Four Branches Bourbon, a distillery co-founded in 2023 by four U.S. military veterans — Mike Trott (Air Force), Mike Franco (Marine Corps), Harold Underdown (Navy), and RJ Casey (Army) — has won $25,000 from Fox's Made in America contest. According to the contest announcement , the prize will be used to expand production and fund the next run of the company's flagship Founders Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The company, which has already raised over $650,000 for veteran-focused charities through its 'Beyond the Branches' initiative, is now aiming to reach $1 million by May 2027.

The $25,000 win and what it buys: more barrels, more bourbon

The $25,000 prize from Fox's Made in America contest, as reported in the original article, comes alongside wins for two other small businesses — Marilyn's in Lakeside, Ohio, and TGU Home Solutions in Aberdeen, North Carolina. Four Branches Bourbon says it will direct the money toward expanding production, continuing to barrel new whiskey, and funding the next batch of Founders Reserve.. That flagship product is a four-grain bourbon aged for a minimum of five years, described as delivering notes of dark caramel, honey, and vanilla.

Why 'sipping to remember' has already raised $650,000 for veterans

Beyond the bourbon itself, Four Branches Bourbon has built a charitable engine under its 'Beyond the Branches' initiative.. That program has raised more than $650,000 for organizations supporting veterans and first responders, according to the company. Co-founder Mike Franco emphasized the value of 'sipping to remember' those who made the ultimate sacrifice and raising awareness about veteran suicide — a cause the founders treat as central to the brand's identity. The company's long-term goal is to raise $1 million for charities including Folds of Honor and Face the Clash by May 2027.

A 48-day Pacific row and a $1 million goal: the founders' unconventional playbook

The founders don't limit their advocacy to distillery walls. The original article notes that co-founder Mike Trott participated in a 48-day rowing expedition across the Pacific Ocean alongside Royal Marine special operations veteran Tim Crockett and Crockett's 19-year-old son, Harrison. The expedition is part of a broader messaging effort: urging veterans and those struggling with mental health to 'hold going forward' because 'there's a safe harbor somewhere.' That kind of visible, physical challenge dovetails with the company's $1 million fundraising target and its push to destigmatize seeking help.

Who is honored in every bottle? CIA contractor Gregory R. Wright Jr. and others

The distillery's name — Four Branches — and its flagship products pay explicit tribute to service members.. As the report states, the company honors Gregory R. Wright Jr., a CIA contractor whose name appears on the CIA Memorial Wall. The founders themselves each represent a different military branch, and their limited-edition Liberty Reserve bourbon commemorates America's 250th anniversary. That bottle delivers notes of dark caramel, honey, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit, and warm oak, according to the company. The product line is designed so that every purchase is a reminder of the people behind the label.

What remains unverified: can Four Branches reach its $1 million goal and scale production simultaneously?

The original source does not provide independent confirmation of how the $25,000 prize will specifically accelerate barrel aging or whether the company's production capacity can meet growing demand. It also does not detail how the Pacific rowing expedition was funded or whether it directly raised money for the $1 million target. One open question is whether Four Branches can sustain its charitable output while expanding its bourbon lineup — a balancing act many mission-driven distilleries face. The company's next public milestone is the Fox Nation special airing June 8, which may offer more clarity on its growth plans.