May 13, 2025 – Middle West Spirits, one of North America’s largest independently-owned distilleries, today announced the acquisition of Old Elk Distillery and its related assets. Known for its award-winning whiskeys, deep customer loyalty and distinctive Slow Cut® proofing process, Old Elk brings nationally recognized craftsmanship to Middle West’s expanding branded portfolio.
“This is a meaningful moment for both our teams,” said Ryan Lang, Founding Lead Distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits. “Old Elk has built a respected and beloved brand with staying power, thanks to a distinct blending and innovation philosophy that complements our grain-to-glass production model. Their agility in developing award-winning blends pairs naturally with our technical approach and scale. Together, we’re not just expanding—we’re joining forces to preserve what makes each brand special while unlocking new potential. We’re laying the foundation for long-term growth with a shared focus on quality, transparency and customer relationships.”
By combining Old Elk’s brand momentum with Middle West’s robust infrastructure, this acquisition empowers both companies to reach more consumers, drive innovation and raise the bar for craft spirits at scale.
“Since the day we launched over 8 years ago, we’ve been laser focused on one thing: listening —truly listening—to our team, customers and partners. That focus has brought us to this incredible moment,” said Luis Gonzalez, CEO of Old Elk. “Our relationships have always been at the heart of what we do and have been pivotal in shaping our journey. We’re wholeheartedly grateful to our extraordinary team, loyal customers and to our national distributor partner, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, for their trust and belief in our vision. I’m extremely appreciative to Greg Metze for his mentorship, craftmanship and dedication to the team and his lasting impact and influence on the spirits industry. We are thankful for our founders Curt and Nancy Richardson for their vision in creating a world-class whiskey. Their legacy has inspired us for many years.”
