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Eight Shires DistilleryThe market for distilled spirits has gained on beer for the eighth consecutive year – driven, in part, by local craft distilleries such as Eight Shires Distillery in Williamsburg, Virginia. With a mission to research, preserve, teach, and present the history of distillation from the Colonial American period, the distillery has several offerings – genever gin, rum, and bourbon – all made using historic recipes and ingredients of the 18th century.
Winner of several gold and silver medals in international competitions, as well as being named Virginia Rum Distiller of The Year, Eight Shires Distillery is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for tours and tastings. Currently, Eight Shires can ship its spirits to seven states and offers a lifetime membership for first access to new releases, invitations to private parties, and discounts. 
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Perks
*You are investing in convertible debt in this offering. Perks are meant to be a thank you from the company for investing. Alcohol perks are redeemable at the Eight Shires Distillery or investors can request it to be delivered, in which case they must pay a shipping fee that will be based on their state or country assuming that it is legal to ship to that destination.
The perks below are inclusive of lower dollar amount perks.
$250+: Newsletter releases of upcoming events and comment line available to collaborate with the company on product development.
$500+: Invitation to the opening gala at Eight Shires new facility and all initial product releases, a special Eight Shires shot glass, and complementary pour whenever visiting Eight Shires distillery.
$1,000+: A signed, numbered bottle of any available spirit releases (except Jamestown Single Malt special release).
$5,000+: Club membership allowing exclusive access to purchase one of the initial numbered bottles of every new release, and 20% off any merchandise.
$10,000+: A signed bottle of Jamestown Single Malt special release (expected bottling year: 2019).
$50,000+: Invitation to join the annual corporate meetings and any new investor meetings. Private dinner provided prior to board meeting.
The perks below are inclusive of lower dollar amount perks.
$250+: Newsletter releases of upcoming events and comment line available to collaborate with the company on product development.
$500+: Invitation to the opening gala at Eight Shires new facility and all initial product releases, a special Eight Shires shot glass, and complementary pour whenever visiting Eight Shires distillery.
$1,000+: A signed, numbered bottle of any available spirit releases (except Jamestown Single Malt special release).
$5,000+: Club membership allowing exclusive access to purchase one of the initial numbered bottles of every new release, and 20% off any merchandise.
$10,000+: A signed bottle of Jamestown Single Malt special release (expected bottling year: 2019).
$50,000+: Invitation to join the annual corporate meetings and any new investor meetings. Private dinner provided prior to board meeting.
Company Summary
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OPPORTUNITY
Williamsburg Distillery (doing business as Eight Shires Distillery) is a small craft distillery located in the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Virginia. Eight Shires’ mission is to research, preserve, teach, and present the history of distillation from the Colonial American period (from the year 1600 to 1775). During the colonial period, distilling technology advanced substantially, creating new and more palatable craft spirits. Before products like rum and genever gin were developed, distilled spirits tasted more like moonshine. In addition, barrel aging during this period revolutionized the whiskey industry and paved the way for bourbon and scotch, spirits that would be developed only a few decades later. Eight Shires spirits are handcrafted using historic recipes and ingredients of the 17th and 18th century. One of the oldest varieties of corn, Indian maize was introduced to early colonists by Native Americans. Indian maize also gives Eight Shires wheat style bourbon a unique maple background taste. The genever style gin reflects the whiskey and herbal profiles of the Dutch precursors to modern London Dry Gins. The distillery also utilizes 18th century-style molasses for its rums, producing a spirit that is more full-bodied than modern day rums. |
PRODUCTS
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GENEVER GIN:
Modern gins are essentially vodkas flavored with juniper and botanicals. Unlike modern gins, Eight Shires’ Jamestown Genever Gin is whiskey based. Originally thought to have developed in Holland as an herbal medication,ix genever is the whiskey-based Dutch predecessor of gin. Its popularity rose when the Dutch King, William III, came to the throne in 1688 and later passed a law allowing distillation by anyone in England (and their colonies) as long as they used the domestic grain.x Eight Shires’ Jamestown Genever Gin is unique because it uses heritage Indian corn as its base, just like colonial Americans did when they created the first corn whiskies. It features malty notes similar to whiskey with an herbal component common to gin. It is currently available at the distillery and as a special order in Virginia ABC stores. SILVER RUM: Modern rum is produced from sweet molasses or sugar and high ethanol engineered yeasts, creating a narrow flavor profile. Eight Shires Distillery uses full-bodied colonial-style molasses in its rum production. Inspired by William Rogers, a 1720s Yorktown bootlegger, Eight Shires’ Silver Rum is made from period-style, organic, non-GMO sweet molasses. It is handcrafted just as it would have been made in 1720. It is currently available in Virginia ABC stores and at the distillery. GOLD RUM:
Due to its superior taste relative to whiskey at the time, rum was king of the colonies before the Revolutionary War. Typically, it was made from molasses imported from the Caribbean. By 1770, the colonies had more than 140 rum distilleries, making about 4.8 million gallons annually.xi The Eight Shires Distillery Caribbean-style barrel-aged rum is unique because it uses 18th century-style molasses. Barrel aged, smooth and delicious, this is Eight Shire’s owner’s favorite spirit. Its first release sold out and the next release is anticipated for summer/fall 2018. |
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FUTURE RELEASES:
- Bourbon: Corn was first documented in mash production in 1620 in by famed Colonist George Thorpe. It’s believed that Thorpe distilled corn beer, making what would later become known as Bourbon whiskey.xii Eight Shires Distillery is using heritage Indian corn as its base for its American Colonial wheat-style bourbon. Its next batch is expected to be released in 2019. If demand repeats the initial release, there will only be enough for a distillery release for the first year.
- Spiced Rum: Many spices were discovered during the American Colonial period in the tropics of the Caribbean. Eight Shires Spiced Rum will feature a strong colonial spice blend and has a target release for summer 2018. This will be a limited volume release, with initially availability at the distillery, then as a special Virginia ABC release.
- Period Rum: Another special edition rum ─ made as it was back in the late 1600s/early 1700s ─ using period style molasses, distilled in period stills, and released in hand blown colonial style bottles. This will be available only at the distillery.
- Thorpe’s Original: A reproduction of the grandfather of modern bourbon. Due in Spring 2018, this will be an unaged spirit. Availability will be limited to distillery and as a Virginia ABC special order.
- Cordial: Distilled spirits were called cordials in early colonial times. Eight Shires anticipates two limited releases per year, each with a different flavor. The first batch is expected in summer 2018 and will be available at the distillery and as a Virginia ABC special order.
- Single Malt: The initial release will a special release distilled in a reproduction of one of the first stills to be brought to Colonial America by famed colonist John Smith. The special release will be made from imported malt and ─ per an analysis by the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation ─ the very first water believed to be drawn from a rediscovered Jamestown well dating from the early 17th century. Only 500 bottles in 2019 and 1,500 bottles in 2021 are planned to be released. Production following the special release will be with local well water. This will be a distillery release only and each special release bottle will cost a minimum of $800.