NOTE 1 —ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Castle Brands Inc. (“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.

Organization and operations — The Company is principally engaged in the importation, marketing and sale of premium and super premium brands of rums, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka and tequila in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Prior to March 31, 2012, the vodka, Irish whiskeys and certain liqueurs were procured by CB-IRL and billed in Euros to CB-USA, with the risk of foreign exchange gain or loss resting with CB-USA. Beginning April 1, 2012, CB-USA began purchasing these goods directly from the suppliers.

Brands — Rum — Gosling’s rums, a family of premium rums with a 200-year history, including the award-winning Gosling’s Black Seal rum, for which the Company is, through its export venture GCP, the exclusive marketer outside of Bermuda, and Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer, an essential non-alcoholic ingredient in Gosling’s trademarked Dark ‘n Stormy® rum cocktail.

Whiskey — three premium small batch bourbons: Jefferson’s, Jefferson’s Reserve and Jefferson’s Presidential Select, Jefferson’s Rye, an aged rye whiskey; the Clontarf Irish whiskeys, a family of premium Irish whiskeys, available in single malt and classic pure grain versions; Knappogue Castle Whiskey, a vintage-dated premium single-malt Irish whiskey; and Knappogue Castle 1951, a pure pot-still whiskey that has been aged for 36 years.

Liqueurs — Brady’s Irish Cream, a premium Irish cream liqueur; Castello Mio, a super premium Sambuca, Celtic Honey, a premium Irish liqueur; pursuant to an exclusive U.S. marketing arrangement, Pallini Limoncello, Raspicello and Peachcello premium Italian liqueurs; pursuant to an exclusive global distribution agreement, Travis Hasse’s Original® Pie liqueurs, and pursuant to a U.S. distribution agreement, Gozio amaretto, a premium Italian liqueur.

Vodka — Boru vodka, an ultra-pure, five-times distilled and specially filtered premium vodka. Boru is produced in Ireland and has three flavor extensions (citrus, orange and Crazzberry).

Tequila — a USDA certified organic, super-premium tequila, Tequila Tierras Autenticas de Jalisco or Tierras. The Company is the exclusive U.S. importer and marketer of Tierras, which is available as blanco, reposado and añejo.

Cash and cash equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity at date of acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

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

Trade accounts receivable — The Company records trade accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect anticipated losses on the trade accounts receivable balances. The Company calculates this allowance based on its history of write-offs, level of past due accounts based on contractual terms of the receivables and its relationships with and economic status of its customers.

Revenue recognition — Revenue from product sales is recognized when the product is shipped to a customer (generally a distributor), title and risk of loss has passed to the customer in accordance with the terms of sale (FOB shipping point or FOB destination), and collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is not recognized on shipments to control states in the United States until such time as product is sold through to the retail channel.

Inventories — Inventories are comprised of distilled spirits, bulk wine, dry good raw materials (bottles, labels, corks and caps), packaging and finished goods, and are valued at the lower of cost or market, using the weighted average cost method. The Company assesses the valuation of its inventories and reduces the carrying value of those inventories that are obsolete or in excess of the Company’s forecasted usage to their estimated net realizable value. The Company estimates the net realizable value of such inventories based on analyses and assumptions including, but not limited to, historical usage, expected future demand and market requirements. A change to the carrying value of inventories is recorded in cost of goods sold. See Note 3.

During the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded allowances for obsolete and slow moving inventory of $684,830 and $275,000, respectively. The Company recorded these allowances on both raw materials and finished goods, primarily in connection with the disposition of wine brands, label and packaging changes made to certain brands, as well as wine spoilage and certain cost variances. The charges have been recorded as increases to Cost of Sales in the respective years.

Equipment — Equipment consists of office equipment, computers and software and furniture and fixtures. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related depreciation is removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the statement of operations. Equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to five years.

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.

Under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”, impairment of goodwill must be tested at least annually by comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with the carrying amount of their net assets, including goodwill. The required two-step approach uses accounting judgments and estimates of future operating results. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. The estimates that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are related to revenue growth, cost of sales, selling and marketing expenses and discount rates. Impairment testing is done at the reporting level. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the unit’s fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over its implied fair value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination with the fair value of the reporting unit deemed to be the purchase price paid. Rights, trademarks, trade names and formulations are indefinite lived intangible assets not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment at least annually. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the asset group allocated to each reporting unit with its allocated carrying amount.

