Root Shoot Spirits

What Root Shoot Spirits does

Root Shoot Spirits is a craft American Single Malt Whiskey distillery headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, founded in 2015 and operated on Olander Farms, a fifth-generation family farm. The company controls the full production chain on-site — growing grain, malting, and distilling — making it one of the few farm-to-bottle grain-to-glass producers in the U.S. craft whiskey segment. Its core portfolio centers on American Single Malt Whiskey, with extensions including higher-proof limited editions, single barrel offerings, and limited collaborations with adjacent craft beverage partners.

The business model is a hybrid of three-to-tier (three-tier) wholesale through a single regional distributor (Johnson Brothers Maverick), direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and select on-premise/exclusive retail placements via a Single Barrel Program (e.g., The Stanley Hotel, Luxe Liquor, Barquentine). Wholesale pricing follows standard craft spirits off-premise and on-premise structures, while DTC and single-barrel allocations support premium price points and exclusivity-driven demand. Revenue, headcount, and unit volume are not publicly disclosed.

The company is privately held, family-operated, and positions itself on provenance (fifth-generation family farmland), regenerative agriculture commitments via a 1% of sales pledge to Zero Foodprint, and independent third-party recognition including multiple craft whiskey awards. Distribution remains regional rather than national, and the documented operation is single-site, which structurally constrains throughput absent capital expansion.

Name

Root Shoot Spirits

Legal name

Root Shoot Spirits

Website

https://rootshootspirits.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Root Shoot Spirits is a craft American Single Malt Whiskey distillery in Loveland, Colorado, founded 2015 on Olander Farms, operating a vertically integrated grain-to-glass production model serving wholesale, DTC, and on-premise customers via Johnson Brothers Maverick.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Whiskey / American Single Malt Whiskey

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214), Malt Manufacturing (311213), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Malting Barley Production (Brewing/Distilling Supply) (AFAGAAAJ), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG)

Keywords

• Craft whiskey
• American single malt
• Farm distillery
• Bottled-in-bond
• Craft malting

Headquarters

HQ city

Loveland

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Bottle Sales: Products sold directly to consumers via the company's e-commerce storefront (buy.rootshootspirits.com). Select bottles available for online ordering with shipping to eligible states. Core expressions include the 4-year American Single Malt at $64.99 and Homestead High Proof Series at $74.99.
2. Wholesale / Retail Distribution: Products distributed through liquor stores via distribution partner Johnson Brothers Maverick (Maverick Beverage). Retail mark-up model where the company sells at wholesale to the distributor who resells to retailers.
3. On-Premise / Bar & Restaurant Sales: Products sold to restaurants and bars through distribution partner Johnson Brothers Maverick. Single Barrel Program enables exclusive on-premise partners to purchase unique barrel selections.
4. Single Barrel Program: Bespoke single barrel selections sold exclusively to partner venues (e.g., The Stanley Hotel, Luxe Liquor, Barquentine Brewing Company). Partners select specific barrels for exclusive sale at their locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Root Shoot Spirits distills and sells American Single Malt Whiskey from grain that is sown, grown, malted, distilled, aged, and bottled on a fifth-generation family farm in Loveland, Colorado. The flagship offering is a 4-year Bottled-in-Bond whiskey at 100 proof, supplemented by limited release expressions (Homestead High Proof Series, Upslope Collaboration, High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey) and an exclusive Single Barrel Program for partner venues.

Product overview

Root Shoot Spirits is a Colorado-based whiskey distillery producing American Single Malt whiskeys from grain grown, malted, and distilled on their fifth-generation Olander family farm in Loveland, CO. The product portfolio centers on the flagship American Single Malt Whiskey (4-year Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof), complemented by the limited edition Homestead High Proof Series (rotating high-proof blends at 120 proof). The Limited Release Series includes collaborative expressions like the Upslope Collaboration (beer-finished) and High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey (with Boulder Spirits). The Single Barrel Program enables partners to select unique single barrel expressions. All products feature sustainable, locally-sourced grain with approximately 30-mile field-to-bottle supply chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Root Shoot Malting: Related craft malt operation that malts grain for the whiskey production, located on Olander Farms.

Products and services

• Root Shoot American Single Malt Whiskey (4-Year Bottled-in-Bond) Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey aged for four years in first-use medium char American oak barrels, Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof. Sustainably sown, grown, and malted on the fifth-generation Olander family farm in Loveland, Colorado. Targeted at premium whiskey consumers and on-premise accounts.
• Homestead High Proof Series - Edition 2026 Limited-edition high-proof expression blending five barrels (three aged 5 years, two aged 4 years) with three different mash bills and eight Root Shoot malts, distilled in copper pot still and bottled at 120 proof. Targeted at premium whiskey collectors and enthusiasts seeking high-proof craft expressions.
• Upslope Collaboration Limited Release Single malt whiskey aged in first-use medium char American oak barrels and finished with a short rest in Upslope Brewing Imperial Brown Ale barrels. A collaborative product with Upslope Brewing Company, with the ale itself brewed using Root Shoot malts. Targeted at craft whiskey and craft beer crossover enthusiasts.
• High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey Straight Malt Whiskey distilled from a mash of malted Genie barley and malted Bono rye, crafted in collaboration with Boulder Spirits. Aged in first-use medium char American oak barrels for three years at 92 proof. Targeted at craft whiskey enthusiasts interested in high-rye malt expressions.
• Single Barrel Program Single barrel whiskey program that allows partner venues (bars, restaurants, hotels, liquor stores) to select unique barrel expressions for exclusive sale at their locations. Features include the Stanley Hotel (The Vault) American Single Malt selections, Luxe Liquor Art Series, and Barquentine Brewing Company High Rye Single Barrel. Targeted at on-premise hospitality partners and specialty liquor retailers seeking exclusive offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% locally sourced grain from fifth-generation family farm
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and flagship.

