Expanded Production Capability to Support National Growth.
Misunderstood Brands has announced a new strategic production partnership with Lofted Spirits, parent company of Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distillery. The agreement marks a major step in Misunderstood’s nationwide expansion and will accelerate its innovation capabilities across multiple product lines.
Partnership Follows Rapid Momentum for Misunderstood
The announcement comes as Misunderstood Brands experiences continued double-digit year-over-year growth and increased national demand. The company recently earned Walmart’s Golden Ticket award for its OATRAGEOUS® Oat Milk Liqueur. Its current portfolio includes Misunderstood Ginger Spiced Whiskey, Orange Blossom Bourbon, Dairy-Free Oat Nog, and the OATRAGEOUS® line of plant-based cream liqueurs.
Bardstown Bourbon Company to Serve as Primary Production Hub
Under the new partnership, the Bardstown Bourbon Company distillery will become the primary production site for Misunderstood Brands. The collaboration expands Bardstown’s capabilities, as OATRAGEOUS® will become the first cream-based liqueur produced at the facility. The partnership is designed to help Misunderstood scale production, streamline operations, and support the development of new products expected to launch in 2026.
Lofted Spirits Highlights Alignment with Next-Generation Brands
Pete Marino, President of Lofted Spirits, emphasized the company’s focus on supporting innovative spirits producers.
“Lofted Spirits was built to partner with the most forward-thinking brands in the industry, and Misunderstood is exactly that,” Marino said. “We offer the best co-manufacturing services in the American whiskey business and have been intentionally built to help scale brands like Misunderstood and OATRAGEOUS. Chris and JD are hungry, visionary entrepreneurs who are aggressively and creatively building some great brands and we are thrilled to help bring them to life at Bardstown.”
Misunderstood Brands Prepares for 2026 Expansion
Co-founders JD Recobs and Chris Buglisi noted how the partnership strengthens the company’s growth trajectory.
“Lofted’s support validates everything we’ve been building,” they said. “This partnership gives us the scale, the speed, and the world-class production backbone to meet the demand we’re seeing nationwide while continuing to push into new categories with the creativity our consumers expect from us. With this momentum, we’re strategically preparing for the next stage of growth as we move into 2026.”
Foundation for Future Innovation
The new alliance with Lofted Spirits creates expanded production capability and fosters deeper collaboration across Misunderstood’s entire portfolio. The partnership also sets the stage for additional product innovations planned for release over the next year.
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