Luxco renames distillery to bolster MGP’s own-label brands

MGP-owned whiskey maker Luxco has rebranded its 174-year-old Lawrenceburg, Indiana, production facility to Ross & Squibb Distillery.

Third-party producer MGP Ingredients acquired Luxco in April. MGP has expanded its own-label offering over the past few years, and Luxco now serves as its branded spirits division.

Luxco brought an extensive spirits portfolio – including Ezra Brooks Bourbon, El Mayor Tequila and Everclear – to the merger, and became the distiller of MGP brands George Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye, both made at the renamed distillery.

The moniker ‘Ross & Squibb’ marries the history of these Bourbon and rye brands. ‘Ross’ is named after George Ross, who founded the Rossville Distillery in 1847, located on the site that is now Ross & Squibb. Rossville produced rye whiskeys, which have influenced the Rossville Union brand.

Meanwhile, ‘Squibb’ is a reference to the historic Squibb Distillery, founded in Lawrenceburg in 1869 and purchased by George Remus in 1921. Remus was the inspiration behind Luxco’s George Remus Bourbon.

“In rebranding our Lawrenceburg distillery, we sought to celebrate Indiana’s rich and important distilling history, particularly as it involves the inspiration behind our branded spirits,” said David Bratcher, chief operating officer and president of branded spirits for MGP.

“All Ross & Squibb brands find their inspiration in Indiana distilling history, so it is fitting the distillery itself now does as well.”

The distillery will continue to serve as a home for third-party production as well, making Bourbon, rye, whiskey, gin and neutral spirits for MGP’s customers under its current name, MGPI of Indiana.

MGP’s acquisition of Luxco boosted the parent company’s performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, with sales up by 89% year on year.