# Epec - James F.C. Hyde Sorgho Whiskey

Pioneering a gluten-free, 100% American-grown sorghum "whiskey like no other"

## Elevator pitch
Sorghum is the primary ingredient of history's oldest and most popular spirit, Chinese Baijiu, and now we're using it to make a brand new type of American whiskey the world has never tasted. James F.C. Hyde Sorgho® Whiskey's unique combination of flavor and aroma notes delight the palate, whether neat, on the rocks, in classic cocktails like a Manhattan or to inspire new world class cocktails. But don't just take our word for it–The Whiskey Wash gave us a 5/5 rating, a best in category.

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/epec.holdings.inc
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:13914
- Last updated: 2026-06-06T05:00:41Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-06T07:13:54Z

## Quick facts
- Over $2.5 million invested from over 1,000 investors in nearly a decade to get to this point in our development.  
- Distribution in 10 U.S. state including the 4 largest US spirits markets of CA, TX, FL and NY.
- Case volume of James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey nearly tripled in 2018 vs 2017.  Q4 2018 case volume exceeded ALL of 2017.
- Two year term of 6% Convertible Note offers investors 6% capital appreciation of invested capital per year for two years, and two years of risk mitigating conversion price protection.
- "Best in category" and 5/5 rating from The Whiskey Wash
- Partnerships with America's sorghum growers. including National Sorghum Producers and United Sorghum Checkoff Program
- Major investment in Delta BioRenewables, resulted in a royalty free technology license granting access to all sorghum planting, harvesting and processing technology developed by DBR over the last decade of its operation.  When paire
- Made TV debut with "free" airtime on KSNV segment on "Great Whiskey Cocktails".

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:22209: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:9459: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## FAQ
1. **Greetings - with only another month until the money runs out... and potentially several months to conclude this crowd funding campaign, how do you plan to bridge your finances? Thanks and best of luck with your project, looks terrific!**
   - Great question. We considered several possible responses to the cash burn rate issue. Ultimately our Wall Street roots convinced us, the "right" answer in a official SEC document - like a Form C - when describing Risk Factors, is to opt for the most dire description possible. That said, notice a couple of related Item #24 Form C disclosures that illuminate how we manage cash deficiencies should they occur? 1) $204,200 is deferred compensation due to officers; and 2) $25,000 loan from Director...
2. **Hi, I appreciate your answer to the previous question about runway and your incredible transparency with the questions above but I have a follow-up: What has to happen for you to be successful? Your burn rate is quite low which suggests that as you succeed it will go up, and a...**
   - Thanks for the questions Alan. In our formal filing we disclosed a use of proceeds for $100K raise. I refer you to that for an explanation how we will proceed should that be our circumstance when this offering closes. As far as our competitive position should we succeed, I refer you to the question on this offering page, "How big an opportunity is Sorgho Whiskey?" and specifically: "3) We've been granted trademark protection for “Sorgho Whiskey“ and our ambition is to elevate it to new Americ...
3. **Thanks - helpful answers. I have a family member who is quite experienced and involved in your industry. He is excited about the potential of the whisky category in general right now, and specifically in any company that can carve out a truly unique niche. According to him you...**
   - Thanks for your kind words Alan. I noticed you're from MA. Mr James FC Hyde was Newton MA - home of Boston College - first ever Mayor. We're trying to get into MA because we think that historical tie could give us a "home field advantage" competing up there. Just have to find a distributor that agrees with our assessment.
4. **Steve, We are looking for a sizable investment in your Company. To better understand your business can we talk to somebody in your comapny to decide? An early answer would be appreciated.**
   - Hello Ravi. Thanks for your question. We consider this more of a pubic forum for all potential investors. If you want to move beyond this forum to a more private venue, go to http://www.jamesfchyde.com/ and leave a private email message there. Leave as much information as you can about yourself and the investment group your represent.
5. **where can i get this in Brooklyn,ny?**
   - Closest location might be Blue Streak in Long Island City. http://www.bluestreakwine.com/james-hyde-original-sorgho-whiskey-750-ml.html

## Team
- Jim Salzano (Publicity Director)
- Jeff Griffith (Creative Director)
- Steven Relis (Chief Financial Officer)
- Steven Heller (Corporate Secretary)
- Steve Vanechanos (Executive Chairman of the Board)
- Brian Van Flandern (Board of Directors - Strategic Industry Relations)
- James Hyde (Vice Chairman of the Board)
- Ron Miller (Co-Vice Chairman)
- Glenn Pohs (founder)

