Laird & Company
Laird & Company is America's oldest family-owned distillery (founded 1698), producing apple brandy, applejack, and ready-to-drink cocktails from its Scobeyville, NJ facility and distributing across 50 US states and 18 international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1780
- HeadquartersMonmouth Junction, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Laird & Company does
Laird & Company is America's oldest continuously operating family-owned distillery, founded in 1698 by William Laird in Monmouth County, New Jersey and formally incorporated in 1780 during the Revolutionary War. The company produces a portfolio of apple-based spirits — including Laird's Blended Applejack (35% aged apple brandy, 65% neutral spirits), Straight Applejack 86, unaged Jersey Lightning, and aged expressions ranging from 4-year Bottled in Bond to 12-year-old rare single-cask releases — alongside a 2024-launched line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails (American Mule, Lisa's Lemonade, Old Fashioned RTD). Production relies on traditional methods: fermentation of apple cider, distillation through copper stills, and aging in charred oak barrels (primarily once-used bourbon barrels) at the Scobeyville, NJ facility.
The company generates revenue through three primary channels: wholesale distribution via major US brokers (Southern Glazer, RNDC, Breakthru Beverage) and dedicated international distributors in 18 markets; direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its own storefront, which grew 300% year-on-year; and on-premise hospitality sales to restaurants and bars. Nine Laird family members wholly own the company under first-female-CEO Lisa Laird-Dunn (9th generation), with Gerard Laird-Dunn (10th generation) as VP of Operations. The company's go-to-market combines content marketing (cocktail recipes, heritage storytelling), social media presence, and PR around its 328-year historical narrative, with no disclosed revenue figures and one $10M funding round in 2026.
Laird & Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Laird & Company
- Legal name
- Laird & Company
- Website
- https://lairdandcompany.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1780
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Laird & Company is America's oldest family-owned distillery (founded 1698), producing apple brandy, applejack, and ready-to-drink cocktails from its Scobeyville, NJ facility and distributing across 50 US states and 18 international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Laird & Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Apple Brandy & Applejack
- NAICS
- Distilleries (31214), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (AFAFAAAE), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)
Keywords
Where Laird & Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Monmouth Junction
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Laird & Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through the company's e-commerce platform where consumers purchase bottles directly for home delivery. The company reported 300% year-on-year growth in online sales.
- Wholesale Distribution: Sale of products to distributors and wholesalers who then sell to retail establishments and ultimately consumers. Products are distributed across all 50 US states and 18 international markets through authorized distributor networks.
- Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Products: Sales of pre-mixed canned cocktails including American Mule and Lisa's Lemonade, which provide an additional revenue stream targeting convenience and ready-to-drink market segments.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Laird & Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Laird & Company manufactures and sells apple-based spirits, including blended applejack, straight applejack, aged apple brandies (ranging from 7.5 year to 12 year expressions and single cask releases), and ready-to-drink canned cocktails (American Mule, Lisa's Lemonade, Old Fashioned RTD). Production is carried out at the company's Scobeyville, New Jersey distillery using apple cider fermentation, copper still distillation, and charred oak barrel aging. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via an e-commerce storefront and distributed through wholesale networks across all 50 US states and 18 international markets.
Product overview
Laird & Company is America's oldest family-owned apple brandy and applejack distillery, founded in 1698, producing a portfolio of apple-based spirits from its Scobeyville, New Jersey facility. The product lineup includes Laird's Blended Applejack (35% aged apple brandy/65% neutral spirits), Laird's Straight Applejack 86 (100% apple brandy, 86 proof), Laird's Jersey Lightning (100-proof unaged apple brandy), Laird's Straight Apple Brandy Bottled in Bond (100 proof, minimum 4 years aged), Laird's 7½ Year Old Apple Brandy, Laird's 10th Generation Apple Brandy, Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy, and Laird's Single Cask Apple Brandy. The portfolio also includes ready-to-drink cocktails: Laird's American Mule, Laird's Old Fashioned RTD, and Laird's Lisa's Lemonade. The products range from approachable blended spirits for cocktails to premium aged brandies for sipping, representing over 325 years of continuous family distilling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Laird's Applejack: Flagship apple brandy product line including Blended Applejack (35% aged apple brandy, 65% neutral spirits, 80 proof) and Straight Applejack 86 (100% apple brandy, 86 proof, aged minimum 3 years).
