Edgar Filing: Castle Brands Inc

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, 2016

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

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

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 5000,		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	x	Accelerated filer

¨	Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	¨	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 160,970,167 shares of $.01 par value common stock outstanding at February 7, 2017.

CASTLE BRANDS INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements:

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 (unaudited) and March 31, 2016	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)	4

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)	5

	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 (unaudited)	6

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)	7

	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	31

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	32

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	33

Item 6.	Exhibits	34

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 31, 2016			March 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	937,750		$	1,430,532
Accounts receivable — net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $268,815 and $245,238 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively		10,988,112			10,410,571
Due from shareholders and affiliates		4,221			3,279
Inventories— net of allowance for obsolete and slow moving inventory of $391,596 and $331,008 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively		30,943,596			27,233,322
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,919,733			1,611,797

Total Current Assets		44,793,412			40,689,501

Equipment — net		940,841			876,255

Intangible assets — net of accumulated amortization of $7,869,704 and $7,372,585 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively		6,560,557			7,048,302
Goodwill		496,226			496,226
Investment in non-consolidated affiliate, at equity		568,349			518,667
Restricted cash		326,296			345,076
Other assets		100,166			129,486

Total Assets	$	53,785,847		$	50,103,513

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	8,128,293		$	5,652,260
Accrued expenses		2,862,983			4,352,170
Due to shareholders and affiliates		1,309,806			1,338,072

Total Current Liabilities		12,301,082			11,342,502

Long-Term Liabilities
Credit facility, net (including $423,161 and $312,813 of related-party participation at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively)		13,849,629			11,917,694
Notes payable – 5% Convertible notes (including $1,100,000 of related party participation at December 31 and March 31, 2016)		1,675,000			1,675,000
Notes payable – GCP Note		219,514			211,580
Deferred tax liability		977,563			1,204,000

Total Liabilities		29,022,788			26,350,776

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and March 31, 2016		—			—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized at December 31 and March 31, 2016, 160,970,167 and 160,474,777 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively		1,609,702			1,604,748
Additional paid-in capital		168,206,656			166,866,671
Accumulated deficit		(146,922,042	)		(145,878,079	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,335,218	)		(2,193,794	)

Total controlling shareholders’ equity		20,559,098			20,399,546

Noncontrolling interests		4,203,961			3,353,191

Total Equity		24,763,059			23,752,737

Total Liabilities and Equity	$	53,785,847		$	50,103,513

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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Sales, net*	$	18,309,539		$	17,207,372		$	54,688,255		$	52,256,960
Cost of sales*		10,639,299			10,505,277			32,574,640			31,871,149

Gross profit		7,670,240			6,702,095			22,113,615			20,385,811

Selling expense		4,642,419			4,618,614			14,304,931			13,911,772
General and administrative expense		1,922,675			1,751,369			6,053.569			5,508,792
Depreciation and amortization		251,410			235,250			758,507			696,575

Income from operations		853,736			96,862			996,608			268,672

Other expense, net		(70	)		—			(403	)		(221	)
Income from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate		26,362			4,500			49,682			9,013
Foreign exchange gain (loss)		68,720			(41,634	)		145,208			(131,213	)
Interest expense, net		(330,165	)		(271,677	)		(969,294	)		(786,477	)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes		618,583			(211,949	)		221,801			(640,226	)
Income tax benefit (expense), net		273,781			(383,962	)		(414,994	)		(1,487,886	)

Net income (loss)		892,364			(595,911	)		(193,193	)		(2,128,112	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(469,798	)		(211,792	)		(850,770	)		(814,524	)

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	422,566		$	(807,703	)	$	(1,043,963	)	$	(2,942,636	)

Net income (loss) per common share, basic, attributable to common shareholders	$	0.00		$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.02	)

Weighted average shares used in computation, basic, attributable to common shareholders		160,963,862			160,031,891			160,728,918			159,119,831

Net income (loss) per common share, diluted, attributable to common shareholders	$	0.00		$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.02	)

Weighted average shares used in computation, diluted, attributable to common shareholders		165,245,935			160,031,891			160,728,918			159,119,831

* Sales, net and Cost of sales include excise taxes of $1,646,486 and $1,542,619 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $5,275,187 and $5,230,618 for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended December 31,						Nine months ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net income (loss)	$	892,364		$	(595,911	)	$	(193,193	)	$	(2,128,112	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(117,079	)		(58,872	)		(141,424	)		15,329

Total other comprehensive income (loss):		(117,079	)		(58,872	)		(141,424	)		15,329

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	775,285		$	(654,783	)	$	(334,617	)	$	(2,112,783	)

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, 2016		160,474,777	$	1,604,748	$	166,866,671		$	(145,878,079	)	$	(2,193,794	)	$	3,353,191	$	23,752,737

Net loss									(1,043,963	)					850,770		(193,193	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment												(141,424	)				(141,424	)
Common stock issuance costs		—		—		(14,355	)										(14,355	)
Exercise of common stock options		495,390		4,954		182,332											187,286
Stock-based compensation						1,172,008											1,172,008

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2016		160,970,167	$	1,609,702	$	168,206,656		$	(146,922,042	)	$	(2,335,218	)	$	4,203,961	$	24,763,059

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,
	2016			2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$	(193,193	)	$	(2,128,112	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		758,507			696,575
Provision for doubtful accounts		34,650			52,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs		124,650			138,031
Deferred income tax expense, net		(226,437	)		(92,114	)
Net income from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate		(49,682	)		(9,013	)
Effect of changes in foreign exchange		(145,208	)		131,213
Stock-based compensation expense		1,172,008			1,036,412
Addition to provision for obsolete inventory		150,000			100,000
Changes in operations, assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(621,122	)		1,702,199
Due from affiliates		(942	)		138,750
Inventory		(3,827,236	)		(6,140,728	)
Prepaid expenses and supplies		(312,315	)		(183,176	)
Other assets		(50,273	)		(86,667	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,004,720			4,514,429
Accrued interest		7,934			7,934
Due to shareholders and affiliates		(28,263	)		118,294

Total adjustments		(2,009,009	)		2,124,139

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(2,202,202	)		(3,973	)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of equipment		(320,331	)		(299,594	)
Acquisition of intangible assets		(9,375	)		(23,885	)
Investment in non-consolidated affiliate, at equity		—			(500,000	)
Change in restricted cash		(7,102	)		(208	)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(336,808	)		(823,687	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from credit facility		1,886,878			(478,517	)
Payments on Bourbon term loan		—			(744,900	)
Net payments on foreign revolving credit facility		—			(34,757	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—			3,251,989
Payments for costs of stock issuance		(14,355	)		(95,344	)
Subsidiary dividend paid to non-controlling interests		—			(600,000	)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options		187,286			243,094

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		2,059,809			1,541,565

EFFECTS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION		(13,581	)		(9,311	)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(492,782	)		704,594
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — BEGINNING		1,430,532			1,191,603

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — ENDING	$	937,750		$	1,896,197

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Surrender of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock warrant	$	—		$	31,250
Conversion of 5% convertible note to common stock	$	—		$	451,417

Interest paid	$	847,235		$	652,262
Income taxes paid	$	1,553,377		$	1,079,387

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, 2016 is derived from the March 31, 2016 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, 2016 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016, as amended (“2016 Form 10-K”). Please refer to the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Form 10-K for additional disclosures and a description of accounting policies.

