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INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST PARTNER: AMBER + OAK
At FIVE x 5, we’re always looking for ways to bring more value to our customers — not just through software, but through trusted relationships with industry experts who understand what distilleries need to succeed.
Amber + Oak specializes in TTB compliance, regulatory consulting, and audit readiness for craft distilleries. Whether you’re just getting your DSP off the ground or you’ve been in business for a decade, their team brings unmatched experience and clarity to one of the most complex — and critical — aspects of distillery operations. They’re not just consultants — they’re partners who help distilleries build smarter operations, minimize risk, and stay confident during every reporting cycle.
That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce you to our newest partner: Amber + Oak.
Amber + Oak’s founders, Sarah and Charlie, bring over 15 years of experience working in and around the TTB. Their team knows the regulation inside and out, and more importantly, how it applies to real distillery workflows.
We decided to try a new type of introduction and are excited to share an interview we did with Sarah and Charlie aimed at introducing them to FIVE x 5’s customer base. Enjoy!
Maria: Thanks for joining us! We’re thrilled to officially welcome Amber + Oak as our newest FIVE x 5 partner. For those who don’t know you yet, I’m excited for you to introduce yourselves – tell us a little about Amber + Oak!
Sarah: Thanks, Maria! We’re equally excited to be partnering with FIVE x 5. Charlie and I founded Amber + Oak to offer sustainable, full-service compliance solutions to those in the beverage alcohol industry. We really emphasize being “partners” to our clients – we are on your team and want you to succeed. Joining forces with FIVE x 5 gives us the opportunity to deepen that partnership with our clients. I think this will prove to be really beneficial to industry members.
Charlie: Yes, thank you, Maria. I just want to emphasize our excitement. I’m Charlie, co-owner of Amber + Oak.
Maria: Can you tell us how Amber + Oak came to be? What was the gap in the industry you were trying to solve?
Sarah: In 2019, I left a compliance position at a distillery and noticed there was a need for compliance assistance for the growing number of distilleries throughout the country.. My initial goal was to offer admin-type support (filling out monthly reports, renewing licenses, etc.) but I quickly saw that there was a need for more hands-on assistance. That snowballed into our current full-service offerings. Charlie came on board in 2021 which gave Amber + Oak the opportunity to bring a more “boots on the ground” approach to our services. He really embodies that team mentality. So much so, Charlie will roll barrels, adjust fillers and change parts, or lug cases around. But it helps us understand the needs of our clients.
Maria: What kinds of services does Amber and Oak offer today, and what types of distilleries do you typically work with?
Charlie: You mean beyond barrel rolling? Like Sarah mentioned, we offer more than just admin and paper-pushing services. Our goal is to take federal, state, and local compliance requirements and integrate them into your production and paperwork procedures so it feels seamless – compliance becomes second nature and sustainable, not some overwhelming fear hanging over your head. We help you sleep at night.
Our typical clients are craft distilleries. By default, due to being located in central Kentucky we deal mostly with bourbon distillery and NDPs but understand the compliance procedures for other spirit types and commodities.
Maria: What are some of the biggest misconceptions distilleries have when it comes to TTB compliance?
Sarah: That it is optional? Seriously, it is often times an afterthought. Or if it is thought about from the beginning people struggle with getting everything in order to make a successful compliance program. What we see are people so excited to put liquid in a bottle or product on a shelf, because that’s where the money is made. As a result, compliance is overlooked and then months or even years pass and there is a scramble to retroactively “fix” issues. It can quickly get out of hand.
Charlie: I think it is important to recognize just how important it is to have your compliance in order before things go sideways because right before an audit is the worst time to try to get everything in order. And the process of an audit can be time-consuming itself. It takes people away from their day-to-day responsibilities and can really disrupt the business. Mistakes happen, but the TTB would rather see you acting in good faith and not just asking forgiveness.
Maria: Why is getting compliance right so important for a distillery’s growth and reputation?
Charlie: This is an unpopular opinion but without compliance everything else crumbles. You can have the best product, with the coolest marketing produced at the fanciest distillery and all of that can come to a screeching halt if you don’t have your house in order. Compliance is the back-bone of this industry due to its tax implications.
Sarah: Exactly. You have to be compliant to succeed. I think it’s important for people to change the way they view compliance- it can actually facilitate growth rather than be a hindrance. Compliance makes things seamless- imagine having full inventory control in your distillery, in your bailment warehouses in other states, taxes paid, strong distributor relationships. You can focus on making a great product and building on its success. A lot of the uphill battles distilleries face involve inventory control, reports, and taxes which are all solved with proper compliance procedures.
Maria: What trends are you seeing in the spirits space right now — and how are those impacting regulatory or compliance strategies?
Charlie: NDPs. Enough said. We are seeing a surge of non-distilling producers, or brands, especially in the Bourbon space. One of the major implications of this is that people think getting involved in this industry a growing and exciting industry, looks cool. People don’t realize that everyone has compliance requirements. There are people who start brands with no knowledge of licensing or even know what a proof gallon is or how to pay excise tax.
Sarah: I always joke that this industry is baffling because at the end of the day it’s manufacturing a product that human beings consume- I cannot think of any other manufacturing commodity as highly regulated as alcohol that people get involved in without any regards to compliance. It’s just wild to me.
Maria: What made you excited about partnering with FIVE x 5? How do you see this partnership helping distilleries move forward?
Charlie: We’ve been advocates of FIVE x 5 for years. It really offers solutions to industry members like no other software we have worked with. We’re excited to use this partnership to deliver streamlined solutions to our clients. It opens a dialogue that results in more tailored, integrated compliance and inventory control. It’s a win for everyone, in my opinion.
Maria: If a distillery wanted to work with Amber + Oak, what does that first step look like?
Sarah: You can reach out to us directly on our website, any of our social media platforms, or by email. Then we’ll set up a free introductory call to learn more about your compliance needs and hangups, typically followed by an on-site visit. We travel all over the country and love seeing our customers facilities in person.
Maria: Is there anything else you want to share with the FIVE x 5 community?
Charlie: Really just that we are here to help you succeed. We are not the bad guys out to find what you did wrong. We want you to get it right.
Sarah: Yes, absolutely. We are here to make life easier and relieve the burden of compliance. We don’t show up in suits with briefcases, give you a list of “to-dos,” and walk away. We roll up our sleeves and work alongside you or your team to understand your business needs, help sort out any problems and set you up for success.
Maria: Thanks so much for taking the time! We’re excited to work together with you both to help more distilleries stay compliant, run smoother, and grow smarter.
Charlie: Thanks, Maria. Looking forward to what’s to come.
Sarah: Yes, thank you so much!
You can learn more at amberandoakcompliance.com, and stay tuned for upcoming educational content and events with the Amber + Oak team.
