Family-owned whisky maker William Grant & Sons has reached over the pond to acquire a distillery in New York state.
The Dufftown firm has taken control of Tuthilltown Spirits, a craft distilling pioneer that produces a range of spirits including rye and bourbon whiskies, vodka and gin.
William Grant already owned the Hudson Whisky brand since it acquired it in 2010. The deal – for an undisclosed sum – sees William Grant also acquire the 36-acre Tuthilltown facility which includes the distillery, a gourmet restaurant, visitor center and scenic grounds with riverfront views.
The company said the deal sees it “reach into craft American whiskey distilling for the first time”.
Simon Hunt, chief executive, said: “In 2010, William Grant & Sons bought the Hudson Whiskey brand as we were not only attracted to the possibilities within the American whiskey category but in particular, the authenticity of the Hudson brand and the excellence of the whiskey; the same is true of the distillery. The entire team at Tuthilltown bring an incredible passion to what they do and possess an entrepreneurial spirit that we will whole heartedly encourage.”
Tuthilltown was founded in 2003 – the state’s first new distillery since the end of the US prohibition on spirits in the 1920s. Founders Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee have grown the business based on expanding its range of hand-made, batch-distilled spirits often made from local produce – its makes its Indigenous brand of vodka with either wheat or local apples.
William Grant said Mr Erenzo would continue to run the business.
Mr Hunt said: “Ralph will still be very much involved in the business on a day to day basis collaborating and experimenting with our team of distillery experts and master blenders.”
Mr Erenzo said: “William Grant & Sons is a company that holds true family values and is home to a number of spirits brands we respect and admire. It is renowned for its excellence in distilling and we share similar. We’ve been working with William Grant & Sons for a number of years and look forward to building on that relationship to help Tuthilltown fully achieve its potential.”
The Hudson Whiskey range includes the flagship Hudson Baby Bourbon, as well as Hudson Manhattan Rye, Hudson Single Malt Whiskey, Hudson New York Corn Whiskey, Hudson Four Grain Bourbon and additional seasonal releases.
