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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Author: Lauren Bowes

Timothy Kelly

Tim is the Founder & Master Distiller at Felene. He developed his passion for the spirits and hospitality business while growing-up and working in his family's restaurant and liquor store business. Tim’s passion for the epicurean lifestyle has found it’s latest manifestation in the Felene Distillery. Tim is a 5-time Gold Medal Award winning Distiller. He has won a Platinum medal at the Prestigious Los Angeles Spirits Awards and his signature vodka was named Best-in-Category by the American Distilling Institute. Mr. Kelly is also a prolific author and writer and his blog is filled with ideas, discoveries, observations and recommendations to help his readers enjoy life’s simple epicurean pleasures.

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