UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2014

 

or

 

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 001-32849

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida		41-2103550
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 4700,		10168
New York, New York		(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 356-0200

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ   No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

	¨  Large accelerated filer		¨  Accelerated filer
	¨  Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		þ  Smaller reporting company

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨   No þ

 

The Company had 156,935,950 shares of $.01 par value common stock outstanding at February 12, 2015.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2014

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

 

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements:
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 (unaudited) and March 31, 2014	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 (unaudited)	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)	7
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	31

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.      Financial Statements

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2014
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	854,231			$	908,501
Accounts receivable — net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $150,085 and $204,418 at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively			9,041,111				8,858,146
Due from shareholders and affiliates			138,750				115,288
Inventories— net of allowance for obsolete and slow moving inventory of $293,381 and $266,473 at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively			21,915,102				14,650,029
Deferred tax assets			—				473,330
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,276,959				1,575,947
Total Current Assets			33,226,153				26,581,241
Equipment — net			646,026				568,395
Intangible assets — net of accumulated amortization of $6,546,722 and $6,058,005 at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively			7,813,416				8,178,888
Goodwill			496,226				496,226
Restricted cash			368,951				416,565
Other assets			409,424				280,195
Total Assets		$	42,960,196			$	36,521,510
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Foreign revolving credit facility		$	—			$	20,205
Accounts payable			4,652,086				4,483,764
Accrued expenses			1,171,390				1,073,188
Due to shareholders and affiliates			2,356,635				1,936,241
Total Current Liabilities			8,180,111				7,513,398
Long-Term Liabilities
Keltic facility			9,456,103				1,953,037
Bourbon term loan (including $273,906 and $484,375 of related-party participation at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively)			1,139,450				2,015,000
Notes payable - Junior loan (including $300,000 of related party participation at March 31, 2014)			—				1,250,000
Notes payable – 5% Convertible notes (including $1,100,000 of related party participation at each of December 31 and March 31, 2014)			1,675,000				2,125,000
Notes payable – GCP Note			219,514				211,580
Deferred tax liability			1,407,190				1,518,304
Total Liabilities			22,077,368				16,586,319
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding at December 31 and March 31, 2014			-				-
Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 156,291,860 and 151,841,133 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively			1,562,919				1,518,411
Additional paid-in capital			161,072,310				157,485,965
Accumulated deficit			(142,729,309	)			(139,561,969	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,036,287	)			(1,724,916	)
Total controlling shareholders’ equity			17,869,633				17,717,491
Noncontrolling interests			3,013,195				2,217,700
Total equity			20,882,828				19,935,191
Total Liabilities and Equity		$	42,960,196			$	36,521,510

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

		Three months ended December 31,								Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Sales, net*		$	15,936,514			$	13,579,289			$	41,300,417			$	35,657,613
Cost of sales*			9,941,654				8,731,204				25,875,230				22,706,709
Gross profit			5,994,860				4,848,085				15,425,187				12,950,904
Selling expense			4,034,964				3,368,324				10,866,113				9,196,857
General and administrative expense			1,565,380				1,373,157				4,544,313				3,883,221
Depreciation and amortization			237,652				217,002				669,623				644,764
Income (loss) from operations			156,864				(110,398	)			(654,862	)			(773,938	)
Other (expense) income, net			(208	)			(480	)			16,798				(654	)
Loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate			—				(428,598	)			—				(452,675	)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)			57,879				50,709				(207,579	)			(60,814	)
Interest expense, net			(267,459	)			(281,732	)			(844,316	)			(779,031	)
Net change in fair value of warrant liability			—				(1,426,179	)			—				(5,392,594	)
Income tax (expense) benefit, net			(258,962	)			37,038				(681,886	)			111,114
Net loss			(311,886	)			(2,159,640	)			(2,371,845	)			(7,348,592	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(279,110	)			(210,833	)			(795,495	)			(741,249	)
Net loss attributable to controlling interests			(590,996	)			(2,370,473	)			(3,167,340	)			(8,089,841	)
Dividend to preferred shareholders			—				(192,678	)			—				(570,588	)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders		$	(590,996	)		$	(2,563,151	)		$	(3,167,340	)		$	(8,660,429	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, attributable to common shareholders		$	(0.00	)		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.08	)
Weighted average shares used in computation, basic and diluted, attributable to common shareholders			155,838,146				112,150,634				154,989,569				110,682,714

 

* Sales, net and Cost of sales include excise taxes of $1,677,886 and $1,664,018 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4,736,838 and $4,677,198 for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

 

		Three months ended December 31,								Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Net loss		$	(311,886	)		$	(2,159,640	)		$	(2,371,845	)		$	(7,348,592	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(102,589	)			49,961				(311,371	)			196,144
Total other comprehensive (loss) income:			(102,589	)			49,961				(311,371	)			196,144
Comprehensive loss		$	(414,475	)		$	(2,109,679	)		$	(2,683,216	)		$	(7,152,448	)

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  

  

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

 

																		Accumulated
										Additional								Other
		Common Stock								Paid-in				Accumulated				Comprehensive				Noncontrolling				Total
		Shares				Amount				Capital				Deficit				Loss				Interests				Equity
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2014			151,841,133			$	1,518,411			$	157,485,965			$	(139,561,969	)		$	(1,724,916	)		$	2,217,700			$	19,935,191
Net loss															(3,167,340	)							795,495				(2,371,845	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment																			(311,371	)							(311,371	)
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs			1,666,959				16,670				1,741,540																1,758,210
Exercise of common stock warrants			1,657,802				16,578				613,387																629,965
Surrender of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock warrants			(27,902	)			(279	)			(30,971	)															(31,250	)
Conversion of 5% convertible note and accrued interest thereon			501,574				5,016				446,401																451,417
Exercise of common stock options			652,294				6,523				209,171																215,694
Stock-based compensation											606,817																606,817
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,  2014			156,291,860			$	1,562,919			$	161,072,310			$	(142,729,309	)		$	(2,036,287	)		$	3,013,195			$	20,882,828

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  

 

  

CASTLE BRANDS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss		$	(2,371,845	)		$	(7,348,592	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			669,623				644,764
Provision for doubtful accounts			(54,333	)			36,475
Amortization of deferred financing costs			114,661				120,367
Change in fair value of warrant liability			—				5,392,594
Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net			362,216				(111,114	)
Loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate			—				452,675
Effect of changes in foreign exchange			207,579				60,814
Stock-based compensation expense			606,817				281,385
Changes in operations, assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(138,383	)			(1,150,571	)
Due from affiliates			(23,462	)			(247,905	)
Inventory			(7,755,008	)			(542,928	)
Prepaid expenses and supplies			296,694				(321,928	)
Other assets			(243,890	)			(167,795	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			304,061				(1,140,882	)
Accrued interest			7,934				3,734
Due to related parties			420,394				232,421
Total adjustments			(5,225,097	)			3,542,106
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES			(7,596,942	)			(3,806,486	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of equipment			(254,296	)			(125,284	)
Acquisition of intangible assets			(123,245	)			(26,981	)
Change in restricted cash			(812	)			60,906
Payments under contingent consideration agreements			—				(5,940	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES			(378,353	)			(97,299	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from (payments on) Keltic facility			7,503,066				(489,034	)
Payments on Bourbon term loan			(875,550	)			(312,650	)
(Payments on) proceeds from Junior loan			(1,250,000	)			1,250,000
Proceeds from 5% Convertible notes			—				2,125,000
Net (payments on) proceeds from foreign revolving credit facility			(19,329	)			66,116
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			1,916,399				1,437,623
Payments for costs of stock issuance			(158,189	)			(122,367	)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants			598,715				442,214
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options			215,694				7,449
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES			7,930,806				4,404,351
EFFECTS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION			(9,781	)			1,942
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(54,270	)			502,508
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — BEGINNING			908,501				439,323
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — ENDING		$	854,231			$	941,831
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of series A preferred stock to common stock		$	—			$	518,234
Conversion of 5% convertible note, and accrued interest thereon, to common stock		$	451,417			$	—
Interest paid		$	707,148			$	633,566
Income taxes paid		$	176,523			$	—

  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 —  ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (which consist of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such financial information. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be achieved for full fiscal years. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 is derived from the March 31, 2014 audited financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Castle Brands Inc.’s (the “Company”) audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, as amended (“2014 Form 10-K”). Please refer to the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K for additional disclosures and a description of accounting policies.

 

A.

Description of business — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, Castle Brands (USA) Corp. (“CB-USA”) and McLain & Kyne, Ltd., the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, Castle Brands Spirits Group Limited (“CB-IRL”) and Castle Brands Spirits Marketing and Sales Company Limited, and the Company’s 60% ownership interest in Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc. (“GCP”), with adjustments for income or loss allocated based upon percentage of ownership. The accounts of the subsidiaries have been included as of the date of acquisition. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

B.

Organization and operations — The Company is principally engaged in the importation, marketing and sale of premium and super premium brands of rums, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka and tequila in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

       

C.

Equity investments  — Equity investments are carried at original cost adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of the investees’ income, losses and distributions. The Company assesses the carrying value of its equity investments when an indicator of a loss in value is present and records a loss in value of the investment when the assessment indicates that an other-than-temporary decline in the investment exists. The Company classifies its equity earnings of non-consolidated affiliate equity investment as a component of net income or loss.

               

D.

Goodwill and other intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price including related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives, generally on a straight-line basis, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

               

E.

Impairment of long-lived assets — Under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 310, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”, the Company periodically reviews whether changes have occurred that would require revisions to the carrying amounts of its definite lived, long-lived assets. When the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized based on the fair value of the asset.

               

F.

Excise taxes and duty — Excise taxes and duty are computed at standard rates based on alcohol proof per gallon/liter and are paid after finished goods are imported into the United States and then transferred out of “bond,” or sold by CB-IRL in Ireland “tax paid.” Excise taxes and duty are recorded to inventory as a component of the cost of the underlying finished goods. When the underlying products are sold “ex warehouse”, the sales price reflects the taxes paid and the inventoried excise taxes and duties are charged to cost of sales.

