mandarin, Watermelon, Blueberry Lemon, and Salted Vanilla), bourbon and whiskey offerings (Arkansas Bourbon, Column Still Collection, Single Barrel Program, and specialty expressions like Peated, Rye, Four Grain Sour Mash, Barley, Chocolate Malt, and Golden Promise), craft cordials (Triple Sec, Peach, Ginger, Elderflower, Creme de Cacao, Coffee, Bourbon Cream, and Black Raspberry), gin varieties (Brandon's Gin and Rock Town Gin), and moonshine products. The Column Still Collection represents a strategic partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company enabling production using Arkansas-grown grains. The company also offers membership programs (Local Bottle Club), distillery tours, cocktail classes, full cocktail bar services, and private event hosting at their Little Rock, Arkansas location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Column Still Collection: A special line of expertly distilled and creatively finished bourbons, born from a partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company to meet bourbon demand using Arkansas-grown grains.
• Rock Town Local Bottle Club

Products and services

• Rock Town Vodka Small batch hand-crafted vodka distilled 6 times from corn, 80 proof, naturally gluten-free, available in 200ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L bottles. Awarded Double Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93 at Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Flavored Vodka Line (Grapefruit, Lemon, Basil, Mandarin, Watermelon, Blueberry Lemon, Salted Vanilla) A line of all-natural flavored vodkas built on the Rock Town Vodka base, including Grapefruit, Lemon, Basil, Mandarin (satsuma), Watermelon, Blueberry Lemon, and Salted Vanilla expressions. Available in 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L sizes, designed for cocktails and easy sipping. The Salted Vanilla Vodka won 2026 Double Gold Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competition with a 99/100 score.
• Arkansas Bourbon Distilled from Arkansas corn and wheat at the Little Rock distillery; the first Bourbon Whiskey produced in Arkansas. 92 proof, mashbill of 82% corn, 9% wheat, 9% malted barley, aged in 25-gallon new charred oak barrels from Gibbs Brothers Cooperage. Awarded Gold Medal at 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 94/100 at the 2019 Whisky Bible.
• Column Still Collection Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Bottled un-cut and un-filtered, hand selected by Head Distiller Phil Brandon, made from 79% Arkansas corn, 8% Arkansas wheat, and 13% malted barley. Column distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company and aged at least 34 months in Kelvin and Gibbs Cooperage barrels. Awarded 94/100 at Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Double Gold Medal and Best in Class at 2023 John Barleycorn Awards.
• Column Still Collection Small Batch Straight Bourbon Small batch bourbon from the Column Still Collection with confectionary aromas of caramel flan, baked apple, and torched sugar. Awarded Gold Medal at 2023 WSWA Tasting Competition and 92/100 at 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Column Still Collection Toasted French Oak Finished Straight Bourbon Bourbon finished in new medium-plus toasted French oak barrels with notes of cinnamon, baking spices and caramelized sugar. Bottled at 100 proof. Awarded 95/100 at 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Gold Medal at 2023 Barleycorn Awards.
• Column Still Collection Turbinado Rum Cask Finished Bourbon A 6-year aged bourbon finished in turbinado rum casks with rich layers of brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, oak, and warm spice. An Arkansas-exclusive release reserved for Local Bottle Club members.
• 4YR Bottled in Bond Arkansas Bourbon Premium small batch bourbon meeting the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 standards, distilled from Arkansas corn, wheat, and malted barley. Bottled at 100 proof and aged at least 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse. Awarded 91/100 at 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Arkansas Straight Rye Premium small batch rye whiskey from southeast Arkansas rye grain and corn with a mashbill of 56% rye, 34% corn, 10% malted barley. Awarded 2021 Double Platinum at Ascot Awards, 95/100 at IWSC UK, and Gold Medal at 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Peated Arkansas Straight Bourbon Arkansas bourbon with smoky character from heavily peated malt; mashbill of 82% corn, 9% heavily peated malt, 9% malted barley.
• La Harpe Low Rye Straight Bourbon Low rye bourbon with less than 20% rye content; double distilled in a copper potstill from Arkansas corn, rye, and malted barley with a mashbill of 75% corn, 12% rye, 13% malted barley.
• Four Grain Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Small batch bourbon using a mash of Arkansas corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley with the sour mash technique. Mashbill of 73% corn, 9% rye, 9% wheat, 9% malted barley. Awarded Gold Medal at 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95/100 at 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Barley Straight Bourbon Bourbon using unmalted barley with a mashbill of 61% corn, 30% unmalted barley, 9% malted barley. Awarded 95.5/100 at the 2020 Whisky Bible and 95/100 at the 2017 Whisky Bible; described as one of the non-Kentucky bourbons of the year.
