US spirits major Sazerac has bought local craft distiller Western Son Vodka and Distillery for an undisclosed sum.
Based in Pilot Point, Texas, Western Son produces a range of flavoured vodkas as well as a gin under its namesake brand.
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The deal sees Sazerac acquire the entire company, including its employees, production capabilities, assets and brands, Sazerac confirmed to Just Drinks.
The group could not confirm at this stage how many staff would be joining Sazerac.
“We are excited to bring Western Son to Sazerac,” Jake Wenz, CEO of Sazerac said in a statement.
“The company has created a strong brand and it provides us an opportunity to continue to augment our portfolio, while also adding additional production capacity and capabilities to our network.”
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By GlobalDataWestern Son has declined to comment further on the latest deal with Sazerac.
The vodka and gin distiller had originally been set to be taken over by Splash Beverage. In September 2023, the company announced a letter of intent to buy Western Son’s owner JEM Beverage Management Company.
Splash Beverage then revealed in February that the the terms of its acquisition had been revised.
Both businesses had outlined an agreement that Splash Beverage described as “primarily a stock-for-equity transaction”. They had initially lined up a “majority cash-based acquisition”, the company said.
The transaction had been expected to be finalised by the first quarter of the year but Western Son has confirmed that the deal was never completed.
The purchase marks Sazerac’s third acquisition in the last 18 months.
At the end of last year, the Buffalo Trace Bourbon whiskey maker snapped up Svedka vodka from Constellation Brands. In March 2024 the company also bought ready-to-drink cocktails producer Buzzball. Financial details were not disclosed for either of the two deals.
Western Son joins a number of vodka brands in Sazerac’s portfolio. As well as Svedka, the group also produces Wheatley Vodka, Rain and Saltworks Property among other vodka brands.
Last month, The Coca-Cola Company moved its alcohol ready-to-drinks business to Sazerac.
The Coca-Cola Co., which runs its alcoholic RTD interests through “firewalled subsidiary” Red Tree Beverages, said Sazerac will take over the manufacturing and distribution of the Fresca Mixed, Fresca Hard and Minute Maid Spiked products.