               

G.

Foreign currency — The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is the Euro in Ireland and the British Pound in the United Kingdom. Under ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”, the translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are shown as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

 

	H.	Fair value of financial instruments — ASC 825, “Financial Instruments”, defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties and requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments. The Company believes that there is no material difference between the fair value and the reported amounts of financial instruments in the Company’s balance sheets due to the short term maturity of these instruments, or with respect to the Company’s debt, as compared to the current borrowing rates available to the Company.
		The Company’s investments are reported at fair value in accordance with authoritative guidance, which accomplishes the following key objectives:

  

	-	Defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date;
	-	Establishes a three-level hierarchy (“valuation hierarchy”) for fair value measurements;
	-	Requires consideration of the Company’s creditworthiness when valuing liabilities; and
	-	Expands disclosures about instruments measured at fair value.

 

The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the valuation hierarchy are as follows:

 

	-	Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	-	Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	-	Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

	I.	Income taxes — Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. A valuation allowance is provided to the extent a deferred tax asset is not considered recoverable.
		The Company has not recognized any adjustments for uncertain tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in general and administrative expense; however, no such provisions for accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions have been recorded by the Company.
		The Company’s income tax (expense) benefit for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of federal, state and local taxes attributable to GCP, which does not file a consolidated income tax return with the Company. In connection with the investment in GCP, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability on the ascribed value of the acquired intangible assets of $2,222,222, increasing the value of the asset. The difference between the book basis and tax basis created a deferred tax liability that is being amortized over a period of 15 years (the life of the licensing agreement) on a straight-line basis. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized ($258,962) and ($681,886) of deferred tax expense, net, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $37,038 and $111,114 of deferred tax benefits, respectively.

   

J.

Recent accounting pronouncements — In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update “ASU” 2014-15 on “Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) – Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. Currently, there is no guidance in U.S. GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments in this update provide that guidance. In doing so, the amendments are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718); Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period”. The amendments in this ASU apply to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. The amendments require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period must be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. For all entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.  

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. This guidance includes the required steps to achieve the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 which provides final guidance to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift, such as a major line of business, a major geographical area or a major equity investment, should be presented as discontinued operations. The guidance will be applied prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. The guidance is effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014 with early adoption permitted for disposals or classifications as held for sale which have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company will adopt the guidance effective April 1, 2015 and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

  

NOTE 2 —  BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period that are not anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants or conversion of convertible preferred stock outstanding and related accrued dividends or conversion of convertible notes outstanding. In computing diluted net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no adjustment has been made to the weighted average outstanding common shares as the assumed exercise of outstanding options and warrants and the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock and related accrued dividends or the assumed conversion of convertible notes is anti-dilutive.

 

Potential common shares not included in calculating diluted net loss per common share are as follows:

 

		Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013
Stock options			12,750,713				11,098,540
Warrants to purchase common stock			120,000				10,710,435
Convertible preferred stock and accrued dividends			—				25,986,148
5% Convertible notes			1,861,111				2,361,111
Total			14,731,824				50,156,234

  

NOTE 3 —  INVENTORIES

 

		December 31,				March 31,
		2014				2014
Raw materials		$	9,846,974			$	4,502,234
Finished goods – net			12,068,128				10,147,795
Total		$	21,915,102			$	14,650,029

 

 

As of December 31 and March 31, 2014, 11% and 19%, respectively, of raw materials and 5% and 5%, respectively, of finished goods were located outside of the United States.

 

In March and October 2013 and April, September and October 2014, the Company acquired $2,496,000, $847,500, $4,237,500, $196,263 and $900,000 of aged bourbon whiskey, respectively, in support of its anticipated near and mid-term needs.

 

The Company estimates the allowance for obsolete and slow moving inventory based on analyses and assumptions including, but not limited to, historical usage, expected future demand and market requirements.

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market.

 

NOTE 4 —  EQUITY INVESTMENT

 

 

Investment in Gosling-Castle Partners Inc.

 

As referenced in Note 1I., GCP does not file consolidated tax returns with the Company. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, GCP recognized ($258,962) and ($681,886) of deferred tax benefit (expense), net respectively, based on GCP’s estimated stand-alone taxable income. The Company allocated 40% of this expense, or ($272,754), to minority interest for the nine months ended December 31, 2014.

 

Discontinuation of Investment in DP Castle Partners, LLC

 

In August 2010, CB-USA formed DP Castle Partners, LLC (“DPCP”) with Drink Pie, LLC to manage the manufacturing and marketing of Travis Hasse’s Original Apple Pie Liqueur, Cherry Pie Liqueur and any future line extensions of the brand. In December 2013, CB-USA determined to cease marketing and selling these brands and returned the remaining inventory to Drink Pie, LLC. For the nine months ended December 31, 2013, CB-USA purchased $170,880 in finished goods from DPCP under the distribution agreement. At December 31 and March 31, 2014, CB-USA owned 20% of now inactive DPCP. CB-USA also earned a defined rate of interest on its capital contribution to DPCP, based on its ownership in DPCP. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013, CB-USA earned $0 and $4,200, respectively, in interest income on its capital contribution to DPCP.

 

NOTE 5 —  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The carrying amount of goodwill was $496,226 at each of December 31 and March 31, 2014.     

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2014
Definite life brands		$	170,000			$	170,000
Trademarks			631,693				535,947
Rights			8,271,555				8,271,555
Product development			124,458				96,959
Patents			994,000				994,000
Other			55,460				55,460
			10,247,166				10,123,921
Less: accumulated amortization			6,546,722				6,058,005
Net			3,700,444				4,065,916
Other identifiable intangible assets — indefinite lived*			4,112,972				4,112,972
Total intangible assets, net		$	7,813,416			$	8,178,888

 

* Other identifiable intangible assets — indefinite lived consists of product formulations.

 

 

Accumulated amortization consists of the following:

 

		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2014
Definite life brands		$	170,000			$	170,000
Trademarks			287,112				262,098
Rights			5,375,173				4,961,170
Product development			20,350				20,350
Patents			694,087				644,387
Other			-				-
Accumulated amortization		$	6,546,722			$	6,058,005

 

NOTE 6 —  RESTRICTED CASH

 

At December 31 and March 31, 2014, the Company had €303,544 or $368,951 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate) and €302,920 or $416,565 (translated at the March 31, 2014 exchange rate), respectively, of cash restricted from withdrawal and held by a bank in Ireland as collateral for overdraft coverage, creditors’ insurance, customs and excise guaranty and a revolving credit facility as described in Note 7A below.

 

NOTE 7 —  NOTES PAYABLE

 

		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2014
Notes payable consist of the following:
Foreign revolving credit facilities (A)		$	—			$	20,205
Note payable – GCP note (B)			219,514				211,580
Keltic facility (C)			9,456,103				1,953,037
Bourbon term loan (D)			1,139,450				2,015,000
Junior loan (E)			—				1,250,000
5% Convertible notes (F)			1,675,000				2,125,000
Total		$	12,490,067			$	7,574,822

 

	A.	The Company has arranged various facilities aggregating €303,544 or $368,951 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate) with an Irish bank, including overdraft coverage, creditors’ insurance, customs and excise guaranty, and a revolving credit facility. These facilities are payable on demand, continue until terminated by either party, are subject to annual review, and call for interest at the lender’s AA1 Rate minus 1.70%. There was no balance outstanding on the credit facility at December 31, 2014. The balance on the credit facilities included in notes payable totaled €14,693, or $20,205 (translated at the March 31, 2014 exchange rate), at March 31, 2014.
	B.	In December 2009, GCP issued a promissory note (the “GCP Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $211,580 to Gosling's Export (Bermuda) Limited in exchange for credits issued on certain inventory purchases. The GCP Note matures on April 1, 2020, is payable at maturity, subject to certain acceleration events, and calls for annual interest of 5%, to be accrued and paid at maturity. At March 31, 2014, $10,579 of accrued interest was converted to amounts due to affiliates. At December 31, 2014, $219,514, consisting of $211,580 of principal and $7,934 of accrued interest, due on the GCP Note is included in long-term liabilities. At March 31, 2014, $211,580 of principal due on the GCP Note is included in long-term liabilities.

 

C.

In August 2011, the Company and CB-USA entered into the Keltic Facility (“Keltic Facility”), a revolving loan agreement with Keltic Financial Partners II, LP ("Keltic"), providing for availability (subject to certain terms and conditions) of a facility of up to $5,000,000 for the purpose of providing the Company and CB-USA with working capital. In July 2012, the Keltic Facility was amended to increase availability to $7,000,000, among other changes. In March 2013, the Keltic Facility was amended to increase availability to $8,000,000, among other changes. In August 2013, the Keltic Facility was amended to modify the borrowing base calculation and covenants with respect to the Keltic Facility and permit the Company to make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest and voluntary prepayments on the Junior Loan (as defined below), subject to certain conditions set forth in the amendment, to modify certain aspects of the EBITDA covenant contained in the loan agreement, permit the Company to incur indebtedness in an aggregate original principal amount of $2,125,000 pursuant to the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and Convertible Notes (as each term is defined below in Note 7F), and permit the Company to make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest and voluntary prepayments on the Convertible Notes, subject to certain conditions set forth in the amendment. In November 2013, the Keltic Facility was further amended, to, among other things, provide for the issuances of letters of credit thereunder. In August 2014, the Keltic Facility was further amended to modify certain aspects of the EBITDA covenant contained in the loan agreement for the period ending June 30, 2014.

