Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Alcoholic beverages |
Founded | 1850 |
Founder | Thomas H. Handy |
Headquarters | Metairie, Louisiana, United States |
Key people | William Goldring, Chairman [1] [2] |
Products | Spirits |
Website | www |
Sazerac Company, Inc. is a privately held American alcoholic beverage company headquartered in Metairie in the metropolitan area of New Orleans, Louisiana, but with its principal office in Louisville, Kentucky. [3] The company is owned by billionaire William Goldring and his family. As of 2017 [update] , it operated nine distilleries, had 2,000 employees, and operated in 112 countries. It is one of the two largest spirits companies in the United States, with annual revenue of about $1 billion made from selling about 300 beverage brands. [4] [5] [6]
The company was founded in 1869 after the purchase by Thomas H. Handy of the Sazerac Coffee House, a bar and importer of a brand of cognac named Sazerac de Forge. [3] The coffee house itself had been established in 1850. [5] After its purchase, Handy's company began to acquire and market more brands of liquor. According to the company, the Sazerac Coffee House had been named after a cocktail called the Sazerac that was created in the mid-1800s by the immigrant Antoine Amédée Peychaud, who operated a pharmacy on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1838. [3] The company publishes a Sazerac recipe and produces a Peychaud's Bitters named after Peychaud, which is an ingredient in the traditional Sazerac cocktail. [7] [8]
William Goldring began buying shares of the company in 1984, and eventually purchased the entire company. [5]
In 2007, it was announced that they were changing the name Monsieur Henri to Gemini Spirits and Wine; it is headquartered in Loomis, California. [9]
In 2009, the company's principal office was moved to Louisville, Kentucky, reflecting an increased company focus on bourbon whiskey production. However, the Sazerac Company still maintains an active presence in the New Orleans area, and it also has operations in Carson [3] and Loomis, [9] California; Baltimore, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; [10] Bardstown, [11] Frankfort, [12] and Owensboro, Kentucky; [11] Fredericksburg, Virginia; [13] Montreal, Quebec, Canada; [14] Lewiston, Maine; [15] Londonderry, New Hampshire; Newport, Tennessee; [16] and Segonzac, France. [17]
In 2014, Sazerac announced the creation the Bond & Royal Company, located in Chicago, Illinois, to take over the specialty and craft segment of its brands from the Gemini Spirits and Wine portfolio including Dimmi, an Italian liqueur, [18] and the Casa San Matias, manufacturer of Corazón tequila. [19]
In 2016, the company had an estimated revenue of $1 billion per year and a market valuation estimate of $4.5 billion. [5] The valuation placed Goldring in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion. [5]
In 1989, Sazerac acquired several brands from Seagram. The Benchmark (bourbon) eventually changing its name from "Benchmark" to McAfee's Benchmark, Eagle Rare (Kentucky straight bourbon), Nikolai (vodka), Dr. McGillicuddy's, (liqueur) and Fireball Whisky, which was rebranded as Fireball Cinnamon Whisky in 2007. [20]
In 1992, Sazerac acquired the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, at which time the company's primary focus became the production of bourbon whiskey, a product that is primarily distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky, later changing its name to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999. [12]
In 1994, Sazerac acquired Monsieur Henri, a wine and specialty spirits company.[ citation needed ]
In 1999, Sazerac acquired the W.L. Weller bourbon brands. [21]
In 2002, Sazerac entered an agreement with the Van Winkle family to produce its Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve and Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon and rye whisky brands at its Buffalo Trace Distillery. [22]
In 2003, Sazerac acquired the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Virginia Gentleman, a bourbon whiskey, is distilled there. [13]
In March 2009, Sazerac completed its acquisition of Constellation Brands value-priced spirit assets. The purchase included Very Old Barton and several other bourbon brands, a distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, and a bottling and warehousing facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. [23] In June 2009, Sazerac acquired The Old Taylor Bourbon label and barrel inventory from Beam Global Spirits & Wine, now known as Suntory Global Spirits [24]
In June 2009, Sazerac sold Effen Vodka to Fortune Brands. After a restructuring of Fortune Brands and an acquisition by Suntory, Effen has since become a Beam Suntory brand. [25]
In September 2011, Sazerac entered into an agreement with Corby Distilleries Limited, to purchase 17 Corby owned brands as part of the agreement made with the other brands acquired from Corby Distilleries Limited. [26] The deal also included shares of Corby's manufacturing and bottling facilities in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Quebec, Canada. [14] The distillery was eventually renamed as the Old Montreal Distillery. [27]
In October 2011, Sazerac acquired 32 brands from White Rock Distillery, most notably Ryan's Irish cream liqueur. [28] [29]
In May 2012, Sazerac acquired several more brands from White Rock Distillery including Tenure England vodka. [30]
In October 2012, Sazerac acquired Gran Gala, a liqueur brand, from Stock Spirits. [31]
