Online Barrel Marketplace Hogshead Aims to Bring Bourbon Industry Into the Digital Age

(Logo: Hogshead)

The bourbon and tech industries are joining forces in Louisville, Kentucky, with the launch of Hogshead, an innovative online marketplace designed for buying and selling barrel-aged spirits.

Founded in 2023 by five Louisville residents, Hogshead aims to bring together buyers and sellers of bourbon.

Founders include Chris Wiedmar, a tech veteran whose previous stop was at the bourbon NFT collection Party Horses, which he co-founded, and Beau Beckman, who spent just shy of 11 years as director of the single barrel select program at Sazerac, where he worked with Buffalo Trace.

Hogshead allows licensed buyers to browse an inventory of over $310 million worth of bourbon stored in more than 135,000 barrels. Sellers, including distilleries with excess inventory, will gain access to a broad audience.

“We’ve developed a one-stop-shop for bulk whiskey transactions,” Wiedmar said in a news release. “By combining our technical expertise with a deep understanding of the bourbon industry, we’ve created a platform that brings barrel inventory management into the 21st century.”

Beckman, a former industry leader in managing barrel sales, shared his insight into the market’s growing need for online platforms.

“Hogshead simplifies the buying and selling process while making it easier for distilleries and storage facilities to manage their operations,” he said. “When the bourbon industry rebounded in the late 1990s, it didn’t have the necessary tools for efficient growth. Our barrel commerce engine streamlines everything, from bulk sales to storage contracts, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the process.”

Hogshead ensures legitimacy by vetting all sellers and thoroughly checking inventory for authenticity. Buyers must also provide a federal tax identification number to make purchases, guaranteeing a secure and legitimate marketplace.

The platform offers barrels ranging from recently filled casks all the way to 16-year-aged bourbon. Distilleries with barrels on the platform include Buffalo Trace, Green River, Bardstown Bourbon Company, George Dickel, Tennessee Distilling, MGP, Beam, Wilderness Trail and Castle & Key.

“We’re building a transparent, trustworthy marketplace,” Beckman added. “By simplifying the process, we’re helping brands find the best barrels at competitive prices, ultimately delivering more value to customers.”

Additionally, Hogshead says the platform facilitates barrel logistics, assisting buyers with transportation and offering financing options for qualified purchasers. The company plans to add more updates and features as the marketplace continues to evolve. For more information about Hogshead and to explore the inventory, visit Hogshead.com.