What Mammoth Distilling does

Mammoth Distilling is a privately held Northern Michigan craft distillery founded in 2013 and headquartered in Central Lake, operating six tasting room locations across Michigan (Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Central Lake, Bellaire, Bay Harbor, and Adrian) plus a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront. The company produces a portfolio of whiskey (Woolly Bourbon, Woolly Rye, Northern Bourbon, Northern Single Malt, and the annual Northern Rye series No. 01–No. 04), gin (Contemporary Northern Gin and Barrel-Finished Gin), vodka (Mammoth Vodka, Strawberry Rhubarb, Lavender, and Cherry), and liqueurs (Cherry Bounce, Bourbon and Bounce, Coffee Liqueur), with the Northern Rye series serving as the flagship terroir-driven product line.

Production is anchored in a custom 650-liter Christian Carl hybrid pot still with a configurable vapor path enabling both heavy flavorful spirits and lighter neutral spirits, alongside a proprietary fractional botanical distillation process for gin that distills each of six botanicals (juniper, white pine, sage, lavender, citrus) separately using methods tailored to each ingredient. The company sources ingredients locally — Wheeler rye, Conlon barley, Wapsie Valley corn, Montmorency cherries, Torch Lake water — and holds a National Park Service permit to cultivate heritage Rosen rye on South Manitou Island, a grain not grown commercially on the island in 70 years.

The business model is hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale: revenue is generated through bottle sales at tasting rooms, the shop.mammothdistilling.com Shopify storefront, distribution through any Michigan spirits retailer, single-barrel and custom-blend programs (yielding approximately 150 bottles per barrel with custom labeling), whiskey blending experiences ($125 per person), cocktail pairing dinners ($96 per person), and wedding and event services (bulk spirit packages, personalized labeling, and venue hosting). The company was founded and continues to be led by Chad Munger.

Name

Mammoth Distilling

Legal name

Mammoth Distilling

Website

https://mammothdistilling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mammoth Distilling is a Northern Michigan craft distillery producing terroir-driven whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs from locally sourced grains, Montmorency cherries, and Torch Lake water, selling through six Michigan tasting rooms, a DTC e-commerce store, and the Rosen Rye heritage grain program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits / Distillery

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft spirits
• Craft whiskey
• Craft distillery
• Artisan gin vodka
• Heritage rye

Headquarters

HQ city

Central Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce: Online sales of spirits through the company's own Shopify storefront (shop.mammothdistilling.com), offering shipping to customers across permitted states. Products include limited releases, standard spirits, and food items like Mammoth Cherries.
2. Tasting Room / On-Premise Sales: Six tasting room locations across Michigan (Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Central Lake, Bellaire, Bay Harbor, Adrian) serve cocktails, flights, and bottle sales directly to consumers. Venues host events including weddings, pairing dinners, and blending experiences.
3. Barrel Sales and Custom Blends: Full barrel purchases for personal occasions, barrel clubs, and exclusive retail partnerships. Each barrel yields approximately 150 bottles with custom labeling. Also offers custom blends for VIP guests and collectors.
4. Michigan Retail Distribution: Spirits sold through any Michigan spirits retailer. The company notes that most orders can be filled within a week. Also includes exclusive retail partnerships for single-barrel picks.
5. Wedding and Event Services: Wedding packages offering discounted bulk spirits, personalized bottle labeling, custom blends, bar menu consultation, custom blending experiences, and full event hosting at tasting room venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mammoth Distilling manufactures and sells a portfolio of craft spirits including bourbon (Woolly Bourbon, Northern Bourbon), rye whiskey (Woolly Rye, Northern Rye No. 01–04 series), single malt whiskey, gin (Contemporary Northern Gin, Barrel-Finished Gin), vodka (plain, cherry, lavender, strawberry-rhubarb), and liqueurs (Cherry Bounce, Coffee Liqueur, Bourbon and Bounce). The company sources grains, cherries, and water from Northern Michigan and operates six company-owned tasting rooms plus an e-commerce storefront and Michigan retail distribution.

