Ohio-based Middle West Spirits has taken its Old Elk brand into cause-marketing territory with the nationwide launch of Old Elk Distillery Folds of Honor Blended American Whiskey, a limited release priced at $49.99 SRP that directs support to Folds of Honor, the nonprofit providing educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.
The Liquid
The whiskey is a blend of Old Elk High Malt Bourbon and Old Elk Rye. Tasting notes describe toasted oak, leather, and vanilla on the nose, with a palate of sweet and tart cherry, warm baking spices, and cherry vanilla. The bottle is available for preorder now through the Old Elk online shop and at the Middle West Spirits distillery bottle store in Columbus, Ohio.
Why It Matters for On-Premise
For restaurant and bar operators, cause-aligned spirits SKUs have become a reliable vehicle for building guest loyalty and differentiating a back bar — particularly with consumers who respond to veteran- and first-responder themes. A $49.99 retail price positions Old Elk Folds of Honor squarely in the premium American whiskey tier, where on-premise margins remain strong and storytelling adds perceived value at the pour. Beverage directors sourcing products with a built-in narrative can follow our analysis of cause-driven spirits trends to benchmark how similar releases have performed on cocktail menus.
"Folds of Honor is an organization that is close to our hearts, and we consider it a privilege and duty to offer support to American heroes," said Luis Gonzalez, Chief Commercial Officer of Middle West Spirits. "Through this partnership, we hope to make an impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed so greatly for our country."
Luke Sherman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Folds of Honor, framed the partnership as a model for mission-aligned brand collaboration. "Working with Old Elk, an American whiskey that wholeheartedly believes in our purpose, showcases the power of two American organizations coming together to support a critical cause," Sherman said.
Folds of Honor by the Numbers
Founded in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 62,000 scholarships totaling approximately $290 million across all 50 states. The organization reports that 91 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to scholarships. Middle West Spirits, which has operated since 2008 and earned more than 200 industry awards, controls its full production process — from grain sourcing to bottling — at its Columbus, Ohio facilities, giving it supply-chain flexibility to scale limited releases like this one. Operators and buyers interested in broader American craft spirits coverage can find category context in our ongoing reporting on independent distillery growth. Food & Beverage Magazine has also tracked the expansion of cause-marketing partnerships across the spirits category as a key on-premise sales driver.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