• Zero FoodprintcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoot Shoot Spirits partners with Zero Foodprint, contributing 1% of all sales to support regenerative farmers who care for their land. This partnership aligns with the company's mission of crafting a sustainable future for Colorado agriculture and 'Saving Farms One Whiskey at a Time.'
• Upslope BrewingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative barrel finishing project: Root Shoot's aged single malt whiskey was finished in barrels that previously held Upslope Imperial Brown Ale. Notably, that Imperial Brown Ale was itself brewed with Root Shoot malts, creating a reciprocal agricultural relationship. Resulted in the Upslope Collaboration Limited Release.
• Boulder SpiritssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrafted the High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey in collaboration with Boulder Spirits. The whiskey is distilled from a mash of malted Genie barley and malted Bono rye, both grown and malted on Root Shoot's fifth-generation farm. The collaboration brought together two Colorado craft spirit producers.
• The Stanley Hotel (The Vault)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Vault at The Stanley Hotel selected Root Shoot's first-ever Single Barrel American Single Malt for exclusive sale at the historic hotel. Located just 36 miles from the malthouse. The Stanley Hotel now offers their exclusive second Root Shoot barrel selection as well.
• Luxe Liquor & Bourbon BootsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxe Liquor collaborated with local Loveland artist Mallory Cash and Root Shoot Spirits on a special Art Series American Single Malt single barrel. Single Barrel No. 1609, aged 5 years at 128 proof, was available exclusively through Luxe Liquor.
• Barquentine Brewing CompanysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarquentine Brewing Company collaborated on Root Shoot's only High Rye Single Barrel pick. High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey distilled from malted Genie barley and malted Bono rye. Barrel No. 1696, aged 3 years at 100 proof. Available exclusively through Barquentine.
• Johnson Brothers Maverick (Maverick Beverage)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJohnson Brothers Maverick serves as Root Shoot Spirits' primary wholesale distribution partner across their markets. Distributes to liquor stores, restaurants, and bars. Contact email: [email protected].
• Traverse ImagesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced the documentary film '100 Year Lease' with Traverse Image about the significance of the family farm and the importance of preserving agricultural lands in Colorado. The film is rooted in the Olander family's farming tradition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boulder Spirits: Colorado craft distillery that co-produced the High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey with Root Shoot. Operates in the same geography with overlapping craft whiskey and malt-whiskey offerings and a similar on-premise and DTC model.
• Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey: Colorado-based craft whiskey producer specializing in single malt-style whiskey. Direct geographic and category competitor, with similar craft single malt positioning and on-premise focus in the Colorado and broader U.S. markets.
• Balcones Distilling: Texas-based craft distillery producing award-winning American whiskey, bourbon, and malt whiskey. Comparable in award-driven brand building, craft production, and multi-state U.S. distribution.
• Frey Ranch Distillery: Nevada-based farm-to-bottle whiskey producer that grows its own grain on a multi-generation farm. Comparable in vertical integration narrative, estate-grown grain story, and craft single malt/bourbon positioning.
• Breckenridge Distillery: Colorado craft distillery producing bourbon, whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka with a strong on-premise tasting room and award-winning portfolio. Comparable in scale, geography, and craft premium positioning, though broader in product mix.
• Copperworks Distilling: Seattle-based craft distillery focused on American Single Malt whiskey and gin. Direct competitor in the U.S. American Single Malt category with overlapping award strategy and craft premium positioning.
• Westland Distillery: Seattle-based American Single Malt whiskey distillery and a leading brand in the U.S. single malt category. Comparable product focus and craft premium positioning; now owned by a major spirits group, illustrating both the category's appeal and its consolidation trajectory.

Broad incumbents

• Woodford Reserve: Established Kentucky bourbon brand under Brown-Forman with broad U.S. and international distribution. Comparable in premium whiskey positioning and on-premise cocktail program relevance, but at vastly greater scale and category breadth.

Emerging players

• Corsair Distillery: Tennessee-based craft distillery producing experimental whiskey, malt whiskey, and gin with a focus on innovation and limited releases. Comparable in craft experimentation and small-batch malt whiskey programs, though broader in product categories.
• Upslope Brewing Company: Colorado craft brewery that collaborated with Root Shoot on barrel-finishing and uses Root Shoot malts. Adjacent in craft beverage ecosystem with overlapping customer base (premium Colorado on-premise) and a documented reciprocal supply relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbW0lNJBOwNIh-HU0I7Yqng
• Facebookfacebook.com/rootshootspirits
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/root-shoot-malting
• Instagraminstagram.com/rootshootspirits

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 Root Shoot Spirits