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. (“McLain & Kyne”), 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.

Liquidity – The Company believes that its current cash and working capital, the availability under the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 7C) and the additional funds that may be raised under the 2014 Distribution Agreement (as defined in Note 8) will enable it to fund its obligations until it achieves profitability, ensure continuity of supply of its brands and support new brand initiatives and marketing programs through at least February 2018.

Organization and operations — The Company is principally engaged in the importation, marketing and sale of premium and super premium rums, whiskeys, liqueurs, vodka, tequila and related non-alcoholic beverage products in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

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 equity investments as a component of net income or loss.

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.

Impairment of long-lived assets — Under 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.

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 or other relevant jurisdiction and then transferred out of “bond.” 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.

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 condensed consolidated statements of operations.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

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.

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 benefit (expense) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 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 months ended December 31, 2016 the Company recognized $273,781 of income tax benefit and for the three months ended December 31, 2015 the Company recognized ($383,962) of income tax expense, net, respectively. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized ($414,994) and ($1,487,886) of income tax expense, net, respectively.

	K.	Recent accounting pronouncements — In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” This ASU, which must be applied prospectively, provides a narrower framework to be used to determine if a set of assets and activities constitutes a business than under current guidance and is generally expected to result in greater consistency in the application of ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. This guidance is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, with early adoption 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 and financial condition.

		In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (the “Task Force”).” The new standard requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Entities will also be required to reconcile such total to amounts on the balance sheet and disclose the nature of the restrictions. This guidance is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, with early adoption 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 and financial condition.

		In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory.” This ASU removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This guidance is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Entities must apply a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. 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 and financial condition.

		In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which provides guidance on eight cash flow classification issues with the objective of reducing differences in practice. The new standard is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Adoption is required to be on a retrospective basis, unless impracticable for any of the amendments, in which case a prospective application 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 and financial condition.

		In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2017. 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 and financial condition.

		In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. 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 and financial condition.

		In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Changes to the current guidance primarily affect the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the ASU clarifies guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The new standard is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, and upon adoption, an entity should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet at the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Early adoption is not permitted except for the provision to record fair value changes for financial liabilities under the fair value option resulting from instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income. 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 and financial condition.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2017, with early adoption 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 and financial condition.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”, which requires management to assess a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. Before this new standard, there was minimal guidance in U.S. GAAP specific to going concern. Under the new standard, disclosures are required when conditions give rise to substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. 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 and 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 the Company as of April 1, 2018. 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 and 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 condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting standards adopted — In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combination (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments”, which requires adjustments to provisional amounts initially recorded in a business combination that are identified during the measurement period to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. This includes any effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 also requires the disclosure of the nature and amount of measurement-period adjustments recognized in the current period, including separately the amounts in current-period income statement line items that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning April 1, 2016. The Company will apply the guidance prospectively for all future business combinations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected. Upon adoption, the Company applied the new guidance on a retrospective basis and adjusted the balance sheet of each individual period presented to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning April 1, 2016.

In June, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement” at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. This update addresses presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Commitment fees paid to the lender represent the benefit of being able to access capital over the contractual term, and therefore, are not in the scope of the new guidance and it is appropriate to present such fees as an asset on the balance sheet, regardless of whether or not there are outstanding borrowings under the revolver. The Company adopted this guidance beginning with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The Company determined that the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

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 notes outstanding. In computing diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 notes is anti-dilutive.

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

	Nine months ended December 31,
	2016		2015
Stock options		15,907,696		13,831,399
5% Convertible notes		1,861,111		1,861,111

Total		17,768,807		15,692,510

NOTE 3 — INVENTORIES

	December 31,		March 31,
	2016		2016
Raw materials	$	16,297,000	$	11,976,561
Finished goods – net		14,646,596		15,256,761

Total	$	30,943,596	$	27,233,322

As of December 31 and March 31, 2016, 10% and 11%, respectively, of raw materials and 12% and 5%, respectively, of finished goods were located outside of the United States.

In the nine months ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired $5,093,345 of new-fill and aged bourbon whiskey 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., consolidated

For the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, GCP had pretax net income on a stand-alone basis of $1,016,217 and $950,481, respectively. The Company allocated 40% of this net income, or $406,487 and $380,193, to non-controlling interest for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, GCP had pretax net income on a stand-alone basis of $2,657,241 and $3,635,312, respectively. The Company allocated 40% of this net income, or $1,062,896 and $1,454,125, to non-controlling interest for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Combined with the effects of income tax expense, net, allocated to noncontrolling interests as described in Note 1.J Income Taxes, the cumulative balance allocated to noncontrolling interests in GCP was $4,203,961 and $3,353,191 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively, as shown on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Investment in Copperhead Distillery Company, equity method

In June 2015, CB-USA purchased 20% of Copperhead Distillery Company (“Copperhead”) for $500,000. Copperhead owns and operates the Kentucky Artisan Distillery. The investment was part of an agreement to build a new warehouse to store Jefferson’s bourbons, provide distilling capabilities using special mash-bills made from locally grown grains and create a visitor center and store to enhance the consumer experience for the Jefferson’s brand. The investment has been used for the construction of a new warehouse in Crestwood, Kentucky dedicated to the storage of Jefferson’s whiskies. The Company has accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting. For the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $26,362 and $4,500 of income from this investment, respectively, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $49,682 and $9,013 of income from this investment, respectively The investment balance was $568,349 and $518,667 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively, as shown on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

NOTE 5 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill was $496,226 at each of December 31 and March 31, 2016.

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	December 31, 2016		March 31, 2016
Definite life brands	$	170,000	$	170,000
Trademarks		631,693		631,693
Rights		8,271,555		8,271,555
Product development		194,581		185,207
Patents		994,000		994,000
Other		55,460		55,460

		10,317,289		10,307,915
Less: accumulated amortization		7,869,704		7,372,585

Net		2,447,585		2,935,330
Other identifiable intangible assets — indefinite lived*		4,112,972		4,112,972

	$	6,560,557	$	7,048,302

* Other identifiable intangible assets — indefinite lived consists of product formulations and the Company’s relationships with its distillers.