 

 

  

		In September 2014, the Company and CB-USA entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Amended Agreement”) with ACF FinCo I LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ACF”), as successor in interest to Keltic, in order to amend certain terms of the Keltic Facility and the Bourbon Term Loan (defined below). Among other changes, the Amended Agreement modifies certain aspects of the existing Keltic Facility, including increasing the maximum amount of the Keltic Facility from $8,000,000 to $12,000,000 and increasing the inventory sub-limit from $4,000,000 to $6,000,000. In addition, the term of the Keltic Facility was extended from December 31, 2016 to July 31, 2019. The Keltic Facility interest rate was reduced to the rate that, when annualized, is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate plus 3.00%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 5.50% and (c) 6.25%. As of December 31, 2014, the Keltic Facility interest rate was 6.25%. The monthly facility fee was reduced from 1.00% per annum of the maximum Keltic Facility amount to 0.75%. In addition, the Amended Agreement contains EBITDA targets allowing for further interest rate reductions in the future. The Amended Agreement also modifies certain aspects of the EBITDA covenant that was contained in the previously existing loan and security agreement, dated as of August 19, 2011, as amended. The Company paid ACF an aggregate $120,000 amendment fee in connection with the execution of the Amended Agreement.
		In connection with the amendment, the Company and CB-USA entered into the following ancillary agreements: (i) a Reaffirmation Agreement (the "Reaffirmation Agreement") with (a) certain officers of the Company and CB-USA, including John Glover, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, T. Kelley Spillane, the Company’s Senior Vice President - Global Sales, and Alfred Small, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, (b) certain participants in the Bourbon Term Loan and (c) certain junior lenders to the Company, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust, an entity affiliated with Phillip Frost, M.D., a director and principal shareholder of the Company, Mark E. Andrews, III, a director of the Company and the Company’s Chairman, an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen, a director of the Company and the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, an affiliate of Glenn Halpryn, a director of the Company, Dennis Scholl, a director of the Company, and Vector Group Ltd., a more than 5% shareholder of the Company, of which Richard Lampen is an executive officer and Henry Beinstein, a director of the Company, is a director, which, among other things, reaffirms the existing Validity and Support Agreements by and among each officer, the Company, CB-USA and ACF, as successor-in-interest to Keltic; (ii) an Amended and Restated Term Note and (iii) an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note.
		In connection with the Amended Agreement, on September 22, 2014, ACF entered into an amendment to that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2013 (as amended, the "Subordination Agreement"), by and among ACF, as successor-in-interest to Keltic, and certain junior lenders to the Company; neither the Company nor CB-USA is a party to the Subordination Agreement.
		The Company and CB-USA are referred to individually and collectively as the Borrower. The Borrower may borrow up to the maximum amount of the Keltic Facility, provided that the Borrower has a sufficient borrowing base (as defined under the Amended Agreement). For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid interest at 6.5%, until such time as the interest was reduced to 6.25% in connection with the September 2014 amendment. Interest is payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of every month on the average daily unpaid principal amount of the Keltic Facility. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any "Default" or "Event of Default" (as defined under the Amended Agreement), the Borrower is required to pay interest at a rate that is 3.25% per annum above the then applicable Keltic Facility interest rate. There have been no Events of Default under the Keltic Facility. In addition to the fee in connection with the Amended Agreement, the Company paid a $40,000 commitment fee in connection with the first amendment, a $70,000 closing and commitment fee in connection with the second amendment and a $25,000 closing and commitment fee in connection with the third amendment. Keltic also receives a collateral management fee of $1,000 per month (increased to $2,000 after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default). The Amended Agreement contains standard borrower representations and warranties for asset-based borrowing and a number of reporting obligations and affirmative and negative covenants. The Amended Agreement includes negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the Borrower’s ability to create additional indebtedness, dispose of properties, incur liens and make distributions or cash dividends. At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance, in all respects, with the covenants under the Amended Agreement. At December 31 and March 31, 2014, $9,456,103 and $1,953,037, respectively, due on the Keltic Facility is included in long-term liabilities.

  

	D.	In March 2013, the Company and CB-USA entered into an inventory term loan of $2,496,000 (the "Bourbon Term Loan") that was used to purchase bourbon inventory on March 11, 2013. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms, the Bourbon Term Loan matures on July 31, 2019. The Bourbon Term Loan interest rate is the rate that, when annualized, is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate plus 4.25%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 6.75% and (c) 7.50%. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid interest of 7.5%. Interest is payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of every month on the average daily unpaid principal amount of the Bourbon Term Loan. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any "Default" or "Event of Default" (as defined under the Amended Agreement), the Borrower is required to pay interest at a rate that is 3.25% per annum above the then applicable Bourbon Term Loan interest rate. The Borrower is required to pay down the principal balance of the Bourbon Term Loan within 15 banking days from the completion of a bottling run of bourbon from the bourbon inventory stock purchased on or about the date of the Bourbon Term Loan in an amount equal to the purchase price of such bourbon. The unpaid principal balance of the Bourbon Term Loan, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all fees, costs and expenses payable in connection with the Bourbon Term Loan are due and payable in full on July 31, 2019.
		Keltic required as a condition to funding the Bourbon Term Loan that Keltic had entered into a participation agreement (the "Participation Agreement") providing for an initial aggregate of $750,000 of the Bourbon Term Loan to be purchased by junior participants. Certain related parties of the Company purchased a portion of these junior participations in the Bourbon Term Loan, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($500,000), an entity affiliated with Phillip Frost, M.D., Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000) and an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000) (amounts shown are initial purchase amounts). Under the terms of the Participation Agreement, the junior participants receive interest at the rate of 11% per annum. Neither the Company nor CB-USA is a party to the Participation Agreement. However, the Borrower is party to a fee letter (the "Fee Letter") with the junior participants (including the related party junior participants) pursuant to which the Borrower is obligated to pay the junior participants an aggregate commitment fee of $45,000 in three equal annual installments of $15,000. In August 2013, the Bourbon Term Loan was amended to provide the Company with the ability to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Bourbon Term Loan from $2,500,000 to up to $4,000,000 to finance the purchase of aged whiskies following the identification of junior participants to purchase a portion of the increased Bourbon Term Loan amount. The balance on the Bourbon Term Loan included in notes payable totaled $1,139,450 and $2,015,000 at December 31 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

   

 

E.

In August 2013, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the "Junior Loan Agreement"), by and between the Company and the lending parties thereto (the "Junior Lenders"), which provided for an aggregate $1,250,000 unsecured loan (the "Junior Loan") to the Company. The Junior Loan bore interest at a rate of 11% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears commencing November 1, 2013, and was set to mature on October 15, 2015. The Junior Loan Agreement provided for a funding fee of 2% per annum on the then outstanding Junior Loan balance (pro-rated for any period of less than one year), payable pro rata among the Junior Lenders on the date of the Junior Loan Agreement and on the first and second anniversaries thereof. The Junior Lenders included Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($200,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000) and an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000)   In September 2014, in connection with the Amended Agreement described in Note 7C, the Company used proceeds from the Keltic Facility to repay the $1,250,000 principal amount outstanding under the Junior Loan and all accrued and outstanding interest. At March 31, 2014, $1,250,000 of principal due on the Junior Loan is included in long-term liabilities.

  

	F.	In October 2013, the Company entered into a 5% Convertible Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement (the "Note Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company and the purchasers party thereto, which provided for the issuance of an aggregate initial principal amount of $2,125,000 of unsecured subordinated notes (the "Convertible Notes") by the Company. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum, payable quarterly beginning on December 15, 2013 until their maturity date of December 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes and accrued but unpaid interest thereon are convertible in whole or in part from time to time at the option of the holders thereof into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.90 per share (the "Conversion Price"). The Convertible Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty or premium, but with payment of accrued interest to the date of prepayment. The Convertible Notes contain customary events of default, which, if uncured, entitle each note holder to accelerate the due date of the unpaid principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the Convertible Notes.
		The purchasers of the Convertible Notes include certain related parties of the Company, including an affiliate of Dr. Phillip Frost ($500,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000), an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000), an affiliate of Glenn Halpryn ($200,000), Dennis Scholl ($100,000) and Vector Group Ltd. ($200,000).
		The Company may forcibly convert all or any part of the Convertible Notes and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon if (i) the average daily volume of the Company’s common stock (as reported on the principal market or exchange on which the common stock is listed or quoted for trading) exceeds $50,000 per trading day and (ii) the volume weighted average price of the common stock for at least twenty (20) trading days during any thirty (30) consecutive trading day period exceeds 250% of the then-current conversion price. Any forced conversion will be applied ratably to the holders of all Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement based on each holder’s then-current note holdings.
		In connection with the Note Purchase Agreement, each purchaser of the Convertible Notes was required to execute a joinder to the subordination agreement, by and among Keltic and certain other junior lenders to the Company; the Company is not a party to the Subordination Agreement.
		In September 2014, a Convertible Note holder converted $250,000 of Convertible Notes into 277,778 shares of common stock. In November 2014, two Convertible Note holders each converted $100,000 of Convertible Notes and $787 of accrued interest thereon into 111,898 shares of common stock each. At December 31 and March 31, 2014, $1,675,000 and $2,125,000 of principal due on the Convertible Notes is included in long-term liabilities, respectively.

   

NOTE 8 —  EQUITY  

 

Equity distribution agreement – - In November 2014, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "2014 Distribution Agreement") with Barrington Research Associates, Inc. ("Barrington"), as sales agent, under which the Company may issue and sell over time and from time to time, to or through Barrington, shares (the "Shares") of its common stock having a gross sales price of up to $10.0 million.

Sales of the Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement, may be effected by any method permitted by law deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation directly on the NYSE MKT LLC or any other existing trading market for the common stock or through a market maker, up to the amount specified, and otherwise to or through Barrington in accordance with the placement notices delivered by the Company to Barrington. Also, with the prior consent of the Company, some or all of the Shares may be sold in privately negotiated transactions. Under the 2014 Distribution Agreement, Barrington will be entitled to compensation of 2.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of all of the Shares sold through Barrington, as sales agent, pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement. Also, the Company will reimburse Barrington for certain expenses incurred in connection with the matters contemplated by the 2014 Distribution Agreement, up to an aggregate of $50,000, plus up to an additional $7,500 per calendar quarter related to ongoing maintenance; provided, however, that such reimbursement amount shall not exceed 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company under the 2014 Distribution Agreement.

 

From November 2014 through December 31, 2014, the Company sold 419,616 Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement, with total gross proceeds of $685,158, before deducting sales agent and offering expenses of $93,990.  

 

 

In November 2013, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "2013 Distribution Agreement") with Barrington, as sales agent, under which the Company could issue and sell over time and from time to time, to or through Barrington, Shares of its common stock having a gross sales price of up to $6.0 million.

