Pernod Ricard adds Bourbon to its portfolio with super premium brand Rabbit Hole

Press Release 14/06/2019

pernod ricard

Pernod Ricard adds Bourbon to its portfolio with super premium brand Rabbit Hole 

Partnership with fast-growing, high-potential brands is the latest in a series of 
successful deals illustrating the Group's active portfolio management, 
part of its three-year strategic plan 'Transform & Accelerate'

 

Pernod Ricard, through Pernod Ricard USA's New Brand Ventures division, is delighted to announce yesterday's signing of the agreement for the acquisition of a majority share of Rabbit Hole Whiskey, produced and based in Louisville, Kentucky. 
 
Rabbit Hole, an award-winning range of Kentucky spirits, is particularly recognized for its iconic, state-of-the-art distillery in the heart of Louisville. The brand's Straight Bourbon and Rye whiskeys are crafted with a mix of carefully selected grains, distilled in copper Vendome column stills and aged in native oak barrels by Louisville's hot summers and cold winters.  The Bourbon category is currently undergoing a renaissance; new consumers are discovering its quality and versatility as Bourbon can be appreciated neat and has also recently earned its rightful place in modern mixology. 

As was the case with previous successful partnerships such as Monkey 47 super premium gin, Smooth Ambler West Virginian whiskey and Del Maguey mezcal, Pernod Ricard is joining forces with a passionate entrepreneur, Kaveh Zamanian. The founder of Rabbit Hole left his day job as a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst to fully dedicate himself to the art of crafting whiskey in the very heart of Kentucky's whiskey culture. As part of the strategic partnership, Kaveh is keeping the majority of his shares in Rabbit Hole and will continue to operate the company.  

With this strategic partnership, Pernod Ricard expands its newly created portfolio of specialty brands, gathering smaller brands with unique and comprehensive value propositions and select distribution. In the United States, Rabbit Hole will be part of the New Brand Ventures portfolio along with 
recently-acquired brands Smooth Ambler and Del Maguey.

For Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, 'This partnership is the perfect implementation of our long-term investment strategy to create sustainable value. Kaveh and I embrace the same entrepreneurial spirit.  Rabbit Hole is a fast-growing brand, strongly rooted in its terroir and very well positioned in the high-end Bourbon and Kentucky whiskey categories. We are excited to take the brand to the next stage of its very promising development.' 

Kaveh Zamanian added, 'Pernod Ricard and I share the same entrepreneurial values and our ethos and strategic visions are fully aligned. By leveraging Pernod Ricard's extensive distribution network to reach new consumers, we are able to strengthen Rabbit Hole's position as a brand and amplify its presence as a new voice in American Whiskey. In partnership with Pernod Ricard, Rabbit Hole is poised to reach new heights. I am very excited about this partnership and our future together.'
This transaction is expected to close shortly.'
 

Tags

On the same topic

  • Pernod Ricard ramps up its activity in the no-alcohol category by introducing BEEFEATER 0.0%

    Pernod Ricard today announces a significant addition to its no-alcohol brand portfolio with the launch of Beefeater 0.0%.

    Read more
  • Pernod Ricard to sell Becherovka iconic Czech Bitter to Maspex Group

    Pernod Ricard signed today an agreement to sell the Becherovka brand and related assets (including the production and logistics facilities in Karlovy Vary) to Maspex Group. The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary conditions and is expected to occur before the end of June 2024.

    Read more
  • Pernod Ricard Introduces The Chuan: China’s first prestige Malt Whisky

    Emeishan, Dec 12th, 2023 - Pernod Ricard, today proudly introduces 叠川The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky. Leading the way in a new category, this first-ever product of The Chuan celebrates the vision of Pernod Ricard to create a prestige malt whisky made in China. 

    Read more