Product overview

Mammoth Distilling is a Northern Michigan craft distillery producing a diverse portfolio of artisan spirits centered around whiskey (bourbon, rye, and single malt), gin, vodka, and liqueurs. Their core products include multiple Northern Rye expressions (No. 01-04) exploring terroir through various finishes, Woolly Bourbon and Woolly Rye highlighting local grains, Barrel-Finished Gin, infused vodkas (cherry, lavender, strawberry-rhubarb), and specialty liqueurs (Cherry Bounce, Coffee Liqueur, Bourbon and Bounce). Beyond spirits, they offer experiential products including a Barrel Select Program for custom barrel purchases, Whiskey Blending Experiences, and event hosting services. A notable initiative is the Rosen Rye Project reviving a heritage grain varietal on South Manitou Island. The company operates five tasting room locations across Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rosen Rye: Heritage rye grain project growing Rosen rye on South Manitou Island
• Northern Rye
• Woolly Bourbon
• Woolly Rye
• Contemporary Northern Gin
• Cherry Bounce
• Mammoth Vodka
• Coffee Liqueur
• Barrel-Finished Gin

Products and services

• Mammoth Gin (Contemporary Northern Gin) A contemporary gin blended from six botanicals—juniper, white pine, lavender, sage, lemon, and orange—each distilled separately to maximize individual character and reflect Northern Michigan terroir.
• Mammoth Barrel-Finished Gin A gin aged in used rye barrels, allowing oak to support botanical notes with toasted honey-like qualities; originated as a happy accident from experimental gin runs.
• Northern Rye No. 01 Premiere release of the Northern Rye whiskey style, combining 14% straight Michigan Wheeler rye with 86% aged Canadian rye to showcase both grain and oak character.
• Northern Rye No. 02 Second chapter of the Northern Rye series, featuring an 18-year Alberta rye component finished in wine barrels from Northern Michigan wineries (45 North Vineyard & Winery and Bonobo Winery).
• Northern Rye No. 03 Third release of the Northern Rye series, exploring terroir through Northern Michigan's cherry harvest via cherry blossoms, cherry wood staves, and cherry brandy barrels.
• Northern Rye No. 04 Fourth release of the Northern Rye series, shaped by Northern Michigan orchards and cider houses with components finished in cider barrels, apple brandy, and Pommeau barrels.
• Woolly Rye High-malt rye whiskey made from 88% Wheeler rye, 10% malted barley, and 2% caramel malt, using grains sourced from Northern Michigan farms including Shooks Farm and Alison Babb's farm.
• Woolly Bourbon Northern expression of bourbon made from 68% corn, 20% rye, 10% malted barley, and 2% caramel malt, distilled with Northern Michigan grain and Torch Lake water.
• Northern Bourbon Classic American bourbon blended with Woolly Bourbon, finished on toasted Michigan cherry wood to impart a Northern character and flavor.
• Bourbon and Bounce Blended liqueur combining American bourbon with Cherry Bounce, featuring rich bourbon and spiced tart Michigan cherries.
• Northern Single Malt Whiskey Single malt whiskey crafted from 100% Conlon barley smoked with locally harvested peat, double-pot distilled and aged in second-use bourbon and rye barrels.
• Mammoth Vodka Base-distilled vodka made from 100% Wapsi Valley corn (sourced from Granor Farms) and Torch Lake water, distilled through a 14-tray hybrid still configuration to 190 proof and diluted only with Torch Lake water to reach 80 proof.
• Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka Infused vodka pairing Michigan strawberries (Brownwood Acres) with rhubarb (King Orchards) to capture quintessential Northern Michigan summer flavors.
• Lavender Vodka Infused vodka featuring delicate herbal and floral notes from fresh lavender, embodying Northern Michigan's rolling lavender fields.
• Cherry Vodka Infused vodka featuring tart Montmorency cherries at peak summer harvest, capturing Michigan's signature fruit at its unadulterated best.
• Cherry Bounce Historic Michigan cherry liqueur made from tart Montmorency cherries macerated in whiskey, barrel-aged in bourbon and rye casks, and sweetened with cherry reduction from Brownwood Farms.
• Coffee Liqueur Cold-brewed coffee liqueur made with a custom cold-brewed concentrate (locally roasted beans steeped in Torch Lake water for 24–36 hours), corn spirit, pure cane sugar, and Madagascar vanilla beans.
• Barrel Select Program Custom barrel purchase program offering single barrels (~150 bottles each) and custom blends with customized secondary labeling for retail partners, barrel clubs, and special occasions.
• Whiskey Blending Experience Paid interactive blending experience at tasting rooms where participants sample selections, learn flavor profiles, create custom blends, and bottle personalized whiskey with signature labels ($125 per person including bottle; $50 per person experience-only).
• Cocktail Pairing Dinner Multi-course cocktail pairing dinner event hosted at the Adrian tasting room and other locations ($96 per person, includes cocktail hour and four courses).
• Wedding and Event Hosting Services Wedding and event hosting services offering discounted bulk spirits, personalized bottle labeling, custom blends, bar menu consultation, custom blending experiences, and full event hosting at the company's tasting room venues.

