Blind Barrels: Untapping Recurring Revenue

Whiskey and bourbon subscriptions shop Blind Barrels was born during the chaos of COVID-19. It started with casual whiskey tasting parties over Zoom amongst family and friends, and was eventually bootstrapped by those same individuals.

This first and only double-blind whiskey experience wasn't built on luck—it was built on belief and a dedication to community. Founder of Blind Barrels, Bobby DeMars, didn't set out to just sell whiskey; he set out to create a business built on an unrivaled experience.

That vision is now reality, fueling a loyal subscriber base of over 4,400 members (a number that's still growing by 28% subscribers each quarter). This rapid growth is driven by providing exclusive access to craft whiskey products his customers normally wouldn’t be able to get their hands on.

But building a model like this, one that delivers on a consistent quarterly or annual basis, comes with some complex logistics. An early decision for this rapidly scaling venture was to secure a subscription solution powerful enough to handle their seasonal recurring fulfillment cadence. Finding the right subscription partner was a non-negotiable.

Creating Operational Precision for Fulfillment and Delivery

Blind Barrels business model hinges on delivering exclusive access, paired with a unified community moment. They promise over 4,400 members the thrill of a blind, simultaneous whiskey tasting. However, traditional subscription logic creates an operational nightmare that jeopardizes this core value.

The problem was guaranteeing a singular, quarterly "moment of magic" for every subscriber, even though their initial sign-up dates were completely random. Without a solution, the team faced major fulfillment complexity, forcing them to manually "duct-tape" an alignment system across their subscriber base (individual billing cycles, ship dates, etc) wasting valuable time that should be spent on growth.

More critically, any friction or delay would break the core value proposition—the shared, synchronized tasting experience—putting the entire subscriber base and the buzz they generated at immediate risk.

"Our business is about providing access to products consumers normally couldn't get. We needed a platform that allowed us to be precise and predictable with our quarterly kits."

Bold Subscriptions Delivers $319 LTV, Backed by Exceptional Customer Support

Offering subscriptions wasn’t an option—it was the business model from day one. Blind Barrels needed a solution that was functional, not complex, and backed by people who understood their complex logistics.

Bobby's team was able to build a custom fulfillment schedule for their quarterly kits with Bold Subscriptions API's to easily adjust each customer’s renewal date after their initial purchase. This level of control allowed the team to automate the complex process of aligning 4,400+ members to a single, quarterly ship date, ensuring the required precision and predictability.

This predictable model fuels measurable revenue growth. The team now boasts an impressive Average Order Value (AOV) of $181.50, which contributes to an average subscriber lifetime value of $319.34.

In a market flooded with 'set it and forget it' apps, this customized solution demanded high-touch support. Blind Barrels chose Bold’s Subscriptions app because they knew the Bold team would provide the attention to detail and support required to successfully implement and maintain this logic. By relying on Bold for their expertise, Bobby and his team were able to focus more time on supporting their own customers, keeping their monthly churn rate remarkably low at only 3.4%.

Blind Barrels automated their most tedious operational task, freeing up time to focus on customer service, and unlocked a $319.34 average subscriber value—all with the peace of mind that a team of experts is ready to resolve any issue they encounter.

The Founders Advice

For a small company formed just a few short years ago, the results are staggering. By focusing on transparency and predictability, Blind Barrels has achieved an extremely efficient acquisition model, boasting a Lifetime Value (LTV) to Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) ratio as high as an impressive 10:1.

The founder notes that the consistency and ease of use of Bold Subscriptions allows his team to focus more on customer service—a key factor in their success.

"Our dashboard in Bold Subscriptions is pretty straightforward and easy to see how the business is performing. The app allows non-tech-savvy users to manage it effectively, and you’re also supported by their killer customer service team."

Blind Barrels proved that a niche product, built with hustle and backed by passion, can secure long-term revenue and growth. By using Bold Subscriptions to manage their unique, custom order and fulfillment cadence, they locked in their LTV and built a community of loyal whiskey enthusiasts.

Bobby had this piece of advice for other entrepreneurs looking to build a scalable business:

"Bold Subscriptions was the right choice for Blind Barrels due to its consistency. We found their learning curve short and simple, unlike the daunting backends of other platforms."