You guys are funny. Thanks to those who "get" what we are doing. What I've found is that some distillers (that I've met in real life, as well as here) don't understand that these are two very different business models. I am on these forums because there is a lot of great information for me -- about certain regulations, bottle suppliers, even marketing and much more.
In my opinion, if you are passionate about distilling, you should distill! If you are not, you shouldn't. Many brands are started as I am starting mine -- and the success rate is quite low, as it is for lots of startups. However, read the history of Hypnotiq, on the smaller end, Svedka Vodka, or the more recent Pinnacle -- which, although the owner was named "White Rock DISTILLERY" did no distilling, but bought in and flavored vodka, then did the bottling. Do I love their vodka? No. But I don't sneer, because they were just sold for $600 million, and personally, I would not sneer at that.
Now, I realize I am on a distillers' forum. But besides learning things, dare I say it, but I can perhaps offer some value as well -- as I've been quite a student of marketing, graphic design, bottle shape too, which are thinks distillers absolutely need to think about. I have talked to MANY people, from distillers, to those who've done what I am attempting and been very successful.
Best of luck to all of you -- we all can thrive as we are not really in competition with each other.