High Basin Brands Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2023, High Basin Brands (HBB) is a national premium spirits supplier and brand innovator headquartered in Dripping Springs, Texas. The company is dedicated to producing high-quality, eco-conscious beverages, emphasizing organic production and sustainable practices. HBB's mission is to meet the evolving consumer demand for premium, sustainably produced spirits, positioning itself as a leader in the organic spirits market.

Key Strategic Focus

High Basin Brands focuses on creating lifestyle-driven, next-generation brands that champion conscious consumption. The company's strategic objectives include expanding its portfolio through acquisitions and new product launches, with a strong emphasis on organic certification and sustainability. HBB's core areas of specialization encompass the production of premium organic spirits, utilizing a "grain-to-glass" production model that sources heirloom grains locally to minimize carbon emissions and support local agriculture. The primary markets targeted by HBB include consumers seeking high-quality, environmentally responsible beverage options, with a particular focus on the growing demand for premium organic spirits.

Financials and Funding

In November 2024, High Basin Brands announced the completion of an oversubscribed $4 million seed funding round, nearly doubling the initial goal due to strong investor interest. The funds are intended to support flagship product launches, enhance distillery capabilities, expand strategic partnerships, and provide working capital to scale operations and fuel rapid growth.

Pipeline Development

High Basin Brands' debut product, Ghost Hill Organic Vodka, is set to launch in early 2025, marking the company's entry into the premium organic spirits market. This launch aligns with the consumer trend toward consciously produced beverages, with the market projected to reach $138 billion by 2028. Additionally, HBB plans to transition Treaty Oak Brewing and Distilling to organic production, aiming to fill the gap in certified organic whiskey options currently available.

Technological Platform and Innovation

High Basin Brands employs a "grain-to-glass" production model, sourcing heirloom grains locally from Barton Springs Mill, one of Texas' largest organic farms. This approach supports local agriculture, minimizes carbon emissions, and ensures an authentic, environmentally responsible product base for its spirits. Further plans include securing ranch certification for sustainable farming practices, reinforcing HBB's commitment to environmental integrity and community engagement.

Leadership Team

High Basin Brands is led by a team of industry veterans and business leaders with over 75 years of combined experience:

LaMont Herman, Co-Founder and CEO

A serial investor with comprehensive business knowledge, LaMont and his partners acquired Hunt Electric Corporation in the late 1990s, growing it into one of the largest specialty contractors in the U.S. His proven leadership in building companies and high-functioning teams is instrumental in executing HBB's long-term vision.

Alex Fauveau, Co-Founder, COO, and CFO

A leading finance and operations executive with multi-sector experience, including beverage alcohol, private equity-backed healthcare, large-scale food and beverage, and small-cap M&A. Alex served as the Head of Finance at "On the Rocks Cocktails," which was acquired by Beam Suntory in late 2020. He earned his MBA from the University of Texas, Dallas.

Steve Ousley, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer

With a proven track record of building high-value businesses across diverse industries, Steve was most recently Founder and COO of "On the Rocks Cocktails," acquired by Beam Suntory in late 2020 and named "Brand of the Year" for Beam in 2023. He has led multiple companies from startup to exit, generating over $200 million in transaction value.

Jordan Rothschild-Noomé, Chief Marketing Officer

Brings experience from Beam Suntory and "On the Rocks Cocktails," focusing on redefining the organic spirits landscape and meeting the rising demand for premium, sustainably produced beverages.

Kelly Reid-Smith, Co-Founder and National Sales

A multi-industry entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the beverage alcohol space, Kelly has worked with numerous emerging brands, generating over $400 million in transaction value. Her sales experience and relationships with the country's largest retailers and distributors bring robust expertise to HBB.

Leadership Changes

As of the latest available information, there have been no recent significant changes or appointments within High Basin Brands' leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The premium organic spirits market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for high-quality, sustainably produced beverages. The market is projected to reach $138 billion by 2028, indicating substantial growth potential for companies like High Basin Brands that focus on organic production and sustainability.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the premium organic spirits market include:

Organic Mixology (OM) Cocktails: Specializes in organic liqueurs and ready-to-drink cocktails, emphasizing natural ingredients and sustainability.

Prairie Organic Spirits: Offers a range of organic vodkas and gins, focusing on farm-crafted spirits made from organic corn.

Square One Organic Spirits: Produces organic vodkas and botanical spirits, highlighting organic and sustainable farming practices.

These competitors focus on organic production and sustainability, similar to High Basin Brands, and have established market presence and brand recognition.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

High Basin Brands has partnered with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, the nation's leading distributor of beverage alcohol. This collaboration ensures a strategic rollout of HBB's products, leveraging Southern Glazer's expansive partner network, which includes nationally recognized grocery, big box, and specialty retailers, as well as major hotel chains and hospitality groups. This partnership positions HBB to make a significant impact in the premium organic spirits category.

Operational Insights

High Basin Brands' acquisition of Treaty Oak Brewing and Distilling, one of Texas' oldest distilleries, provides a strong foundation for growth. The 25-acre distillery in Dripping Springs offers substantial production capacity and brand recognition. By transitioning Treaty Oak to organic production and securing organic certification, HBB aims to become the largest certified organic distillery in Texas, differentiating itself in the competitive spirits market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

High Basin Brands is seeking $14 million to support flagship product launches, enhance distillery capabilities, expand strategic partnerships, and provide working capital to scale operations and fuel rapid growth. The company's focus on organic production and sustainability aligns with consumer trends, positioning HBB to capitalize on the growing demand for premium organic spirits. Future plans include developing an ultra-premium organic whiskey crafted by an award-winning distiller, with a launch target of 2026 and a two-year target of 14,000 9L cases.