AKA Spirits Inc (TUCK Gin) offering is now closed and is no longer accepting investments.
Gin and RTDs ReimaGINed
INVEST IN AKA SPIRITS INC (TUCK GIN) TODAY!
Reasons to invest
“An exceptional and accessible spirit designed for the modern American palate.”
The Problem
Although the consumption of gin has exploded in much of the world over the last decade, gin has remained out of favor in the USA relative to other spirits.
We believe gin is beginning to catch on in the USA, but there is still a popular misconception that gin is your grandparent’s drink.
We are here to change that.
The Solution
We Believe in Making Gin Accessible to Everyone
TUCK is an American-styled gin that has a balanced flavor that is not piney and not juniper centric. We created our products to appeal to a broad audience, having a cool presentation, and offered in different, on-trend formats.
Our gin is designed to taste better to the average consumer than typical dry, juniper-dominated brands. At the same time, we highlight our craft-based approach to make it more appealing to discerning gin drinkers.
The launch of our TUCK ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails coincides with current market trends where consumer desire convenient, ready mixed and accessible quality cocktails. Our RTDs are based on our premium gin and are also tea-based and non-carbonated, which we believe sets our product apart from most other RTDs.
The Market
Two Major Markets to Disrupt
With our products, we are addressing two related markets: the gin market and the rapidly evolving cocktail-based RTD market.
The Gin category is slowly becoming more popular in North America with growth in new craft gins expected in the next 12/18 months following the parabolic growth in the UK, Europe and Australia/NZ in the last decade. Currently the US consumes 10 million cases of gin annually.
* Source
Meanwhile, we believe the RTD market is doing well. A pre-covid analysis by Nielsen showed that cocktail-based RTDs on-premise were growing at 83% for the fifty-two weeks preceding December 2019. (Source) With recent focus on cleanliness and quality, we expect the growth in this category to surpass this going forward. We expect off-premise sales to follow suit. (Bevnet Magazine, the January – February 2020 issue)
Our Traction
Award-Winning and Already Expanding
Our gins have been submitted into two competitions and we were awarded silver medals each time (New York World Spirits Competition 2019 for the flagship gin, and San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 for the barrel aged gin. We have also reached a number of milestones in the past year in our plans for expansion. Below are some bulleted metrics of interest relating to sales, distribution, and product development:
Sales and Distribution
- Our sales amounted to $84k for FY0420 in our first year in the market.
- We currently have approximately 500 points of distribution for our product.
- In 2020 and 2021 in Connecticut, we rotated to distributor of choice (namely CDI) for all of our products.
- In 2021 we launched distribution in Rhode Island with our distributor of choice (Rhode Island Distributing, a division of Mancini Beverage).
- In January 2021, we launched full vertical integrated e-comm capability to support DTC and ad/market testing, in partnership with BevMax e-comm retailer.
- In January 2021, we also launched B2B distribution in California with LibDib via MHW and in Florida via Matchbook Distilling Co.
Product Development
- In late 2019, our Flagship Gin (TUCK Gin) won the silver medal at the New York World Spirits Competition.
- In Spring 2020, our barrel aged gin (TUCK Barrel Run Gin) won the silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- In late summer 2020, we launched our first RTD offering, TUCK Gin and Tea, and a second in Spring 2021, TUCK Gin and Green Tea with Honey.
What We Do
We Sell Gin that is Different by Design
We have a uniquely meticulous process to create TUCK Gin. Unlike many gins, ours is actually handcrafted. Each botanical is distilled individually to ensure brightness and freshness and remove bitter off-flavors.
We are uncompromising in our ingredients. We use the best ingredients available from the best sources globally. This includes fresh, hand-peeled organic pink grapefruit peel from California, fresh jasmine flower from India, and fresh rosemary from upstate New York. We use organic botanicals whenever available, or at least non-GMO. We distill with a regeneratively farmed, corn-based neutral spirit.
In addition, we have RTDs, which use our gin in combination with slightly sweetened organic teas. These beverages are caffeine free, non-carbonated, and 9.4% ABV. We use just three or four quality ingredients, with no artificial sweeteners or flavors and actually brewed organic teas.
The Business Model
Partnerships with Distillers and Distributors
Our aim is to embrace disruptive opportunities within the 3-tier liquor model (3TM) including:
- Producing via a contract distilling partner, which allows us to be faster to market with a MUCH lower capital outlay.
- Engaging with traditional distribution partners and B2B distribution while building direct-to-consumer capability.
- As a result, we can concentrate on building the brand, executing sales and marketing, and managing the quality of the production.
The below table represents our projected margins.
