In 2016, a casual conversation between a couple sparked an idea that would soon become a passion and a thriving business. What began as a hobby of distilling small-batch spirits quickly evolved into Carefree Spirits Distillery, a company that produces premium bourbons and vodkas. Rooted in a commitment to quality and authenticity, Carefree Spirits Distillery has garnered international acclaim, winning 30 awards for taste and quality by 2022. Today, their brands are available in 41 states, with plans for further expansion. Join us as we delve into the story of Carefree Spirits Distillery, exploring their journey, team, products, and vision for the future. We spoke to Renea and Mike about their passion turned business!

What inspired you to start a distillery, and how did you choose the name "Carefree Spirits"?

Carefree Spirits was created when owner Renea McQuiggan was looking for a hobby for her retired husband, Mike.  Mike and Renea studied and learned a lot about distilling bourbon and vodka and shared their blend with friends in Carefree, Cave Creek, and Scottsdale, AZ.  Everyone loved and encouraged them to make more.  In parallel, Renea saw an opportunity:  Her family’s fourth-generation farm in Kansas produces high-quality grains, which could make their blends even better.  With reliable supply and growing demand, the couple launched their new post-retirement venture in Carefree, Arizona, and named it Carefree Spirits Distillery.  Like its relaxed town’s namesake, “Carefree” is an attitude, a disposition, and a way of life.  To be carefree is to be happy and relaxed, and that’s a great feeling that can come from enjoying a fine blend with friends.

Image: Carefree Spirits Distillery, Arizona

How has Carefree Spirits Distillery evolved since its inception?

We produced everything by hand in the beginning as we wanted to ensure that the product we were creating was of the highest quality possible.  Our passion from the very beginning was to create the finest portfolio of premium bourbons and vodkas.  To blend and bottle one barrel would take several weeks.  As our customer demand and our production capacity scaled, we automated and upgraded our bottling and filtering systems to a production rate of two barrels per day.

What strategies have been most effective in driving the growth of your brands, Carefree Bourbon and Chakra Vodka?

Our Carefree Spirits team attends festivals and fairs year-round to offer samples to local communities.  We also conduct private tastings at golf courses, liquor stores, and private charity events.  Our Tasting Room is a relaxing environment where you can enjoy a quiet conversation over a chilled cocktail and freshly prepared charcuterie platter.  Special events happen throughout the year.  All product lines, as well as other Carefree Spirits merchandise, can be purchased at the Tasting Room.  We are very fortunate to have Crescent Crown pick up both Chakra Vodka and Carefree Bourbon for distribution across Arizona.

Image: Chakra, Winners of Bartender Spirits Awards

What processes and techniques do you use to produce your spirits? How do you ensure the quality and consistency of your products?

All blending and bottling are performed in our Carefree location.  We have imported the best water to provide a smooth clean taste to our bourbon and vodka.  Our team is consistently performing quality-control checks throughout the process.  If we determined that even one of us wouldn’t drink the product, then we would start over to make it right.  “Quality without compromise” is our policy, using only the finest grains, people, and processes.  Only natural ingredients.  No shortcuts, sugars, or artificial additives.  Natural.  Authentic.  Premium.  Delicious.

Are there any sustainability practices or initiatives that Carefree Spirits Distillery follows?

We continue to use the grain from our farm as much as possible so we know that the consistency and quality will remain at the highest levels.  We also are exploring new products that will utilize some of our current used barrels.

Where are Carefree Bourbon and Chakra Vodka currently available, and what are your plans for expansion?

Currently, we are licensed in AZ, CA, FL, TX, and TN.  All Carefree Spirits products can be purchased DTC (direct to consumer) on our website, Carefree-Spirits.com which allows us to sell directly in 41 states.  We hope to continue to expand in those states and eventually move to a global market.

Image: (Left) Jake Stuckey, and (Right) Matt Stuckey

Are there any new flavors or products that you are experimenting with?

We hope to launch a line of ‘Carefree’ spirits this year, which will include a gin, rum, and a ‘toasted oak’ series of our Carefree Bourbon. 

What has been the biggest achievement for Carefree Spirits Distillery thus far?

We have purchased a commercial lot in the heart of Carefree where we plan to build a 15,000 sq ft distillery, bottling line, tasting room, and event center.

Image: Carefree Bourbon, Winner - Bartender Spirits Awards

How does entering competitions such as the Bartender Spirits Awards competition help Carefree Spirits Distillery?

​​We know there are a lot of products out there and more coming out daily.  Receiving high marks and positive feedback from Bartender Spirits Awards helps to get our products to stand out.  Consumers look for recommendations from outside sources when they choose a product/brand and this allows the consumer to evaluate the product before buying it.  As we continue to win awards we will ‘showcase’ our product, along with the awards received for each product.

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Conclusion:

As Carefree Spirits Distillery continues to grow and innovate, its commitment to quality and authenticity remains unwavering. From their origins on a Kansas farm to their distribution in most states in the USA, their story stands true to the power of passion and dedication. As they look towards the future, one thing is clear: the journey of Carefree Spirits Distillery is far from over, and there are many more memorable moments to be shared and enjoyed.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network