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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMammoth Distilling obtained a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service (MWRSLBE2501075) to grow pure Rosen rye on South Manitou Island at the Hutzler Farm—the first cultivation there in 70 years. The permit enables the company to revive a Prohibition-era grain varietal for its Northern Rye whiskey series.
• Michigan State University (MSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU's Bio Agriculture Research Center propagated certified Rosen rye seeds obtained from the USDA seed bank, using isolated greenhouses and walk-in coolers to grow multiple cycles in a single year, producing enough certified seed for Mammoth's foundation crop on South Manitou Island.
• Michigan Crop Improvement AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Michigan Crop Improvement Association certified the Rosen rye seeds and the resulting 2021 harvest on South Manitou Island—the first certified Rosen rye crop in over 70 years.
• Brownwood Acres / Brownwood FarmscoreOthersProvides locally grown tart Montmorency cherries and strawberries used in Mammoth's Cherry Vodka, Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka, and Cherry Bounce products. Brownwood Farms provides cherry reduction sweetener for Cherry Bounce.
• Shooks FarmcoreOthersShooks Farm in Central Lake supplies tart Montmorency cherries for Cherry Bounce, grown continuously for four generations. The farm also supplies Wheeler rye grain (88% of Woolly Rye mash bill) grown on their Central Lake farm.
• Empire MaltingcoreOthersCollaborates with Mammoth Distilling to malt Conlon barley and carefully smoke it using peat harvested from a bog near Empire, Michigan for the Northern Single Malt Whiskey.
• Alison Babb's Farm (Empire)minorOthersProvides malted barley (2-row and caramel malt) from her farm and malting house in Empire, Michigan, comprising the final 12% of the Woolly Rye mash bill.
• Granor FarmscoreOthersProvides Wapsi Valley corn used as the base ingredient for Mammoth Vodka, sourced from local Northern Michigan farms.
• King OrchardsminorOthersProvides rhubarb used in Mammoth Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka alongside strawberries from Brownwood Acres.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• FEW Spirits: Evanston, Illinois craft distillery pioneering American gin and small-batch whiskey. Comparable to Mammoth as a craft-focused multi-spirit producer with strong brand storytelling, though operating from a different Midwest metro.
• Koval Distillery: Chicago-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs with organic/biodynamic grain sourcing. Comparable on multi-spirit portfolio and grain-terroir positioning, though with national distribution Mammoth has not yet achieved.
• Tuthilltown Spirits: New York craft distillery known for Hudson Whiskey and artisanal spirits. Comparable to Mammoth as a craft distillery with regional tourism, experiential barrel programs, and a multi-spirit portfolio; relevant precedent for craft-spirits scaling.

Others

• Brownwood Farms / Shooks Farm (cherry suppliers): Key upstream supplier (Brownwood Farms / Shooks Farm) sourcing Montmorency cherries and Wheeler rye that Mammoth uses in its Cherry Bounce, Cherry Vodka, and Woolly Rye. Included as the most material ecosystem participant; comparable as adjacent rather than competitive.

Direct peers

• Coppercraft Distillery: Southwest Michigan craft distillery making whiskey, vodka, gin, and brandy with an on-site tasting room. Competes head-to-head on Michigan craft distribution and shares Mammoth's small-batch, locally-sourced positioning.
• Traverse City Whiskey Co. Michigan-based craft whiskey producer headquartered in Traverse City, directly overlapping Mammoth's terroir-led Northern Michigan whiskey positioning. Both compete for Michigan craft whiskey shelf space and tasting-room tourist traffic, particularly in the Traverse City / Grand Traverse region.
• Valentine Distilling: Ferndale, Michigan distillery known for Liberator and Maiike whiskeys. Closest peer by Michigan-only focus and craft whiskey specialization, though without Mammoth's tasting-room retail footprint.
• Journeyman Distillery: Three Oaks, Michigan craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum with a flagship tasting-room/restaurant concept. Directly comparable to Mammoth on Michigan origin, multi-spirit portfolio, and experiential hospitality model.
• Long Road Distillers: Grand Rapids, Michigan craft distillery producing vodka, gin, bourbon, and whiskey. Direct geographic competitor inside Mammoth's home metro, sharing the same Michigan craft distribution channels and consumer base.

Regional players

• St. Julian Winery: Michigan's oldest winery with a spirits line and tasting-room footprint in northern Michigan. Regional peer sharing Michigan fruit sourcing (e.g., Montmorency cherries) and overlapping experiential/craft consumer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MammothSpirits
• Facebookfacebook.com/MammothDistilling
• Instagraminstagram.com/mammoth_distilling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Mammoth Distilling