• Chocolate Malt Straight Bourbon Bourbon using dark brewers malt that adds distinct roasted coffee notes and bittersweet dark chocolate undertones. Mashbill of 82% corn, 9% Chocolate Malt, 9% malted barley. Awarded 93/100 at 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Golden Promise Straight Bourbon Bourbon using Golden Promise Malt, a heritage malt from the UK used in famous Scotch whiskies. Adds honeyed sweetness and oily creaminess; mashbill of 82% corn, 9% Golden Promise Malt, 9% malted barley. Awarded 93/100 at Tastings.com.
• Cognac Cask Single Malt Double distilled in a copper potstill, aged 2 years in ex-bourbon casks then 2 years in 500L ex-cognac puncheons (4 years total). Blended from two mashbills using brewers pale malt, brown malt, 2-row malt, and peated malt.
• Winner's Circle Bourbon 2026 An annual racing-themed series inaugural release distilled from Arkansas corn, wheat, and malted barley at Bardstown Bourbon Company and aged 6 years. Bottled at 101 proof, featuring commissioned artwork by Arkansas artist Michael Shaeffer; created once and never again as a collector's bottle.
• Single Barrel Whiskey Program Custom single barrel selections including Single Barrel Arkansas Bourbon, Single Barrel Rye, Single Barrel Chocolate Malt Bourbon, Single Barrel Golden Promise Bourbon, and Single Barrel Four Grain Sour Mash Straight Bourbon. Hand-selected by Head Distiller Phil Brandon for exceptional quality.
• Brandon's Gin American-style gin handmade using a copper potstill, one small batch at a time. Botanicals are vapor infused during distillation including juniper, coriander, angelica, cinnamon, lemon peel, orange peel, and anise. Awarded Gold Medal at 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Rock Town Gin London Dry style gin distilled 6 times from corn and filtered to be ultra-smooth. Made with juniper, coriander, orris root, cassia bark, and angelica root; 90 proof and naturally gluten-free. Available in 1L bottle size.
• Arkansas Lightning Moonshine High-proof traditional moonshine bottled at 110 proof.
• Apple Pie Moonshine (40 Proof and 100 Proof) Apple pie flavored moonshine available at 40 proof for approachable sweetness and at 100 proof for higher intensity. Crafted as a traditional flavored moonshine.
• Triple Sec Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural orange for fresh squeezed taste and mouth-watering orange aroma. Designed for margaritas, cosmopolitans, and other cocktails. Awarded 90/100 at 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Silver Medal at 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Peach Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural Arkansas peaches using vacuum distillation to create fresh aromas and taste. Bottled at 36 proof; designed for mixing in cocktails.
• Ginger Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural ginger beer for warm, spicy ginger beer finish. Great for Martinis, whiskey sours, and other cocktails. Bottled at 56 proof and awarded Gold Medal at 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Elderflower Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural elderflower and honey. Vacuum distillation of Arkansas-grown elderflower petals creates fresh floral aromas and taste. Bottled at 40 proof. Awarded Double Gold Medal at 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Crème de Cacao Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural cacao. Steeped cacao nibs create a rich chocolate taste and aroma. Bottled at 48 proof and designed for chocolate martinis, grasshoppers, and other cocktails.
• Coffee Liqueur Handmade by traditional methods one small batch at a time, blended with cold-brewed coffee from Leiva's Arkansas-roasted Guatemalan Coffee beans. Awarded Best in Class at 2023 New Orleans Spirits Competition.
• Bourbon Cream Rich, sweet blend of cream and Arkansas Bourbon Whiskey. Designed to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in hot coffee. Bottled at 34 proof; contains soy.
• Black Raspberry Liqueur Hand-crafted in small batches from all-natural black raspberry, sweetened with real cane sugar. Bottled at 33 proof; designed for kir royals, martinis, mules, and other cocktails.
• Rock Town Local Bottle Club Membership An Arkansas-exclusive quarterly membership program offering exclusive limited releases and single barrels reserved for Arkansas members. Members pay quarterly and pick up bottles at the distillery. Includes virtual masterclasses, VIP access to distillery releases, and complimentary tour tickets.
• Cocktail Bar Services Full cocktail bar at the Little Rock distillery serving craft cocktails, seasonal drinks, mocktails, beer and wine. Cocktails priced $10-$15, with happy hour discounts Tuesday through Sunday 3-6 PM. Flights priced $32-$45. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
• Distillery Tours Captivating behind-the-scenes tours of the award-winning craft spirits distillery led by Spirit Guides. Immersive experience in the art and science of distillation with the opportunity to witness the distillation process firsthand.
• Cocktail Classes Mixology classes led by experienced mixologists exploring the art of cocktail creation. Hands-on experience learning techniques behind signature drinks with the opportunity to drink what participants make.
• Private Events Unique event spaces for corporate functions including business meetings, retirement celebrations, training sessions, client events, birthday celebrations, engagement parties, and reunions. Three different event spaces are available, with optional private guided distillery tours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gold Medal, Double Gold Medal, and Best in Class awards at San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• +2 more outcomes