How We Are Different
We’re All About the Details
We are all and only about gin, and our products reflect this obsession. This is very different to many gin producers who use gin as a cash flow enhancer while they wait for their “brown” spirits to mature.
As a result of our obsession with quality and flavor, each botanical is individually rested for 30 days and once blended, rested for an additional 20 days or more. Our distillation cuts are determined by taste rather than temperature, and our water is pH balanced and mimics the minerality of the Saugatuck water table from which it was first distilled. Each botanical is macerated at a lower ABV to enhance flavor profile over yield.
Our RTD products use our ultra-premium flagship gin and are real brewed organic tea-based and non-carbonated. These differentiators set us apart from the current RTD competition and create unique, delicious cocktails.
GIF
The Vision
National Expansion with an Excellent Product
We want to bring our love of gin to a new generation of American consumers.
As changes to the 3-tier business model arise, we hope to eventually establish a botanical experience/tasting room and sell direct to consumer throughout the country. We also plan to partner with mixer producers to continue to find new, relevant ways for American consumers to enjoy TUCK gin.
Our ultimate goal is to create a portfolio of gin related products and to become a national gin-centric liquor brand with international possibilities.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Strong Founder Team Balancing Corporate and Creative Skills
Our Co-founder and President, Jonathan Davies, was the original distiller of our flagship gin, starting the process from his basement in Connecticut. He created an award-winning recipe through experimentation and an obsession with gin.
Our team has decades of experience from finance to alcohol sales, to liquor branding and design. Each of our founders has unique strengths, experience and expertise.
Why Invest
An Exceptional Taste in a Growing Market
Our award-winning great tasting gins and distinctive gin-based RTDs are uniquely designed for the American market. TUCK Gin is a great brand with exceptional creative assets. We also have strong relationships with outstanding production and traditional distribution partners, and we have a fully operational DTC e-commerce platform.
Our outsourced production allows us to focus on building the brand while deploying relatively little capital to date. Capital raised in this offering will be used predominantly for sales and marketing to support our expansion plans in a lane that is on trend.
Join us as we work to share TUCK Gin with a new generation of gin drinkers.
THE OFFERING MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
ABOUT
83 Old Farm Road
Weston, CT 06883
$6.61M
TUCK Gin is a uniquely craft gin designed specifically for the American palate. TUCK is an exceptional and accessible spirit that is less juniper-forward than traditional gins, having a modern flavor that appeals to gin lovers and non-gin drinkers alike. We have also created gin-based ready-to-drink (RTDs) canned cocktails that align with current market trends. We are all about gin, and our products reflect this obsession.
TEAM
Jonathan Davies
Alexander Metviner
Fernando J Alva Mirás
Geoff Shafer
Josh Meah
Marketing Director
Karl Maruyama
Creative Designer
Pam Jarrin
Brand Ambassador
TERMS
Overview
Breakdown
Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares
Company | : | AKA Spirits Inc |
Corporate Address | : | 83 Old Farm Road, Weston, CT 06883 |
Offering Minimum | : | $10,000.00 |
Offering Maximum | : | $1,070,000.00 |
Minimum Investment Amount(per investor) | : | $250.00 |
Terms
Offering Type | : | Equity |
Security Name | : | Class B Common Stock |
Minimum Number of Shares Offered | : | 200 |
Maximum Number of Shares Offered | : | 21,400 |
Price per Share | : | $50.00 |
Pre-Money Valuation | : | $6,614,700.00 |
Live perks
Invest within the first 24 hours, receive 10% bonus shares.
Volume
Invest $500 - Premium TUCK Gin tee-shirt/baseball hat
Invest $1,000-- 3% bonus shares, TUCK Gin shot glasses and 15% off all e-comm purchases for 12M
Invest $2,500 -- 20% off all e-comm purchases for 12M and exclusive access to special merch
Invest $5,000 -- Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
Invest $10,000 --5% bonus shares, Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
Invest $25,000 -- 10.0% bonus shares, Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
Invest $50,000 --15% bonus shares, Free weekend trip to Greenport, NY to meet the founder team, distillery tour and tasting, share the vision etc.
Invest $100,000 -- 20% bonus shares, Free weekend trip to Greenport, NY to meet the founder team, distillery tour and tasting, share the vision etc.
The 10% StartEngine Owners' Bonus
Tuck Gin will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed by investors that are eligible for the StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. OWNer's bonus.
This means eligible StartEngine shareholders will receive a 10% bonus for any shares they purchase in this offering. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Common Stock at $50/ share, you will receive and own 110 shares for $5000. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
This 10% Bonus is only valid during the investors eligibility period. Investors eligible for this bonus will also have priority if they are on a waitlist to invest and the company surpasses its maximum funding goal. They will have the first opportunity to invest should room in the offering become available if prior investments are canceled or fail.
