Sazerac Acquires Shuttered Kentucky Distillery to Expand Spirits Production
Sazerac has acquired the shuttered Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, Kentucky for approximately $20 million. The purchase is part of Sazerac's broader strategy to increase spirits production capacity and meet growing demand across its portfolio. This acquisition follows a series of major investments by the company, including a $1 billion plan announced last year aimed at expanding facilities around Kentucky. The newly acquired facility includes two 20,000-square-foot barrel warehouses on 210 acres and will be used for both production and aging spirits to support Sazerac's brands. The distillery had opened in 2024 but closed a year later due to financial difficulties. Sazerac plans to revive operations at the site and hire additional workers, reinforcing its commitment to Kentucky as a key part of its business. Sazerac President and CEO Jake Wenz emphasized that despite expansion into new categories like ready-to-drink cocktails and soju, the company remains focused on whiskey production. The acquisition complements recent expansions such as the $1.2 billion Buffalo Trace project and other facility investments totaling nearly $90 million.