Pernod Ricard USA has completed the acquisition of a controlling share of high-end drinks-maker Smooth Ambler Spirits, through its affiliate NBV Investments.
The West Virginia drinks company, founded in 2009, makes whiskies, gins, rums and vodkas. Its Old Scout Single Barrel Bourbon was deemed the ‘Best Single Barrel Bourbon in the World’ at the Whisky Magazine 2016 World Whiskies Awards.
The acquisition was first announced on 8 December, 2016.
At the time, co-founder and head distiller for Smooth Ambler, John Little, said that his company is “committed to making great spirits, [and] using the best American ingredients. The investment from NBVI will enable us to introduce our premium craft spirits to many more consumers.”
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod, added that “investment illustrates perfectly our strategy of partnering with rising entrepreneurs sharing the same passion for authentic, high-quality brands. It represents a strong opportunity to enter the fast-growing, high-end bourbon market extending even more our fantastic portfolio of genuine brands in our number-one market.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. Click subscribe to sign up for ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
