Chilco River acquires Daru Whiskey

California-based Chilco River Holdings has agreed to purchase Canadian brand Daru Whiskey.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the deal was completed through restricted Chilco River stock shares.

Daru Whiskey was founded by brothers Andy and Sonny Sran in 2020. It is produced in Canada at a private label distillery with a custom recipe. The brothers have also now officially joined Chilco River as advisors.

The brand’s flagship product, an Indian-inspired Canadian whisky, is made from 100% Canadian corn mash bill and is aged for three years in Canadian oak barrels. It sits at 45% ABV and has an RRP of US$34.99.

Chilco River’s CEO, Will Lovett, said the brand “represents exactly the type of brand we look to bring into the Chilco River platform – authentic, award-winning, and already demonstrating meaningful traction”.

“We believe Daru has significant runway for growth across new states, retail channels, and international markets, and we are excited to accelerate that expansion,” he added.

Daru Whiskey is in more than 50 retail and restaurant locations across California and Arizona. It also has listings with Total Wine and a distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in California, with expansion plans for Florida.

Chilco River intends to expand Daru’s distribution in the US, up its presence in major retail and on-trade accounts and accelerate direct-to-consumer and online sales channels.

The company will also look to introduce new product extensions and line innovations, and explore opportunities in international markets.

In March, Chilco River Holdings purchased Excuse Mixers for an undisclosed sum.

Plans for Tequila

Chilco River also gained official Mexican regulatory CRT approval for its Excuse Tequila Diamond Edition in February, a 100% agave reposado cristalino bottled at 40% ABV.

The company has developed the Excuse Tequila brand over the last two years and said it has a five-year production agreement with an unnamed Tequila distilling partner.

Lovett said about the approval for Excuse Tequila: “We have emphasised regulatory adherence, product quality, and brand positioning. With CRT approval secured, we will continue progressing through final certification procedures and commercial rollout planning.”

The Tequila is yet to launch and Chilco River is still ‘progressing through remaining certification procedures and US distribution coordination’.

Additionally, at the start of April, Chilco River also announced that its premium Bourbon brand, Mr Cliff’s, is available for online purchase in Texas.

“We are seeing strong early traction, with our first round of sales already underway and building momentum,” Lovett added of Mr Cliff’s launch. “Our strategy is to execute in a disciplined, measured way scaling production, expanding distribution, and strengthening brand partnerships.

“The work we are doing today in Texas lays the groundwork for broader online availability, with the goal of offering Mr Cliff’s Premium Bourbon in all 50 states.”