In October 2013, Sazerac bought a distillery, including land and equipment in Lewiston, Maine, from Beam Inc. (now known as Beam Suntory). [15] By 2017, the name of the distillery was changed to Boston Brands of Maine. The Mr. Boston premium spirits line of Brandies is distilled there. [32]
In 2014, Sazerac entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with The Wine Group, to market its Big House Bourbon, Concannon Irish Whiskey, and Piedra Azul Tequila. [33]
In October 2015, Sazerac acquired Michael Collins, an Irish whiskey from the Sidney Frank Importing Company. [34] Also in 2015, Sazerac added Van Gogh Imports, changing its name to 375 Park Avenue Spirits, as an independent, but fully integrated, division in its portfolio. [35] The company also entered an agreement with La Martiniquaise to be the US distributor of its Saint-Vivant Armagnac brand, produced in France. [36]
In 2016, Sazerac entered into an agreement with ArcusGruppen to be the US distributor of its Lysholm Linie, Aalborg Taffel, and Aalborg Jubilaeums Aquavit brands produced in Norway. [37]
In March 2016, Sazerac completed the purchase of the Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands from Brown-Forman, Inc. [38] That same month, Sazerac acquired Hi-Spirits to take over the distribution of its products in the UK. [39]
On May 31, 2016, Sazerac entered a long-term Canadian national distribution agreement with Charton Hobbs, Inc. a wine and spirits company. [40]
In May 2016, Sazerac announced that had finalized a deal with Pernod Ricard's Irish Distillers to acquire its Paddy Whiskey brand. [41]
In September 2016, Sazerac acquired The Last Drop Distillers, an independent bottler of Scotch whiskey, [42] and Australian spirit maker South Trade International. [43]
In October 2016, Sazerac acquired Frïs Vodka from Pernod Ricard. [44]
In December 2016, Sazerac announced its acquisition of The Popcorn Sutton Distillery in Newport, Tennessee. [16]
In December 2016, Sazerac announced that had acquired Domaine Breuil de Segonzac Cognac, including property located near the town of Segonzac, France, near Cognac. [17]
On March 3, 2017, it was announced that Sazerac entered a joint venture with Bittermens. [45]
In June 2017, it was announced that Sazerac had entered agreement with Dictador to be the US distributor of its Rum products through its 375 Spirits division. [46]
In October 2017, it was announced that Sazerac entered an agreement with John Distilleries Private Limited (JDPL) the manufacturer of Paul John Whisky to enter the India market. [47]
In November 2018, Sazerac announced it would acquire 19 spirits brands from Diageo Plc, including John Begg blended Scotch, Seagram’s V.O. Canadian whisky, Myers’s rum, Parrot Bay rum liqueur, Romana Sambuca, Popov vodka, Yukon Jack whisky liqueur, Goldschläger cinnamon liqueur, Peligroso tequila, Grind liqueur and Booth’s gin. [48] [49]
In June 2020, the company announced it would acquire Early Times and Canadian Mist, [50] including the latter's distillery in Ontario, from Brown-Forman. The acquisition included the barrel aging stocks related to the different brands as well. [51]
In March 2024, Sazerac announced plans to acquire BuzzBallz, a ready-to-drink cocktail brand. [52] The acquisition was complete in May 2024. [53]
Sazerac beverage brands include: [54]
Bourbon whiskey: 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, Ancient Age, Blanton's, Bowman Brothers, Buffalo Trace, E.H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, Elmer T. Lee, George T. Stagg, Hancock's President's Reserve, Kentucky Gentleman, Kentucky Tavern, McAfee's Benchmark, O.F.C. Vintages, Old Charter, Old Rip Van Winkle, Old Taylor, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, Rock Hill Farms, Very Old Barton, Virginia Gentleman, W. L. Weller
Kentucky whiskey: Early Times
Rye whiskey: Sazerac Rye
Blended whiskey: Barton Premium Blend, Mister Sam, Old Thompson, Ten High, Traveller
Canadian whisky: Canadian Mist, Caribou Crossing, Legacy, Rich & Rare, Seagram's V.O., The Northern Lights
Indian whisky: Paul John
Irish whiskey: Michael Collins, Paddy
Scotch whisky: John Begg
Bitter: Bittermens, Merchants Exchange, Peychaud's
Brandy: Paul Masson
Cognac: Sazerac de Forge
Gin: Booth's, Miles', Tinkerman's
Liqueur: Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream, Caravella, di Amore, Dimmi, Dr. McGillicuddy's, Firewater, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Goldschläger, Gran Gala, Grind, Herbsaint, Praline, Romana Sambuca, Ryan's Irish Style Cream, Southern Comfort, Tuaca, Yukon Jack, 99 Brand
Mezcal: Los Vecinos
Rum: Black Magic, Cane Run, Jung & Wulff, Myers's, Parrot Bay
Tequila: Corazón, Margaritaville, Monte Alban, Peligroso
Vodka: Fleischmann's, Frïs, HDW Clix, Nikolai, Platinum 10X, Popov, Rain, Saltworks Property, Tenure England, Wheatley
Other: Mr. Boston premium spirits
Canadian whisky is a type of whisky produced in Canada. Most Canadian whiskies are blended multi-grain liquors containing a large percentage of corn spirits, and are typically lighter and smoother than other whisky styles. When Canadian distillers began adding small amounts of highly-flavourful rye grain to their mashes, people began demanding this new rye-flavoured whisky, referring to it simply as "rye". Today, as for the past two centuries, the terms "rye whisky" and "Canadian whisky" are used interchangeably in Canada and refer to exactly the same product, which generally is made with only a small amount of rye grain.
