Sazerac Co has added Domaine Breuil de Segonzac to its Cognac footprint

The Sazerac Co has book-ended a year that started with the purchase of Southern Comfort and Tuaca with the acquisition of Cognac producer Domaine Breuil de Segonzac.

The privately-owned spirits firm said late yesterday that while the transaction does not include any Cognac brands, it will take ownership of a distillery, vineyards and existing stock. Domaine Breuil is located near Segonzac, 20km south-east of Cognac.

The property comprises 220 acres, with a distillery that houses four pot stills. When contacted by just-drinks, a spokesperson for Sazerac declined to detail the volume or age of the stock included.

"Over the years, we have represented various Cognac brands," the spokesperson said, noting that the group handles the Meukow portfolio in the US and Australia. "We consider our future plans for this Cognac house to be complementary to the brands we currently represent."

The purchase is a result of the decision by existing owners, Patrick and Maria Brillet, to retire. Financial details were not disclosed.

In January, Sazerac took over the Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands from Brown-Forman. The buy was followed in May by the addition of Pernod Ricard's Paddy Irish whiskey. Then, having bought UK spirits bottler The Last Drop Distillers in September, the group also purchased Australian spirits distributor SouthTrade International. The month also saw the company buy Fris Vodka from Pernod.

Finally, earlier this week, a Tennessee whiskey distillery was brought into the fold.