Accumulated amortization consists of the following:

	December 31, 2016		March 31, 2016
Definite life brands	$	170,000	$	170,000
Trademarks		358,705		331,366
Rights		6,479,074		6,065,111
Product development		35,305		29,188
Patents		826,620		776,920
Other		-		-

Accumulated amortization	$	7,869,704	$	7,372,585

NOTE 6 — RESTRICTED CASH

At December 31 and March 31, 2016, the Company had €310,300 or $326,296 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate) and €303,890 or $345,076 (translated at the March 31, 2016 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.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

NOTE 7 — NOTES PAYABLE

	December 31, 2016		March 31, 2016
Notes payable consist of the following:
Foreign revolving credit facilities (A)	$	—	$	—
Note payable – GCP note (B)		219,514		211,580
Credit facility, net (C)		13,849,629		11,917,694
5% Convertible notes (D)		1,675,000		1,675,000

Total	$	15,744,143	$	13,804,274

The Company has arranged various facilities aggregating €310,300 or $326,296 (translated at the December 31, 2016 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%. The balance on the credit facilities included in notes payable was €0 at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

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, 2016, $10,579 of accrued interest was converted to amounts due to affiliates. At December 31, 2016, $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, 2016, $211,580 of principal due on the GCP Note is included in long-term liabilities.

The Company and CB-USA are parties to an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”) with ACF FinCo I LP (“ACF”), which provides for availability (subject to certain terms and conditions) of a facility (the “Credit Facility”) to provide working capital, including capital to finance purchases of aged whiskeys in support of the growth of the Jefferson’s bourbons, in the amount of $19.0 million, including a sublimit in the maximum principal amount of $7.0 million to permit the Company to acquire aged whiskey inventory (the “Purchased Inventory Sublimit”) subject to certain conditions set forth in the Loan Agreement. The Credit Facility matures on July 31, 2019 (the “Maturity Date”). The monthly facility fee is 0.75% per annum of the maximum Credit Facility amount (excluding the Purchased Inventory Sublimit).

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company and CB-USA may borrow up to the lesser of (x) $19.0 million and (y) the sum of the borrowing base calculated in accordance with the Loan Agreement and the Purchased Inventory Sublimit. The Company and CB-USA may prepay the Credit Facility in whole or the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, in whole or in part, subject to certain prepayment penalties as set forth in the Loan Agreement. The Purchased Inventory Sublimit replaced the bourbon term loan (the “Bourbon Term Loan”), which was paid in full in the normal course of business in May 2015.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company entered into a Reaffirmation Agreement with (i) certain of its officers, including John Glover, Chief Operating Officer, T. Kelley Spillane, Senior Vice President - Global Sales, and Alfred J. Small, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Secretary and (ii) certain junior lenders, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust, an entity affiliated with Phillip Frost, M.D., a director and a principal shareholder of the Company, Mark E. Andrews, III, the Company’s Chairman, an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen, a director and the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, an affiliate of Glenn Halpryn, a former director, Dennis Scholl, a former director, and Vector Group Ltd., a more than 5% shareholder of the Company, of which Richard Lampen is an executive officer, Henry Beinstein, a director of the Company, is a director and Phillip Frost, M.D. is a principal shareholder, which, among other things, reaffirms the existing Validity and Support Agreements by and among each officer, the Company and ACF.

ACF also required as a condition to entering into an amendment to the Loan Agreement in August 2015 that ACF enter into a participation agreement with certain related parties of the Company, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($150,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000), Richard J. Lampen ($100,000), Brian L. Heller, Special Counsel to and Assistant Secretary of the Company ($42,500), and Alfred J. Small ($15,000), to allow for the sale of participation interests in the Purchased Inventory Sublimit and the inventory purchased with the proceeds thereof. The participation agreement provides that ACF’s commitment to fund each advance of the Purchased Inventory Sublimit shall be limited to seventy percent (70%), up to an aggregate maximum principal amount for all advances equal to $4.9 million. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the participants receive interest at the rate of 11% per annum. The Company is not a party to the participation agreement. However, the Company and CB-USA are party to a fee letter with the junior participants (including the related party junior participants) pursuant to which the Company and CB-USA were obligated to pay the junior participants a closing fee of $18,000 on the effective date of the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement and are obligated to pay a commitment fee of $18,000 on each anniversary of the effective date until the junior participants’ obligations are terminated pursuant to the participation agreement.

The Company may borrow up to the maximum amount of the Credit Facility, provided that the Company has a sufficient borrowing base (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The Credit Facility interest rate (other than with respect to the Purchased Inventory Sublimit) 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) 6.0%. The interest rate applicable to the Purchased Inventory Sublimit 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 Credit Facility. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any “Default” or “Event of Default” (as defined under the Loan Agreement), the Company is required to pay interest at a rate that is 3.25% per annum above the then applicable Credit Facility interest rate. The Loan Agreement contains EBITDA targets allowing for further interest rate reductions in the future. The Credit Facility currently bears interest at 6.0% (reflecting a discount for achieving one such EBITDA target) and the Purchased Inventory Sublimit currently bears interest at 7.75%. The Company is required to pay down the principal balance of the Purchased Inventory Sublimit within 15 banking days from the completion of a bottling run of bourbon from the bourbon inventory stock purchased with funds borrowed under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit in an amount equal to the purchase price of such bourbon. The unpaid principal balance of the Credit Facility, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all fees, costs and expenses payable in connection with the Credit Facility, are due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. In addition to closing fees, ACF receives facility fees and a collateral management fee (each as set forth in the Loan Agreement). The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement are secured by the grant of a pledge and a security interest in all of its assets.

The Loan Agreement contains standard borrower representations and warranties for asset-based borrowing and a number of reporting obligations and affirmative and negative covenants. The Loan Agreement includes negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to create additional indebtedness, dispose of properties, incur liens, and make distributions or cash dividends. At December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance, in all material respects, with the covenants under the Loan Agreement.

At December 31 and March 31, 2016, $13,849,629 and $11,917,694, respectively, due on the Credit Facility, net, was included in long-term liabilities, including $3,551,000 and $2,625,000 outstanding under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, respectively. At December 31 and March 31, 2016, there was $5,024,528 and $6,911,411, respectively, in potential availability under the Credit Facility, net.

In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-03, the Company included $125,843 and $170,895 of debt issuance costs at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively, as direct deductions from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.

In January 2017, the Company acquired $1,030,000 in aged bulk bourbon under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit with additional borrowings from certain related parties of the Company, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($51,500), Richard J. Lampen ($34,333), Mark E. Andrews, III ($17,167), Brian L. Heller ($14,592), and Alfred J. Small ($5,150), as junior participants in the Purchased Inventory Sublimit with respect to such purchase.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

In October 2013, the Company entered into a 5% Convertible Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with the purchasers party thereto, under which the Company issued an aggregate initial principal amount of $2,125,000 of unsecured subordinated notes (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum, payable quarterly, 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 included 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 ACF and certain other junior lenders to the Company; the Company is not a party to the Subordination Agreement.

At each of December 31 and March 31, 2016, $1,675,000 of principal due on the Convertible Notes was included in long-term liabilities.

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 $10,000,000.

Sales of the Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement, if any, 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 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.

