Ironclad Distillery

The adult beverage industry is booming.

Simply put, people like their drinks. Yet over the past several years, there’s been a shift in the habits of alcohol fans from beer to spirits. This shift has resulted in a rise in craft distilleries, which are often created and run by some of the most passionate liquor fans.

In Newport News, Virginia, for example, Ironclad Distillery is making its own authentic small-batch bourbon whiskey. Since its inception in 2015, this family-owned company is one of just five distilleries in Virginia and has one goal: to make the best bourbon whiskey money can buy.

Ironclad ferments, double-distills, ages, and bottles all under one roof. It also highlights the best of Virginia by sourcing select grains from a family farm in Charles City.

Ironclad Bourbon is made from local Virginia corn, wheat, and rye, along with malted barley, and aged in new, American oak charred barrels. As Ironclad describes it, the result is a sweet opening and a dry spice pop that’s equally suited for drinking straight up or in cocktails.

Despite its status as an early-stage company, Ironclad Distillery has already earned its share of accolades. It was a 2017 American Distilling Institute Award winner, is available in 93 retailers in Virginia and, as of May 2017, has sold more than 3,800 bottles of bourbon.

From a revenue standpoint, Ironclad generated more than $51,000 in 2016 and nearly $56,000 in 2017 thus far. And while revenue is increasing, the company’s monthly operating expenses have trended down.

Ironclad has big plans for its future, too. In addition to overall growth, the company aims to build a tasting room, distillery store and launch a members-only Cocktail Club. It also hopes to release five new batches of bourbon within the next four years.

And with a market for alcoholic beverages that’s expanding, those goals might be realistic. In 2016, retail sales of U.S. distilled spirits were estimated at $78 billion, marking the seventh straight year distilled spirits gained market share relative to beer. North American whiskey earned $5.7 billion worth of sales in 2016 while super premium American whiskey volumes increased 11.8%.

This explosion of growth has translated to more craft distilleries around the country, too. As of August 2016, there were 1,315 active craft distilleries in the U.S., a number which is expected to more than double by 2020. But with increased revenue and plans for the future, Ironclad appears to be ready to face the competition.

Team Background

Stephen King - President

Prior to founding Ironclad, Stephen King owned a restoration franchise which helped repair homes after floods and fires.

He formerly spent three years as Director of Copper Tubing operations in Mexico with a Pennsylvania-based company and managed both manufacturing and sales divisions en route to executive management.

King also has experience working as an Assistant Superintendent for a mini-mill in South Carolina, a job which he landed following time spent as a foreman in one of the U.S. steel mills.

He earned his MBA from the University of Maryland, and his bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of Missouri.

Kara King - Chief Marketing Officer

Prior to Ironclad, King served in marketing roles with such brands as Lands’ End, Tommy Hilfiger, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Liz Claiborne.

Since becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Ironclad, she's helped the company sell out of inventory every month.

Kara graduated with a degree in Journalism from American University of Paris.

Owen King - Chief Operating Officer

With a strong athletic background, Owen was recruited to play football at Millersville University, where he eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.

Once joining Ironclad Distillery, King became the company's Chief Operating Officer.

Co-Investors