Starlight Distillery

Relentless Support. Real Partnership.

Starlight Distillery is more than a spirits brand; it’s a family legacy seven generations in the making. Founded as part of Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards, the distillery is led by Master Distiller Christian Huber and his family, who apply winemaking techniques to the craft of bourbon, blending tradition with innovation in every bottle.

As a lean, family-run operation without a dedicated procurement team, Starlight needed a packaging partner who could act as an extension of its team, simplifying supply chains, navigating market challenges, and bringing bold ideas to life.

“TricorBraun’s support is really a one-stop shop for supply chain management,” Christian said. “In the age of tariffs and out-of-stocks, it’s nice to have one partner you can go to for everything—bottles, caps, labels—instead of managing five or six different vendors.”

A Decade in the Making 

When Starlight prepared to release its first 10-Year Bourbon, the team wanted packaging that honored generations of craftsmanship while delivering a premium look worthy of the spirit inside.

Their objectives were clear:

• Design a custom crystal bottle that elevates the brand while maintaining visual consistency with its core line
• Meet a tight launch deadline for the release event
• Maintain uncompromising quality across every component: glass, cork, capsule, and decoration

From Sketch to Shelf

The project began with an idea and a sketch. Working from Christian’s hand-drawn concept, TricorBraun Packaging Consultant Griffin Barron partnered with Nouvel, a custom glass manufacturer, to bring the vision to life. Together, they created a crystal bottle featuring a sandblasted gold infill logo and a Zamak gold inlay closure showcasing the Starlight star.

Navigating Tariffs with Agility

When tariff changes hit mid-project, Griffin quickly re-routed materials and freight to keep production on schedule and costs under control.

“We had a tight timeline, then the tariff war hit,” Christian recalled. “Griffin was on top of it, moving glass and components around to avoid fees and keeping us informed every step. It saved us a lot of cash at the end of the day. That’s the value of working with TricorBraun instead of directly with suppliers—they can pivot quickly and save you time and money.”

Delivering Excellence, Down to the Last Cork

As the project neared completion, a last-minute cork quality issue surfaced. Griffin coordinated between suppliers, secured replacements, and arranged air freight to meet the deadline.

“When the cork issue came up, Griffin said, ‘Don’t worry about it—I’ve got it handled,’” Christian recalled. “He called every 24–48 hours with updates. The support and communication were invaluable.”

Results that Raise the Bar

The Starlight 10-Year Bourbon sold out quickly, gained national attention—including Forbes—and earned rave reviews from customers.
The launch not only marked a milestone for Starlight but also solidified TricorBraun’s role as a trusted partner.

“We had a demanding timeline, and no one else could have brought this project to life the way TricorBraun did,” Christian said. “They don’t just supply packaging; they connect every piece of the process.”

A Partnership Built to Last

Today, TricorBraun supports Starlight Distillery with a mix of custom and stock packaging across multiple SKUs, prioritizing flexibility, consistency, and continued growth.

“As a family-run business, we look for partners who care as much as we do,” Christian said. “With TricorBraun, it’s more than a partnership; it feels like they’re part of our team, fully invested in what we’re building.”

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