The Company did not sell any Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, but incurred $14,355 of issuance costs related to the 2014 Distribution Agreement.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company sold 2,119,282 Shares pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement, with total gross proceeds of $3,251,989, before deducting sales agent and issuance costs of $95,344.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

NOTE 9 — 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, 2016, 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 income and expense.

NOTE 10 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In June 2016, the Company granted to employees, directors and certain consultants options to purchase an aggregate of 3,170,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.90 per share under the Company’s 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. The options, which expire in June 2026, vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The Company has valued the options at $1,806,900 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $409,511 and $338,023, respectively, and $1,172,008 and $1,036,412, respectively. At December 31, 2016, total unrecognized compensation cost amounted to $3,692,188, representing 6,616,375 unvested options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.83 years. There were 495,390 options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 612,989 options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2015. The Company did not recognize any related tax benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 from option exercises, as the effects were de minimis.

NOTE 11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has entered into a supply agreement with an Irish distiller (“Irish Distillery”), 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. The Irish Distillery 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 the Irish Distillery 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, 2017, the Company has contracted to purchase approximately €900,386 or $946,801 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate) in bulk Irish whiskey, of which €555,067 or $583,680 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate), has been purchased as of December 31, 2016. The Company is not obligated to pay the Irish Distillery for any product not yet received. During the term of this supply agreement, the Irish Distillery has the right to limit additional purchases above the commitment amount.

The Company has also entered into a supply agreement with the Irish Distillery, 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. The Irish Distillery 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 the Irish Distillery 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, 2017, the Company has contracted to purchase approximately €394,961 or $415,321 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate) in bulk Irish whiskey, of which €313,081 or $329,220 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate), has been purchased as of December 31, 2016. The Company is not obligated to pay the Irish Distillery for any product not yet received. During the term of this supply agreement, the Irish Distillery has the right to limit additional purchases above the commitment amount.

The Company has entered into a supply agreement with a bourbon distiller, which provides for the production of newly distilled bourbon whiskey through December 31, 2019. Under this agreement, the distiller provides the Company with an agreed upon amount of original proof gallons of newly distilled bourbon whiskey, subject to certain annual adjustments. For the contract year ended December 31, 2015, the Company contracted and purchased approximately $1,643,000 in newly distilled bourbon. For the contract year ended December 31, 2016, the Company contracted and purchased approximately $2,032,493 in newly distilled bourbon. For the contract year ending December 31, 2017, the Company contracted to purchase approximately $2,464,500 in newly distilled bourbon. The Company is not obligated to pay the distiller for any product not yet received. During the term of this supply agreement, the distiller has the right to limit additional purchases to ten percent above the commitment amount. Either party may terminate the agreement, with or without cause, by providing notice to the other party six months prior to the end of the 2017 or any other subsequent contract year.

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 February 29, 2020 and provides for monthly payments of $26,255. The Dublin lease commenced on March 1, 2009 and extends through October 31, 2019 and provides for monthly payments of €1,500 or $1,577 (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate). The Houston, TX lease commenced on April 27, 2015 and extends through June 26, 2018 and provides for monthly payments of $3,440. The Company has also entered into non-cancelable operating leases for certain office equipment.

As described in Note 7C, in August 2011, the Company and CB-USA entered into the Credit Facility, as amended in July 2012, March 2013, August 2013, November 2013, August 2014, September 2014 and August 2015.

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

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 12 — CONCENTRATIONS

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 has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk.

Customers — Sales to one customer, the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“SWS”) family of companies, accounted for approximately 42.3% and 34.5% of the Company’s net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Sales to SWS accounted for approximately 37.1% and 37.9% of the Company’s revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and approximately 38.2% and 33.0% of accounts receivable at December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

NOTE 13 — GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company operates in one reportable segment — the sale of premium beverage alcohol. The Company’s product categories are rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila and related non-alcoholic beverage products. 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 from operations, consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, consolidated income tax expense and consolidated assets from the U.S. and foreign countries and consolidated sales, net by category.

	Three Months ended December 31,
	2016				2015
Consolidated Sales, net:
International	$	2,062,991	11.3	%	$	3,738,064		21.7	%
United States		16,246,548	88.7	%		13,469,308		78.3	%

Total Consolidated Sales, net	$	18,309,539	100.0	%	$	17,207,372		100.0	%

Consolidated Income (Loss) from Operations:
International	$	15,988	1.9	%	$	(30,627	)	(31.6	)%
United States		837,748	98.1	%		127,489		131.6	%

Total Consolidated Income from Operations	$	853,736	100.0	%	$	96,862		100.0	%

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders:
International	$	16,250	3.8	%	$	(23,269	)	2.9	%
United States		406,316	96.2	%		(784,434	)	97.1	%

Total Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders	$	422,566	100.0	%	$	(807,703	)	100.0	%

Income tax benefit (expense), net
United States	$	273,781	100.0	%	$	(383,962	)	100.0	%

Consolidated Sales, net by category:
Whiskey	$	7,656,767	41.8	%	$	6,686,512		38.9	%
Rum		3,392,725	18.5	%		4,625,872		26.9	%
Liqueur		1,871,683	10.2	%		1,942,976		11.3	%
Vodka		354,884	1.9	%		483,086		2.8	%
Tequila		53,788	0.3	%		24,451		0.1	%
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products		4,979,692	27.2	%		3,444,475		20.0	%

Total Consolidated Sales, net	$	18,309,539	100.0	%	$	17,207,372		100.0	%

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

	Nine months ended December 31,
	2016					2015
Consolidated Sales, net:
International	$	5,862,534		10.7	%	$	7,536,028		14.4	%
United States		48,825,721		89.3	%		44,720,932		85.6	%

Total Consolidated Sales, net	$	54,688,255		100.0	%	$	52,256,960		100.0	%

Consolidated Income (Loss) from Operations:
International	$	(89,079	)	(8.9	)%	$	6,405		2.4	%
United States		1,085,687		108.9	%		262,267		97.6	%

Total Consolidated Income from Operations	$	996,608		100.0	%	$	268,672		100.0	%

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders:
International	$	(45,884	)	4.4	%	$	31,187		(1.1	)%
United States		(998,079	)	95.6	%		(2,973,823	)	101.1	%

Total Consolidated Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders	$	(1,043,963	)	100.0	%	$	(2,942,636	)	100.0	%

Income tax expense, net:
United States		(414,994	)	100.0	%		(1,487,886	))	100.0	%

Consolidated Sales, net by category:
Whiskey	$	19,642,471		35.9	%	$	18,319,766		35.0	%
Rum		12,842,295		23.5	%		14,016,651		26.8	%
Liqueur		6,377,875		11.7	%		6,683,801		12.8	%
Vodka		1,146,521		2.1	%		1,613,626		3.1	%
Tequila		181,127		0.3	%		148,487		0.3	%
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products		14,497,966		26.5	%		11,474,629		22.0	%

Total Consolidated Sales, net	$	54,688,255		100.0	%	$	52,256,960		100.0	%

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

	As of December 31, 2016				As of March 31, 2016
Consolidated Assets:
International	$	4,114,946	7.7	%	$	2,786,333	5.6	%
United States		49,670,901	92.3	%		47,317,180	94.4	%

Total Consolidated Assets	$	53,785,847	100.0	%	$	50,103,513	100.0	%

*Includes related non-beverage alcohol products.

