West Fork raises $3m to expand production
Indiana-based distillery West Fork Whiskey Co has entered a partnership with Indianapolis-based Ouabache Investments.
An initial US$3 million will be used to expand production and accelerate growth, while an additional US$10m to US$15m will later be spent to support production contracts and real estate development.
Blake Jones, West Fork’s co-founder and co-CEO, said: “We are constantly looking for ways to grow our company. Throughout our history, we’ve had to limit our growth several times due to a lack of inventory.
“This partnership and investment will allow our company to dramatically expand our whiskey inventory, marketing and sales, leading to significant expansion.
“We couldn’t have found a better, locally based partnership to help us reach our goal of creating world-class whiskey and Bourbons here in Central Indiana.”
In 2022, West Fork opened an US$11m tourism facility in Westfield, Indiana, which offers a cocktail lounge, restaurant, event centre and education facility.
The new capital will allow the brand to further develop the facility and break ground on a new rickhouse.
West Fork is the second Indiana distillery to gain funding in recent months, with Off Hours Bourbon raising seven figures in December last year.
Journeyman also opened a US$40m distillery in Valparaiso, Indiana, in November 2023.
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