Barrell Craft Spirits enters the UK

Kentucky-based blending house Barrell Craft Spirits has widened its distribution through a partnership with Axiom Brands.

Louisville’s Barrell Craft Spirits was one of our American whiskey brands to watch this year, having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 by opening a new blending facility and launching a new flagship Bourbon. 

Now, the blenders and cask finishers, led by founder Joe Beatrice, are looking to make good on that prediction by announcing a new partnership with Axiom brands, which will bring its line of spirits into the UK on- and off-trade.

“We’re excited to partner with Axiom Brands – an independent company like Barrell Craft Spirits – which is both passionate about and deeply immersed in the UK drinks market,” Beatrice said. 

“We’re thrilled to have pioneered the movement to elevate the art of blending in the US. The UK is a crucial distilled spirits market as we look to expand our distribution abroad.”

Barrel Craft Spirits is sold in 49 US states, Australia, Canada and the UK. Axiom Brands was founded in 2015 and now distributes 15 luxury spirits brands, including The Glenturret, JJ Corry and Casa Dragones.

“We have a long-standing history in our team with the American whiskey category,” said Ian Bayliss, co-founder of Axiom Brands. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the most exciting new American whiskey brand to come out of the US right now into the Axiom portfolio and begin the journey of establishing Barrell Craft Spirits on all the best back bars and retail shelves across the UK for consumers and trade to explore.”

Barrell’s new blending facility, which opened in September 2023, will increase capacity by 500% and has eight blending tanks with 64,000 gallons of capacity. With more space to create more whiskey, Barrell can now expand distribution, with entering the UK a significant first step.