- Laird's Apple Brandy
- Laird's Jersey Lightning
- Laird's Bottled in Bond
- Laird's American Mule
- Laird's Lisa's Lemonade
- Laird's Old Fashioned RTD
Products and services
- Laird's Blended Applejack A signature blend of 35% aged apple brandy and 65% neutral spirits at 80 proof, offering a smooth, approachable apple flavor with subtle caramel and oak notes suitable for cocktails.
- Laird's American Mule A ready-to-drink cocktail at 5.5% ABV combining apple brandy with ginger and natural flavors, served over ice in a copper mug for a refreshing take on the classic Moscow Mule; available in 355ml cans.
- Laird's 7½ Year Old Apple Brandy An 80-proof, 100% straight apple brandy aged 7.5 years in charred oak barrels, featuring rich notes of baked apple, cedar, and pear with deep wood and caramel undertones.
- Laird's Straight Applejack 86
- Laird's Jersey Lightning Unaged Apple Brandy
- Laird's Straight Apple Brandy Bottled in Bond
- Laird's 10th Generation Apple Brandy
- Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy
- Laird's Single Cask Apple Brandy
- Laird's Old Fashioned RTD
- Laird's Lisa's Lemonade A refreshing ready-to-drink cocktail combining Laird's apple brandy, vodka, and lemonade, available in a convenient 355ml can.
- America's 250th Limited Release A limited edition commemorative release celebrating the founding of America and the company's legacy.
Quantifiable outcome
- 300% year-on-year growth in online sales reported
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Laird & Company
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Laird & Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Laird & Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vanguard Luxury Brands Pty, Ltd.coreAustralian distributor for Laird's products, operating from Coogee NSW 2034. Represents Laird's brand in the Australian market.
- SPIRITS COMPANY gmbhcoreAustrian distributor located in Prambachkirchen. Handles distribution of Laird's apple brandy products in Austria.
- Amathus DrinkscoreUK-based importer and distributor handling Laird's products in Great Britain, operating from London NW10 7ST.
- Fenix Drink s.r.o.minorCzech Republic distributor handling Laird's products in the Eastern European market.
- Gotham EastcoreChinese distributor operating from Shanghai, representing Laird's products in the China market.
- Sprit & Co. APSminorDanish distributor based in Frederiksberg C, handling Laird's products in Denmark.
- Barrel BrothersminorGerman distributor based in Munich, representing Laird's products in the German market.
- Proof & Company Spirits, Ltd.coreHong Kong-based distributor operating from Sheung Wan, handling Laird's products in the Hong Kong market.
- Wholly SpiritsminorMalaysian distributor based in Kuala Lumpur, representing Laird's products in the Malaysian market.
- Gusta BrandsminorDutch distributor based in Amsterdam, handling Laird's products in the Netherlands market.
- Mineral Ltd.minorNew Zealand distributor based in Auckland, representing Laird's products in the New Zealand market.
- Proof & Co. Spirits Pte., Ltd.coreSingapore-based distributor at Telok Ayer Street, handling Laird's products in the Singapore market.
- E C ProofminorSingapore-based distributor at Hongkong Street, representing Laird's products in the Singapore market.
- Barkonsult/Cranberries ABminorSwedish distributor based in Stockholm, handling Laird's products in the Swedish market.
- BFLO & Co. LtdminorTaiwanese distributor based in Taipei City, representing Laird's products in the Taiwan market.
- Bootleggers TradingminorThai distributor based in Bangkok, handling Laird's products in the Thailand market.
