Beloved Montana Vodka Distillery Files for Bankruptcy

Montana, pour yourself a stiff drink and pour a little out for The Montana Distillery. Yep, our oldest, quirkiest, bacon-vodka-making distillery has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And while that’s a buzzkill, the owners aren’t going without saying a heartfelt farewell.

In a parting letter to their patrons, the distillery stated, “Before we explain the WTF reasons, we want to thank all of our patrons for their continued support and friendships... we will really miss the social bonding, interactions, and relationships we all created.”

That one lands like a double shot of Cherry Vanilla on an empty stomach.

They have been making vodka and cocktails since 2012, weathering crazed equipment failures, grueling hours, presumed legal battles, and “the haters.” Through it all, they became a fixture in Stevensville and a feisty part of what it means to be Montanan. “It’s been a true pleasure to experience life with you, create spirit connoisseurship, [and] serve you the most scrumptious highly awarded… Vodkas and Craft Cocktails in the state of Montana.”

So why the closure? Like many such small distilleries, they got hammered by supply problems, rising costs, and enough red tape to wrap around our giant state. With less than $50,000 in assets and north of $500,000 in debt, including a sizable chunk owed to the IRS and SBA, Chapter 11 was the only way to pick up some breathing room.

Still, they’re looking ahead. “We consider this a mini retirement as we transition onto our next adventure,” they said. And after years spent missing family holidays and time with friends, who can blame them?

So let’s raise a glass to ur friends at Montana Distillery. Sure am going to miss those bacon vodka bloody marys on Sundays.