Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal adjustments) which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2013 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventory includes finished goods, barreled distillate, raw materials in the form of agricultural commodities used in the production process, work in process, and certain maintenance and repair items.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Equity Method Investments

Equity Method Investments

The Company accounts for its investment in non-consolidated subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting when the Company has significant influence, but does not have more than 50% voting control, and is not considered the primary beneficiary.  Under the equity method of accounting, the Company reflects its investment in non-consolidated subsidiaries within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Equity method investments”; the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the non-consolidated subsidiaries are reflected as “Equity in earnings (loss) of Joint Ventures” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The Company reviews its investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary include, but are not limited to, the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment, or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds which are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded based on the excess of the carrying value over the best estimate of fair value of the investment.  The Company considered the losses incurred by ICP during the year to date period ended September 30, 2013 and the Company's election to provide notice to shutdown the plant (as more fully described in Note 2. Equity Method Investments), however these circumstances did not cause the Company to determine that its investment in ICP was not fully recoverable.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Except as discussed below, revenue from the sale of the Company’s products is recognized as products are delivered to customers according to shipping terms and when title and risk of loss have transferred.

The Company’s distillery segment produces unaged distillate, and this product is frequently barreled and warehoused at a Company location for an extended period of time in accordance with directions received from the Company’s customers.  This product must meet customer acceptance specifications, the risks of ownership and title for these goods must be passed, and requirements for bill and hold revenue recognition must be met prior to the Company recognizing revenue for this product.  Separate warehousing agreements are typically maintained for customers who store their product with the Company after purchase, and warehouse revenues are recognized as the service is provided.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Per share amounts are computed by dividing net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.  

Impairment

Impairment

The Company tests its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or conditions and circumstances indicate a carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  No events or conditions occurred during the quarterly or year to date periods ended September 30, 2013 that required the Company to test for impairment.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset is considered to be 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. Accounting guidance also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

• Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible by the reporting entity.

• Level 2 - observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3 - unobservable inputs for an asset or liability. Unobservable inputs should only be used to the extent observable inputs are not available.

The Company’s short-term financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable.  The carrying value of the short term financial instruments approximates the fair value due to their short-term nature. These financial instruments have no stated maturities or the financial instruments have short-term maturities that approximate market.