What Iron Fish Distillery does

Iron Fish Distillery is a craft distillery operating as Michigan's first farm distillery from a 120-acre site in Thompsonville, Michigan, along the Betsie River watershed. Founded in 2016, the company grows a majority of its grain on-site and controls the full production chain from milling and mashing through fermentation and barrel aging, using a custom pot still from German manufacturer Kothe Destillationstechnik alongside a column still for clear spirits. The portfolio includes flagship spirits (vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, rye), a Mad Angler estate whiskey series finished in barrels sourced from maple, rum, cognac, sherry, mezcal and stout casks, the Barrel Strength high-proof lineup, an annual Soft Parade Vodka collaboration with Short's Brewing, and the Copper Queen historic whiskey revive. A native yeast program with Craft Cultures and a 3,000+ barrel aging library underpin single-barrel and Four Cask blending programs.

The business operates a diversified revenue model combining DTC bottle sales (e-commerce shipping to 38 states plus D.C.), wholesale distribution across Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Colorado via major retailers including Meijer, Family Fare and Total Wines, and on-premise bar and restaurant accounts. A large portion of revenue and brand equity comes from the on-site destination experience, which includes a tasting room, the 54-seat Still Room bar with wood-fired pizza and craft cocktails, farm distillery tours, weddings and corporate events in the Barn, Headwaters Gallery and patio venues, and short-term farmhouse and Holly House Airbnb rentals that together draw more than 100,000 visitors per year. A 200-member Whiskey Club at $350 per year provides recurring direct revenue. The company holds MAEAP certification for sustainable farming, operates on-farm solar generation, runs a charitable Arctic Grayling Research Fund, and is privately held following a December 2025 co-founder ownership transition that consolidated control under David Wallace and Heidi Bolger.

Name

Iron Fish Distillery

Legal name

Iron Fish Distillery

Website

https://ironfishdistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iron Fish Distillery is a Michigan craft distillery operating a 120-acre farm-to-spirit production site in Thompsonville, producing award-winning whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and bourbon sold via DTC, a 200-member Whiskey Club, and wholesale across four US states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140)

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), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft distillery spirits
• Farm-to-glass whiskey
• Bourbon whiskey production
• Craft spirit tasting room
• Distillery tourism experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Thompsonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Bottle Sales: Direct sales of craft spirits including bourbon, whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum through the tasting room, online orders (shipped to 38 states + D.C.), and retail distribution in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado.
2. Tasting Room & On-Site Experience: The distillery attracts over 100,000 visitors annually to the Thompsonville location, generating revenue through spirits sales, cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, and food service. The tasting room and Still Room (54 seats) offer craft cocktails and food.
3. Whiskey Club Subscription: Annual membership program ($350/year) featuring three unique whiskey releases per year, exclusive club bottles, locker space at the distillery, 10% discount on purchases, free tours, and discounted event space rental. Limited to 200 members.
4. Event Hosting & Private Events: Revenue from hosting weddings, private events, corporate gatherings in venues including the Barn (up to 200 guests), Headwaters Gallery (6-35 guests), East Patio, Courtyard, and Still Room. Includes holiday gathering packages and cocktail-making classes.
5. Farmhouse Rental: Short-term rentals of the historic farmhouse (3 bed, 2 bath) and Holly House (2 bed) through Airbnb, located 1.5 miles from Crystal Mountain Resort.
6. Distillery Tours: Guided tours of the farm distillery, barrel room, and rickhouses with tastings. Also offers specialized experiences like Distillery Overview Tour ($10/person) and Barrel Aging & Rickhouse Tour.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Iron Fish Distillery is Michigan's first farm distillery producing a full portfolio of craft spirits including bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and ready-to-drink cocktails from grain grown on its 120-acre farm. Beyond its bottled spirits, the company operates a tasting room and Still Room bar, farm distillery tours, private event venues (Barn, Headwaters Gallery, East Patio), wedding services, and Airbnb farmhouse rentals, blending spirits manufacturing with destination hospitality experiences.

