Middle West Spirits Acquires Old Elk
As the U.S. spirits industry continues to shift and adapt to changing market conditions, Old Elk Distillery has sold to Middle West Spirits, an independently owned distillery.
“This is a meaningful moment for both our teams,” says Ryan Lang, founding lead distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits. “Old Elk has built a respected and beloved brand with staying power, thanks to a distinct blending and innovation philosophy that complements our grain-to-glass production model. Their agility in developing award-winning blends pairs naturally with our technical approach and scale. Together, we’re not just expanding—we’re joining forces to preserve what makes each brand special while unlocking new potential. We’re laying the foundation for long-term growth with a shared focus on quality, transparency and customer relationships.”
By combining Old Elk’s brand momentum with Middle West’s infrastructure, this acquisition is meant to empower both companies to reach more consumers and drive innovation.
“Since the day we launched over eight years ago, we’ve been laser focused on one thing: listening — truly listening — to our team, customers and partners. That focus has brought us to this incredible moment,” says Luis Gonzalez, CEO of Old Elk. “Our relationships have always been at the heart of what we do and have been pivotal in shaping our journey. We’re wholeheartedly grateful to our extraordinary team, loyal customers and to our national distributor partner, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, for their trust and belief in our vision. I’m extremely appreciative to Greg Metze for his mentorship, craftmanship and dedication to the team and his lasting impact and influence on the spirits industry. We are thankful for our founders Curt and Nancy Richardson for their vision in creating a world-class whiskey. Their legacy has inspired us for many years.”
Founded in 2008, Middle West Spirits is in Ohio’s grain belt. The company produces a portfolio of brands including Middle West Bourbon, Rye, Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, OYO Vodka, Vim & Petal Gin and Lux & Umbra. Having recently increased its distillation capacity, Middle West Spirits is the largest distillery in Ohio, according to the company, and one of the top 10 grain-to-glass whiskey and spirits producers in the U.S., producing spirits not only for its own brands but also numerous partners in the craft and global spirits industries.
“This acquisition isn’t just a milestone, it’s a launchpad. We’re securing the future of the Old Elk legacy with dedicated production and a true home for our brand, one that fans and partners alike can rally around for years to come,” says Gonzalez. “As we grow, Middle West Spirits is doubling down on what matters most: delivering on demand, pushing innovation and building a best-in-class infrastructure that sets a new standard in the spirits industry. Joining the Middle West family is a powerful step forward—and together, we’re ready to shake things up and make bold moves. Together, I see an exciting future filled with opportunity and shared success for our customers, consumers and distributor partners.”
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