 

Sales of the Shares pursuant to the 2013 Distribution Agreement could be effected by any method permitted by law deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation directly on the NYSE MKT LLC or any other existing trading market for the common stock or through a market maker, up to the amount specified, and otherwise to or through Barrington in accordance with the placement notices delivered by the Company to Barrington. Also, with the prior consent of the Company, some or all of the Shares could be sold in privately negotiated transactions. Under the 2013 Distribution Agreement, Barrington was entitled to compensation of 2.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of all of the Shares sold through Barrington, as sales agent, pursuant to the 2013 Distribution Agreement. Also, the Company was required to reimburse Barrington for certain expenses incurred in connection with the matters contemplated by the 2013 Distribution Agreement, up to an aggregate of $50,000, plus up to an additional $7,500 per calendar quarter related to ongoing maintenance; provided, however, that such reimbursement amount could not exceed 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company under the 2013 Distribution Agreement.

 

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company sold 1,247,343 Shares pursuant to the 2013 Distribution Agreement, with total gross proceeds of $1,231,241, before deducting sales agent and offering expenses of $64,198. No Shares were sold in the six-month period from July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 under the 2013 Distribution Agreement.

 

The 2013 Distribution Agreement expired in August 2014 upon the expiration of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 under which the shares were sold.

 

Preferred stock dividends – Holders of the Company’s 10% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate per share (as a percentage of the stated value of $1,000 per share) of 10% per annum, whether or not declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, which were only payable in shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock or upon a liquidation. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded accrued dividends of $192,678 and $570,588, respectively, included as an increase in the accumulated deficit and in additional paid-in capital on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Preferred stock conversions – On February 11, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the mandatory conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to their terms, effective on or about February 24, 2014. Pursuant to the mandatory conversion, all 6,271 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends thereon, converted into 25,760,881 shares of common stock. In the nine months ended December 31, 2013, holders of Series A Preferred Stock converted 430 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends thereon, into 1,704,729 shares of common stock.

 

Convertible Notes conversion - In September 2014, a Convertible Note holder converted $250,000 of Convertible Notes into 277,778 shares of common stock.

 

In November 2014, two Convertible Note holders each converted $100,000 of Convertible Notes and $787 of accrued interest thereon into 111,898 shares of common stock each.

 

NOTE 9 —  WARRANTS

 

The warrants issued in connection with the Series A Preferred Stock (the “2011 Warrants”) had an exercise price of $0.38 per share, subject to adjustment, and were exercisable for a period of five years. The exercise price of the 2011 Warrants was equal to 125% of the conversion price of the Series A Preferred Stock.

  

The Company accounted for the 2011 Warrants issued in June 2011 in the consolidated financial statements as a liability at their initial fair value of $487,022 and accounted for the 2011 Warrants issued in October 2011 as a liability at their initial fair value of $780,972. Changes in the fair value of the 2011 Warrants were recognized in earnings for each subsequent reporting period. In November 2013, in accordance with certain terms of the 2011 Warrants, the down-round provisions included in the terms of the warrant ceased to be in force or effect as a result of the historical volume weighted average price and trading volume of the Company’s common stock. The Company then reclassified the fair value of the outstanding warrant liability of $6,187,968 to equity, resulting in an increase to additional paid-in capital. Further, the Company is no longer required to recognize any change in fair value of the 2011 Warrants.

 

For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a loss on the change in the value of the 2011 Warrants of $1,426,179 and $5,392,594, respectively. 

 

 

The fair value of the warrants is a Level 3 fair value under the valuation hierarchy and was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model utilizing the following assumptions:

 

		At Conversion
Stock price		$	0.92
Risk-free interest rate			0.61	%
Expected option life in years			2.63
Expected stock price volatility			55	%
Expected dividend yield			0	%

 

2011 Warrants exercised – On April 2, 2014, the Company called for the cancellation of all 1,657,802 unexercised 2011 Warrants pursuant to the terms of such 2011 Warrants after satisfying applicable conditions. Pursuant to the call for cancellation, holders of all 1,657,802 unexercised 2011 Warrants exercised such 2011 Warrants and received 1,657,802 shares of common stock. The Company received $629,965 in cash upon the exercise of these warrants. In the nine months ended December 31, 2013, holders of 2011 Warrants exercised 1,163,652 2011 Warrants and received shares of common stock. The Company received $442,214 in cash upon the exercise of these warrants. 

   

NOTE 10 —  FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS       

 

The Company enters into forward contracts from time to time to reduce its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. The Company recognizes in the balance sheet derivative contracts at fair value, and reflects any net gains and losses currently in earnings. At December 31 and March 31, 2014, the Company had no forward contracts outstanding. Gain or loss on foreign currency forward contracts, which was de minimis during the periods presented, is included in other (expense) income, net.

 

NOTE 11 —   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION  

 

In May 2014, the Company granted to employees, directors and certain consultants options to purchase an aggregate of 2,305,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share under the Company’s 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. The options, which expire in June 2024, vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The Company has valued the options at $1,429,100 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  

 

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $206,553 and $103,636, respectively and $606,817 and $281,687, respectively. At December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost amounted to $1,738,934, representing 5,793,111 unvested options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.35 years. There were 652,294 options and 26,225 options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company did not recognize any related tax benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 from option exercises, as the effects were de minimis.

 

NOTE 12 —  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

A.

The Company has entered into a supply agreement with Irish Distillers Limited (“IDL”), which provides for the production of blended Irish whiskeys for the Company until the contract is terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the agreement. IDL may terminate the contract if it provides at least six years prior notice to the Company, except for breach. Under this agreement, the Company provides IDL with a forecast of the estimated amount of liters of pure alcohol it requires for the next four fiscal contract years and agrees to purchase 90% of that amount, subject to certain annual adjustments. For the contract year ending June 30, 2015, the Company has contracted to purchase approximately €774,662 or $941,586 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate) in bulk Irish whiskey, of which €602,604 or $732,453 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate), has been purchased as of December 31, 2014. The Company is not obligated to pay IDL for any product not yet received. During the term of this supply agreement, IDL has the right to limit additional purchases above the commitment amount.

 

B.

The Company has also entered into a supply agreement with IDL, which provides for the production of single malt Irish whiskeys for the Company until the contract is terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the agreement. IDL may terminate the contract if it provides at least thirteen years prior notice to the Company, except for breach. Under this agreement, the Company provides IDL with a forecast of the estimated amount of liters of pure alcohol it requires for the next twelve fiscal contract years and agrees to purchase 80% of that amount, subject to certain annual adjustments. For the contract year ending June 30, 2015, the Company has contracted to purchase approximately €303,998 or $369,503 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate) in bulk Irish whiskey, of which €217,865, or $264,811 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate), has been purchased as of December 31, 2014. The Company is not obligated to pay IDL for any product not yet received. During the term of this supply agreement, IDL has the right to limit additional purchases above the commitment amount.

 

C.

The Company leases office space in New York, NY, Dublin, Ireland and Houston, TX. The New York, NY lease began on May 1, 2010 and expires on April 30, 2016 and provides for monthly payments of $19,975. The Dublin lease commenced on March 1, 2009 and extends through October 31, 2016 and provides for monthly payments of €1,100 or $1,337 (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate). The Houston, TX lease commenced on February 24, 2000 and expired on January 31, 2015 and provided for monthly payments of $1,875. The Company is operating on a month to month basis in the current office until a new lease is executed. The Company has also entered into non-cancelable operating leases for certain office equipment.

 

D.

Except as set forth below, the Company believes that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to litigation which, in the opinion of management after consultation with counsel, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

The Company may become involved in litigation from time to time relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of its business. These claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.

  

 

NOTE 13 —  CONCENTRATIONS

  

A.

Credit Risk — The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents balances at various large financial institutions that, at times, may exceed federally and internationally insured limits. The Company exceeded the limits in effect at December 31, 2014 by approximately $600,000 and exceeded the limits in effect at March 31, 2014 by approximately $725,000.

 

B.

Customers — Sales to one customer, the Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. family of companies (“SWS”), accounted for approximately 32.6% and 31.3% of the Company’s net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sales to SWS accounted for approximately 29.6% and 33.5% of the Company’s net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately 34.4% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2014.

 

NOTE 14 —  GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment — the sale of premium beverage alcohol. The Company’s product categories are rum and related products, liqueur, whiskey, vodka and tequila. The Company reports its operations in two geographic areas: International and United States.

 

The consolidated financial statements include revenues and assets generated in or held in the U.S. and foreign countries. The following table sets forth the amounts and percentage of consolidated sales, net, consolidated income (loss) from operations, consolidated net loss attributable to controlling interests, consolidated income tax (expense) benefit and consolidated assets from the U.S. and foreign countries and consolidated sales, net by category.