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 also develop and market related non-alcoholic beverage products, including Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer. 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, France, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Australia and the Duty Free markets, and in a number of other countries. We market the following brands, among others:

	·	Goslings rum®
	·	Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer
	·	Goslings Dark ‘n Stormy® ready-to-drink cocktail
	·	Jefferson’s® bourbon
	·	Jefferson’s Reserve®
	·	Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea®
	·	Jefferson’s Wine Finish Collection
	·	Jefferson’s The Manhattan: Barrel Finished Cocktail
	·	Jefferson’s Chef’s Collaboration
	·	Jefferson’s Wood Experiment
	·	Jefferson’s Presidential Select™
	·	Jefferson’s Rye whiskey
	·	Pallini® liqueurs
	·	Clontarf® Irish whiskey
	·	Knappogue Castle Whiskey®
	·	Brady’s® Irish Cream
	·	Boru® vodka
	·	Tierras™ tequila
	·	Celtic Honey® liqueur
	·	Gozio® amaretto
	·	The Arran Malt® Single Malt Scotch Whisky
	·	The Robert Burns Scotch Whisky
	·	Machrie Moor Scotch Whisky

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 rums and whiskeys, sales of which have grown substantially in recent 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. For example, we have leveraged our successful Jefferson’s portfolio by introducing a number of brand extensions. Additionally, we recently added the Arran Scotch Whiskys to our portfolio as agency brands. 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 developments

Bourbon Purchase

In January 2017, we acquired an additional $1.0 million in aged bulk bourbon in support of our current and near term needs for the Jefferson’s brand. We paid for this purchase using funds from the Purchased Inventory Sublimit of our Credit Facility, each as defined below under “Liquidity and capital resources – Existing Financing.”

Isle of Arran Distillers

In February 2017, we announced a five-year exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Isle of Arran Distillers Limited under which we are leveraging our distribution platform to market Isle of Arran Distillers’ award-winning premium Scotch Whiskys. We believe that adding the Isle of Arran Scotch Whiskys to our Jefferson’s bourbon and our Irish whiskey portfolios sets us apart in the premium whiskey category.

Currency Translation

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, 2016, each as calculated from the Interbank exchange rates as reported by Oanda.com. On December 31, 2016, the exchange rate of the Euro and the British Pound in exchange for U.S. Dollars was €1.00 = U.S. $1.05155 (equivalent to U.S. $1.00 = €0.95098) and £1.00 = U.S. $1.23363 (equivalent to U.S. $1.00 = £0.81062).

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, 2016, as amended, which we refer to as our 2016 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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Cases
United States		73,816			72,320			238,837			241,659
International		19,541			32,560			56,486			70,158

Total		93,357			104,880			295,323			311,817

Rum		33,196			42,919			123,989			135,595
Whiskey		29,365			30,209			77,620			77,607
Liqueur		22,673			22,431			69,061			67,728
Vodka		7,839			9,183			23,688			30,122
Tequila		284			138			965			765

Total		93,357			104,880			295,323			311,817

Percentage of Cases
United States		79.1	%		69.0	%		80.9	%		77.5	%
International		20.9	%		31.0	%		19.1	%		22.5	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

Rum		35.5	%		40.9	%		42.0	%		43.5	%
Whiskey		31.5	%		28.8	%		26.3	%		24.9	%
Liqueur		24.3	%		21.4	%		23.4	%		21.7	%
Vodka		8.4	%		8.8	%		8.0	%		9.7	%
Tequila		0.3	%		0.1	%		0.3	%		0.2	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

The following table provides information regarding our case sales of related non-alcoholic beverage products, which primarily consists of Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, for the periods presented:

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Cases
United States		328,566			221,585			948,863			756,521
International		10,071			15,408			50,803			33,621

Total		338,637			236,993			999,666			790,142

Percentage of Cases
United States		97.0	%		93.5	%		94.9	%		95.7	%
International		3.0	%		6.5	%		5.1	%		4.3	%

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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Sales, net		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales		58.1	%		61.1	%		59.6	%		61.0	%

Gross profit		41.9	%		38.9	%		40.4	%		39.0	%

Selling expense		25.4	%		26.7	%		26.2	%		26.7	%
General and administrative expense		10.5	%		10.2	%		11.1	%		10.5	%
Depreciation and amortization		1.4	%		1.4	%		1.4	%		1.3	%

Income from operations		4.7	%		0.6	%		1.7	%		0.5	%

Other expense, net		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.1	%		0.0	%
Foreign exchange gain (loss)		0.4	%		(0.2	)%		0.3	%		(0.3	)%
Income from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate		0.1	%		0.0	%		0.1	%		0.0	%
Interest expense, net		(1.8	)%		(1.6	)%		(1.8	)%		(1.4	)%

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes		3.4	%		(1.2	)%		0.4	%		(1.2	)%
Income tax benefit (expense), net		1.5	%		(2.2	)%		(0.8	)%		(2.8	)%

Net income (loss)		4.9	%		(3.4	)%		(0.4	)%		(4.0	)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2.6	)%		(1.2	)%		(1.6	)%		(1.6	)%
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		2.3	%		(4.6	)%		(2.0	)%		(5.6	)%

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

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	422,566		$	(807,703	)	$	(1,043,963	)	$	(2,942,636	)
Adjustments:
Interest expense, net		330,165			271,677			969,294			786,477
Income tax (benefit) expense, net		(273,781	)		383,962			414,994			1,487,886
Depreciation and amortization		251,410			235,250			758,507			696,575
EBITDA income (loss)		730,360			83,186			1,098,833			28,302
Allowance for doubtful accounts		11,550			9,000			34,650			52,000
Allowance for obsolete inventory		50,000			—			150,000			100,000
Stock-based compensation expense		409,511			338,023			1,172,008			1,036,412
Other expense, net		70			—			403			221
Income from equity investments in non-consolidated affiliate		(26,362	)		(4,500	)		(49,682	)		(9,013	)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss		(68,720	)		41,634			(145,209	)		131,213
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		469,798			211,792			850,770			814,524
EBITDA, as adjusted	$	1,576,207		$	679,135		$	3,111,773		$	2,153,659

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted for allowances for doubtful accounts and obsolete inventory, stock-based compensation expense, other expense (income), net, income from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate, foreign exchange and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 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 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, increased to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $0.7 million for the comparable prior-year period, and our EBITDA, as adjusted, increased to $3.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $2.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, both primarily as a result of increased revenue.