Product overview

Iron Fish Distillery is Michigan's first farm distillery offering a diversified portfolio of craft spirits produced through a complete soil-to-spirit process. The product lineup centers on flagship spirits (vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, whiskey) with distinctive sub-brands including the Mad Angler Series premium whiskeys, Barrel Strength Series of high-proof finished bourbons, and the seasonal Soft Parade Vodka collaboration. The distillery operates a Single Barrel Select Program for custom barrel selections and offers a Whiskey Club membership. Beyond spirits, they provide experiential offerings including farm distillery tours, private event spaces (Barn, Headwaters Gallery, East Patio), wedding services, and farmhouse accommodations. Products are available at Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado retailers plus direct-to-consumer online delivery to 38 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mad Angler® Series: A three-bottle whiskey series including Bottled in Bond Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, and Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey, all 100% distilled and aged at Iron Fish Distillery using Michigan grain. Named in honor of Northern Michigan poet Michael Delp.
• Soft Parade® Vodka
• Barrel Strength Series
• Arctic Grayling Rye Whiskey
• Copper Queen™ Whiskey
• Single Barrel Select & Custom Blending Program
• Whiskey Club

Products and services

• Spirits Collection (Flagship Products) Range of craft spirits including vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and bourbon produced through a soil-to-spirit process from grain grown on the 120-acre Iron Fish farm in Thompsonville, Michigan. Flagship products include Michigan Woodland Gin, Maple Bourbon Whiskey, and Michigan Rye Vodka, sold at the on-site tasting room, online (38 states + D.C.), and through retailers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado.
• Soft Parade Vodka Fruit-infused vodka created in collaboration with Short's Brewing Company, released annually as a seasonal springtime tradition in Michigan featuring real fruit infusions. Available at retailers throughout Michigan and via Iron Fish online ordering.
• Mad Angler Series Premium whiskey series including Bottled in Bond Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, and Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey, all 100% distilled and aged at Iron Fish Distillery using Michigan grain and aged at least four years. Named in honor of Northern Michigan poet Michael Delp.
• Barrel Strength Series High-proof single-barrel bourbon whiskeys (112-116 proof) finished in a variety of specialty barrels including Maple Syrup, Caribbean Rum, Cognac, Sherry, Mezcal, Stout, and Islay Scotch barrels, featuring diverse flavor profiles drawn from a 3,000+ barrel library.
• Arctic Grayling Whiskey Commemorative rye whiskey supporting the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative to re-establish native grayling stock in Michigan waters, with proceeds contributing to the Iron Fish Arctic Grayling Research Fund.
• Copper Queen Whiskey Historic bourbon whiskey resurrected from 1914 Keweenaw Peninsula label, a 86-proof blend of corn, rye, and malt rye. Sold with charitable contributions benefiting the historic Calumet Theatre in Calumet, Michigan.
• Single Barrel Select & Custom Blending Program Custom hand-selected barrel program offering single barrel selections and Four Cask custom blending experiences for consumers and licensed retailers, drawn from a 3,000+ barrel library of bourbon and rye whiskies finished in Maple, Rum, Cognac, Sherry, Mezcal, and Stout barrels.
• Ready-to-Drink Cocktails Pre-bottled craft cocktails including Salted Maple Old Fashioned, Toasted Godfather Old Fashioned, and Black Manhattan, available in 375ml and 750ml formats for at-home consumption.
• Whiskey Club Membership Annual membership program ($350/year) featuring three unique whiskey releases per year, locker space at the distillery, a 10% discount on all purchases, a free tour per year ($70 value), event space discounts ($75 value), and exclusive apparel. Limited to 200 members.
• Farm Distillery Tours Immersive guided educational tours through the farm distillery process, including grain fields, milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, barrel aging, and rickhouses. Tours end with tastings of Iron Fish spirits. Distillery Overview Tour priced at $10/person, with specialized Barrel Aging & Rickhouse Tour experiences also available.
• Still Room Bar & Tasting Room On-site tasting room and 54-seat Still Room bar offering craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, and a food menu. Cocktails range $9-$14, food items $6-$25. Functions as the distillery's primary direct-to-consumer retail and hospitality venue.
• Private Event Spaces Event venue rental program including the historic timber Barn (up to 200 guests), Headwaters Gallery speakeasy (6-35 guests), East Patio, and Courtyard. Includes holiday gathering packages with catering at $65-$85 per person, cocktail-making classes at $35 per person, and full-service event coordination.
• Wedding Venue & Services Wedding venue and event services at the distillery's 119-acre farm featuring a historic timber-frame barn, outdoor ceremony space in maple forest (up to 150 guests), and on-site catering options including cocktail service.