 

		Three months ended December 31,
		2014								2013
Consolidated Sales, net:
International		$	2,630,784				16.5	%		$	2,466,746				18.2	%
United States			13,305,730				83.5	%			11,112,543				81.8	%
Total Consolidated Sales, net		$	15,936,514				100.0	%		$	13,579,289				100.0	%
Consolidated Income (Loss) from Operations:
International		$	870				0.6	%		$	5,324				(4.8	)%
United States			155,994				99.4	%			(115,722	)			104.8	%
Total Consolidated Income (Loss) from Operations		$	156,864				100.0	%		$	(110,398	)			100.0	%
Consolidated Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interests:
International		$	(14,173	)			2.4	%		$	(70,008	)			3.0	%
United States			(576,823	)			97.6	%			(2,300,465	)			97.0	%
Total Consolidated Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interests		$	(590,996	)			100.0	%		$	(2,370,473	)			100.0	%
Income tax (expense) benefit:
United States			(258,962	)			100.0	%			37,038				100.0	%
Consolidated Sales, net by category:
Rum		$	3,292,618				20.7	%		$	3,719,670				27.4	%
Liqueur			2,585,214				16.3	%			2,753,560				20.3	%
Whiskey			7,130,948				44.7	%			4,976,865				36.7	%
Vodka			622,157				3.9	%			764,428				5.6	%
Tequila			55,237				0.3	%			63,136				0.5	%
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products			2,250,340				14.1	%			1,301,630				9.5	%
Total Consolidated Sales, net		$	15,936,514				100.0	%		$	13,579,289				100.0	%

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

 

		Nine months ended December 31,
		2014								2013
Consolidated Sales, net:
International		$	6,084,118				14.7	%		$	5,298,348				14.9	%
United States			35,216,299				85.3	%			30,359,265				85.1	%
Total Consolidated Sales, net		$	41,300,417				100.0	%		$	35,657,613				100.0	%
Consolidated Income (Loss) from Operations:
International		$	(54,613	)			8.3	%		$	48,268				(6.2	)%
United States			(600,249	)			91.7	%			(822,206	)			106.2	%
Total Consolidated Loss from Operations		$	(654,862	)			100.0	%		$	(773,938	)			100.0	%
Consolidated Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interests:
International		$	(155,372	)			4.9	%		$	(42,256	)			0.5	%
United States			(3,011,968	)			95.1	%			(8,047,585	)			99.5	%
Total Consolidated Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interests		$	(3,167,340	)			100.0	%		$	(8,089,841	)			100.0	%
Income tax (expense) benefit:
United States			(681,886	)			100.0	%			111,114				100.0	%
Consolidated Sales, net by category:
Rum		$	11,871,131				28.7	%		$	12,218,671				34.3	%
Liqueur			6,963,682				16.9	%			7,233,871				20.3	%
Whiskey			13,282,260				32.2	%			9,566,257				26.8	%
Vodka			1,782,560				4.3	%			2,097,406				5.9	%
Tequila			182,451				0.4	%			157,984				0.4	%
Wine			—				0.0	%			293,488				0.8	%
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products			7,218,333				17.5	%			4,089,936				11.5	%
Total Consolidated Sales, net		$	41,300,417				100.0	%		$	35,657,613				100.0	%

 

		As of December 31, 2014								As of March 31, 2014
Consolidated Assets:
International		$	2,527,558				5.9	%			2,201,343				6.0	%
United States			40,432,638				94.1	%			34,320,167				94.0	%
Total Consolidated Assets		$	42,960,196				100.0	%			36,521,510				100.0	%

  

NOTE 15 —  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Equity distribution agreement - Between January 1, 2015 and February 12, 2015, the Company sold an additional 747,742 Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement, with total gross proceeds of $1,215,843, before deducting sales agent and offering expenses of $24,381.

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

We develop and market premium and super premium brands in the following beverage alcohol categories: rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka and tequila. We distribute our products in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, in thirteen primary international markets, including Ireland, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, Canada, Israel, Bulgaria, France, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, China and the Duty Free markets, and in a number of other countries in continental Europe and Latin America. We market the following brands, among others, Gosling’s Rum^®, Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer, Gosling’s Dark ‘n Stormy^® ready-to-drink cocktail, Jefferson’s^®, Jefferson’s Reserve^®, Jefferson’s Ocean Aged-at-Sea and Jefferson's Presidential Select^TM bourbons, Jefferson’s Rye whiskey, Pallini^® liqueurs, Clontarf^® Irish whiskey, Knappogue Castle Whiskey^®, Brady's^® Irish Cream, Boru^® vodka, Tierras^TM tequila, Celtic Honey^® liqueur, Castello Mio^® sambucas and Gozio^® amaretto.

 

Our objective is to continue building Castle Brands into a profitable international spirits company, with a distinctive portfolio of premium and super premium spirits brands. To achieve this, we continue to seek to:

 

	·	focus on our more profitable brands and markets. We continue to focus our distribution efforts, sales expertise and targeted marketing activities on our more profitable brands and markets;
	·	grow organically. We believe that continued organic growth will enable us to achieve long-term profitability. We focus on brands that have profitable growth potential and staying power, such as our whiskies, sales of which have grown approximately 40% over the past two fiscal years;
	·	build consumer awareness. We use our existing assets, expertise and resources to build consumer awareness and market penetration for our brands;
	·	leverage our distribution network. Our established distribution network in all 50 U.S. states enables us to promote our brands nationally and makes us an attractive strategic partner for smaller companies seeking U.S. distribution; and
	·	selectively add new brand extensions and brands to our portfolio. We intend to continue to introduce new brand extensions and expressions. We continue to explore strategic relationships, joint ventures and acquisitions to selectively expand our premium spirits portfolio. We expect that future acquisitions or agency relations, if any, would involve some combination of cash, debt and the issuance of our stock.

 

Recent Events

 

Common stock equity distribution agreement

 

In November 2014, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with Barrington Research Associates, Inc. ("Barrington"), as sales agent, under which we may issue and sell over time and from time to time, to or through Barrington, shares (the "Shares") of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Stock") having a gross sales price of up to $10.0 million.

 

Sales of the Shares pursuant to the Distribution Agreement may be effected by any method permitted by law deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation directly on the NYSE MKT LLC or any other existing trading market for the Common Stock or through a market maker, up to the amount specified, and otherwise to or through Barrington in accordance with the placement notices delivered by the Company to Barrington. Also, with our prior consent, some or all of the Shares issued pursuant to the Distribution Agreement may be sold in privately negotiated transactions.

 

Between November 20, 2014 and February 12, 2015, we sold approximately 1.2 million Shares of Common Stock under the Distribution Agreement for gross proceeds of approximately $1.9 million, before deducting sales agent and offering expenses of approximately $0.1 million. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds to finance the acquisition of additional bourbon inventory in support of the growth of our Jefferson's bourbon brand.

 

Accelerated Filer

 

On September 30, 2014, we exceeded the $75.0 million public float threshold to trigger accelerated filer status with the SEC beginning in fiscal year 2016. Consequently, as of April 1, 2015, we will no longer be a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and accelerated filer disclosures will commence in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2015. Further, we will need to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accelerated reporting deadlines in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.

 

 

 Currency Translation

 

The functional currencies for our foreign operations are the Euro in Ireland and the British Pound in the United Kingdom. With respect to our consolidated financial statements, the translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

 

Where in this report we refer to amounts in Euros or British Pounds, we have for your convenience also in certain cases provided a conversion of those amounts to U.S. Dollars in parentheses. Where the numbers refer to a specific balance sheet account date or financial statement account period, we have used the exchange rate that was used to perform the conversions in connection with the applicable financial statement. In all other instances, unless otherwise indicated, the conversions have been made using the exchange rates as of December 31, 2014, each as calculated from the Interbank exchange rates as reported by Oanda.com. On December 31, 2014, the exchange rates of the Euro and the British Pound in exchange for U.S. Dollars were €1.00 = U.S. $1.21548 (equivalent to U.S. $1.00 = €0.82272) and £1.00 = U.S. $1.55320 (equivalent to U.S. $1.00 = £0.64383), respectively.

 

These conversions should not be construed as representations that the Euro and British Pound amounts actually represent U.S. Dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. Dollars at the rates indicated.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

There are no material changes from the critical accounting policies set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, as amended, which we refer to as our 2014 Annual Report. Please refer to that section for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business.

 

Financial performance overview

 

The following table provides information regarding our spirits case sales for the periods presented based on nine-liter equivalent cases, which is a standard spirits industry metric (table excludes related non-alcoholic beverage products):

 

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Cases
United States			79,015				80,958				221,502				227,681
International			22,587				21,831				61,196				62,782
Total			101,602				102,789				282,698				290,463
Rum			32,464				36,905				117,122				124,031
Vodka			12,124				14,632				33,980				39,557
Liqueur			27,096				27,756				69,480				71,069
Whiskey			29,612				23,169				61,138				51,265
Tequila			306				326				964				828
Wine			0				0				0				3,709
Other spirits			0				1				14				4
Total			101,602				102,789				282,698				290,463
Percentage of Cases
United States			77.8	%			78.8	%			78.4	%			78.4	%
International			22.2	%			21.2	%			21.6	%			21.6	%
Total			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%
Rum			32.0	%			35.9	%			41.4	%			42.7	%
Vodka			11.9	%			14.2	%			12.0	%			13.6	%
Liqueur			26.7	%			27.0	%			24.6	%			24.5	%
Whiskey			29.1	%			22.6	%			21.6	%			17.6	%
Tequila			0.3	%			0.3	%			0.4	%			0.3	%
Wine			0.0	%			0.0	%			0.0	%			1.3	%
Other spirits			0.0	%			0.0	%			0.0	%			0.0	%
Total			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%

 

 

 The following table provides information regarding our case sales of related non-alcoholic beverage products for the periods presented:

 

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Cases
United States			153,531				84,416				491,888				290,135
International			9,128				14,401				25,252				24,574
Total			162,659				98,817				517,140				314,709
Percentage of Cases
United States			94.4	%			85.4	%			95.1	%			92.2	%
International			5.6	%			14.6	%			4.9	%			7.8	%
Total			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%

 

Results of operations

 

The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales of certain items in our consolidated financial statements:

 

		Three months ended December 31,								Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Sales, net			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%
Cost of sales			62.4	%			64.3	%			62.7	%			63.7	%
Gross profit			37.6	%			35.7	%			37.3	%			36.3	%
Selling expense			25.3	%			24.8	%			26.3	%			25.8	%
General and administrative expense			9.8	%			10.1	%			11.0	%			10.9	%
Depreciation and amortization			1.5	%			1.6	%			1.6	%			1.8	%
Income (loss) from operations			1.0	%			(0.8	)%			(1.6	)%			(2.2	)%
Other (expense) income, net			0.0	%			0.0	%			0.0	%			0.0	%
Loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate			(0.0	)%			(3.2	)%			(0.0	)%			(1.3	)%
Foreign exchange gain (loss)			0.4	%			0.4	%			(0.5	)%			(0.2	)%
Interest expense, net			(1.7	)%			(2.1	)%			(2.0	)%			(2.2	)%
Net change in fair value of warrant liability			0.0	%			(10.5	)%			0.0	%			(15.1	)%
Income tax (expense) benefit, net			(1.7	)%			0.3	%			(1.7	)%			0.3	%
Net loss			(2.0	)%			(15.9	)%			(5.8	)%			(20.6	)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(1.8	)%			(1.6	)%			(1.9	)%			(2.1	)%
Net loss attributable to controlling interests			(3.8	)%			(17.5	)%			(7.7	)%			(22.7	)%
Dividend to preferred shareholders			0.0	%			(1.4	)%			0.0	%			(1.6	)%
Net loss attributable to common shareholders			(3.8	)%			(18.9	)%			(7.7	)%			(24.3	)%

