Sazerac acquires The Last Drop Distillers

The Sazerac Company has acquired The Last Drop Distillers Limited, a British family-run spirits bottler, for an undisclosed sum.

James Espey founded The Last Drop Distillers in 2008

New Orleans-based Sazerac says the move will allow the company to extend its portfolio in the super-premium ‘craft’ segment and expand its European footprint.

It is understood that the existing Last Drops Distillers team will continue to run the business autonomously post-acquisition.

“This acquisition marks the next stage of The Last Drop Distillers story that will see us take the brand to the next level while retaining and building our core values of exclusivity, craft and excellence,” said James Espey, co-founder and chairman of The Last Drop Distillers.

“The existing team of passionate and experienced spirits pioneers will continue to steer the direction of the brand, while the investment allows us to grow our international footprint and widen our opportunities to search for the rarest spirits in the world.”

Espey founded the Last Drops Distillers business with Tom Jago in 2008 following successful individual careers in the industry. Between them they worked to create brands including Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, The Classic Malts, Malibu and Baileys Irish Cream.

As The Last Drop Distillers, they have released a number of rare Scotch whisky and Cognac bottlings to market.

The Last Drop Distillers recently appointed Mike Keiller, former CEO of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, as a board director in order to accelerate growth.