Turn your spirits idea into a product you can actually make and sell.
I help craft distilleries, emerging producers and spirits brands work through product development, TTB formula submissions and the practical production decisions that come between concept and launch.
Practical support where spirits projects get complicated.
The goal is to help you move from a good idea to a clearly documented, production-ready product — without getting buried in the details.
Formula Submission Support
Prepare and review the information needed for a TTB formula submission, including ingredients, method of manufacture, product description and supporting documentation.
Spirit Product Development
Turn a product concept into a workable formula and production process, from ingredient selection and targets through pilot batches and commercialization.
Whiskey & Bourbon
Practical guidance on whiskey development, blending, proofing, dilution, maturation, finishing and the production decisions that affect the finished product.
Barrel Finishing
Work through finishing concepts, barrel history, treatment, timing and product-development considerations before committing a larger volume of spirit.
TTB & Product Navigation
Help connect the dots between formulation, formula approval, labeling considerations and the practical steps needed to move a new spirit toward market.
Distillery Second Opinion
Have a production, formula, product-development, barrel or equipment question? Get an hour with someone who has actually operated a craft DSP.
Industry experience, not just paperwork.
I approach consulting from the production side as well as the compliance side. That means the goal isn't simply to get a submission prepared — it's to make sure the product and process make sense in the real world.
- TTB formula preparation and submission support
- Ingredient and formulation review
- Method-of-manufacture documentation
- Whiskey, bourbon and specialty spirits
- Barrel aging and finishing
- Proofing, dilution and production troubleshooting
The objective
“The goal isn't just to get a product on paper. It's to make sure the product works in the real world.”
Practical advice from someone who's actually done it.
I have 5 years of hands-on experience operating a craft distillery and another 10 years specializing in spirits and spirit-product development. My work has covered the path from product concept and formulation through production, documentation and launch.
I provide independent consulting and practical submission support. I am not affiliated with or employed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), and consulting does not guarantee TTB approval.
Simple, focused and practical.
Talk
Tell me what you're developing, where you are in the process and what's holding you up.
Evaluate
We'll identify the formulation, TTB, production or product-development issues that need attention.
Move Forward
You'll leave with a clear set of next steps, documentation or practical recommendations.
You're launching a new spirit
You have the concept, but need help turning it into a workable formula and production plan.
You're stuck on a TTB formula
You're unsure how to document ingredients, process steps or supporting information for your submission.
You're already distilling
You need an experienced second set of eyes on a product, process, barrel program or production issue.
Have a product or TTB question?
Send me a short description of what you're working on. I'll take a look and let you know where I can help.
chris@kleindistilleryconsulting.com