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of net loss attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA, as adjusted:

 

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		December 31,								December 31,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
Net loss attributable to common shareholders		$	(590,996	)		$	(2,563,151	)		$	(3,167,340	)		$	(8,660,429	)
Adjustments:
Interest expense, net			267,459				281,732				844,316				779,031
Income tax expense (benefit), net			258,962				(37,038	)			681,886				(111,114	)
Depreciation and amortization			237,652				217,002				669,623				644,764
EBITDA income (loss)			173,077				(2,101,455	)			(971,515	)			(7,347,748	)
Allowance for doubtful accounts			9,000				10,500				77,000				36,312
Stock-based compensation expense			206,553				103,636				606,817				281,385
Other (income) expense, net			208				480				(16,798	)			654
Loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate			—				428,598				—				452,675
Foreign exchange (gain) loss			(57,879	)			(50,709	)			207,579				60,814
Net change in fair value of warrant liability			—				1,426,179				—				5,392,594
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			279,110				210,833				795,495				741,249
Dividend to preferred shareholders			—				192,678				—				570,588
EBITDA, as adjusted		$	610,069			$	220,740			$	698,578			$	188,523

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted for allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation expense, other (income) expense, net, loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate, foreign exchange (gain) loss, net change in fair value of warrant liability, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and dividend to preferred shareholders is a key metric we use in evaluating our financial performance. EBITDA, as adjusted, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We consider EBITDA, as adjusted, important in evaluating our performance on a consistent basis across various periods. Due to the significance of non-cash and non-recurring items, EBITDA, as adjusted, enables our Board of Directors and management to monitor and evaluate the business on a consistent basis. We use EBITDA, as adjusted, as a primary measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operating investments and allocation of capital resources. We believe that EBITDA, as adjusted, eliminates items that are not indicative of our core operating performance or are based on management’s estimates, such as allowance accounts, are due to changes in valuation, such as the effects of changes in foreign exchange or fair value of warrant liability, or do not involve a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. Our presentation of EBITDA, as adjusted, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items or by non-cash items, such as stock-based compensation, which is expected to remain a key element in our long-term incentive compensation program. EBITDA, as adjusted, should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, income from operations, net income and cash flows from operating activities.

 

Our EBITDA, as adjusted, improved to $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $0.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily as a result of increased sales and gross profit. Our EBITDA, as adjusted, improved to $0.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $0.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily as a result of increased sales and gross profit.

 

Three months ended December 31, 2014 compared with three months ended December 31, 2013

 

Net sales. Net sales increased 17.4% to $15.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $13.6 million for the comparable prior-year period, due to the overall growth of our Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer, Jefferson's and Jefferson’s Reserve and Clontarf Irish whiskey. Our international spirits case sales as a percentage of total spirits case sales was 22.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 21.2% for the comparable prior-year period. Our overall spirits sales volume was negatively impacted by lower sales volume of vodka and Gosling’s rum, the latter due to one-time destocking at the wholesale level. These shortfalls were partially offset by increases in sales of our Jefferson’s and Jefferson’s Reserve bourbons and our Irish whiskey portfolio. Sales of our Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer increased by 63,842 cases, or 64.3%, overall, with a 69,115 case increase, or 81.2%, in U.S. case sales offset by a decrease in international sales. We anticipate continued growth of Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer in the near term as compared to comparable prior-year periods, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results. We continue to focus on our faster growing brands and markets, both in the U.S. and internationally.

 

The table below presents the increase or decrease, as applicable, in case sales by spirits product category for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013:

 

 

		Increase/(decrease)								Percentage
		in case sales								increase/(decrease)
		Overall				U.S.				Overall				U.S.
Rum			(4,441	)			(4,725	)			(12.0	)%			(17.2	)%
Whiskey			6,443				5,878				27.8	%			46.6	%
Liqueur			(660	)			(630	)			(2.4	)%			(2.3	)%
Vodka			(2,508	)			(2,445	)			(17.1	)%			(19.0	)%
Tequila			(20	)			(20	)			(6.0	)%			(6.0	)%
Other spirits			(1	)			(1	)			-				-
Total			(1,187	)			(1,943	)			(1.2	)%			(2.4	)%

 

Gross profit. Gross profit increased 23.7% to $6.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 from $4.8 million for the comparable prior-year period, and our gross margin increased to 37.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to 35.7% for the comparable prior-year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased revenue in the current period, while the increase in gross margin was due to an increase in sales of our more profitable brands, in particular the Jefferson’s bourbons and our Irish whiskey brands.

 

Selling expense. Selling expense increased 19.8% to $4.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 from $3.4 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in advertising, marketing and promotion expense related to the timing of certain sales and marketing programs, combined with a $0.1 million increase in shipping costs, associated with increased sales volume and a $0.1 million increase in each of employee costs and commission expense. These increases resulted in selling expense as a percentage of net sales increasing to 25.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 24.8% for the comparable prior-year period.

 

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense increased 14.0% to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 from $1.4 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a combined $0.2 million increase in professional fees, employee expense and non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The increase in sales resulted in general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales decreasing to 9.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 10.1% for the comparable prior-year period. Due to the increase in our stock price, our market capitalization at the end of our second fiscal quarter exceeded the levels for a smaller reporting company. Accordingly, we will be an accelerated filer in future periods and expect to incur additional general and administrative expense to comply with the additional requirements of an accelerated filer company.

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $0.2 million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Income (loss) from operations. As a result of the foregoing, our operating results improved to income of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 from a loss of ($0.1) million for the comparable prior-year period. As a result of our focus on our stronger growth markets and better performing brands, and expected growth from our existing brands, we anticipate improved results of operations in the near term as compared to comparable prior-year periods, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results.

 

Net change in fair value of warrant liability. We recorded the fair market value of the warrants issued in connection with our June 2011 private placement (the “2011 Warrants”) at their initial fair value. Changes in the fair value of the 2011 Warrants were recognized in earnings for each reporting period. In November 2013, in accordance with certain terms of the 2011 Warrants, the down-round provisions included in the terms of the warrant ceased to be in effect due to the historical VWAP and trading volume of our Common Stock. As a result, the then outstanding warrant liability of $6.2 million was eliminated and recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital. In April 2014, we called for the cancellation of all remaining 1.7 million unexercised 2011 Warrants pursuant to their terms after satisfying applicable conditions. Pursuant to the call for cancellation, holders of all 1.7 million unexercised 2011 Warrants exercised such warrants and received 1.7 million shares of Common Stock. We received $0.6 million in cash upon the exercise of these 2011 Warrants. As a result, no 2011 Warrants were outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Accordingly, we no longer recognize any changes in fair value of the 2011 Warrants. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a non-cash charge for loss on the change in the value of the warrants of ($1.4) million, primarily due to the effects of our increased share price on the Black-Scholes valuation.

 

Income tax (expense) benefit, net. Income tax (expense) benefit, net is the estimated tax expense attributable to the net taxable income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc., adjusted for changes in the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability during the periods, and was a net expense of ($0.3) million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to a benefit of $0.04 million for the comparable prior-year period.

 

Foreign exchange gain. Foreign exchange gain for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $0.06 million as compared to a gain of $0.05 million for the comparable prior-year period due to the net effects of fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and its impact on our Euro-denominated intercompany balances due to our foreign subsidiaries for inventory purchases.

 

 

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net was ($0.3) million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Due to expected borrowings under the Keltic Facility (described below under the heading “Liquidity and capital resources”) to support additional inventory purchases and other working capital needs, we expect interest expense, net to increase in the near term as compared to prior-year periods.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was ($0.3) million as compared to ($0.2) million for the comparable prior-year period, both the result of allocated net income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc.

 

Dividend to preferred shareholders. Pursuant to the mandatory conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock, in February 2014, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends thereon, converted into Common Stock. Accordingly, after February 2014, we no longer recognize a dividend to preferred shareholders. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a dividend on our Series A Preferred Stock of $0.2 million.

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders. As a result of the net effects of the foregoing, including the non-cash charge for loss on the net change in fair value of warrant liability, the dividend accrual in the prior year and the loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliates, offset by the income tax expense, net in the current year, net loss attributable to common shareholders improved to ($0.6) million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to a loss of ($2.6) million for the comparable prior-year period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, attributable to common shareholders was ($0.00) per share for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to ($0.02) per share for the comparable prior-year period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, as reported in the current period benefited from an increase in the weighted-average shares outstanding in the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior-year period.

 

Nine months ended December 31, 2014 compared with nine months ended December 31, 2013

 

Net sales. Net sales increased 15.8% to $41.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $35.7 million for the comparable prior-year period, due to the overall growth of our Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer, Jefferson's and Jefferson’s Reserve, Clontarf Irish whiskey and Pallini liqueurs. Our international spirits case sales as a percentage of total spirits case sales were 21.6% for each of the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Our overall spirits sales volume was negatively impacted by the elimination of the Hasse Apple Pie Liqueurs and our wines, as well as our inability to source supply for Jefferson’s Rye in the current year, all of which had sales in the nine months ended December 31, 2013, but not the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Sales volume in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was also negatively impacted by lower sales volume of vodka and Gosling’s rum, the latter due to destocking at the wholesale level. These shortfalls were partially offset by increases in sales of our Jefferson’s and Jefferson’s Reserve bourbons and our Irish whiskey portfolio. In addition, sales of our Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer increased by 202,393 cases, or 64.4%, overall, including a 201,715 case increase, or 69.6%, in U.S. case sales. We anticipate continued growth of Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer in the near term as compared to comparable prior-year periods, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results. We continue to focus on our faster growing brands and markets, both in the U.S. and internationally.