Three months ended December 31, 2016 compared with three months ended December 31, 2015

Net sales. Net sales increased 6.4% to $18.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $17.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, due to U.S. sales growth of Jefferson’s bourbons and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, partially offset by decreases in vodka, certain liqueurs and rum sales. For the three months ended December 31, 2016, sales of our Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer increased 44.6% to $5.0 million. We anticipate continued growth of Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer in the near term due to the popularity of cocktails containing ginger beer, Goslings brand awareness and the planned distribution to large national retailers, 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, 2016 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015:

	Increase/(decrease)						Percentage
	in case sales						increase/(decrease)
	Overall			U.S.			Overall			U.S.
Rum		(9,723	)		(1,858	)		(22.7	)%		(7.7	)%
Whiskey		(844	)		4,525			(2.8	)%		25.2	%
Liqueur		242			299			1.1	%		1.3	%
Vodka		(1,344	)		(1,616	)		(14.6	)%		(20.3	)%
Tequila		146			146			105.8	%		105.8	%
Total		(11,523	)		1,496			(11.0	)%		2.1	%

Our international spirits case sales as a percentage of total spirits case sales decreased to 20.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 31.0% for the comparable prior-year period, due to decreased whiskey and rum sales in certain international markets.

The following table presents the increase in case sales of related non-alcoholic beverage products for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015:

	Increase				Percentage
	in case sales				increase
	Overall		U.S.		Overall			U.S.
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products		101,644		106,981		42.9	%		48.3	%

Gross profit. Gross profit increased 14.4% to $7.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $6.7 million for the comparable prior-year period, and gross margin improved to 41.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 38.9% for the comparable prior-year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased aggregate revenue in the current period, while the increase in gross margin was due to the increase in our whiskey sales over the prior-year period. During the three months ended December 31, 2016, we recorded an allowance for obsolete and slow moving inventory of $0.05 million, as compared to $0 for the comparable prior-year period. We recorded this allowance on both raw materials and finished goods, primarily in connection with label and packaging changes made to certain brands, as well as certain cost variances. The net charge has been recorded as an increase to cost of sales in the current period. Net of the allowance for obsolete inventory, gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 42.2%.

Selling expense. Selling expense was $4.6 million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, primarily due to a $0.3 million increase in salaries and personnel expense due to increased sales staff and compensation costs and $0.1 million increase in shipping costs from increase U.S. sales volume, offset by a $0.4 million decrease in advertising and marketing expense due to the timing of certain marketing programs. The increase in revenue, however, resulted in selling expense as a percentage of net sales decreasing to 25.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 26.7% for the comparable prior-year period.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense increased 9.8% to $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $1.8 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.1 million increase in salaries and personnel expense due to increased staff and compensation costs. Increased revenue for the period partially offset the increase in general and administrative expense. As a result, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 10.2% for the comparable prior-year period.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $0.2 million for the comparable prior-year period.

Income from operations. As a result of the foregoing, we had income from operations of $0.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to income from operations 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 prior years, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results.

Income tax benefit (expense), net. Income tax benefit (expense), net is the estimated tax benefit (expense) primarily attributable to the net taxable income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, GCP, adjusted for changes in the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability during the periods, and was net benefit of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to net expense of ($0.4) million for the comparable prior-year period. The net benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 includes $0.1 million from the change in our deferred tax liability.

Foreign exchange gain (loss). Foreign exchange gain for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $0.1 million as compared to a loss of ($0.04) 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 ($0.3) million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 due to balances outstanding under our credit facilities. Due to expected borrowings under credit facilities to finance additional purchases of aged whiskies in support of the growth of our Jefferson’s bourbons and other working capital needs, we expect interest expense, net to increase in the near term as compared to prior years.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $0.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, both the result of net income allocated to the 40% noncontrolling interests in GCP.

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders. As a result of the net effects of the foregoing, net income attributable to common shareholders was $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to a net loss of ($0.8) million for the comparable prior-year period. Net income per common share, basic and diluted, was $0.00 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to a net loss of ($0.01) for the comparable prior-year period.

Nine months ended December 31, 2016 compared with nine months ended December 31, 2015

Net sales. Net sales increased 4.7% to $54.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $52.3 million for the comparable prior-year period, due to U.S. sales growth of Jefferson’s bourbons and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, partially offset by decreases in vodka and rum sales. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016, sales of our Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer increased 26.3% to $14.5 million. We anticipate continued growth of Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer in the near term due to the popularity of cocktails containing ginger beer, Goslings brand awareness and the planned distribution to new large national retailers, 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, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2015:

	Increase/(decrease)						Percentage
	in case sales						increase/(decrease)
	Overall			U.S.			Overall			U.S.
Rum		(11,606	)		(4,407	)		(8.6	)%		(4.6	)%
Whiskey		13			5,569			0.0	%		10.8	%
Liqueur		1,333			1,466			2.0	%		2.2	%
Vodka		(6,434	)		(5,650	)		(21.4	)%		(21.1	)%
Tequila		200			200			26.1	%		26.1	%
Total		(16,493	)		(2,821	)		(5.3	)%		(1.2	)%

Our international spirits case sales as a percentage of total spirits case sales decreased to 19.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 22.5% for the comparable prior-year period, due to decreased whiskey and rum sales in certain international markets.

The following table presents the increase in case sales of related non-alcoholic beverage products for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2015:

	Increase				Percentage
	in case sales				Increase
	Overall		U.S.		Overall			U.S.
Related Non-Alcoholic Beverage Products		209,524		192,342		26.5	%		25.4	%

Gross profit. Gross profit increased 8.5% to $22.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 from $20.4 million for the comparable prior-year period, and gross margin improved to 40.4% for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 39.0% for the comparable prior-year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased aggregate revenue in the current period, while the increase in gross margin was due to the increase in our whiskey sales over the prior-year period. During the nine months ended December 31, 2016, we recorded an addition to allowance for obsolete and slow moving inventory of $0.2 million as compared to $0.1 million in the comparable prior-year period. We recorded these allowances on both raw materials and finished goods, primarily in connection with label and packaging changes made to certain brands, as well as certain cost variances. The net charges have been recorded as an increase to cost of sales in the relevant period. Net of the allowance for obsolete inventory, gross margin for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 was 40.7% as compared to 39.2% for the prior-year period.

Selling expense. Selling expense increased 2.8% to $14.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 from $13.9 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in advertising, marketing and promotion expense related to the timing of certain sales and marketing programs, including Goslings’ sponsorship of the 35th America’s Cup, and a $0.5 million increase in salaries and personnel expense due to increased staff and compensation costs, partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in shipping costs from lower sales volume. The increase in selling costs resulted in selling expense as a percentage of net sales decreasing to 26.2% for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 26.7% for the comparable prior-year period.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense increased 9.9% to $6.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 from $5.5 million for the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a $0.5 million increase in salaries and personnel expense due to increased staff and compensation costs, and a $0.1 million increase in insurance costs, partially offset by a $0.1 million decrease in professional fees. Increased revenue for the period partially offset the increase in general and administrative expenses, which resulted in general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increasing to 11.1% for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 10.5% for the comparable prior-year period.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $0.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $0.7 million for the comparable prior-year period.

