Sazerac Co has confirmed it is in the process of purchasing Kentucky-based Garrard County Distilling Co.
Late yesterday (29 June), a spokesperson for the Buffalo Trace brand owner told Global Drinks Intel that the company had been “the successful bidder in the auction process” for the facility, although the transaction remains subject to closing conditions. Asked how much Sazerac had bid for Garrard County Distilling, the spokesperson declined to comment.
According to local news broadcaster ABC 36 News, the property was sold at a court-ordered auction on Friday (26 June) for US$20m. Sazerac was said to have purchased the facility through a business called Tom Collins Distilling – which was the only bidder.
Earlier this year, Louisiana-headquartered Sazerac was reported by Kentucky news outlet the Lexington Herald-Leader to have become the main creditor for the company, paying off US$26m of its debt to Truist Bank. This transaction was separate to last week’s sale.
Garrard County Distilling was opened in 2024 but closed and entered receivership last year, amid lawsuits from contractors and liens reportedly exceeding $2.5m. The business owned a 50,000-square-foot distillery south of Lexington in the state.
Last week, Sazerac released 16 new RTDs in the US, launching two new-to-market brands and taking its Buckhorn American whiskey into the category.