## Recent posts
- Transition Complete - Developing Private Whiskey Labels for Liquor Stores, Whiskey Clubs and Charities (2023-06-10T15:36:54Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey - With COLA In Hand Will Enter Rye Whiskey Market With "A Rye Like No Other" (2019-05-16T20:07:08Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey ; A Thank You to Our Community of Owners (2019-05-01T00:03:04Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Files Application For COLA With Intention To Enter Rye Market With "Rye Like No Other" (2019-04-30T18:28:51Z)
- Epec James FC Hyde - Publishes "Message to Investors" as Required in 2018 Annual Report (2019-04-29T21:10:47Z)
- Epec -James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey Breaks Into Giant Texas Chain SPEC'S (2019-04-28T18:57:09Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey IRA Beta Test Comes to Successful Closing (2019-04-24T20:55:41Z)
- Epec James FC Hyde - Extends Early Bird Discount to First $150,000 In Commitments (2019-04-19T19:30:45Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey Enters Final Two Weeks of Its Wefunder Campaign (2019-04-17T17:08:13Z)
- Epec - James F.C. Hyde Sorgho Whiskey 2019 Q1 Orders Exceed First Three Quarters of 2018 (2019-04-11T12:41:02Z)
- Epec - James F.C. Hyde Sorgho Whiskey 2019's Momentum Continues Into March (2019-04-03T15:41:44Z)
- Epec James FC Hyde - Enters Big Fish Partner Program; Opens Key Chicago Market for Sorgho Whiskey (2019-03-30T00:24:54Z)
- Discovery Channel's "Moonshiners" "Discover" Sorghum Make's a Great Whiskey (2019-03-17T18:03:19Z)
- James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey Goes to Disney With First California Cocktail Infuser (2019-03-14T17:29:25Z)
- Epec - James FC Hyde Sorgho Whiskey Gains Entre Into Western NY Markets (2019-03-12T18:51:02Z)

## Q&A
- Q: Hi, I appreciate your answer to the previous question about runway and your incredible transparency with the questions above but I have a follow-up: What has to happen for you to be successful? Your burn rate is quite low which suggests that as you succeed it will go up, and at the same time there will likely be a lag in cash flow to cover expenses. What does your growth have to be over the next year so that you can not only sustain the business but actually ensure that you can invest in growth (assuming that you raise the low end of your goal here)? Put differently, how will your investment in increasing the number of outlets have to translate to number of cases sold? Unrelated: I don't know your industry well - would anything prevent a large pocketed player from copying your recipe if they saw you succeeding? Thanks! Alan
  - A: Thanks for the questions Alan. In our formal filing we disclosed a use of proceeds for $100K raise. I refer you to that for an explanation how we will proceed should that be our circumstance when this offering closes. As far as our competitive position should we succeed, I refer you to the question on this offering page, "How big an opportunity is Sorgho Whiskey?" and specifically: "3) We've been granted trademark protection for “Sorgho Whiskey“ and our ambition is to elevate it to new American whiskey category akin to bourbon or rye; 4) We've made substantial investment in a our Sorgho Whiskey supply chain, securing a strategic choke hold on the critical sorghum technology necessary to scale Sorgho Whiskey production to several hundred thousand cases per year;" I would encourage you to read the entire response to "How big an opportunity is Sorgho Whiskey?"
- Q: Is this investment still active? My original note is from Apr 2019, no idea if that investment is gone at this point or still somehow active.
- Q: Just wanted to check and see if your company will offer Carta or shares or any kind of note to it's first time early investors at some point
- Q: Thank you Steve. One more question. Let me see if I understand the full picture here. Essentially your company EPEC Holdings located in Florida which produces ethanol sorghum, operates fueling stations, and vinasse used by farmers as fertilizer/animal feed is the same company that transports the sorghum from Tenn. to Fairfield, NJ to be produced into whiskey? Am I buying into this consumable fuels company as well? Could you please briefly explain the logistics of how/where the product is produced from sorghum to whiskey, ends up in the distillery, and what company or other companies are involved in the process?
- Q: where can i get this in Brooklyn,ny?
  - A: Closest location might be Blue Streak in Long Island City. http://www.bluestreakwine.com/james-hyde-original-sorgho-whiskey-750-ml.html
- Q: What is the status of my investment in your company?
- Q: Hey, Just wondering the status of our investment. I invested $1k in 3/2019, but have not heard anything in a few years.
- Q: Is there any updates? Should I consider this a loss?
- Q: What is the latest on this investment?
- Q: Do you have any updates on your company? I invested in Nov 2017 and would like an update
- Q: Hi Steve.. I haven't seen any updates since 2019(?). How are things going, especially since Covid?
- Q: Any new updates? It is March 2021 and haven't seen any for awhile.
- Q: Hello Team I live in Maryland so I would like to know the closest store I can purchase a bottle from or do purchaser have online access thanks
- Q: I just learned about your process from a trusted advisor and would like to invest. Are you open for investments at this point?
  - A: We are accepting investments Tina, contact me directly at svanechanos@jamesfchyde.com​
- Q: Help! I initially indicated $200 investment but changed it $500 prior to the deadline. It appears only the $200 was transferred from my account. Please tell me you will be taking the other $300! I want to be a part of this company and wished I had more available cash to invest but definitely wanted in at $500.