Oak & Eden Whiskey (JJSS Holdings,LLC and Subsidiaries)

Oak & Eden Whiskey is a brand that makes customized whiskey. The customization includes taste and bottle design. The company has developed a unique idea of putting oak spirals in a bottle to add a distinctive taste instead of keeping the whiskey in barrels for long periods. This allows for a broader taste range by selecting the type of oak and how it is processed before the oak spiral is put into the bottle. The personalization of bottles is also a distinct advantage. Oak & Eden whiskey has been broadly recognized by the press and is one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in the US.

The product is common but the execution and process are unique. For making whiskey, wood plays a crucial role in the flavor and color of whiskey, with hundreds of botanicals and flavor characteristics. Traditional whiskey ages in a barrel and then is moved to a secondary barrel or another libation. However, the company introduced a patented technique called In-Bottle Finishing that allows for innovation at the bottle level, incorporating the secondary barrel into the final product by infusing the wood flavor by putting an oak spiral in the bottle. The company has 4 distinct flavors and the per bottle price is $49.99. It has 4 patents on the Spire and In-Bottle Finishing™ technique, with additional 4 provisional patents.

The US whiskey market alone is a $17B industry, growing at 5.9%. The Ultra Premium category of the US whiskey market (as defined by a price point of $40-$59) is growing at a rate of 30.6%. The competition includes other whiskey brands ranging from small to big and normal to premium sellers.

The company remains a high-growth brand investing more into growing its distribution footprint, activating the brand through digital marketing, solid PR, and deepening brand health in its on-premise partners (restaurants & bars), as well as self-owned brick-and-mortar retail environments.

Since its launch in April 2018, Oak & Eden Whiskey has grown to become one of the fastest-growing new brands in the spirits industry with a 167% CAGR (2018-2021), achieving distribution into more than 10,000 retailers across 40 states, selling more than 600,000 bottles – all in just over five years, and along the way, has won 35 platinum, double gold, and gold medals. The product is loved by the customers.

For 2022, the Company had revenues of $5.78M compared to $6.10M in 2021. Its gross margin was 43.16% in fiscal year 2022, compared to 47.38% in 2021. Over the past few months, revenue has averaged $530k/month, COGS has averaged $202k/month, and operational expenses have averaged $630k/month, for an average burn rate of $302k per month. By the end of the year 2023, it expects to generate approximately $9M in revenue with a 58% gross profit margin and incur roughly $5.5M in expenses. The company intends to be profitable in 24 months.

Fastest growing ultra-premium whiskey brand in the US from '18-'21 with a 167% CAGR. $8.5MM run rate for 2023, a 34% YOY increase. Distributed in 10,000+ retailers across 40 states, including Total Wine, Walmart, Meijer, Bevmo. 4 patents on the Spire and In-Bottle Finishing™ technique. 600,000 bottles sold from '18-'23, with a '23 forecast of 250,000 bottles. Winner of 35 platinum & gold international spirits awards. Featured in Forbes, Men's Journal, Food Network, Robb Report, UPROXX, etc. Successfully raised $15MM+ since 2017.

The company will use the proceeds for advertising, events, and platform fees.

The management team is phenomenal with members having expertise in product development, marketing, and growing businesses.

Joseph Giildenzopf, Co-Founder & CEO
Joseph is a serial entrepreneur & seasoned CPG operator. He has built, scaled, and operated multiple businesses over 3 decades. Currently, he works full-time with the company.

Brad Neathery, Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer
Brad is an entrepreneur & creative ace. He has 10+ years of experience building consumer products and brands at the agency & operator level. He is also the founder of Modern Huntsman, which he exited in 2021. He currently works full-time with the company.

Jamie Giildenzopf, Co-Founder and Master Distiller
Jamie is an entrepreneur, creative thinker, and problem solver. He has headed and partnered with many companies in CPG, real estate, and fundraising. He currently works full-time with the company.

James Campbell, SVP, Sales & National Accounts
James is a seasoned industry sales executive and former VP of Sales at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. He is a 26-year veteran sales leader in the spirits industry.

Cameron Gawley, CMO
Cameron is a digital marketing wizard & CPG growth hacker. He is also the founder of Buzzshift (#10 on Inc 5000's Fastest Growing Private TX Companies '21) with an exit in 2021.