Brand Castle Continues Expansion With Aspen Mulling Buy

Brand Castle LLC, a manufacturer of interactive baking kits, has acquired Aspen Mulling Co., a producer of mulling spice blends for specialty drinks and gourmet treats. The purchase, which is part of Brand Castle’s current expansion mode, will leverage the company’s brand equity and expertise in creating distinctive mixes to encourage overall growth.

Brand Castle, which is searching for additional acquisitions, plans to retain the Aspen Mulling Co. brand and expand the product line. In addition to expansion through distribution and new SKUs, Brand Castle plans to cross-sell its own gourmet mixes to Aspen Mulling customers.

David Kallen, Aspen Mulling’s president and owner, will remain with the company and serve as a consultant. Kallen purchased the business in 1999 from company founder Kiefer Mendenhall and has since expanded its selections and created a supermarket brand, Aspen Taste. Aspen Mulling sells to more than 10,000 outlets through the United States, Canada and Europe. 

The products, merchandised in distinctive milk-carton packaging, are certified kosher and are made in the United States using all-natural ingredients. In addition to its mulling and cider spices, Aspen produces drink mixes, and bread and muffin mixes. 

“We are honored and proud to have acquired a company with both a significant brand leadership position and history,” said Jimmy Zeilinger, president of Brand Castle. “Aspen Mulling fits ideally within our expansion plans and we look forward to future growth.”