Washington, D.C.-based Cotton & Reed Rum Distillers is excited to announce its first major expansion. On April 1, Cotton & Reed will take over the Ivy City facility being vacated by Bo & Ivy Distillers, the woman-operated, veteran-owned craft distillery that recently announced its closure.
This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Cotton & Reed’s evolution, enabling the company to scale up its production and expand its service offerings, all while maintaining its beloved original distillery and bar in the Union Market District. The production expansion is a testament to the growing demand for Cotton & Reed’s unique rum offerings.
In addition to ramping up production, the new facility will enable Cotton & Reed to broaden its range of services beyond what is possible in its original 3,400-square-feet facility. The additional 12,800 square feet in Ivy City will allow barrel warehousing services, offering local brands without a facility of their own a place to age their spirits. The space also allows Cotton & Reed to venture into contract production and contract bottling. These new services are designed to collaborate with other brands, fostering growth and innovation within the craft spirits community.
“From winning White Rum Best of Class at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition to serving tens of thousands of Cocomotion slushies at the bar, we’ve done some big things in a small space,” says Jordan Cotton, co-Founder & CEO. “But we and our forklift are excited to finally have a bit more breathing room.”
While Cotton & Reed is eager to embrace the opportunities this new facility and neighborhood present, the company is also dedicated to preserving the unique industrial character and charm of its original Union Market District location. The original distillery will continue to produce rum and serve cocktails, but moving some production activities to the new facility will allow the increasingly crowded Union Market facility to focus more on bar service.
Cotton & Reed does not have immediate plans to operate regular hours at the Ivy City tasting room. But the Ivy City facility will offer additional opportunities to host private events in a new environment.
Stay tuned for more details on the official transition and upcoming offerings from Cotton & Reed’s expanded operations. For more information about Cotton & Reed Rum Distillers and their products, please visit cottonandreed.com