Smooth Ambler Bought By Pernod Ricard
By Richard Thomas
In yet another acquisition of a small American bottler/distiller by an international drinks heavyweight, Pernod Ricard has bought a majority stake in West Virginia-based Smooth Amber for an undisclosed sum.
Pernod Ricard is the world’s second largest drinks company, and owns Jameson, Seagram, and the Chivas Brothers Scotch Whisky portfolio, as well as a host of Indian whiskies and many other alcoholic beverage brands besides. Smooth Ambler is a micro-distiller and bottler who is best known for their sourced products, which have developed a substantial following among serious bourbon enthusiasts.
The American craft distilling scene has exploded in recent years, with over 1,300 active small distilleries in the country today (and counting). However, all of the high profile acquisitions during the last two years have been of companies that were bottlers that had not opened a distillery yet (Angel’s Envy) or were primarily bottlers (High West and now Smooth Ambler).
