Angel’s Envy Bourbon Snapped Up By Spirits Giant Bacardi

In a move that creates a new larger player in the hot American bourbon market, Bacardi Limited, described as the “largest privately held spirits company in the world,” has purchased for itself Louisville Distilling out of Kentucky. While many individuals may not know that name off the top of their heads, you likely know the bourbon they are involved in  – Angel’s Envy.

“We have a clear strategy aligned to meet consumer needs in premium spirits and are building an even stronger portfolio through innovation and acquisition,” said Bacardi Limited CEO Mike Dolan in a statement. “The purchase of Angel’s Share Brands and the Angels’ Envy portfolio further reinforces our commitment to growing the super-premium spirits sector.”

Through this acquisition Bacardi, known by most for making one of the most popular rums in the world, gets its hands on one of the top ten fastest growing super-premium bourbons in the United States. The American straight category, according to the spirits giant, as a whole “has experienced a resurgence in the past five years with a nearly five percent growth rate while the super-premium American straight segment has grown nearly 10 percent during the same time.”

Angel’s Envy’s operations will continue in a standalone fashion, which includes plans for a new distillery and “brand experience center” being readied for a 2016 opening in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The whiskey line, which also includes a rye and cask strength bourbon, was created by the late master distiller Lincoln Henderson. Henderson, an inaugural member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame, is considered by many to be “one of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the U.S.”

It should be noted that though this is Bacardi’s first bourbon acquisition, the company is not entirely unfamiliar with the whiskey category. It, for example, also owns Dewar’s blended Scotch.