Edrington invests in American whiskey with Wyoming deal

Scottish spirits company Edrington has entered the American whiskey category, having acquired a minority stake in Wyoming Whiskey for an undisclosed sum.

Edrington, which has a portfolio of brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes and The Famous Grouse, has invested in Kirby-based Wyoming Whiskey in a deal which will see Edrington take on all sales, marketing and distribution of Wyoming’s range.

Founded by cattle ranchers Brad and Kate Mead, all whiskey will continue to be produced at Wyoming’s current site using local grains and water from the mile-deep, limestone aquifer.

Wyoming Whiskey’s portfolio includes Small Batch Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, Barrel Strength Bourbon, Outryder Straight American Whiskey, Private Stock Bourbon and Double Cask Sherry-finished Bourbon.

Ian Curle, chief executive of Edrington, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with the Mead family to bring Wyoming Whiskey into the Edrington portfolio. This deal is a further step towards becoming the world’s leading premium spirits company and adds to a brilliant year in which we opened our award-winning distillery and brand home for The Macallan.”

Chris Spalding, president and CEO Edrington Americas added: “We are excited that Wyoming Whiskey is joining Edrington Americas’ award-winning portfolio. American Whiskey is one of the fastest growing premium spirit categories in the USA, itself the largest premium spirits market in the world. Wyoming Whiskey holds its own against the nation’s finest. The brand has been acclaimed by national spirits experts who can attest that world class whiskey is being made out on the Wyoming frontier. We are proud to be playing our part in helping more consumers discover the quality of this outstanding American Whiskey.”

Brad Mead, founder and president of Wyoming Whiskey said: “I’ve long admired Edrington’s portfolio and its ethos of giving more. To see Wyoming Whiskey alongside The Macallan, Highland Park, and the entire line-up at Edrington Americas’ headquarters in New York is just fantastic, but I know we’ve earned it. With Edrington, Wyoming Whiskey will be offered opportunities that we could not have achieved on our own. This partnership will allow our brand to grow without the practical limitations that we faced as a standalone distiller. It’s an exciting time for us”.

Based in Scotland, Edrington currently employs around 3,000 people, over 70% of which are located overseas.

In May this year, it unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience for The Macallan designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, with the project conceived and managed by The Macallan’s outgoing creative director Ken Grier.

In June it put its Cutty Sark and Glenturret whisky brands up for sale, along with its Glenturret distillery in Crieff, to prioritise investment in its core brands.

In May last year, Berry Bros sold The Glenrothes whisky brand back to Edrington, its original owners, for an undisclosed sum.