• Farmhouse Rental (Airbnb) Short-term vacation rental of the historic 3-bedroom, 2-bath farmhouse (sleeps 6) on the distillery's 119-acre property, listed on Airbnb and located 1.5 miles from Crystal Mountain Resort. Includes the Holly House two-bedroom split-level rental.
• Online Spirits Delivery Direct-to-consumer e-commerce home delivery of Iron Fish spirits, available to 38 states plus Washington D.C., with online ordering and shipping for all distillery products (excluding select states where prohibited).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 visitors annually to the farm distillery
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Short's Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Michigan craft beverage partnership creating Soft Parade Vodka, a highly anticipated seasonal fruit-infused vodka release. The collaboration combines Iron Fish's distilling expertise with Short's brewing innovation for a Michigan springtime tradition. Soft Parade is available at retailers throughout Michigan and through online ordering.
• Calumet TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership to resurrect Copper Queen Whiskey, a 100-year-old whiskey label originally served in Red Jacket saloons. Iron Fish makes charitable contributions to benefit the historic Calumet Theatre in Calumet, Michigan.
• Michigan State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for adopting farming practices under the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program designed to protect surface and groundwater in the Betsie River watershed.
• Cherryland ElectricminorOthersLocal electric utility providing Michigan-leading renewable energy to supplement Iron Fish's solar panel production of 7,000 kilowatt hours annually.
• Berlin PackagingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPackaging design partnership resulting in two Distinguished WorldStar Awards at the 2024 WorldStar Competition for innovative bottle design and decoration.
• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)minorOthersMAEAP certification for sustainable farming practices that protect surface and groundwater, demonstrating environmental stewardship.
• Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative (MAGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearly 50 organizations including Michigan DNR, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Wenger Foundation, and Trout Unlimited Chapters working since 2016 to restore self-sustaining populations of Arctic Grayling in Michigan rivers. Iron Fish supports through the Iron Fish Arctic Grayling Research Fund at Manistee County Community Foundation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• St. George Spirits: California craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and absinthe with a destination tasting room; comparable as a craft producer combining estate-style production with visitor experience.
• WhistlePig Whiskey: Vermont-based farm-distilled rye whiskey producer with strong destination experience, premium tier releases, and broad national distribution; comparable as a farm-anchored craft whiskey brand that has scaled nationally.
• Journeyman Distillery: Three Oaks, Michigan craft distillery operating a farm-to-spirits destination model with restaurant, tasting room, events, and a member's whiskey program — the most direct comparable as another Michigan craft distillery combining estate production with destination hospitality.
• Koval Distillery: Chicago-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs from organic grain with a tasting room and tours; a Midwest craft peer with farm-sourced grain positioning and on-site hospitality.
• Copper Fox Distillery: Virginia craft distillery focused on estate-grown grain whiskey with distinctive barrel-finishing programs; comparable as a smaller craft producer emphasizing provenance and custom barrel finishing.
• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky craft bourbon and rye distillery known for award-winning estate whiskeys; comparable as a craft distillery focused on quality, awards recognition, and limited estate production.
• Smooth Ambler Distillery: West Virginia craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and gin with estate and sourced whiskey programs; comparable as a craft whiskey-focused producer with award-winning releases and member programs.

Regional players

• Short's Brewing Company: Michigan craft brewery and Iron Fish's Soft Parade Vodka collaboration partner; comparable as a Michigan craft brand with seasonal limited releases and strong local cult following.
• New Holland Brewing: Michigan craft brewer and distiller (Knickerbocker whiskey, etc.) with broad Michigan distribution and taproom experience; comparable as a Michigan-based craft beverage producer with multi-product portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• High West Distillery: Utah-based craft distillery (now owned by Constellation Brands) with national distribution, destination saloon and tours, and award-winning whiskeys; comparable as a once-craft brand that scaled nationally and operates a tasting/destination experience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IronFishDistil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5x3T2BdxFZJQZq0AO0LMNA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ironfishdistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/ironfishdistillery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iron-fish-distillery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Iron Fish Distillery