Big American Distillery Back in American Hands After More Than 20 Years

The iconic bourbon Four Roses is getting a new owner, bringing it back into American hands. U.S. wine and spirits giant Gallo has acquired the bourbon producer for a striking $775 million. After more than two decades, the brand is returning to American ownership.

Last year, Japanese beverage company Kirin announced it would put Four Roses up for sale. The Japanese firm felt the American distillery was ready for a new steward. Four Roses’ revenue numbers have been very strong, and Kirin reportedly hoped to fetch up to a billion euros. That didn’t materialize, but the bourbon maker still commanded a substantial price.

The distillery has now been sold for an eye-popping sum. Four Roses has changed hands for $775 million. The new owner is Gallo, an American drinks company.

Gallo transferred the vast majority of the purchase price to Kirin right away, but not all of it. Fifty million dollars will remain with Gallo for now. This is a performance-based component that will only be paid out if Four Roses hits a predetermined revenue target. What that target is has not been disclosed.

With the sale to Gallo, Four Roses is back in American ownership after roughly 23 years under Japanese control. The Japanese chapter has done the distillery no harm.

Kirin bought the company in 2002 and transformed it from a budget bourbon into a respected whiskey brand. Today, Four Roses is known and loved around the world.

The distillery has also become far more valuable than when Kirin acquired it. Reports suggest Kirin paid around $165 million at the time.

Whether Gallo plans to steer Four Roses in a new direction or continue along the path set by Kirin has not been announced.