Dear future Freeland investor,

I’m Jill Kuehler, Founder & CEO of Freeland Spirits, an award winning distillery making delicious spirits here in Portland, Oregon. Bright, bold, and full of fresh flavors from the farms and forests of the Pacific Northwest.

We’re so thrilled to be kicking off a crowdfunding campaign to take Freeland Spirits to the next level. For the first time in our 8 years of business, our friends and supporters have the opportunity to become owners and join me on the next chapter of sharing our delicious spirits to an ever-growing community.

Roots That Shape Our Spirits

Freeland is named after my Meemaw in Texas. She never touched any booze in her life, but she taught me two lessons that guide us today: women can be anything they want, and the good stuff comes from scratch. I fell in love with food and growing things in her garden, which led me to a career in agriculture. That experience gave me a deep respect for the land, the farmers who steward it, and the importance of fresh ingredients. It is the foundation of how we craft our spirits today and of our commitment to lifting up women, from growers to bartenders to our Free Spirits program that celebrates the unsung heroines working every day to make our community better.

From Hellbitch to National Recognition

It took two years to find a space, secure funding, and acquire equipment, but by 2017 it was all in place. I sent a photo of our beautiful still to my brothers in Texas.

“What should her name be?” I asked. “Hellbitch,” they said.

It was the untamable horse from Lonesome Dove, our family’s favorite western. And so we put Hellbitch to work, creating the spirits that show off the vibrancy of the Northwest.

In 2018 we opened our doors, selling out of our beautiful tasting room. And thanks to you we’ve since been voted the Best Distillery in Portland 4 years in a row and the Best Spirits Tasting Room for the 2nd in the Willamette Week Best of Portland poll. We were also chosen by Forbes as the Best Distillery to Visit.

Spirits with a Distinct Northwest Twist

At Freeland, every detail matters. Our iconic glass bottle is instantly recognizable and designed to celebrate the feminine spirit behind our brand, but it is what is inside that makes people fall in love.

Our gins are alive with the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Instead of relying only on dried botanicals, we use a double vacuum distillation to preserve the freshness of ingredients like cucumber, mint, and honey. The result is bright, layered, and unlike anything else on the market. Such as our Forest Gin, which brings the woods to your glass with chanterelle mushrooms, or our flagship Freeland Gin, which recalls Meemaw’s garden with its bouquet of herbs and botanicals.

Our bourbon carries the same sense of place. It is aged for four years, then finished in Elk Cove pinot noir barrels, giving it depth, richness, and a distinct Oregon character.

What ties all of our products together is a relentless focus on flavor and creativity. They capture who we are: bold, rooted in the Northwest, and always made from scratch.

In the Media:

"Is the Best Bourbon Really From Kentucky? Maybe Not." - Wine Enthusiast

"Best of the Northwest Awards" - Sip Magazine

Innovation at the Core

Creativity is at the heart of Freeland. We experiment, respond to what our fans are asking for, and keep our lineup dynamic and exciting.

When the pandemic hit, we pivoted to produce hand sanitizer for our community, and we also introduced fresh cocktail mixers to make it easier for fans to enjoy Freeland at home. More recently, we created our first batch of sparkly, iridescent Pride Gin bottles, a joyful way to honor a tradition that has always been important to us and to celebrate it with our community.

Our quarterly releases have built a loyal following too. The Cherry Blossom Liqueur, made with blossoms from the Portland Japanese Garden, captures spring in a bottle. The Chai Spice Liqueur, crafted with Smith Tea, brings warmth and spice to the season. Each limited edition proves that Freeland’s creativity translates directly into strong demand and customer loyalty.

At Freeland, innovation is not a side project, it is how we stay connected to our community and keep our products at the center of the conversation.

Growing from Portland to the Nation

What started as a single tasting room with $400k in revenue has grown into distribution across 27 states and $2.5 million in annual revenue, with an average growth rate of 43 percent per year. Today you can find Freeland in hundreds of independent liquor stores, bars, and restaurants, as well as in major chains like Whole Foods and Total Wine.

Why We Are Raising Funds

We now have an exciting opportunity to open a beautiful shop inside Portland International Airport. Over the past year, many of you may have seen our kiosk there. Now we are preparing to turn that kiosk into a full retail store with tastings, cocktails, merchandise, and products from other Portland women-owned brands.

We see the airport as a hub that connects our story across the country. Travelers can experience Freeland, learn where to find us back home, and join our She Flies Club to receive quarterly boxes of Freeland cocktail goodness delivered to their doors. Funds raised will also support the expansion of our distribution network from 27 states to all 50 and the beginning of international growth.

Perks, Pours & Good Company

Investing in Freeland isn’t just about supporting our growth — it’s about being part of the story. Each investment tier comes with unique experiences that bring you closer to our world, from distillery tours and tastings to VIP parties, farm dinners, and even hands-on time with our production team. The more you invest, the more you’ll experience the spirit of Freeland from the inside out.

Why Wefunder

In the past, we have raised money from accredited investors. This time, we want our community to be at the center. We are building something beautiful at the airport, and we want you to be a part of it, and a part of the larger Freeland story.

With your support, we are ready to take our $2.5 million business and double it within the next two years (not guaranteed). I hope you’ll hop on board and fly with us to all the new places. Together we will bring our values of celebration, equity, hard work, and deliciousness to more consumers across the United States and beyond.