6 Whiskey Tasting Business Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 1st, 2023

Start A Whiskey Tasting Business

A whiskey taster analyzes and gives feedback about the whiskey.

When you become a whisky taster, you approve the whiskey best for the customer.

Before starting a whiskey-tasting business, you must have expert knowledge about whiskeys so you can discharge your role in a whisky testing business. Your target customers can be whiskey manufacturers and those involved throughout the supply chain.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a whiskey tasting business:

1. TopWhiskies ($210K/year)

Ed, one of the co-founders of TopWhiskies, came up with the idea for the business while working in Financial Services in Hong Kong. He and his best friend Evan started a whisky blog as a hobby, focusing on social media to connect with fellow whisky enthusiasts. As they posted about unique independent whisky brands, their followers began asking where they could purchase these brands, leading them to launch an eCommerce site specializing in independent whiskies. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 10,000 subscribers on YouTube, the eCommerce site has seen a monthly turnover of around $17,500 and continues to grow.

How much they make: $210K/year
How much did it cost to start: $300
Current team size: 0

He Turned His Whiskey Tasting Hobby Into A $200K Business

TopWhiskies, an eCommerce store celebrating the best independent whisky brands, started as a social media hobby in 2016, and, after building a large following, pivoted to an eCommerce site in October 2020, achieving an average monthly turnover of around $17,500 with sales up around 50% year on year.

About

Ed started TopWhiskies almost 8 years ago

Revenue

Ed grew the business to $17.5K/month

Costs

It cost Ed $300 to start the business

Read this case study

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Learn more about starting a whiskey tasting business:

Where to start?

-> How to start a whiskey tasting business?
-> How much does it cost to start a whiskey tasting business?
-> Pros and cons of a whiskey tasting business

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established whiskey tasting business
-> Marketing ideas for a whiskey tasting business

Other resources

Part of

Starting A Whiskey Tasting Business: Everything You Need To Know

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4. Buffalo Trace Distillery

Over 200 years of fine bourbon craftsmanship make Buffalo Trace the World's Most Decorated Distillery. Tour the grounds with our interactive Distillery map and live video. Learn about our rich heritage and award-winning whiskies.

Website traffic: 180K/month

5. Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Spirits

As merchants, negociants and vintners, we are afforded special access to a treasure trove of exceptional wine and spirits. Since 1994, we are the Napa Valley...

Website traffic: 90K/month

6. Sip Whiskey

It's never been easier to buy Alcohol online. As your go-to Online Liquor Store, We offer the best collection of whiskey & other spirits all at your finger tips and delivered straight to your door. Shop our entire collection of liquor, beer, wine & more from the comfort of your own home.

Where they're located: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Website traffic: 120K/month