Income from operations. As a result of the foregoing, we had income from operations of $1.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to income from operations of $0.3 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 prior years, although there is no assurance that we will attain such results.

Income tax expense, net. Income tax expense, net is the estimated tax expense primarily attributable to the net taxable income recorded by our 60% owned subsidiary, GCP, adjusted for changes in the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability during the periods, and was net expense of ($0.4) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to net expense of ($1.5) million for the comparable prior-year period. The net tax expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 is net of a $0.1 million tax benefit from the change in our deferred tax liability.

Foreign exchange gain (loss). Foreign exchange gain for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 was $0.1 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 ($1.0) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to ($0.8) million for the comparable prior-year period due to balances outstanding under our credit facilities. Due to expected borrowings under credit facilities to finance additional purchases of aged whiskies in support of the growth of our Jefferson’s bourbons and other working capital needs, we expect interest expense, net to increase in the near term as compared to prior years.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $0.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $0.8 million for the comparable prior-year period, both the result of net income allocated to the 40% noncontrolling interests in GCP.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders. As a result of the net effects of the foregoing, net loss attributable to common shareholders improved to ($1.0) million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to ($2.9) million for the comparable prior-year period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, was ($0.01) per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to ($0.02) for the comparable prior-year period.

Liquidity and capital resources

Overview

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating and net losses and have not generated cumulative positive cash flows from operations. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016, we had a net loss of ($1.0) million, and used cash of $2.2 million in operating activities. As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $0.9 million and had an accumulated deficit of $146.9 million.

We believe our current cash and working capital, the availability under the Credit Facility (as defined below) and the additional funds that may be raised under our 2014 Distribution Agreement (as defined below) 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 February 2018.

Existing Financing

We and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Castle Brands (USA) Corp. (“CB-USA”), are parties to an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”) with ACF FinCo I LP (“ACF”), which provides for availability (subject to certain terms and conditions) of a facility (the “Credit Facility”) to provide us with working capital, including capital to finance purchases of aged whiskeys in support of the growth of our Jefferson’s bourbons, in the amount of $19.0 million, including a sublimit in the maximum principal amount of $7.0 million to permit us to acquire aged whiskey inventory (the “Purchased Inventory Sublimit”) subject to certain conditions set forth in the Loan Agreement. The Credit Facility matures on July 31, 2019 (the “Maturity Date”). The monthly facility fee is 0.75% per annum of the maximum Credit Facility amount (excluding the Purchased Inventory Sublimit).

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, we and CB-USA may borrow up to the lesser of (x) $19.0 million and (y) the sum of the borrowing base calculated in accordance with the Loan Agreement and the Purchased Inventory Sublimit. We and CB-USA may prepay the Credit Facility in whole or the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, in whole or in part, subject to certain prepayment penalties as set forth in the Loan Agreement. The Purchased Inventory Sublimit replaced our bourbon term loan (the “Bourbon Term Loan”), which was paid in full in May 2015.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, we entered into a Reaffirmation Agreement with (i) certain of our officers, including John Glover, our Chief Operating Officer, T. Kelley Spillane, our Senior Vice President - Global Sales, and Alfred J. Small, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Secretary and (ii) certain junior lenders of ours, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust, an entity affiliated with Phillip Frost, M.D., a director of ours and a principal shareholder of ours, Mark E. Andrews, III, a director of ours and our Chairman, an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen, a director of ours and our President and Chief Executive Officer, an affiliate of Glenn Halpryn, a former director of ours, Dennis Scholl, a former director of ours, and Vector Group Ltd., a more than 5% shareholder of ours, of which Richard Lampen is an executive officer, Henry Beinstein, a director of ours, is a director and Phillip Frost, M.D. is a principal shareholder, which, among other things, reaffirms the existing Validity and Support Agreements by and among each officer, us and ACF.

ACF required as a condition to entering into an amendment to the Loan Agreement in August 2015 that ACF enter into a participation agreement with certain related parties of ours, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($150,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000), Richard J. Lampen ($100,000), Brian L. Heller, our Special Counsel and Assistant Secretary ($42,500) and Alfred J. Small ($15,000), to allow for the sale of participation interests in the Purchased Inventory Sublimit and the inventory purchased with the proceeds thereof. The participation agreement provides that ACF’s commitment to fund each advance of the Purchased Inventory Sublimit shall be limited to seventy percent (70%), up to an aggregate maximum principal amount for all advances equal to $4.9 million. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the participants receive interest at the rate of 11% per annum. We are not a party to the participation agreement. However, we and CB-USA are party to a fee letter with the junior participants (including the related party junior participants) pursuant to which we and CB-USA were obligated to pay the junior participants a closing fee of $18,000 on the effective date of the amendment to the Loan Agreement and are obligated to pay a commitment fee of $18,000 on each anniversary of the effective date until the junior participants’ obligations are terminated pursuant to the participation agreement.

We may borrow up to the maximum amount of the Credit Facility, provided that we have a sufficient borrowing base (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The Credit Facility interest rate (other than with respect to the Purchased Inventory Sublimit) 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) 6.0%. The interest rate applicable to the Purchased Inventory Sublimit 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 Credit Facility. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any “Default” or “Event of Default” (as defined under the Loan Agreement) we are required to pay interest at a rate that is 3.25% per annum above the then applicable Credit Facility interest rate. The Loan Agreement contains EBITDA targets allowing for further interest rate reductions in the future. The Credit Facility currently bears interest at 6.0% (reflecting a discount for achieving one such EBITDA target) and the Purchased Inventory Sublimit currently bears interest at 7.75%. We are required to pay down the principal balance of the Purchased Inventory Sublimit within 15 banking days from the completion of a bottling run of bourbon from our bourbon inventory stock purchased with funds borrowed under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit in an amount equal to the purchase price of such bourbon. The unpaid principal balance of the Credit Facility, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all fees, costs and expenses payable in connection with the Credit Facility, are due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. In addition to closing fees, ACF receives facility fees and a collateral management fee (each as set forth in the Loan Agreement). Our obligations under the Loan Agreement are secured by the grant of a pledge and a security interest in all of our assets.

In January 2017, we acquired $1.0 million in aged bulk bourbon purchased under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit. Certain related parties, including Frost Gamma Investments Trust ($51,500), Richard J. Lampen ($34,333), Mark E. Andrews, III ($17,167), Brian L. Heller ($14,592) and Alfred J. Small ($5,150), were junior participants in the Purchased Inventory Sublimit with respect to such purchase.

The Loan Agreement contains standard borrower representations and warranties for asset-based borrowing and a number of reporting obligations and affirmative and negative covenants. The Loan 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, 2016, we were in compliance, in all material respects, with the covenants under the Loan Agreement.

In December 2009, GCP, 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 €0.3 million or $0.3 million (translated at the December 31, 2016 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%. We have deposited €0.3 million or $0.3 million (translated at the December 31, 2016 exchange rate) with the bank to secure these borrowings.

