Yellow Rose Distilling

About Yellow Rose Distilling

Yellow Rose Distilling Essential Facts

Named after the Yellow Rose of Texas, history lore dating back to General Sam Houston’s 1836 victory at the battle of San Jacinto, YR Distilling was founded in 2010 by neighbors Troy Smith and Ryan Baird. Frequent backyard discussions about their favorite whiskeys morphed into a legitimate business plan, combining Smith’s experience attending distilling classes across the US and Baird’s ten-year background in business strategy, marketing and engineering. Ryan persuaded his close friend from business school, Randy Whitaker, to join them on the journey, and Yellow Rose launched Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey in Houston in July of 2012.

To meet growing product demand and to personally connect with consumers, the trio moved operations to a 10,000 square foot production facility and tasting room on the edge of Uptown Houston in the fall of 2014. Featuring a 600 gallon mash ton, two 600 gallon fermenters and a 600 gallon whiskey still, current production capabilities exceed 10,000 cases per year.

Last year to cement national expansion, Yellow Rose partnered with Atlanta-based Blue Ridge Spirits. Founded by two spirits industry veterans with decades of experience in sales, branding, product development and volume growth, Blue Ridge has fully invested its resources in the growth of Yellow Rose and is building a team accordingly. Redesigned packaging and additional products will launch in the next six months.