Whisky Focus - Bacardi Buys Angel’s Envy Bourbon

Bacardi enters the American Bourbon market with the purchase of Angel's Envy.

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, has now entered the American Bourbon market with the purchase of Louisville-based Angel’s Share Brands, its subsidiary, Louisville Distilling Co., and its Angel's Envy Bourbon. This deal marks the Company’s first entry into the bourbon category of the North American whiskey sector.

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

Angel's Envy Port Finished Bourbon, the flagship brand, is one of the top ten fastest growing super-premium bourbons in the United States. The American straight Bourbon category 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 will continue as a standalone operation, meaning the business structure, employee base, production, distribution, commercial and marketing activities will remain unchanged. Angel's Envy’s new distillery and brand experience centre in downtown Louisville is planned for a 2016 opening and will showcase the great tradition of Kentucky bourbon-making.

Angel's Envy was created by the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson, one of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the U.S. and an inaugural member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame. The brand is hand-blended in small batches of 8 to12 barrels. Each batch, or "expression," is allowed to develop naturally, creating nuances in the bourbon from year-to-year.

The three expressions of Angel's Envy are currently available in on- and off-premise establishments throughout the United States. The award winning flagship expression of Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in port wine barrels earned the highest-ever rating for a bourbon from Wine Enthusiast, Angel's Envy Finished Rye was awarded "Four Stars" and "Highly Recommended" by Spirit Journal, and Angel's Envy Cask Strength was named by Spirit Journal as "Best Spirit in the World."

Terms of the transaction, closed on March 27, were not disclosed.

Angel's Envy is hard to find in the UK but it is often available from whisky specialist shops such as  The Whisky Exchange
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops
  

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