Investors will only receive a single bonus, which will be the highest bonus rate they are eligible for.
*Maximum Number of Shares offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See Bonus info below.
Any bonus shares received by an investor as a result of making a reservation in this Testing the Waters campaign and subsequently investing in an offering by the Company will be in addition to any bonus shares offered during the Company’s live offering. For example, if we offer 10% bonus shares for making a reservation in this Testing the Waters (“TTW”) campaign, and then an investor completes an investment in our live offering, and the live offering has an additional 10% bonus you are eligible for, you will receive both bonuses combined as a percentage of your original investment amount. If you purchase 100 shares, you will receive 120 shares total in the live offering (100 (original investment) + 10 (10% bonus shares from your TTW reservation) + 10 (10% bonus shares from the live offering perk).
TTW Reservation Perks*
Reserve during the Test The Waters offering and receive 10% Bonus Shares. The reservation perks are in addition to company-specific perks while the campaign is live.
The Company may provide additional perks based on different criteria if and when the offering campaign becomes live.
*All Perks occur after the offering ends.
ALL UPDATES
12.14.21
LAST CALL!!
We’re down to the wire with only two or so hours remaining for you to invest in TUCK Gin.
There’s a reason we’re creating a new “gin-eration” of gin drinkers. Our award-winning gin has unforgettable flavor with a modern twist, and with our low capital business model, your investment is all we need to reach the top!
Don’t miss your chance to get in on the ground floor of something great. Invest in TUCK now before it’s too late!
12.13.21
We Hit $100k! 10 Hours Still Left to Invest!
12.13.21
Tick Tock TUCK!
Only 17 hours left to invest!
We’ve come a long way, but we’re just getting started. We already have plans to expand our distribution to FL, GA, and CA, and there’s much more to come, so don’t miss out!
This is your last chance to join in our mission to share our award-winning gin with the world, so if you’ve been waiting for the right time to double down on your investment, that time is now.
The clock is ticking...invest in TUCK today.
12.12.21
Time is running out ⌛ Invest in TUCK Today!
Tomorrow is the last day for you to decide.
Will you sit back and watch as TUCK takes off, or will you increase your investment and join us in disrupting the market?
Our gin is going places with a highly scalable business model, amazing taste, and modern vibes. We have current distribution in CT, RI, and NY with plans to expand to FL, GA, and CA.
If you want to be a major part of the action, today is the day. Boost your investment and become a part of a brand that is about to reach a whole new level.
We can’t wait to see how far TUCK goes, and we hope you’ll be there to witness it with us.
12.11.21
Only 2 days left to invest in TUCK: Here’s what you need to know
In the final two days, be sure to invest in the outrageously different, award-winning premium TUCK Gin. Through balanced flavors, fresh ingredients, and innovative gin-based RTD products, TUCK aims to create a new gin-eration of gin drinkers.
“From an investor’s standpoint, the company can be described as a low-capital brand without many moving parts. This could make TUCK more agile and provide higher margin with less liabilities on its financial statements.”1
You can read more about our highly scalable, unique business model here, as well as learn more about our coming expansion into new territories that crave our refreshing RTD cocktails.1
Cheers to an incredible, unique, and flavorful product line - invest, sip, and savor the smooth finish with us this round.
Grab a koozie though, the journey has just begun.
12.10.21
Still on the fence? Only THREE DAYS LEFT to invest in TUCK
Let’s face it, sitting on a fence is rather uncomfortable. There are only THREE days left to invest in TUCK, so it’s now or never.
Come on over to our side of the fence, grab a delicious cocktail, and invest in the best-tasting gin around. We can’t wait to get TUCK off the ground and into a store near you!
12.09.21
Raise a glass to new territories!
We’ve had fun sharing TUCK with our Northeastern friends, so we’re excited for TUCK to be heading South!
A partnership with TAG USA will enable us to bring the great taste of TUCK to two HUGE markets—Georgia and Florida! We’re excited to share the TUCK experience with our friends in the South East who we know are going to love our gin.
Read more on TUCK's partnership expansions and innovative business model here.
Also, don’t forget we’re down to just FOUR DAYS LEFT to invest! So, join the party and invest in TUCK today.
12.09.21
Bump up your share in TUCK while you still can!
We’re down to just FOUR DAYS LEFT! Don’t get caught up in life’s shenanigans and miss the train.
We’ve been chugging along and making BIG moves, and we want to make sure you get an even bigger slice of the pie. So, bump up your share in TUCK today and make sure you’re on board for the ride.
