By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
Gruppo Campari is set to acquire Canada’s Forty Creek whisky distillery for CAD$185.6 million, with the deal expected to be finalised by June 2.
Forty Creek Distillery is known for its flagship award-winning Forty Creek Whisky range, which includes the Heart of Gold, Barrel Select, Copper Pot Reserve, Forty Creek Confederation Oak, Double Barrel and John K. Hall Reserve releases. The distillery also produces vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs.
“With Forty Creek Distillery, producer of the award winning Forty Creek range of premium Canadian whiskies, we are once again leveraging our acquisition framework in a very disciplined and consistent manner for long-term growth.
"Via the entry to the large and growing Canadian whisky segment this acquisition further increases our exposure to the highly attractive brown spirits category whilst continuing to enhance our premium portfolio,” said Gruppo Campari’s CEO, Bob Kunze-Concewitz.
Forty Creek Distillery’s founder John Hall will stay on following the purchase as company chairman and whisky maker, and Gruppo Campari has assured that all the current business structures and processes will remain unchanged following the acquisition.
“The addition of FCD will enable us to further build our critical mass in key North American markets, providing us with a strong market position in Canada and positioning us for further growth in our core US market," said Kunze-Concewitz.
"At the same time, our international route to market will also enable the Forty Creek whisky brand to grow faster out of its core North American market. Lastly, through this acquisition we will also be able to internalise key activities in the Canadian market.”
Campari Australia national brand ambassador Oliver Stuart told TheShout the company is excited about Forty Creek Whisky and the opportunity it represents.
"Forty Creek is already a bartender favourite in Canada and the U.S. This week we’ve been asked about the brand by bartenders Australia wide. We will, of course look at this opportunity more closely for this great Canadian whisky in the Australian market," Stuart said.