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

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bardstown Bourbon CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Rock Town Distillery partners with Bardstown Bourbon Company through their Collaborative Distilling Program. Head Distiller Phil Brandon travels to Bardstown, Kentucky to produce bourbon using Rock Town's own recipes and Arkansas-grown grains. 180,000 lbs of Arkansas corn and wheat are trucked 500 miles to Bardstown where distillation occurs. The resulting Column Still Collection combines Kentucky distillation expertise with Arkansas agriculture.
• Stratton SeedcoreOthersArkansas grain partner supplying Stratton Seed from Stuttgart, Arkansas. Provides 180,000 lbs of Arkansas-grown corn and wheat annually for the Column Still Collection bourbon production.
• Gibbs Brothers CooperagecoreOthersArkansas cooperage that produces the new charred oak barrels used for aging Rock Town bourbon. Supports local Arkansas manufacturing and supply chain.
• Kelvin CooperageminorOthersCooperage supplier providing barrels for Column Still Collection bourbon aging. Barrels are #4 Char from Kelvin Cooperage.
• Leiva's CoffeeminorOthersArkansas-based coffee roaster supplying Guatemalan coffee beans for Rock Town's Coffee Liqueur. Leiva's uses profits to help improve lives of coffee growers and their families in Guatemala.
• Moon DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArkansas state distributor for Rock Town products.
• LibDibcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for California, Florida, and New York markets.
• Prestige-LedroitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for DC, Delaware, and Maryland markets.
• MomentumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado state distributor for Rock Town products.
• Highland ImportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConnecticut state distributor for Rock Town products.
• Prime Wine & SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeorgia state distributor for Rock Town products.
• BC MerchantscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois state distributor for Rock Town products.
• Heritage Wine and SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKentucky state distributor for Rock Town products.
• AtlanticcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMassachusetts state distributor for Rock Town products.
• FedwaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Jersey state distributor for Rock Town products.
• Artisan Wine & SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOklahoma state distributor for Rock Town products.
• Eagle – MemphiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMemphis, Tennessee distributor for Rock Town products.
• Ajax Turner – NashvillecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNashville, Tennessee distributor for Rock Town products.
• VehrscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWashington state distributor for Rock Town products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Laws Whiskey House: Colorado grain-to-glass craft bourbon distillery sourcing local heirloom grains; mirrors Rock Town''s grain-to-glass narrative, small-batch ethos, and award-driven premium positioning.
• Corsair Distillery: Nashville-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and specialty spirits; mirrors Rock Town''s multi-spirit, experimental-mashbill approach and craft-distillery experience model.
• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky-based craft bourbon and whiskey producer with award-winning small-batch and single-barrel offerings; directly comparable as a craft distillery scaling award-recognized bourbon through both DTC and wholesale channels.
• Koval Distillery: Chicago craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, and specialty spirits with organic-grain sourcing; parallels Rock Town''s craft-distilling model, multi-spirit portfolio, and DTC-plus-distribution GTM.
• Balcones Distilling: Texas award-winning craft distillery known for distinctive bourbon and whiskey expressions; comparable as a small-batch, award-decorated craft distillery competing in premium U.S. whiskey.
• Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. Louisville craft distillery producing bourbon, brandy, and gin with an on-site bar and tasting room; comparable craft-distillery-plus-experience model in the premium American spirits category.
• Smooth Ambler: West Virginia craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and specialty spirits; similar size, award-winning craft profile, and multi-state wholesale distribution.
• Treaty Oak Distilling: Texas craft distillery producing bourbon, gin, vodka, and liqueurs with an on-site tasting room and cocktail bar; comparable multi-category portfolio plus distillery-based experience revenue.
• Catoctin Creek Distillery: Virginia craft distillery specializing in rye whiskey and other small-batch spirits; comparable as a founder-led, award-collecting craft distillery with a tasting room and DTC focus.

Broad incumbents

• Bardstown Bourbon Company: Larger Kentucky bourbon producer operating the Collaborative Distilling Program used by Rock Town for its Column Still Collection; both partner and broader incumbent with significantly greater scale and capacity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rocktowndistill
• Facebookfacebook.com/rocktowndistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/rocktowndistill
• Pinterestpinterest.com/rocktowndistill/_saved
• TikToktiktok.com/@rocktowndistillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Rock Town Distillery