Rye whiskey can refer to two different, but related, types of whiskey:
Allied Domecq PLC was an international company, headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses. It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard.
Pernod Ricard is a French company best known for its anise-flavoured pastis apéritifs Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis. The world's second-largest wine and spirits seller, it also produces several other types of pastis.
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is a private, American family-owned and operated distillery founded in 1935 and headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, that produces and markets the Heaven Hill brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a variety of other distilled spirits.
Brown–Forman Corporation is an American-based company, one of the largest in the spirits and wine business. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, it manufactures several very well known brands throughout the world, including Jack Daniel's, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, GlenDronach, BenRiach, Glenglassaugh, Herradura, Korbel, and Chambord. Brown–Forman formerly owned Southern Comfort and Tuaca before selling them off in 2016.
Barton Brands, Ltd. was a company that produced a variety of distilled beverages and liqueurs and is now part of the Sazerac Company, which is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has its principal offices in Louisville, Kentucky. The Barton distillery, currently known as the Barton 1792 distillery, was originally established in 1879, and is located in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Early Times is a brand of Kentucky whiskey produced by the Sazerac Company, one of the two largest spirits companies in the United States, which purchased the brand in mid-2020. Before the brand purchase, it was distilled in Shively, Kentucky, by the Brown-Forman Corporation, another of the largest North American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business.
Davide Campari-Milano N.V., trading as Campari Group, is an Italian company active since 1860 in the branded beverage industry. It produces spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic apéritifs. From its signature product, Campari, its portfolio has been extended to include over 50 brands, including Aperol, Appleton, Cinzano, SKYY vodka, Espolón, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, and Forty Creek whisky.
Mr. Boston, previously Old Mr. Boston, was a distillery located at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1933 to 1986. It produced its own label of gin, bourbon, rum, and brandies, as well as a few cordials and liqueurs.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, owned by the Sazerac Company. It has historically been known by several names, including the George T. Stagg Distillery and the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999. The name "Buffalo Trace" refers to the ancient buffalo trackway that crosses the Kentucky River in Franklin County, Kentucky. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992.
Luxco, Inc. is a privately owned producer and marketer of distilled beverages and liqueurs based in St. Louis, Missouri. It has been owned by MGP Ingredients since 2021.
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a Canadian alcohol manufacturing and distribution company. It was founded in 1859 in Corbyville, Ontario. As of 2008, the company is 46% owned by Pernod Ricard. The company distills several Canadian specialities, as well as marketing Pernod Ricard's products in Canada. Corby is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. Corby is known for funding free travel on the TTC on New Years Eve in Toronto.
Firefly Distillery is a company located near Park Circle North Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It produces a line of alcoholic beverages and licenses its brand name to the Sazerac Company for its Sweet Tea Vodka.
Glenmore Distillery Company was a large distillery company based in Owensboro, Kentucky best known as a producer of bourbon whiskey. In 2009, the company was acquired by the Sazerac Company, and is still operated under the name "The Glenmore Distillery".
Old Taylor Bourbon is a brand of straight bourbon whiskey produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky, by the Sazerac Company. It was named in honor of the historic distiller Col. Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr.
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring and sweeteners that is produced by the Sazerac Company. Its foundation is Canadian whisky, and the taste otherwise resembles the candy with a similar name, Ferrara Candy Company's "Atomic Fireball" candy. It is bottled at 33% alcohol by volume.
Suntory Global Spirits, formerly known as Beam Suntory, Inc., is the American subsidiary of the Japanese beverage company Suntory. The company produces alcoholic beverages.
William A. Goldring is an American billionaire businessman, chairman of the Sazerac Company, and head of the American family that owns Sazerac, a diverse spirits company in the US.
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