Online barrel marketplace Hogshead launches
Named after the large cask type, Hogshead offers an inventory of whiskey barrels, pairing vetted buyers and sellers.
Hogshead was founded in 2023 by a Bourbon insider and a team of Louisville-based tech entrepreneurs. It currently lists an inventory of 135,000 barrels worth more than US$310 million.
“Hogshead is a one-stop shop for the online buying and selling of bulk whiskey,” co-founder Chris Wiedmar said. “We’ve taken the technical knowledge that all of our team has in software development, IT strategy, applications, data mining and online marketplaces, and brought it together on this site.”
The platform was co-founded by Beau Beckman, who brings more than a decade of experience managing and developing barrel sales and web-based platforms for Sazerac.
“In my previous career, I built a marketplace of sorts for single-barrel buyers because I recognised the growing need for purchasing barrels online,” he said. “Now, with Hogshead, we’re doing the same for bulk barrel buyers – making it easy for both buyers and sellers to connect, while also simplifying execution and management for distilleries and bonded storage facilities.”
All sellers are vetted before they can list any product and all inventory is checked to ensure its legitimacy. Buyers must have a federal tax identification number to purchase and may see barrels listed for sale in ages ranging from 16 years old to recently made. Barrels come from distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, MGP, and more.
As barrels are physically located in different storage facilities and locations, Hogshead can also assist in the logistics of moving barrels to buyers. Financing is also available for qualified buyers.
“By simplifying how brands source barrels for bottling and adding pricing transparency, buyers can make more informed decisions, finding the best barrels at the right quantities and prices,” Beckman added.
In January, Spirits Capitol debuted its Distilled Barrels Financial Exchange, which launched with more than 200,000 barrels, seeking to ethically facilitate sales.
Related news
EU delays 50% tariffs on American whiskey
