Jose Cuervo owner finalises Pendleton Whisky purchase

Drinks group Becle, owner of Jose Cuervo Tequila, has completed its acquisition of Canadian whisky brand Pendleton.

Jose Cuervo’s parent company now owns Pendleton Whisky

Mexico-headquartered Becle first announced its agreement to purchase Pendleton, described as “one of the leading super-premium whisky brands in the US”, from Oregon-based Hood River Distillers in December 2017.

In addition to the core expression, the deal includes the Pendleton Midnight, Pendleton 1910 and Pendleton Directors’ Reserve whiskies.

The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Pendleton Whisky was launched in 2003 and has since grown its annual sales volume to the equivalent of more than 250,000 nine-litre cases. Following the acquisition, Hood River will continue to bottle the brand.

“The Pendleton Whisky brand will fill an important strategic position in our portfolio, as we add a fast-growing, super-premium whisky to complement our broad selection of international spirits,” Mark Teasdale, president and CEO of Proximo Spirits, the US operating subsidiary of Becle, said when the acquisition was first announced.

Becle took over the ownership of Irish whiskey brand Bushmills from Diageo in 2014 as part of a brand swap that saw the UK drinks giant take full control of Don Julio Tequila.

In addition to Jose Cuervo and Bushmills, Becle’s portfolio includes the Three Olives and Hangar 1 vodka brands, Stranahan’s whiskey and Boodles gin.