Japan’s Kirin Holdings is reportedly looking to sell its Four Roses bourbon whiskey brand for around US$1bn.
The Tokyo-headquartered brand owner has called in advisors from UBS to gauge interest from potential buyers of late, according to a report in The FT today (24 October). Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the news service added that “first-round bids” may arrive as soon as November.
Kirin was not immediately available for comment, while UBS declined to provide details when approached by Global Drinks Intel.
Four Roses, which is produced in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and was acquired by Kirin in 2002, accounted for around $70m in adjusted earnings annually, according to The FT‘s sources. The group’s other alcohol brands include its flagship Kirin Ichiban beer, Fuji Japanese whisky and XXXX beer via its Australia & New Zealand business unit, Lion Group.
The FT wrote that the possible divestment comes as Kirin is looking to transition from the embattled spirits category in Japan to focus on its healthcare business: The group owns a pharmaceuticals subsidiary called Kyowa Kirin.
This is not the first time that a sale of Four Roses has been mooted, following speculation in 2017 that Constellation Brands was an interested party. The rumours, which have since proved to be unfounded, came around a year after Constellation bought into The Bardstown Bourbon Co, also in Kentucky, as well as Utah-based American whiskey producer High West Distillery.
