Buzzard's Roost Whiskey Distillery Celebrates Best Year Ever

Despite Industry Headwinds, Craft Distillery Records 23% Revenue Growth in 2025

Louisville, KY – Jan. 19, 2026 – Buzzard's Roost Distillery finished 2025 flying high. The pioneering craft whiskey producer enjoyed record revenue growth of 23% and forecasts double-digit growth in 2026.

The five-year-old craft whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville, KY accomplished this in a year that saw overall U.S. whiskey revenue decrease by 5.1%. There were plenty of stories about production slow-downs and even distillery closures in 2025 – but Buzzard's Roost thrived.

"We saw the market changing in 2024," says Buzzard's Roost Co-founder and CEO Judy Hollis Jones. "Whiskey drinkers are seeking out new whiskeys, made differently. They're interested in discovering new taste profiles - and that is where Buzzard's Roost really stands out.

Our proprietary double oak process delivers complex layers of flavors, and we are thrilled that more consumers are discovering Buzzard's Roost."

Buzzard's Roost attributes its 2025 success to four key strategies:

1. Investment in Marketing, Including New Packaging

Buzzard's Roost redesigned its labels to better communicate the brand's unique double oak process. The new look debuted with Buzzard's Roost's new Signature Double Oak Bourbon in March.

"All of our whiskeys are double oaked – and have been from the start. We are emphasizing that much more on our bottles, in our marketing communications, and in sales efforts," explained Hollis Jones.

2. Refining the Product Mix

Buzzard's Roost narrowed its product assortment to hit marketplace sweet spots. While the distillery continues to offer limited time offerings, like its Cigar Blend Bourbon, much of the growth has come from a focused approach to driving five core whiskeys spanning a range of suggested retail price points:

1. Barrel Strength Double Oak Bourbon $79

2. Bottled in Bond Double Oak Bourbon $65

3. Small Batch Char #1 Double Oak Bourbon $65

4. Toasted Barrel Double Oak Rye $65

5. Signature Double Oak Bourbon $49

Buzzard's Roost Signature Double Oak Bourbon has been a run-away hit as a super-premium bourbon with a very approachable price. It won a Gold medal in the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Buzzard's Roost whiskeys have earned more than a dozen 90+ scores and multiple Double Gold and Gold medals from top competitions since 2019.

3. Single Barrel Sales

Buzzard's Roost single-barrel sales were a major contributor in 2025 success. Retailers and bourbon clubs bought more of its single barrels in 2025 than any previous year. In just the first week of 2026, the distillery hosted multiple barrel picks. "There is huge interest in single barrels," says Hollis Jones. "People love the experience and exclusivity of selecting their very own barrel."

4. Exceptional Customer Experiences

The Buzzard's Roost Distillery and Tasting Room is another bright spot. Revenue from its downtown location on Whiskey Row was up 33% and foot traffic was up 27%, in the face of growing competition in downtown Louisville.

Vice President of Marketing Laura Coomes attributes growth to new experiences and exclusive product offerings. "The Straight from the Barrel experience, where guests bottle and label their own whiskey using a whiskey thief, started selling out as soon as we launched it," she says. "People love hands-on experiences and they love taking home a bottle not available anywhere else."

Buzzard's Roost also introduced RTD cocktails in its tasting room. "Our 375ml and 100ml bottles of Maple Old Fashioned and Coffee Old Fashioned started flying off the shelf the day we put them out," says Coomes. "We'll add seasonal RTD cocktails throughout the year."

Additionally, Buzzard's Roost engaged its flock of loyal fans, known as Ambuzzadors, with exclusive barrel picks, Zoom tastings with limited edition whiskeys and special events. "Our customer loyalty game is strong," says Coomes. "We recognize the importance of loyalty and reward it in meaningful ways."

Buzzard's Roost will continue the momentum into 2026. "We have the people, the product and the perseverance to make 2026 another record year," adds Hollis Jones.

About Buzzard's Roost: Buzzard's Roost Whiskey is an independent distiller, blender and bottler of exceptional double oak whiskies. Buzzard's Roost's exclusive double oak process is centered around 17 proprietary toast profiles. Each toast profile coaxes out specific flavors from the oak. This enables Buzzard's Roost to build layers of flavor in its whiskeys not found in any other whiskeys.

Buzzard's Roost Sipping Whiskeys are available across the U.S, online and at the Buzzard's Roost Distillery and Tasting Room at 624 W. Main Street in downtown Louisville. Buzzard's Roost is proud to be a woman-led company. Follow @BuzzardsRoostWhiskey on Instagram and Facebook.