12.08.21
Only five days left to invest in TUCK
The clock is ticking. If you haven’t clicked that button and invested yet, there’s no better time to do so than right now.
We’re revolutionizing the way the world drinks gin, and you don’t want to miss out! Invest in TUCK today and help get this party going.
12.06.21
It’s the final countdown...
We’re getting giddy over here! Today marks the FINAL WEEK you’ll be able to increase your share in the TUCK team.
So, get yourself involved before it’s too late and help fuel the gin revolution!
REWARDS
$250.00
StartEngine Owner’s Bonus
This offering is eligible for the StartEngine Owner’s 10% Bonus program. For details on this program, please see the Offering Summary section below.
$500.00
First Tier
Invest $500 -- Premium TUCK Gin tee-shirt/baseball hat
$1,000.00
Second Tier
Invest $1,000-- 3% bonus shares, TUCK Gin shot glasses and 15% off all e-comm purchases for 12M
$2,500.00
Third Tier
Invest $2,500 -- 3% bonus shares, 20% off all e-comm purchases for 12M and exclusive access to special merch
$5,000.00
Fourth Tier
Invest $5,000 -- 3% bonus shares Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
$10,000.00
Fifth Tier
Invest $10,000 --5% bonus shares, Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
$25,000.00
Sixth Tier
Invest $25,000 -- 10% bonus shares, Investor special reserve single barrel TUCK barrel aged gin
$50,000.00
Seventh Tier
Invest $50,000 --15% bonus shares, Free weekend trip to Greenport, NY to meet the founder team, distillery tour and tasting, share the vision etc.
$100,000.00
Eighth Tier
Invest $100,000 -- 20% bonus shares, Free weekend trip to Greenport, NY to meet the founder team, distillery tour and tasting, share the vision etc.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
0/2500
HOW INVESTING WORKS
Cancel anytime before 48 hours before a rolling close or the offering end date.
WHY STARTENGINE?
How much can I invest?
With Regulation A+, a non-accredited investor can only invest a maximum of 10% of their annual income or 10% of their net worth per year, whichever is greater. There are no restrictions for accredited investors.
With Regulation Crowdfunding, non-accredited investors with an annual income or net worth less than $124,000, are limited to invest a maximum of 5% of the greater of those two amounts. For those with an annual income and net worth greater than $124,000, he/she is limited to investing 10% of the greater of the two amounts.
When will I receive my shares?
At the close of an offering, all investors whose funds have “cleared” by this time will be included in the disbursement. At this time, each investor will receive an email from StartEngine with their Countersigned Subscription Agreement, which will serve as their proof of purchase moving forward.
Please keep in mind that a company can conduct a series of “closes” or withdrawals of funds throughout the duration of the campaign. If you are included in that withdrawal period, you will be emailed your countersigned subscription agreement and proof of purchase immediately following that withdrawal.
What will the return on my investment be?
StartEngine assists companies in raising capital, and once the offering is closed, we are no longer involved with whether the company chooses to list shares on a secondary market, or what occurs thereafter. Therefore, StartEngine has no control or insight into your investment after the close of the live offering. In addition, we are not permitted to provide financial advice. You may want to contact a financial professional to discuss possible investment outcomes.
Can I cancel my investment?
For Regulation Crowdfunding, investors are able to cancel their investment at any point throughout the campaign up until 48 hours before the closing of the offering. Note: If the company does a rolling close, they will post an update to their current investors, giving them the opportunity to cancel during this timeframe. If you do not cancel within this 5-day timeframe, your funds will be invested in the company, and you will no longer be able to cancel the investment. If your funds show as ‘Invested’ on your account dashboard, your investment can no longer be canceled.
For Regulation A+, StartEngine allows for a four-hour cancelation period. Once the four-hour window has passed, it is up to each company to set their own cancelation policy. You may find the company’s cancelation policy in the company’s offering circular.
Once your investment is canceled, there is a 10-day clearing period (from the date your investment was submitted). After your funds have cleared the bank, you will receive your refund within 10 business days.
Refunds that are made through ACH payments can take up to 10 business days to clear. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the bank, but we will do everything we can to get you your refund as soon as possible. However, every investment needs to go through the clearing process in order to get sent back to the account associated with the investment.
What is the difference between Regulation Crowdfunding and Regulation A+?
Both Title III (Regulation Crowdfunding) and Title IV (Reg A+) help entrepreneurs crowdfund capital investments from unaccredited and accredited investors. The differences between these regulations are related to the investor limitations, the differing amounts of money companies are permitted to raise, and differing disclosure and filing requirements. To learn more about Regulation Crowdfunding, click here, and for Regulation A+, click here.