 

The table below presents the increase or decrease, as applicable, in case sales by spirits product category for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2013:

 

		Increase/(decrease)								Percentage
		in case sales								increase/(decrease)
		Overall				U.S.				Overall				U.S.
Rum			(6,909	)			(3,928	)			(5.6	)%			(4.4	)%
Whiskey			9,873				7,054				19.3	%			24.7	%
Liqueur			(1,589	)			(1,623	)			(2.2	)%			(2.3	)%
Vodka			(5,577	)			(4,118	)			(14.1	)%			(11.9	)%
Tequila			136				136				16.4	%			16.4	%
Wine			(3,709	)			(3,709	)			(100.0	)%			(100.0	)%
Other spirits			10				10				233.3	%			233.3	%
Total			(7,765	)			(6,179	)			(2.7	)%			(2.7	)%

 

Gross profit. Gross profit increased 19.1% to $15.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 from $13.0 million for the comparable prior-year period, and our gross margin increased to 37.3% for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 compared to 36.3% for the comparable prior-year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased revenue in the current period, while the increase in gross margin was due to an increase in sales of our more profitable brands, in particular the Jefferson’s bourbons and our Irish whiskey brands.

 

Selling expense. Selling expense increased 18.2% to $10.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 from $9.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in shipping costs, a $0.3 million increase in advertising, marketing and promotion expense related to the timing of certain sales and marketing programs, a $0.2 million increase in commissions, associated with increased sales volume and a $0.6 million increase in employee costs. These increases resulted in selling expense as a percentage of net sales increasing to 26.3% for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 25.8% for the comparable prior-year period.

 

 

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense increased 17.0% to $4.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 from $3.9 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in each of professional fees, employee expense and non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and a $0.1 million increase in insurance expense. The increase in sales resulted in general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales of 11.0% for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 10.9% for the comparable prior-year period.

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $0.7 million as compared to $0.6 million for the comparable prior-year period.

 

Loss from operations. As a result of the foregoing, loss from operations improved to ($0.7) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 from ($0.8) million for the comparable prior-year period. As a result of our focus on our stronger growth markets and better performing brands, and expected growth from our existing brands, we anticipate improved results of operations in the near term as compared to comparable prior-year periods, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results.

 

Net change in fair value of warrant liability. We recorded the fair market value of the 2011 Warrants at their initial fair value. Changes in the fair value of the 2011 Warrants were recognized in earnings for each reporting period. In November 2013, in accordance with certain terms of the 2011 Warrants, the down-round provisions included in the terms of the warrant ceased to be in effect due to the historical VWAP and trading volume of our Common Stock. As a result, the then outstanding warrant liability of $6.2 million was eliminated and recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital. In April 2014, we called for the cancellation of all remaining 1.7 million unexercised 2011 Warrants pursuant to their terms after satisfying applicable conditions. Pursuant to the call for cancellation, holders of all 1.7 million unexercised 2011 Warrants exercised such warrants and received 1.7 million shares of Common Stock. We received $0.6 million in cash upon the exercise of these 2011 Warrants. As a result, no 2011 Warrants were outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Accordingly, we no longer recognize any changes in fair value of the 2011 Warrants. For the nine months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a non-cash charge for loss on the change in the value of the warrants of ($5.4) million, primarily due to the effects of our increased share price on the Black-Scholes valuation.

 

Income tax (expense) benefit, net. Income tax (expense) benefit, net is the estimated tax expense attributable to the net taxable income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc., adjusted for changes in the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability during the periods, and was net expense of ($0.7) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to a benefit of $0.1 million for the comparable prior-year period.

 

Foreign exchange loss. Foreign exchange loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was ($0.2) million as compared to a loss of ($0.1) million for the comparable prior-year period due to the net effects of fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and its impact on our Euro-denominated intercompany balances due to our foreign subsidiaries for inventory purchases.

 

Interest expense, net. We had interest expense, net of ($0.8) million for each of the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 due to balances outstanding under our credit facilities. Due to expected borrowings under the Keltic Facility to support additional inventory purchases and other working capital needs, we expect interest expense, net to increase in the near term as compared to prior-year periods.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was ($0.8) million as compared to ($0.7) million for the comparable prior-year period, both the result of allocated net income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc.

 

Dividend to preferred shareholders. Pursuant to the mandatory conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock, in February 2014, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends thereon, converted into Common Stock. Accordingly, after February 2014, we no longer recognize a dividend to preferred shareholders. For the nine months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a dividend on our Series A Preferred Stock of $0.6 million.

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders. As a result of the net effects of the foregoing, including the non-cash charge for loss on the net change in fair value of warrant liability, the dividend accrual in the prior year and the loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliates, offset by the income tax expense, net in the current year, net loss attributable to common shareholders improved to ($3.2) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to a loss of ($8.7) million for the comparable prior-year period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, attributable to common shareholders was ($0.02) per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to ($0.08) per share for the comparable prior-year period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, as reported in the current period benefited from an increase in the weighted-average shares outstanding in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior-year period.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

Overview

 

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating and net losses and have not generated positive cash flows from operations. For the nine months ended December 31, 2014, we had a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.2 million, and used cash of $7.6 million in operating activities. As of December 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of $0.9 million and had an accumulated deficit of $142.6 million.

 

We believe our current cash and working capital, the availability under the Keltic Facility, and additional funds that may be raised under the Distribution Agreement, will enable us to fund our losses until we achieve profitability, ensure continuity of supply of our brands, and support new brand initiatives and marketing programs.

 

 

Existing Financing

 

See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Recent Events for a discussion of our recent financing activities.

 

In August 2011, we entered into a loan agreement with Keltic Financial Partners II, LP (“Keltic”), which, as amended, provides for availability (subject to certain terms and conditions) of a facility of up to $8.0 million (the “Keltic Facility”) for the purpose of providing us with working capital and a term loan to finance purchases of aged whiskies (the “Bourbon Term Loan”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of $2.5 million, which was used for the purchase of bourbon inventory on March 11, 2013. In August 2013, the Bourbon Term Loan was amended to provide us with the ability to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Bourbon Term Loan from $2.5 million to up to $4.0 million to finance the purchase of aged whiskies following the identification of junior participants to purchase a portion of the increased Bourbon Term Loan amount.

 

In September 2014, we entered into the an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with ACF FinCo I LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ACF”), as successor in interest to Keltic, pursuant to which the Keltic Facility was further amended to modify certain aspects of the existing Keltic Facility, including increasing the maximum amount of the Keltic Facility from $8.0 million to $12.0 million and increasing the inventory sub-limit from $4.0 million to $6.0 million. In addition, the term of the Keltic Facility was extended from December 31, 2016 to July 31, 2019 (the "Maturity Date"). The Keltic Facility interest rate was reduced to the rate that, when annualized, is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate plus 3.00%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 5.50% and (c) 6.25%. The monthly facility fee was reduced from 1.00% per annum of the maximum Keltic Facility amount to 0.75%. The Agreement contains EBITDA targets allowing for further interest rate reductions in the future. The Agreement also modifies certain aspects of the EBITDA covenant that was contained in the previously existing loan and security agreement, dated as of August 19, 2011, as amended. We paid Keltic an aggregate $120,000 amendment fee in connection with the execution of the Agreement.

 

We may borrow up to the maximum amount of the Keltic Facility, provided that we have a sufficient borrowing base (as defined in the Agreement). The Keltic Facility interest rate is the rate that, when annualized, is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate plus 3.00%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 5.50% and (c) 6.25%. The Bourbon Term Loan interest rate is the rate that, when annualized, is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate plus 4.25%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 6.75% and (c) 7.50%. Interest is payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of every month on the average daily unpaid principal amount of the Keltic Facility and the Bourbon Term Loan. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any "Default" or "Event of Default" (as defined under the Agreement) we are required to pay interest at a rate that is 3.25% per annum above the then applicable Keltic Facility or Bourbon Term Loan, as applicable, interest rate. The Keltic Facility currently bears interest at 6.25% and the Bourbon Term Loan currently bears interest at 7.50%. We are required to pay down the principal balance of the Bourbon Term Loan within 15 banking days from the completion of a bottling run of bourbon from our bourbon inventory stock purchased on or about the date of the Bourbon Term Loan in an amount equal to the purchase price of such bourbon. The unpaid principal balance of the Bourbon Term Loan, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all fees, costs and expenses payable in connection with the Bourbon Term Loan are due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. In addition to closing fees, Keltic receives an annual facility fee and a collateral management fee (each as set forth in the Agreement).

 

The Agreement contains standard borrower representations and warranties for asset-based borrowing and a number of reporting obligations and affirmative and negative covenants. The Agreement includes negative covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to create additional indebtedness, dispose of properties, incur liens, and make distributions or cash dividends. At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance, in all material respects, with the covenants under the Agreement.

 

Keltic required as a condition to funding the Bourbon Term Loan that Keltic had entered into a participation agreement providing for an aggregate of $750,000 of the initial $2.5 million principal amount of the Bourbon Term Loan to be purchased by junior participants. Certain related parties of ours purchased a portion of these junior participations in the Bourbon Term Loan, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($500,000), an entity affiliated with Phillip Frost, M.D., a director and principal shareholder of ours, Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000), a director of ours and our Chairman, and an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000), a director of ours and our President and CEO (amounts shown are initial purchase amounts). Under the terms of the participation agreement, the junior participants receive interest at the rate of 11% per annum. We are not a party to the participation agreement. However, we are party to a fee letter with the junior participants (including the related party junior participants) pursuant to which we pay the junior participants an aggregate commitment fee of $45,000 paid in three equal annual installments of $15,000.

 

In August 2013, we entered into a Loan Agreement (the "Junior Loan Agreement"), by and between us and the lending parties thereto (the "Junior Lenders"), which provided for an aggregate $1.25 million unsecured loan (the "Junior Loan") to us. The Junior Loan bore interest at a rate of 11% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears commencing November 1, 2013, and was set to mature on October 15, 2015. The Junior Loan Agreement provided for a funding fee of 2% per annum on the then outstanding Junior Loan, payable pro rata among the Junior Lenders on the date of the Junior Loan Agreement and on the first and second anniversaries thereof. The Junior Lenders included Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($200,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000) and an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000).

