Kentucky in our hearts. Innovation in our hands.

Founded in April 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky, DAAD Distilling Company LLC was born from a succession of bold dreams — not just to craft world‑class bourbon‑whiskey, but to breathe life back into the soulful spirit of the Appalachian Mountains and proudly champion Black ownership in the craft distilling world that has too often overlooked it.

Led by Aaron Floyd and Antonio Santago, DAAD Distilling Company stands at the crossroads of tradition and ambition. From our beginnings as a federally licensed wholesaler and importer, we have always looked beyond the glass with bold visions: an immersive distillery and cultural destination in Eastern Kentucky that will showcase the craft of premium spirits while fueling local opportunities.

For DAAD, our spirits will be more than a pour; they’ll be stories in liquid form. It carries the weight of heritage, the warmth of community, and the fire of ambition. Our tribute to the land that shaped us and the people whose resilience inspires us.

Two men standing on a stage, holding an award, with a backdrop that reads 'StartUP Appalachia' and balloons decorating the stage.

The “DAAD’s”

Aaron Floyd- Founder & Co-CEO
Aaron brings operational precision and strategic leadership, ensuring DAAD’s expansion is sustainable and scalable. His commitment to excellence complements Aaron’s creative drive, making DAAD a partnership built on balance.

People in various settings: a man and a young girl smiling for a selfie, a man carrying a girl on his shoulders, a man and a girl with a bouquet of flowers outdoors, a person shopping for personal care products in a store.

Antonio Santago- Co-CEO
Antonio is a visionary brand builder and community advocate. He leads DAAD’s branding, marketing, community engagement, event planning, and compliance amongst other things. For him, every bottle is a vessel for heritage, legacy, and the people DAAD will serve.

A collage of four photos showing a family enjoying different activities. The top photo features a man with four kids outside, one carrying a young girl on his shoulders and three girls smiling at the camera. The bottom left photo shows three kids and an adult posing at a location with slot machines. The bottom right photo depicts the family sitting together at a stadium event, some wearing caps and jackets, and a colorful stage in the background.

Our Commitments

Craftsmanship: Delivering bold, authentic Kentucky bourbon‑whiskey.

  1. Community Impact: Investing in livelihoods, education, and local infrastructure.

  2. Sustainability: Protecting natural resources and wildlife for future generations.

  3. Cultural Legacy: Honoring the Appalachian and Black entrepreneurial heritage at the heart of our story.

  • Economic Empowerment & Job Creation

  • Agricultural Partnerships

  • Education & Skills Development

  • Tourism Development

  • Infrastructure & Public Amenities

  • Arts & Cultural Enrichment

  • Health & Wellness Initiatives

Modern industrial building with large glass windows, wooden and metal exterior, surrounded by landscaped grass and plants, set against a partly cloudy sky.
Distillery+Tourist Destination
DAAD+Kentucky

Want to own a piece of DAAD history? Explore our Barrel Pick Program.

Our Partners

  • A white H on a dark gray background.

    Whiskey House

  • Turner Labels logo with black and red design elements and text stating 'EST. 1967' and 'Turner Labels'.

    Turner Labels

  • Logo for Burch Bottle & Packaging featuring a stylized illustration of three bottles and bold text.

    Burch Bottling

  • Illustration of three blue bottles with a smiling Earth character with a heart, clouds, and the text 'Bluegrass Bottling'.

    Bluegrass Bottling

  • A sneaker that looks like a patriotic basketball shoe, featuring black, white, and blue colors with a Nike swoosh, placed on a blue surface against a yellow background.

    Horse Kicks

  • Logo for Halligans Bar & Grill in Lexington, Kentucky, featuring bold white text on a black and red background with a stylized outline of a mountain or hill.

    Halligans Bar & Grill

  • Gray background with bold white text that reads "Smoke n' Bourbon".

    Smoke N' Bourbon

  • Blue Whiskey

    Blue Whiskey

  • Ace Liquor

    Ace Liquor

  • Uncle 7s Bourbon Bar

    Uncle 7s Bourbon Bar

  • Apex Liquor

    Apex Liquor