Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling Co. are now operating under a new corporate banner as Lofted Spirits emerges as the parent company uniting the two Kentucky distillers along with a rebranded contract production business.
The strategic move creates a unified house of brands while cementing the company’s position as Kentucky’s largest contract whiskey producer.
“Our business has grown tremendously, both in scale and vision, and this is the moment to bring it all together under one name,” said Mark Erwin, CEO, Lofted Spirits. “Lofted Spirits represents our ambition: the ability to operate at an unmatched level in whiskey production while maintaining the agility and independence to push the industry forward.”
Kentucky Distilling Powerhouse Takes Shape
The newly formed Lofted Spirits combines operations that already make it one of the largest distillers in the U.S. The company name pays tribute to Peter Loftin, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s founder, and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee.
The company recently announced a major capacity expansion to 18 million proof gallons annually. Industry recognition has followed, with the organization named Distiller of the Year at the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards and Worldwide Producer of the Year by IWSC in 2023.
Contract Distillation Rebranded as Lofted Custom Spirits
The third pillar of the new corporate structure is Lofted Custom Spirits, a rebranding of the company’s thriving contract distillation business.
This division leverages both Bardstown’s modern facility and Green River’s historic production site to offer end-to-end customization for partner brands. Current collaborations include 15 Stars Whiskey, Blue Run, Four Branches, and Forbidden.
The contract business provides fully customizable whiskey production, including distilling, aging, quality control, blending, and bottling solutions. The company differentiates itself by offering route-to-market support for partners building their brands.
Erwin will continue as CEO of the united operation, while Pete Marino will serve as President of Lofted Spirits.
“This is just the beginning of what’s possible,” added Erwin. “Lofted Spirits is built for the future—and we’re ready to lead the way.”
Lofted Spirits remains owned by Pritzker Private Capital, which acquired Bardstown Bourbon Company in March 2022 and Green River Distilling Co. in June 2022.
Read the full article at Lofted Spirits Emerges as New Parent Company for Kentucky Whiskey Powerhouses