Montanya Rum Taps Industry Titans to Scale Its Mountain-High Ambition

CRESTED BUTTE, CO – August 17, 2026 – Montanya Rum, a women-owned distillery celebrated for its high-altitude craftsmanship and rigorous ethical standards, has announced a significant strategic move: the formation of a powerhouse advisory board. This assembly of beverage industry veterans signals a clear intent to transition from a beloved craft brand into a major player on the national and global stage, leveraging deep expertise to scale its unique, purpose-driven operation.

A Council of Titans for the Next Ascent

For a company that has spent over 15 years meticulously building a reputation for quality and integrity, the choice of advisors is a critical statement of intent. The new board is not merely a collection of impressive résumés; it is a curated team of specialists whose collective experience maps directly to the challenges and opportunities of a high-growth craft spirit brand.

Among the appointees is Michelle Ivey, a proven brand builder who was instrumental in scaling Illegal Mezcal from its early days to its eventual acquisition by spirits giant Bacardi. Her experience provides a clear playbook for navigating the treacherous path from niche favorite to mainstream success. Also joining is Jimmy Bruton, a seasoned marketing leader recently the CMO for Via Carota Craft Cocktails, whose expertise in the booming ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail space could signal future avenues for product innovation. Taylor Foxman, founder of the influential advisory group The Industry Collective, brings an extensive network and a mastery of brand communications essential for cutting through a noisy market.

The board is rounded out by strategic executive Sivan Cotel, distribution expert Jeff Sarfino, and product development veteran William Kehler, who collectively bring over 50 years of industry experience across finance, operations, and go-to-market strategy.

"As we enter our next stage of growth, this advisory board brings together experienced founders, operators, and brand builders who will challenge our thinking, expand our network, and help us scale with discipline," said Megan Campbell, CEO and Head Distiller of Montanya Rum. The key here is scaling with discipline—a nod to the inherent tension between rapid expansion and preserving the brand's core identity.

The Strategic Blueprint for Scaling a Craft Spirit

The formation of such a high-caliber advisory board is a classic move for a company poised for a significant leap. For Montanya, the "next stage of growth" involves transcending its regional stronghold and competing for shelf space and consumer attention on a much larger scale. This move comes at a pivotal moment for the rum category. The global craft rum market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 5.4%, fueled by a powerful premiumization trend. Consumers, particularly those aged 25-40, are increasingly seeking out high-quality, aged, and craft expressions, treating rum with the same reverence once reserved for fine whiskey.

However, this opportunity is paired with intense competition. An advisory board provides a crucial strategic advantage, offering targeted expertise and high-level mentorship without the formal governance structure of a fiduciary board. For a company like Montanya, these advisors will act as navigators, helping to expand distribution networks, refine marketing strategies, and avoid the common pitfalls of scaling, such as sacrificing quality for volume or diluting the brand story.

Their collective wisdom will be essential in answering the critical questions that define this growth phase: How do you increase production without compromising the meticulous, high-altitude distillation process? How do you tell a story rooted in a remote Colorado mountain town to a global audience? And how do you secure the necessary capital for expansion while retaining the company's fiercely independent, women-owned identity?

Balancing Profit and Purpose at 8,888 Feet

What makes Montanya's growth story particularly compelling is its unwavering commitment to a business model that balances profit with purpose. As a certified B Corporation since 2018, the company is legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, community, and environment. This is not a marketing footnote; it is woven into the operational fabric of the distillery.

With a B-Corp score of 119—far exceeding the 80-point threshold for certification—Montanya has been recognized as a "Best for the World" company for its environmental practices. The distillery is 100% wind-powered and carbon-neutral. It utilizes a closed-loop cooling system that saves an estimated 250,000 gallons of water annually and is certified plastic-neutral, financing the removal of an equivalent amount of plastic waste from the environment. This deep commitment to sustainability provides a powerful differentiator in a market where consumers are increasingly aligning their spending with their values.

The core challenge for the new advisory board will be to architect a growth strategy that amplifies, rather than compromises, these values. The assembly of experts known for building culturally resonant and premium brands suggests a strategy focused on leveraging Montanya's ethical credentials as a key market advantage. In an era of conscious capitalism, the brand's story of environmental stewardship and social responsibility is as valuable as the award-winning liquid in its bottles.

The Terroir of a Rocky Mountain Rum

Ultimately, Montanya's success hinges on its product. Crafted at 8,888 feet in Crested Butte, the rum possesses a unique "terroir" derived from its extreme environment. The high altitude lowers the boiling point of alcohol, allowing for a gentler distillation in the company's alembic copper pot still, which is believed to result in a smoother spirit. The water, sourced from a pristine snowmelt-fed aquifer, is another critical ingredient that contributes to the rum's clean profile.

The portfolio, which includes the crisp Platino, the barrel-aged Oro, and the complex, wine-finished Exclusiva, is made from only four American ingredients: non-GMO sugarcane from family farmers in Louisiana, yeast, molasses, and that crucial Colorado mountain water. This dedication to a sense of place sets it apart from traditional Caribbean rums and places it at the forefront of the American craft spirits movement.

The new advisory board is tasked with translating this unique story of place and process into a globally recognized brand. Their success will be measured not just in cases sold or markets entered, but in their ability to protect the authenticity and integrity that have made Montanya Rum a standard-bearer for what a modern, conscious spirits company can be.