Check Out Courtney Tucker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Tucker

Courtney , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Old Hillside Bourbon Company started out as a passion project that captured our love for bourbon, friendship, and camaraderie.
Our Brand operates under three main pillars

HISTORY
Durham, North Carolina, and its Black Wall Street was a nationally known bustling epicenter of Black
businesses and financial services from the late 1880s to early 1900s

HERITAGE
Durham’s Hillside High is one of five remaining and the oldest historically Black high school serving
students before desegregation in the US

HOMAGE
Thirteen of the fifteen jockeys in the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 were Black

Created out of a love of bourbon and a rekindled friendship from
school days, Old Hillside Bourbon Company honors the lost history of Black jockeys and the impressive
legacy of Durham’s Black Wall Street, hometown of three of the Founders.

Our Inspired Future is Built on Their Storied History

Born in Durham, North Carolina, and distilled in Sparta, Kentucky, the birthplace of bourbon and
horse-racing

Sourcing grains from family-owned Kentucky farms (Neeley family distillery)
Family lands perk with limestone-laced water sources, key to producing high quality distillates
Family-owned distillery for six generations. Most vertically integrated craft distillery in Kentucky

Minority-owned, Air Force Veteran Owned

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to building a successful bourbon business has been hard.

Aging Time & Cash Flow Constraints

Bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years (and typically much longer for premium quality). This means a significant upfront investment with no immediate return, requiring deep financial backing or creative revenue streams like sourcing and blending.

High Startup Costs

Between equipment, barrels, warehousing, and operational costs, launching a bourbon distillery requires millions of dollars. Smaller craft brands often struggle to secure funding or partnerships to scale production.

Sourcing & Supply Chain Issues

Bourbon production requires high-quality grains, barrels, and water sources. Supply chain disruptions, barrel shortages, or raw material price fluctuations can impact production timelines and costs.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Chief Operating Officer

I oversee business operations, strategic growth, and brand development while ensuring quality production. I manage key partnerships, distribution channels, and marketing efforts focusing on maintaining the company’s reputation and market position. I’m most proud of helping to expand the brand moving into ecommerce and merchandise sales. I am a visionary always looking for ways to expand and grow the brand. With hard work and determination, and a can-do approach to business nothing is impossible.

What matters most to you? Why?
Company brand position and reputation is front and center. You are only as good as your word!
The company’s brand position determines how your brand stands out from competitors and helps build long term loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oldhillsidebourboncompany.com
• Instagram: oldhillsidebourbon co.
• Facebook: oldhillsideborbonco
• LinkedIn: old hillside bourbon company