Constellation Brands continues its buying spree in the American whiskey market. Hot on the heels of the news of their recent acquisition of High West for $160 million, Constellation Brands has now acquired a minority stake in The Bardstown Bourbon Company. The size of the investment, or the size of the stake, is unclear.
According to a recent statement, Bardstown will “continue to operate independently,” while giving Constellation Brands access to Bardstown’s state-of-the-art facilities. Here’s what Constellation’s people have to say about it:
“This is an exciting and unique investment for Constellation, and different than the venture activity we’ve explored to date,” said Ben Dollard, senior vice president and chief growth officer, Constellation Brands. “Investing in a state-of-the-art bourbon facility at Bardstown provides us access to knowledge and production capability to support our emerging premium spirits portfolio over time. At the same time, Bardstown will grow with our investment as well as our experience in the beverage alcohol space, our relationships within the industry and our people.”
The Bardstown Bourbon Company plans to open its consumer-facing operation in early 2017. Earlier this year, Bardstown announced their collaborative whiskey, bourbon, and rye distilling program had already sold out. Their current design does allow for an expansion.
“We are very encouraged to have Constellation as a strategic partner,” said David Mandell, president and chief executive officer of Bardstown Bourbon Company. “Constellation’s investment and support will further help The Bardstown Bourbon Company reshape the American whiskey market.”
Constellation Brands is a beer, wine, and spirit conglomerate that owns Corona beer, Svedka Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and Robert Mondavi wines, among other prominent brands. They currently seem to be focusing heavily on acquisitions: last year, they acquired craft brewery Ballast Point for a reported price of $1 billion.