Axe and the Oak Distillery

What Axe and the Oak Distillery does

Axe and the Oak Distillery is a craft spirits producer founded in 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, operating as a privately held single-entity business under founder Jason Jackson. The company distills a portfolio of whiskeys (Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey, Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey, First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon, Hotshots Bourbon, Armagnac Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey Cask Reserve), specialty spirits (Pikes Peak Hill Shine moonshine-style spirit, Colorado Mountain Wheat Vodka), and modern gins (Colorado Mountain Citra Gin, Dream Stream Barrel Aged Gin) using Rocky Mountain water and locally sourced Colorado grains. Production occurs at a single Colorado Springs distillery with no disclosed second production site.

The business generates revenue across four streams: (1) direct spirits sales via distillery pickup, online shipping through the Passion Spirits distributor network, and third-party Find Near You retailers; (2) on-premise cocktail and tasting room revenue from the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House, a venue established in 2016 inside the Ivywild School community marketplace roughly one mile south of downtown Colorado Springs; (3) branded merchandise including apparel, etched rocks glasses, used 53-gallon whiskey barrels, tobacco bitters, and a co-branded Tobacco Old Fashioned soy candle produced with Light Provisions Co.; and (4) private event rentals covering corporate gatherings, birthdays, and whiskey tastings across a Stage Room (30 seated/60 standing) and full Whiskey House buyout (80 seated/150 standing). Customers are primarily individual whiskey and gin enthusiasts, local visitors and tourists to Colorado Springs, and event hosts; weekly bottling parties and an Industry Night program extend acquisition channels. Distribution is U.S.-only, with no disclosed international operations.

Name

Axe and the Oak Distillery

Legal name

Axe and the Oak Distillery

Website

https://axeandtheoakdistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Axe and the Oak Distillery is a Colorado Springs craft distillery producing bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, vodka, and moonshine-style spirits from local grains and Rocky Mountain water, selling direct-to-consumer and through the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House venue at Ivywild School.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Whiskey Distillery

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

Keywords

• Craft whiskey production
• Small batch spirits
• Bourbon distillery
• Whiskey tasting room
• Craft distillery tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales: Direct sale of distilled spirits including bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, and specialty spirits through the distillery, tasting room, and shipped directly to customers
2. Whiskey House Revenue: Cocktail sales and tasting room operations at the Whiskey House venue featuring handcrafted cocktails made with flagship spirits
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and barrel-aged products
4. Private Events: Event space rental and hosting services for corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations, and whiskey-tasting experiences at the Whiskey House

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Axe and the Oak Distillery is a craft whiskey and spirits producer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that handcrafts small-batch bourbons, rye whiskeys, gin, vodka, and a moonshine-style spirit using Rocky Mountain water and local Colorado grains. The company sells bottles directly from its distillery, ships them across the United States through the Passion Spirits retailer network, and operates the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House tasting room and cocktail bar at the Ivywild School community marketplace, where it also hosts private events and bottling parties.