In October 2013, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $2.1 million of unsecured 5% convertible subordinated notes (the “Convertible Notes”). We used a portion of the proceeds to finance the acquisition of additional bourbon inventory in support of the growth of our Jefferson’s bourbon brand.

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum and mature on 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 our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“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 noteholder to accelerate the due date of the unpaid principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Note purchasers included certain related parties of ours, including an affiliate of Dr. Phillip Frost ($500,000), Mark E. Andrews, III ($50,000), an affiliate of Richard J. Lampen ($50,000) and Vector Group Ltd. ($200,000).

We 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 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 based on each holder’s then-current note holdings.

In November 2014, we entered into a distribution agreement (the “2014 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 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 us to Barrington. Also, with our prior consent, some of the Shares issued pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement may be sold in privately negotiated transactions.

As of February 9, 2017, Shares having a gross sales price of up to approximately $4.7 million remained available for issuance pursuant to the 2014 Distribution Agreement.

Liquidity Discussion

As of December 31, 2016, we had shareholders’ equity of $24.8 million as compared to $23.8 million at March 31, 2016. Our $0.2 million net loss and our total comprehensive loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, were partially offset by the exercise of stock options and stock based compensation expense of $1.2 million.

We had working capital of $32.5 million at December 31, 2016 as compared to $29.3 million at March 31, 2016, primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in accounts receivable and an $3.7 million increase in inventory, which was partially offset by a net $1.0 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a $0.5 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.9 million, as compared to $1.4 million as of March 31, 2016. The decrease is primarily attributable to the funding of our operations and working capital needs. At December 31 and March 31, 2016, we also had approximately $0.3 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 cash losses from operations;
	·	our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing should it be required;
	·	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 sales and marketing initiatives that we expect will generate cash flows from operations in the next few years. 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 may also seek additional brands and agency relationships to leverage our existing distribution platform. We intend to finance any such 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 control expenses, seek improvements in routes to market and contain production costs to improve cash flows.

As of December 31, 2016, we had borrowed $14.0 million of the $19.0 million available under the Credit Facility, including $3.6 million of the $7.0 million available under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, leaving $1.6 million in potential availability for working capital needs under the Credit Facility and $3.4 million available for aged whiskey inventory purchases. As of the date of this report, we had borrowed $13.7 million of the $19.0 million available under the Credit Facility, including $4.5 million of the $7.0 million available under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, leaving $2.7 million in potential availability for working capital needs under the Credit Facility and $2.5 million available for aged whiskey inventory purchases. We believe our current cash and working capital, the availability under the Credit Facility and the additional funds that may be raised under the 2014 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 February 2018.

Cash flows

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

	Nine months ended December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(2,202	)	$	(4	)
Investing activities		(337	)		(824	)
Financing activities		2,060			1,542
Subtotal		(479	)		714
Effect of foreign currency translation		(14	)		(9	)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(493	)	$	705

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 Goslings rums or ginger beer, 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, 2016 included significant additional stores of aged bourbon purchased in advance of forecasted production requirements. We expect to use the aged bourbon in the normal course of future sales, generating positive cash flows in future periods.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million, consisting primarily of a $3.8 million increase in inventory, $0.6 million increase in accounts receivable, a net loss of ($0.2) million and a $0.3 million increase in prepaid expenses. These uses of cash were partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, stock based compensation expense of $1.2 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $0.8 million

During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, net cash used in operating activities was de minimis, consisting primarily of a net loss of $2.1 million, a $6.0 million increase in inventory and a $0.2 million increase in prepaid expenses and supplies. These uses of cash were partially offset by a $4.6 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expense, a $1.7 million decrease in accounts receivable, a $0.1 million increase in due from affiliates, stock based compensation expense of $1.0 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $0.7 million.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $0.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, representing $0.3 million used in the acquisition of fixed and intangible assets.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015, representing a $0.5 million investment in Copperhead Distillery and $0.3 million used in the acquisition of fixed and intangible assets.

Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 was $2.1 million, consisting of $1.9 million in net proceeds from the Credit Facility and $0.2 million from the exercise of stock options.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 was $1.5 million, consisting primarily of $3.2 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the at-the-market offering and $0.2 million from the exercise of Common Stock options, partially offset by $0.5 million in net payments on the Credit Facility, $0.7 million paid on the Bourbon Term Loan and $0.6 million in dividends paid to non-controlling interests of GCP.

Recent accounting standards issued and adopted

We discuss recently issued and adopted accounting standards in the “Recent accounting pronouncements” section 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 annual 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”, “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, 2016, 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 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;
	·	the possibility that we cannot secure and maintain listings in control states, which could cause the sales of our products to decrease significantly;
	·	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 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk

We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In the future, we may enter into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, although we do not currently have any such instruments in place. The following is additional information about the market risks we are exposed to and how we manage these risks:

Interest rate risk

Interest on our Credit Facility is charged at 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) 6.00%. As of December 31, 2016, we had $10,424,472 outstanding under the Credit Facility (excluding the Purchased Inventory Sublimit), none of which is currently being hedged. Interest on our Purchased Inventory Sublimit 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%. As of December 31, 2016, we had $3,551,000 outstanding under the Purchased Inventory Sublimit, none of which is currently being hedged. Interest on our foreign revolving credit facilities is charged at the lender’s AA1 Rate minus 1.70%. As of December 31, 2016, we had €0 outstanding under our foreign revolving credit facilities.

A hypothetical one percentage point (100 basis points) increase in the interest rate being charged on the $13,975,472 of unhedged debt outstanding under our Credit Facility, Purchased Inventory Sublimit and our foreign revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2016 would have an impact of approximately $35,523 on our interest expense for the quarter.

Foreign exchange rate risk

The majority of our sales, net and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, in the three months ended December 31, 2016, Euro denominated sales accounted for approximately 11.3% of our sales, net. We also incur expenses in foreign currencies, primarily the Euro. In the three months ended December 31, 2016, Euro denominated expenses accounted for approximately 7% of our expenses. A substantial change in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the Euro could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results. A hypothetical 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Euro would have had an impact of approximately $129,132 on our income from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

If we do not enter into hedging arrangements, the more we expand our business outside the United States, the more our financial results will be exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. In the past, we have entered into forward contracts from time to time to reduce our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. We recognize derivative contracts in the balance sheet at fair value, and reflect any net gains and losses currently in earnings. At December 31 and March 31, 2016, we 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 income and expense.

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. The effect of foreign currency translation was a loss of ($117,079) for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and a loss of ($58,872) for the three months ended December 31, 2015. A hypothetical 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Euro would have had an impact of approximately $6,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 as a result of foreign currency translation.

Commodity price risk

We currently are not exposed to commodity price risks. We do not purchase the basic ingredients such as grain, sugar cane or agave that are converted into alcohol through distillation. Instead, we have relationships with various companies to provide distillation, bottling or other production services for us. These relationships vary on a brand-by-brand basis.

As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any hedging arrangements in place to protect our exposure to commodity price fluctuations.

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 11 F. to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit
Number		Description

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 9, 2017