High Basin Brands debuts with Treaty Oak purchase

Led by a group of former On The Rocks (OTR) executives, newly formed spirits supplier High Basin Brands has made Texas-based Treaty Oak Distilling its first acquisition.

High Basin Brands has launched with an oversubscribed US$4 million seed round and news of its first asset purchase, Treaty Oak Brewing and Distilling in Dripping Springs, Texas. Originally set at US$2m, the round nearly doubled due to robust investor interest.

The new Texas-based company brings together a team of industry veterans and business leaders including Steve Ousley, former partner, and chief operating partner of ready-to-drink cocktail brand OTR; Kelly Smith formerly of OTR, Jordan Rothschild-Noomé of Suntory Global Spirits and OTR; Alex Fauveau, former chief financial officer of OTR; and business entrepreneur LaMont Herman.

OTR was acquired by Suntory Global Spirits in September 2020, with its three co-founders going on to create Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre’s RTD brand, Gin & Juice.

Plans are underway to secure organic certification for Treaty Oak, which would make it the largest certified organic distillery in Texas. “Acquiring Treaty Oak is a transformative step in expanding our portfolio and leading the industry toward more conscious consumption,” High Basin chief marketing officer Rothschild-Noomé said.

“With so few certified organic whiskey options currently available, we’re excited to fill that gap by transitioning Treaty Oak to organic production. We believe consumers deserve not only exceptional quality but also transparency and sustainability in what they drink. By aligning our production with organic standards, we’re positioning Treaty Oak to meet the demand for spirits that prioritise both taste and environmental responsibility.”

High Basin’s debut product, Ghost Hill Organic Vodka, will launch in early 2025 with the support of the US’ biggest alcohol distributor, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The company uses heirloom grains sourced locally from the Barton Springs Mill, one of the largest organic farms in Texas. Further plans include securing ranch certification for sustainable farming practices.

“Most industries are crowded with brands offering similar experiences,” Herman, CEO of High Basin said. “It’s the brands making bold moves, rooted in genuine values, that stand out and succeed. High Basin Brands is about more than products; it’s about purpose. We’re setting a new standard, and we’re proud to have the trust and support of investors who believe in this mission.”

In September, Treaty Oak sold its Waterloo gin brand to Patrón founder John Paul DeJoria for an undisclosed sum.