Product overview

Axe and the Oak Distillery is a craft whiskey distillery in Colorado Springs, Colorado offering a portfolio of spirits including bourbon whiskeys (Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey, First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon, Hotshots Bourbon Whiskey), rye whiskeys (Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey, Armagnac Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey Cask Reserve), specialty spirits (Pikes Peak Hill Shine moonshine-style spirit, Colorado Mountain Wheat Vodka), and gins (Colorado Mountain Citra Gin, Dream Stream Barrel Aged Gin). The distillery also operates the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House as a tasting room and cocktail bar. Beyond spirits, the company sells merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, hats), whiskey barrel accessories, etched glassware, tobacco bitters, and candles. The distillery offers bottling party experiences and hosts private events at its Whiskey House location inside Ivywild School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey Flagship high-rye blended bourbon whiskey at 92 proof, sold in 750ml bottles, with tasting notes of vanilla bean, caramel glaze, warm corn bread, cinnamon butter, and fresh leather. Targeted at whiskey enthusiasts and cocktail drinkers.
• Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey 98 proof rye whiskey with a 95% rye mash bill aged 3 years, sold in 750ml bottles, with tasting notes of rich oak, cinnamon, sweet vanilla, rye bread, fresh cut grass, and bright oak. Targeted at rye whiskey connoisseurs.
• Pikes Peak Hill Shine 100 proof moonshine-style spirit made with real cane sugar and corn, rye, and barley, sold in 750ml bottles, with tasting notes of sweet cream corn, black pepper, salt water taffy, apricot, soft caramel, toffee, marshmallow, and grapefruit. Targeted at moonshine and novelty spirit buyers.
• Colorado Mountain Citra Gin 90 proof unaged, non-chilled filtered modern gin featuring juniper, orange peel, coriander, angelica root, and bergamot, with a citrus-forward profile. Sold in 750ml bottles and targeted at gin drinkers seeking an alternative to traditional juniper-heavy gins.
• First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon Cask strength bourbon whiskey offering for direct shipment, targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking higher-proof, undiluted expressions.
• Dream Stream Barrel Aged Gin Barrel-aged gin variant available for direct shipment, targeted at gin drinkers and whiskey-curious consumers seeking aged botanical complexity.
• Colorado Mountain Wheat Vodka Wheat-based vodka produced at the distillery and available for direct shipment, targeted at vodka drinkers and craft spirits enthusiasts.
• Hotshots Bourbon Whiskey Bourbon whiskey offering available for direct shipment, targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking a craft option at a value price point.
• Armagnac Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey Rye whiskey finished in Armagnac barrels, available for direct shipment, targeted at rye and specialty whiskey enthusiasts.
• Rye Whiskey Cask Reserve Cask reserve variant of rye whiskey available for direct shipment, targeted at collectors and rye whiskey enthusiasts.
• Axe and the Oak Whiskey House (Tasting Room and Cocktail Bar) On-site tasting room and full cocktail bar at the Ivywild School in Colorado Springs, serving handcrafted cocktails made with flagship spirits, hosting live local music on weekends, and offering Industry Night specials for hospitality workers. Open Wednesday-Sunday. Targeted at visitors, locals, and cocktail enthusiasts.
• Private Events at the Whiskey House Event space rental at the Whiskey House for corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations, and whiskey-tasting experiences, with two venue options: the Stage Room (30 seated / 60 standing) or a full Whiskey House buyout (80 seated / 150 standing). Catering available from Ivywild School on-site restaurants. Targeted at event hosts and corporate organizers.
• Bottling Party Experiences Weekly behind-the-scenes bottling experiences held every Wednesday at the distillery, open to whiskey lovers and tourists. Targeted at visitors and brand enthusiasts seeking an authentic craft distillery experience.
• Tobacco Bitters Distillery's flagship homemade bitters, made from a blend of different herbs and spices, used in the signature Tobacco Old Fashioned cocktail. Targeted at home cocktail enthusiasts and bartenders.
• Axe and the Oak Branded Apparel and Accessories Distillery branded merchandise including Everyday Trucker Hat ($25), 7-Panel Snapback Hat ($35), T-Shirt ($25), and Pullover Hoodie ($45). Targeted at brand fans and gift purchasers.
• Used Whiskey Barrel (53-gallon) Used 53-gallon bourbon and rye barrels sold at $150 each for DIY furniture projects, home-brew projects, or event and home decor. Cannot be shipped. Targeted at home brewers, decorators, and craft hobbyists.
• Axe and the Oak Etched Rocks Glasses Deep-etched, dishwasher-safe rocks glasses sold at $15 each. Targeted at spirits enthusiasts and gift purchasers.
• Tobacco Old Fashioned Soy Candle Hand-poured soy candle by Light Provisions Co. featuring vanilla, clove, orange, tobacco, and leather scents, packaged in an etched Axe and the Oak Rocks Glass. Sold at $15. Targeted at home goods and gift purchasers.
• Whiskey House Gift Card Stored-value gift cards redeemable at the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House establishment. Targeted at gift purchasers and regular patrons.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Passion Spirits, LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPassion Spirits operates as the independent third-party retailer network that facilitates the sale and delivery of Axe and the Oak spirits products to customers across the USA. Orders for delivery are handled through licensed retailers in the Passion Spirits network.
• Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Distillery Sponsor of the PPIHC. The Pikes Peak Hill Shine bottle artwork was inspired by Rea Lentz, winner of the first Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1916, driving his homemade car to the peak of Pikes Peak.
• Light Provisions Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Colorado Springs candlemaker Brett Owens produces the Tobacco Old Fashioned Soy Candle, which features soy wax and scents of vanilla, clove, orange, tobacco, and leather in etched Axe and the Oak Rocks Glasses.
• Ivywild SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Axe and the Oak Whiskey House is located inside the historic Ivywild School, a local community marketplace and co-op space just a mile south of downtown Colorado Springs. Catering is available from Ivywild School's on-site restaurants for private events.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Leopold Bros: Denver craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and other spirits with on-site hospitality. Comparable multi-category craft spirits portfolio and tasting room operations.
• Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey: Iconic Colorado craft whiskey distillery based in Denver, producing single malt whiskey with national distribution. Direct competitor in the Colorado craft whiskey narrative and shelf space.
• Laws Whiskey House: Denver-based craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and malt whiskeys from Colorado grain with a tasting room. Comparable grain-to-glass sourcing story and core whiskey SKU overlap.
• Distillery 291: Colorado Springs-area craft whiskey distillery producing bourbon, rye, and specialty spirits. Direct local market peer competing for the same tourist and Colorado craft customer base.
• Breckenridge Distillery: Colorado-based craft whiskey distillery producing bourbon, rye, and other spirits with a tasting room and restaurant. Closely comparable product mix, regional positioning, and DTC + distribution model.
• Denver Distillery: Colorado craft distillery with on-site bar and restaurant serving house-made spirits. Comparable craft + hospitality combination and Colorado DTC positioning.
• Wood's High Mountain Distillery: Colorado craft whiskey distillery with tasting room and local grain sourcing. Comparable craft positioning, hospitality model, and SKU structure.

Broad incumbents

• Wild Turkey (Campari Group): Established bourbon producer with national distribution and deep aged inventory. Sets the competitive bar on shelf placement and pricing in the bourbon category Axe and the Oak competes in.
• Mitcher's Distillery: Premium American whiskey producer with broad bourbon, rye, and specialty spirits portfolio. Relevant as a craft-adjacent benchmark for aged whiskey pricing and limited release strategy.

Regional players

• Boulder Spirits: Colorado craft distillery producing whiskeys and liqueurs with a tasting room. Same regional Colorado craft spirits category but operating in a different metro (Boulder).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/axeandtheoak
• Facebookfacebook.com/axeandtheoakdistillery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/axeandtheoakdistillery

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 Axe and the Oak Distillery