Honoring an Irish heritage through an extraordinary American distillery built for generations.

The Dream

Michael and Patrick O’Shaughnessy had built successful businesses before. But this one was different. The cousins wanted to celebrate their Irish heritage and create something their family could be proud of for generations.

Experienced entrepreneurs and philanthropists, they shared a passion for Irish history and whiskey, and envisioned a destination that would bring those traditions to their American home of Minnesota. Their entrepreneurial experience was considerable, but the spirits industry was new territory.

The Decision

With a large family group supporting the venture, alignment on the vision and financial commitment was essential. The founders partnered with Thoroughbred to establish a strategic and financial foundation for their plans.

Together, we helped clarify the long-term vision, evaluate the economics and create a shared decision- making framework. The goal was to give the family confidence that the business could be built thoughtfully and managed for generations.

The Journey

The partnership expanded from strategic planning and financial modeling into distillery engineering, key personnel recruitment, and liquid development. The portfolio called for both an authentic Irish whiskey range and distinctive Minnesota-made spirits.

Every part of the project had to serve the same ambition: unite family heritage, exceptional whiskey-making and a welcoming destination. The appointment of acclaimed Master Distiller Brian Nation brought deep Irish whiskey expertise to the venture.

The Legacy

O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company opened in summer 2021 as a $35 million venture. The finished distillery reflects the founders’ commitment to family, hospitality, and the craft of whiskey-making using authentic tripe pot stills.

The business has a long-term strategy, a distinctive portfolio, and a destination built to bring people together. The finest family legacies are not simply inherited. Sometimes they are imagined together and built from the ground up.

How the Vision Came to Life

Decision Framework

• Strategic Planning
• Comprehensive Financial Modeling
• Family Stakeholder Alignment

Execution

• Distillery Engineering
• Key Personnel Recruitment
• Liquid Development

What Exists Today

• $35 million distillery venture opened in 2021
• Irish-style whiskey and Minnesota-made spirits portfolio
• Long-term generational business strategy