 

In September 2014, in connection with the amendment to the Keltic Facility described above, we used proceeds from the Keltic Facility to repay the $1.25 million principal amount outstanding, and all accrued but unpaid interest, to the Junior Lenders.

 

 

In December 2009, Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc., a 60% owned subsidiary, issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $0.2 million to Gosling's Export (Bermuda) Limited in exchange for credits issued on certain inventory purchases. This note matures on April 1, 2020, is payable at maturity, subject to certain acceleration events, and calls for annual interest of 5%, to be accrued and paid at maturity.

 

We have arranged various credit facilities aggregating €0.4 million or $0.5 million (translated at the December 31, 2014 exchange rate) with an Irish bank, including overdraft coverage, creditors’ insurance, customs and excise guaranty, and a revolving credit facility. These facilities are payable on demand, continue until terminated by either party, are subject to annual review, and call for interest at the lender’s AA1 Rate minus 1.70%.

 

Liquidity Discussion

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had shareholders’ equity of $20.9 million as compared to $19.9 million at March 31, 2014. This increase is primarily due to the net issuance of $1.9 million of Common Stock under our equity distribution agreements with Barrington Research Associates, Inc. and the exercise of $0.6 million of our 2011 Warrants, partially offset by our total comprehensive loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2014.

 

We had working capital of $25.0 million at December 31, 2014 as compared to $19.1 million at March 31, 2014. This increase is primarily due to a $7.3 million increase in inventory that was financed with long term debt and a $0.1 million increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in deferred tax benefit, a $0.3 million decrease in prepaid expenses and a net combined $0.7 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and due to related parties.

 

As of each of December 31 and March 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.9 million. At December 31, 2014, we also had approximately $0.4 million of cash restricted from withdrawal and held by a bank in Ireland as collateral for overdraft coverage, creditors’ insurance, revolving credit and other working capital purposes.

 

The following may materially affect our liquidity over the near-to-mid term:

	-	continued significant levels of cash losses from operations;
	-	our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing;
	-	an increase in working capital requirements to finance higher levels of inventories and accounts receivable;
	-	our ability to maintain and improve our relationships with our distributors and our routes to market;
	-	our ability to procure raw materials at a favorable price to support our level of sales;
	-	potential acquisitions of additional brands; and
	-	expansion into new markets and within existing markets in the U.S. and internationally.

 

We continue to implement a plan to support the growth of existing brands through sales and marketing initiatives that we expect will generate cash flows from operations in the next few years. As part of this plan, we seek to grow our business through expansion to new markets, growth in existing markets and strengthened distributor relationships. As our brands continue to grow, our working capital requirements will increase. In particular, the growth of our Jefferson’s brands requires a significant amount of working capital relative to our other brands, as we are required to purchase and hold ever increasing amounts of aged bourbon to meet growing demand. While we are seeking solutions to our long-term bourbon supply needs, we are required to purchase and hold several years’ worth of aged bourbon in inventory until such time as it is aged to our specific brand taste profiles, increasing our working capital requirements and negatively impacting cash flows.

 

We are also seeking additional brands and agency relationships to leverage our existing distribution platform. We intend to finance our brand acquisitions through a combination of our available cash resources, borrowings and, in appropriate circumstances, additional issuances of equity and/or debt securities. Acquiring additional brands could have a significant effect on our financial position, could materially reduce our liquidity and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly operating results. We continue to seek ways to control expenses, improve routes to market and contain production costs to improve cash flows.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had borrowed $9.5 million of the $12.0 million available under the Keltic Facility, leaving $2.5 million in then potential availability for working capital needs. As of the date of this report, we had borrowed $8.0 million of the $12.0 million available under the Keltic Facility, leaving $4.0 million in potential availability for working capital needs. We believe our current cash and working capital, the availability under the Keltic Facility, and the additional funds that may be raised under the Distribution Agreement, will enable us to fund our losses until we achieve profitability, ensure continuity of supply of our brands, and support new brand initiatives and marketing programs through at least December 2015.

 

 

Cash flows

 

The following table summarizes our primary sources and uses of cash during the periods presented:

 

		Nine months ended December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities		$	(7,597	)		$	(3,806	)
Investing activities			(378	)			(97	)
Financing activities			7,931				4,404
Effect of foreign currency translation			(10	)			2
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		$	(54	)		$	503

 

Operating activities. A substantial portion of available cash has been used to fund our operating activities. In general, these cash funding requirements are based on operating losses, driven chiefly by the costs in maintaining our distribution system and our sales and marketing activities. We have also utilized cash to fund our inventories. In general, these cash outlays for inventories are only partially offset by increases in our accounts payable to our suppliers.

 

On average, the production cycle for our owned brands is up to three months from the time we obtain the distilled spirits and other materials needed to bottle and package our products to the time we receive products available for sale, in part due to the international nature of our business. We do not produce Gosling’s rums, Pallini liqueurs, Tierras tequila or Gozio amaretto. Instead, we receive the finished product directly from the owners of such brands. From the time we have products available for sale, an additional two to three months may be required before we sell our inventory and collect payment from customers. Further, our inventory at December 31, 2014 included significant additional stores of aged bourbon purchased in advance of forecasted production requirements. We expect future bourbon sales will generate positive cash flows in future periods.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, net cash used in operating activities was $7.6 million, consisting primarily of a $7.8 million increase in inventory, a net loss of $2.1 million, a $0.2 million increase in other assets and a $0.1 million increase in accounts receivable. These uses of cash were partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in prepaid expenses, stock based compensation expense of $0.6 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $0.7 million and $0.7 million in income tax expense, net.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2013, net cash used in operating activities was $3.8 million, consisting primarily of a net loss of $7.3 million, a $1.2 million increase in accounts receivable, a $1.1 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a $0.5 million increase in inventory, a $0.3 million increase in prepaid expenses and a $0.2 million increase in other assets. These uses of cash were partially offset by a change in fair value of warrant liability of $5.4 million, a $0.5 million loss on equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate, stock based compensation expense of $0.3 million, a $0.2 million increase in due to related parties and depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million.

 

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $0.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, representing $0.4 million used in the acquisition of fixed and intangible assets.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013, representing $0.2 million used in the acquisition of fixed and intangible assets and $6,000 in payments under contingent consideration agreements, partially offset by $0.06 million from a change in restricted cash.

 

Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was $7.9 million, consisting of $7.5 million in net proceeds from the Keltic Facility, $1.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to our distribution agreements with Barrington, $0.6 million in proceeds from the exercise of 2011 Warrants and $0.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by the $1.25 million repayment of the Junior Loan and the $0.9 million paid on the Bourbon Term Loan.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 was $4.4 million, consisting of $2.1 million from the issuance of 5% Convertible Notes, $1.25 million from issuance of the Junior Loan, $1.3 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to to our distribution agreements with Barrington, $0.4 million in proceeds from the exercise of 2011 Warrants and $0.1 million drawn on the foreign revolving credit facilities, partially offset by the $0.5 million paid on the Keltic Facility and $0.3 million paid on the Bourbon Term Loan.

 

 

Recent accounting standards issued and adopted.

 

We discuss recently issued and adopted accounting standards in the “Accounting standards adopted” and “Recent accounting pronouncements” sections of Note 1 of the “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This report includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to the discussion of our business strategies and our expectations concerning future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources and to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We use words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “seeks”, “expects”, “predicts”, “could”, “projects”, “potential” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, in this report to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks and factors relating to our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and other factors include those listed under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, as amended, and as follows:

  

•

our history of losses;

 

•

recent worldwide and domestic economic trends and financial market conditions could adversely impact our financial performance;

 

•

our potential need for additional capital, which, if not available on acceptable terms or at all, could restrict our future growth and severely limit our operations;

 

•

our brands could fail to achieve more widespread consumer acceptance, which may limit our growth;

 

•

our dependence on a limited number of suppliers, who may not perform satisfactorily or may end their relationships with us, which could result in lost sales, incurrence of additional costs or lost credibility in the marketplace;

 

•

our annual purchase obligations with certain suppliers;

  

•

the failure of even a few of our independent wholesale distributors to adequately distribute our products within their territories could harm our sales and result in a decline in our results of operations;

 

•

the possibility that we cannot secure and maintain listings in control states, which could cause the sales of our products to decrease significantly;

 

•

the potential limitation to our growth if we are unable to identify and successfully acquire additional brands that are complementary to our existing portfolio, or integrate such brands after acquisitions;

 

•

currency exchange rate fluctuations and devaluations may significantly adversely affect our revenues, sales, costs of goods and overall financial results;

 

•

our need to maintain a relatively large inventory of our products to support customer delivery requirements, which could negatively impact our operations if such inventory is lost due to theft, fire or other damage;

 

•

the possibility that we or our strategic partners will fail to protect our respective trademarks and trade secrets, which could compromise our competitive position and decrease the value of our brand portfolio;

 

•

an impairment in the carrying value of our goodwill or other acquired intangible assets could negatively affect our operating results and shareholders’ equity;

 

•

changes in consumer preferences and trends could adversely affect demand for our products;

 

•

there is substantial competition in our industry and the many factors that may prevent us from competing successfully;

 

•

adverse changes in public opinion about alcohol could reduce demand for our products;

 

•

class action or other litigation relating to alcohol misuse or abuse could adversely affect our business; and

 

•

adverse regulatory decisions and legal, regulatory or tax changes could limit our business activities, increase our operating costs and reduce our margins.

 

 

We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a—15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and, based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective as of such date.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Please see Note 12 D. to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number		Description
1.1		Equity Distribution Agreement, dated November 20, 2014, between Castle Brands Inc. and Barrington Research Associates, Inc., as sales agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2014).
31.1 *		Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 *		Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 *		Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101.INS*		XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

*     Filed herewith

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

	CASTLE BRANDS INC.
	By:	/s/ Alfred J. Small
		Alfred J. Small
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and
		Principal Accounting Officer)

 

February 17, 2015