In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Scott Neil, co-founder of Horse Soldier Bourbon and American Freedom Distillery, to explore what it truly takes to build a legacy brand designed to outlast its founders.

Scott shares his journey from serving in U.S. Army Special Forces, including being among the first teams inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11, to co-founding a bourbon company rooted in authenticity, discipline, and long-term vision. What makes this conversation unique is the strategic lens Scott brings to entrepreneurship. From day one, Horse Soldier was built on a 100-year plan. Every decision, from production to partnerships, is filtered through a generational mindset rather than short-term gains.

Carly and Scott dive into the realities of scaling a premium spirits brand, where aging inventory ties up capital for years and patience is non-negotiable. They discuss investor communication, cash flow discipline, hiring for culture, succession planning, and the importance of building systems before chaos sets in. This episode is a masterclass in leadership that prioritizes endurance over ego and legacy over liquidity.

Key Themes:

• Strategy Wins the War: Why long-term vision, not short-term wins, determines whether a company survives across generations.

• You Cannot Rush Time: How bourbon production mirrors legacy building, requiring patience, capital discipline, and trust.

• Culture Must Be Designed: Why structure, mentorship, communication rhythms, and shared purpose are essential as teams scale.

Memorable Quotes:

“Strategy wins the war, not the battle.” “There are only two ingredients in bourbon: Mother Nature and Father Time. And a third one… money.” “You can’t microwave bourbon. And you can’t microwave legacy.”

About Scott Neil: Scott Neil grew up on a cattle ranch in central Florida, developing a strong work ethic and deep respect for American tradition. After serving in the United States Army Special Forces, including deployments to some of the most demanding environments in the world and being among the first teams inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11, Scott set out to build a business that reflected his values.

In 2015, alongside close friends John and Elizabeth, he co-founded American Freedom Distillery and launched Horse Soldier Bourbon. Inspired by the story of the Green Berets who rode horseback into combat in Afghanistan, the brand honors courage, craftsmanship, and the American spirit. Drawing from both centuries-old distilling techniques and modern innovation, Scott and his team created a premium bourbon rooted in authenticity and legacy.

Connect with Scott Neil: 🌐 https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/horsesoldierbourbon/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/horsesoldierbourbon