Ohio’s Middle West Spirits Acquires Old Elk Distillery

By Richard Thomas

Today it was announced that Middle West Spirits, an independent mid-sized distiller located in Columbus, Ohio, acquired the fan favorite Old Elk Bourbon. Situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, Old Elk was a client of Greg Metze, the former master distiller of MGP in Indiana.

Although the acquisition of high profile bottlers and small distillers is nothing new, it is usually by a large or major drinks company. This is the uncommon event of an independent, medium-sized distillery acquiring a company like Old Elk, which while smaller enjoys a much more prominent national profile.

“This is a meaningful moment for both our teams,” said Ryan Lang, Founding Lead Distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits. “Old Elk has built a respected and beloved brand with staying power, thanks to a distinct blending and innovation philosophy that complements our grain-to-glass production model. Their agility in developing award-winning blends pairs naturally with our technical approach and scale. Together, we’re not just expanding—we’re joining forces to preserve what makes each brand special while unlocking new potential. We’re laying the foundation for long-term growth with a shared focus on quality, transparency and customer relationships.”

Said Luis Gonzalez, CEO of Old Elk. “I’m extremely appreciative to Greg Metze for his mentorship, craftmanship and dedication to the team and his lasting impact and influence on the spirits industry. We are thankful for our founders Curt and Nancy Richardson for their vision in creating a world-class whiskey. Their legacy has inspired us for many years.”