About Us

BARE ZERO PROOF® started the way a lot of good ideas do: with old friends talking about what they were missing.

Jim Kempland, Sam Newberg and Darnell Smith had each spent years working in food and beverage. They knew what great tasted like. They understood the ritual of making a drink. In fact, they all loved it. The reality was that they didn’t want it as much anymore. 

So they took a chance. 

Jim was looking for an alcohol-free alternative that still had the warmth, depth and character of a great bourbon. Sam brought decades of experience in food science and flavor development. Darnell brought deep expertise in spirits, new products and bringing new beverage ideas to the market. 

Together, they started experimenting.

What began as a shared idea between friends turned into years of tasting, refining and rethinking what zero proof could be. They would not accept a watered-down version of a traditional spirit. They wanted to make spirits that were thoughtfully crafted, full of flavor and depth. This would be a product that professional bartenders would actually use and home bartenders would be proud to have on their shelf. 

Today, BARE ZERO PROOF® offers expressions inspired by bourbon, gin, tequila, rum and amaro with more on the way.

The world continues to change, but the passion remains. Our products are made for people who love the experience of a great drink and make their night what they want to be.