Constellation Brands, traditionally a large player in the wine industry, is serious in wanting to get into craft whiskey it looks like. It first made a splash last year with the $160 million High West acquisition, followed by a minority investment in Kentucky-based Bardstown Bourbon Company. Now word has come down of a similar investment play in Virginia-based Catoctin Creek Distilling.
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“We are excited about our future in craft spirits,” added Scott Harris, founder and general manager of the distillery. “When we started, our core mission was to produce the finest rye whisky possible. Constellation understands that core mission, and shares our business values.”
As plans stand now the core management team of Scott and Becky Harris, who founded the distillery in 2009, will remain the same. The investment by Constellation will allow Catoctin Creek to expand, with plans for that to happen later this year.
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This financial play by a large spirits company into a craft whiskey producer was a trend we saw begin to pick up speed in the latter half of last year. In addition to Constellation’s plays with High West and Bardstown, investments and/or buyouts also happened with Westland/Remy Cointreau, Popcorn Sutton (more accurately their distillery only)/Sazerac and Smooth Ambler/Pernod Ricard. There’s no reason at this point to think this trend will slow down anytime soon.