- Southern Glazer Wine & SpiritscoreMajor US broker and distributor handling Laird's Applejack products across multiple states including Iowa.
- Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC)coreMajor US broker handling Laird's products in Michigan, Virginia, and West Virginia markets.
- Breakthru BeveragecoreMajor US distributor with locations handling Laird's products in Minnesota, Maryland, and DC markets.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Laird & Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey: Fast-growing American whiskey brand built on heritage narrative and premium positioning. Demonstrates the heritage-and-premium playbook that Laird is pursuing in apple brandy.
- Tuthilltown Spirits (Hudson Whiskey): New York-based craft distillery producing Hudson Whiskey and other spirits. Similar scale and craft positioning to Laird, focused on premium American spirits with strong on-premise presence.
Direct peers
- Christian Brothers Brandy: One of the best-selling American brandies, also part of a heritage portfolio. Directly competes with Laird in the apple and grape brandy category at the accessible price tier.
- Cutwater Spirits: San Diego-based craft distillery producing both bottled spirits and a leading line of RTD canned cocktails. Closest direct competitor to Laird's combined spirits + RTD strategy.
- Korbel Brandy: Long-established American brandy producer with similar mainstream positioning. Competes with Laird's blended applejack at approachable price points in on-premise and off-premise channels.
- High Noon Spirits: Market-leading RTD vodka-based canned cocktail brand. Competes directly with Laird's American Mule and Lisa's Lemonade in the convenience and casual occasion segment.
- Copper & Kings American Brandy: Louisville-based craft distiller focused on American brandy and other distilled spirits. Comparable in scale and craft positioning to Laird's premium aged apple brandy expressions.
Broad incumbents
- Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve): Major American spirits producer with extensive bourbon and whiskey portfolio. Comparable heritage positioning (Woodford Reserve) and similar craft/aged expression strategy to Laird's premium line.
- E. & J. Gallo Winery: Largest family-owned wine and spirits company in the world, owner of spirits brands including brandy. Represents both a competitive threat and a potential acquirer/partner for Laird's distribution scale.
- Beam Suntory (Jim Beam, Maker's Mark): One of the world's largest spirits companies with deep US distribution and aged spirits expertise. Represents the broad competitive landscape Laird faces for both on-premise placement and aged-spirit consumer dollars.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Laird & Company social profiles
Digital presenceLaird & Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Laird & Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Laird & Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Laird & Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Laird & Company
What does Laird & Company do?
Laird & Company manufactures and sells apple-based spirits, including blended applejack, straight applejack, aged apple brandies (ranging from 7.5 year to 12 year expressions and single cask releases), and ready-to-drink canned cocktails (American Mule, Lisa's Lemonade, Old Fashioned RTD). Production is carried out at the company's Scobeyville, New Jersey distillery using apple cider fermentation, copper still distillation, and charred oak barrel aging. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via an e-commerce storefront and distributed through wholesale networks across all 50 US states and 18 international markets.
Is Laird & Company a public or private company?
Laird & Company is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Laird & Company founded?
Laird & Company was founded in 1780. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Laird & Company based?
Laird & Company is headquartered in Monmouth Junction, United States, in the North America region.
How does Laird & Company make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are wholesale Distribution and ready-to-Drink (RTD) Products.
Who are Laird & Company's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Tuthilltown Spirits (Hudson Whiskey). Direct peers are Christian Brothers Brandy, Cutwater Spirits, Korbel Brandy, High Noon Spirits and Copper & Kings American Brandy. Broad incumbents are Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve), E. & J. Gallo Winery and Beam Suntory (Jim Beam, Maker's Mark).
Does Laird & Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Laird & Company.
What industry is Laird & Company in?
Laird & Company's product category is Craft Apple Brandy & Applejack. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAC, Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling, with a secondary code of CRADAIAC, Spirits Distilling & Brands. Its NAICS code is 31214 and its SIC code is 2080.