The fair value of each reporting unit was determined at March 31, 2013 and 2012 by weighting a combination of the present value of the Company’s discounted anticipated future operating cash flows and values based on market multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of comparable companies. Other than the write-downs of intangible and goodwill related to the wine brands discussed in Note 7, the Company did not record any impairment on goodwill or other intangible assets for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets — Under 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. The Company did not record an impairment on long-lived assets for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

In March 2013, the Company determined to reduce its sales and marketing efforts on its wine brands, which do not provide a material contribution to the Company’s results of operations. The Company made this decision to optimize its resources and focus on its faster growing and more profitable spirits brands, and to reduce the levels of working capital required to maintain necessary inventory levels of bulk wine and finished goods. The Company intends to continue selling existing finished goods wine inventory through its current sales channels, but is actively seeking buyers for large lots and for its bulk wine. In connection with this decision, the Company recognized a loss of $1,715,728, consisting of $817,156 on the write-down of net intangible assets and $898,572 in goodwill, as well as $326,869 charged to the provision for obsolete inventory to adjust both bulk wine and finished goods to estimated net realizable value, for the year ended March 31, 2013.

Shipping and handling — The Company reflects as inventory costs freight-in and related external handling charges relating to the purchase of raw materials and finished goods. These costs are charged to cost of sales at the time the underlying product is sold. The Company also incurs shipping costs in connection with its various marketing activities, including the shipment of point of sale materials to the Company’s regional sales managers and customers, and the costs of shipping product in connection with its various marketing programs and promotions. These shipping charges are included in selling expense and were $1,171,290 and $885,837 for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Excise taxes and duty — Excise taxes and duty are computed at standard rates based on alcohol proof per gallon/liter and are paid after finished goods are imported into the United States and then transferred out of “bond.” 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.

Distributor charges and promotional goods — The Company incurs charges from its distributors for a variety of transactions and services rendered by the distributor, including product depletions, product samples for various promotional purposes, in-store tastings and training where legal, and local advertising where legal. Such charges are reflected as selling expense as incurred. Also, the Company has entered into arrangements with certain of its distributors whereby the purchase of a particular product or products by a distributor is accompanied by a percentage of the sale being composed of promotional goods or as a predetermined discount percentage of dollars off invoice. In such cases, the cost of the promotional goods is charged to cost of sales and dollars off invoice are a reduction to revenue.

Foreign currency — The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is the Euro in Ireland and the British Pound in the United Kingdom. Under ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”, the translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are shown as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of operations. Prior to March 31, 2012, the Company’s vodka, Irish whiskeys and certain liqueurs were procured by CB-IRL and billed in Euros to CB-USA, with the risk of foreign exchange gain or loss resting with CB-USA. Beginning April 1, 2012, CB-USA began purchasing these goods directly from the suppliers, with the risk of foreign exchange gain or loss remaining with CB-USA.

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 adopted the provisions of ASC 740 and has recognized no adjustment for uncertain tax provisions. 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 as of March 31, 2013.

Research and development costs — The costs of research, development and product improvement are charged to expense as incurred and are included in selling expense.

Advertising — Advertising costs are expensed when the advertising first appears in its respective medium. Advertising expense, which is included in selling expense, was $2,212,774 and $1,940,571for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include the accounting for items such as evaluating annual impairment tests, derivative instruments and equity issuances, warrant valuation, stock-based compensation, allowances for doubtful accounts and inventory obsolescence, depreciation, amortization and expense accruals.

Uncertainties — The Company depends on a limited number of third-party suppliers for the sourcing of all of its products, including both its own proprietary brands and those it distributes for others. The Company does not have long-term written agreements with all of its suppliers. Also, if the Company fails to complete purchases of products ordered annually, certain suppliers have the right to bill it for product not purchased during the period. Suppliers’ failure to perform satisfactorily or handle increased orders, delays in shipments of products from international suppliers or the loss of existing suppliers, especially key suppliers, could have material adverse effects on the Company’s operating results. The inability to maintain, renew on acceptable terms or find suitable alternatives to the Company’s contracts with suppliers could have a material adverse effect on its operating results.

Recent accounting pronouncements — In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” The amended guidance simplifies how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. After an assessment of certain qualitative factors, if it is determined to be more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired, entities must perform the quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative test is optional. The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-04, “Technical Corrections and Improvements.” The amendments in this update cover a wide range of topics in the ASC. These amendments include technical corrections and improvements to the ASC and conforming amendments related to fair value measurements. The amendments in this update will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments to the accounting guidance for presentation of comprehensive income to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income, but do require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where the net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about these amounts. For public companies, these amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Accounting standards adopted — In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2011-05"), which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance amends ASC No. 220, Comprehensive Income, and gives reporting entities the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income in either a continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. This new guidance was effective for the Company April 1, 2012 and is applied retrospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In August 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-03, “Technical Amendments and Corrections to SEC Sections: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 114, Technical Amendments Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-9250, and Corrections Related to FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-22 (SEC Update).” This update amends various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of SAB No. 114. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Reclassification — Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.