Sazerac buys 19 brands from New York spirits producer

Sazerac has started 2019 with a slew of new acquisitions, purchasing a total of 19 brands from the New York-based spirits producer Star Industries.

The brands include Georgi vodka and gin, Majorska vodka and gin, Llord’s cordials and liqueurs, Alexis vodka, Alexi vodka, Black Prince Scotch, Blansac brandy, Caribaya rum, Carnaby’s gin, Clyde’s gin, Devil Springs vodka, Donegal Irish whiskey, Dorado Tequila, Duncan’s, Little John gin, McColl’s, R.J. Hodges American whiskey, Sir Francis and Wild Flame cinnamon-flavoured whiskey.

Star’s New Jersey-based Black Prince Distillery will continue to produce the purchased brands for Sazerac for a transition period of up to six months, a news release said.

Star Industries was founded in 1934 in Sunnyside, Queens. The firm, based in Syosset, New York, also produces Waterford Gin and Casaleo wines.

A purchase price was not disclosed.

It follows news yesterday that the producer had upped its stake in India’s John Distilleries Private Limited (JDPL), buying a further 20% stake from Gaja Capital, the private equity house. Sazerac bought a 23% stake in JDPL from Gaja in October and will now own 43% of the company.

While the value of the transaction was not confirmed, the 20% stake in JPDL is thought to be worth £116 million.

Prior to that, in December, Sazerac closed on the purchase of 19 brands from Diageo for US$550. The brands purchased were Seagram’s V.O., Seagram’s 83, Seagram’s Five Star, Myers’s, Romana Sambuca, Yukon Jack, Booth’s, Goldschlager, Popov, Relska, The Club, Black Haus, Peligroso, Grind, Piehole, Parrot Bay, Stirrings, Scoresby and John Begg.